Houghton a/c youtube re: humidity issues

[GAP]

On 12/17/2022 at 3:48 PM, Geronimo John said:

Certainly an odd design.  I know that on some A/C systems it is normal to run the fan after compressor shut down for a short time to lower the head pressure.  Sort of like an unloader in a shop air compressor.  The intent for those set-ups is to decrease the re-start torque.  But to run it continuously after compressor shut down boggles my mind as well.  

If the fan running while the compressor is off is the source of the problem, would it make sense to have chosen a smaller unit?  Would the 9.5 BTU in an Elite 2 run the compressor for longer periods, removing more moisture from the air?  I would also guess that the smaller unit running for longer would have a similar power draw to what the bigger unit would use running for a shorter time.

 

[Geronimo John]

I call your attention to the last paragraph of my late December post:

               

So it appears we all pretty much agree that the problem is humidity evaporating off the coil due to the fan running continuously.  The cause is a design change by Houghton, likely to benefit Aussie owners who have far less of a humidity issue than we do in the USA.                           

             

Since the question can not be answered by RecPro, time to bypass them and ask Houghton directly what specifically needs to be done to switch our Type 2 units to Type 1?

I'm focused on the condensate issue.   Someone want to tackle this issue directly?  

GJ

 

[SeaDawg]

I'll look forward to the answers you get.

May not be a huge deal for you, as you are in the west, but very important for many .

And, I'm sure you just want to know. 

Said the wife of another engineer.. .

[Geronimo John]

8 hours ago, GAP said:

If the fan running while the compressor is off is the source of the problem, would it make sense to have chosen a smaller unit?  Would the 9.5 BTU in an Elite 2 run the compressor for longer periods, removing more moisture from the air?  I would also guess that the smaller unit running for longer would have a similar power draw to what the bigger unit would use running for a shorter time.

This was discussed in a previous thread.  For hot summers, likely a 9.5 unit would be too small for most owners.  A perfect solution would be an 11K BTU unit, but Houghton does not have a low profile one.  But the fan would need to be cycled with the compressor regardless.  Part of that discussion included thoughts concerning insulation changes OTT made recently.  I would love to know some specific's about that topic!

As far as energy consumption, a smaller "right sized" unit running longer will provide better humidity control than a larger unit run/stop.  ESPECIALLY if it is a Set 2 Houghton unit!   And in doing so generally uses less energy.

 

[Geronimo John]

19 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

Said the wife of another engineer.. .

LOL.  I know the feeling as the husband of a Masters level Electrical Engineer.  She is a special rare bird in our vintage.

[SeaDawg]

Too bad there is no manual j for travel trailers. 

Too many variables. 

[CRM]

8 hours ago, GAP said:

If the fan running while the compressor is off is the source of the problem, would it make sense to have chosen a smaller unit?  Would the 9.5 BTU in an Elite 2 run the compressor for longer periods, removing more moisture from the air?  I would also guess that the smaller unit running for longer would have a similar power draw to what the bigger unit would use running for a shorter time.

 

I have a Coleman 9.2k BTU in my Elite 2 and would replace with the same if/when it decides to give up on me. So far all of my camping has been in my home state of Florida and mostly during hot and humid weather conditions. Pretty much runs continuously on 90+ days, but always brings the temps and humidity down to comfortable levels within an hour or so of setup, and holds it for the duration. Uses around 10amps on AC and 16 amps on the 6k BTU heat strip.  

[bhncb]

4 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Since the question can not be answered by RecPro, time to bypass them and ask Houghton directly what specifically needs to be done to switch our Type 2 units to Type 1?

I'm focused on the condensate issue.   Someone want to tackle this issue directly?  

You're closest. 😀

[Geronimo John]

1 hour ago, bhncb said:

You're closest. 😀

Likely for sure.  But I best not start "Another" project.

Besides I think you were the BEST and most knowledgeable person to post on this thread!  Just look at those pictures of your second spare unit!

  🙂  Gotcha!

GJ

[Geronimo John]

5 hours ago, CRM said:

Pretty much runs continuously on 90+ days,

As it was designed to do. 

However, for owners traveling to MUCH warmer states, where summers see temperatures often in the 100's and at times well over 110 degrees, a 9K BTU unit in an OE2 would not work well at all.  Hence the middle ground of 11K Btu recommendation for trailers with the upgraded? insulation package and owners that don't go out there where it is real hot.

As an owner with an "Older" 2018 that does not have the rumored  (Yet to be confirmed)  insulation upgrade, that is "out there" all the time where it gets real hot, even 11K BTU unit likely is undersized.  Hence my decision to go with the 13K BTU Houghton.    

As has been said before, each owner's relevant experience is based upon their use of their trailer.  My hope is that those looking to go with a different A/C is to take our recommendations with knowing where and what we expect to see in heat loads to the AC when making their decisions.

Thanks for your point of view. 

PS:  Sure wish I knew in detail what that rumored insulation "update" is.  It may even sway me to ponder for a second or two about a 11K BTU in 110+ areas where I have shore power that can allow me to run the unit 24/7.  But then, an hour or two to cool down then would need to be considered too.  I hope you are not now as confused as I am.  🙂

GJ  

[bhncb]

10 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Likely for sure.  But I best not start "Another" project.

Besides I think you were the BEST and most knowledgeable person to post on this thread!  Just look at those pictures of your second spare unit!

  🙂  Gotcha!

GJ

Do we really need another fool’s errand to go along with adapting those Dometic drip pans?

Ouch! Watch for it.

[Geronimo John]

Might be worth the question.  But if it as half as complex as the drip plans have turned out to be, it's not worth the effort.  

But then it may just be swapping a wire on a relay.  

GJ

[bhncb]

2 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Might be worth the question.  But if it as half as complex as the drip plans have turned out to be, it's not worth the effort.  

But then it may just be swapping a wire on a relay.  

GJ

OK you wore me down. Sent Houghton an email asking about the evap fan control and option for internal condensation. We'll see how responsive their are.

[bhncb]

On 1/19/2023 at 1:46 PM, bhncb said:

OK you wore me down. Sent Houghton an email asking about the evap fan control and option for internal condensation. We'll see how responsive their are.

The General Manager of Houghton responded  to my questions with the following:

Thanks for reaching out with your queries.

To answer your questions regarding the Houghton A3400 and A2801:

1 – There is no option or modification available to collect condensate and direct it to an internal drain.

2 -  There is no option for stopping the inside fan when the compressor has stopped in Cooling mode. We do this very deliberately to maintain air flow over the return air temperature sensor. This ensures that the unit will respond appropriately to the cabin temperature. If the fan is stopped then the unit is no longer sensing the true air temperature of the living space and may not turn on again until the space is unacceptably hot. We have used this arrangement in the Australian climate for many years. Our northern states are hot and tropical, similar to Florida, and our units have excellent performance in these conditions.

However, we are aware that this arrangement is not typically what you encounter in the USA market.

I am very interested in better understanding your concerns about the inside fan remaining on once the compressor has stopped.

Can you help me to understand the source of your discomfort?

 

[Geronimo John]

I

On 1/23/2023 at 7:32 AM, bhncb said:

The General Manager of Houghton responded  to my questions with the following:

He honestly does not know?  I'll PM you some thoughts later this weekend.

GJ