Evaporator Coil Maintenance

[GBJeffOH]

Last summer I did not think the AC had the cooling it should have.

I have 1,226 hours on it.

I pulled roof and took the top cover off from the HVAC unit.

The evaporator was about 50% clogged with something that was hard enough that a blow gun would not touch it.

The fins are really close together.

I brushed it off then soaked it in evaporator cleaner. Then I rinsed it with water.

Where the ceiling and the rear corner posts are it is not a very good seal. There was dust on the inside of the roof there.

Sorry I did not take pictures before I cleaned it.

 

[Bee-Positive]

I've found that using a Coil Cleaning Brush is helpful.
Using the dog's brush is pretty much the same (just don't tell the wife ).
Not sure about sealing the top, maybe some weather stripping?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

One of those 'out of site- out of mind' things. They need to be inspected monthly depending on weather conditions( dry and dusty ). Same holds true for household A/C units

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Make sure the drains are clean!

 

[Russell King]

I don’t have any idea how much room you have around the edges of the top where you think it is leaking dust into the coil but you might try to fit an air conditioner filter in there somehow. I use a Filtrete cut to fit blue filter (see below). It is a flexible material (plastic?) that will somewhat support itself.

The one I use in front of the radiator screen is washable so I cut two out so I can have a dry one to put in. I usually shake one out several times before washing it out.

I think Lowe’s is the only place I have seen them locally. There are other similar products but I avoid the fiberglass ones because they get caught on the bolt heads and sharp edges of the tractor and are difficult to install and remove.

 

[jaxs]

Most assuredly the air inside cab that is recirculated is LOADED with debris that will clogg evaporator coils. The coils are wet when cooling so everything sticks to it. After cleaning coils, make sure fins aren't holding trash by looking through at light on other side. It takes 60-80 psi water spray to knock it out. Air hose will also do it after debris has been soaked.

Russel Kings idea of filtering as best you can will help. The shop on a large farm fabricated fan forced filter boxes for all their tractors and harvesters. The box pulls air from cabin through a filter then sends clean air into evaporator intake. Sounds like a lot of trouble but not only does it keep operators more comfortable, it makes air more healthy to breath and extends life of ac components.