Forum Discussion

phillyg's avatar
phillyg
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2015

AV Ducting Condensation Problem

Had this new (12/2014) Wildcat 327CK in for warranty work in 4/2015 for multiple issues including no AC airflow to the front BR. The dealer service rep told me the ceiling ducting between the one AC and the BR was "messed up." FR's solution was to install a second AC in the front BR. 

We've used the RV for the past week and a half. I noticed a lot of condensation on the bathroom ceiling below the ducting going to the BR. We have not used the BR air during this period. Now, the condensation shows on the ceiling over a five foot length, right below the ducting path to the BR.

Since the ducting passes over the wall between the kitchen cabinets and the bathroom, I am of the opinion it will always be wet in that area when running the AC, potentially causing water damage to the wall and ceiling. 

We're very disappointed overall with this RV, anyway, and ready to go to war with FR over this obviously defective/damaged ceiling ducting. Since the ducting is integral to the roof assembly I'm envisioning a real fix would involve removing the roof. 

I suppose I'm looking for opinions for potential damage and also validation of my thoughts on repair, and I don't want to overact, either. Thank you.
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    Aug 01, 2015
    Thanks for the responses. We're camping again this weekend in very humid conditions. So far there's no condensation showing so maybe the dew point was a factor. I still think it could be the "messed up" ducting. Going to the dealer next week for this and another repeat problem, one of the slides that stops 8" out.
  • justafordguy's avatar
    justafordguy
    Explorer
    Jul 24, 2015
    As a temporary fix you may want to block off the bad duct just after the last good vent to keep the cold air from going past it into the bad section of duct. I'm sure the condensation is cause by the cold air going into the hollow ceiling above the bathroom and getting trapped in there. Maybe use some foam rubber to block it off.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jul 24, 2015
    TXiceman wrote:
    The air coming out of the unit is too cold. It is running below the room air dew point which cools the surfaces it contacts and condensation will form.

    A few things to check.
    -is the air filter clean.
    -is the evaporator coil clean.
    -Check the ducting at the unit. Is the baffle between the return air and outlet air sealed properly. There should be no leakage or bypassing.
    -Seal the holes where the wiring comes out of the roof.
    -Run the fan on high 24/7. Running on low will lower the leaving air temp which will over cool the grills, etc. and cause the condensation.

    Ken


    Ken, IMO, the problem is that the output ducting from the main unit is not attached at the forward end, so it's just dumping cold air into the attic space, cooling the ceiling, which is condensing water along the duct's path. Typical build and, unfortunately, typical "solution"... :-(

    Lyle
  • TXiceman's avatar
    TXiceman
    Explorer II
    Jul 24, 2015
    The air coming out of the unit is too cold. It is running below the room air dew point which cools the surfaces it contacts and condensation will form.

    A few things to check.
    -is the air filter clean.
    -is the evaporator coil clean.
    -Check the ducting at the unit. Is the baffle between the return air and outlet air sealed properly. There should be no leakage or bypassing.
    -Seal the holes where the wiring comes out of the roof.
    -Run the fan on high 24/7. Running on low will lower the leaving air temp which will over cool the grills, etc. and cause the condensation.

    Ken
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jul 24, 2015
    Sorry, lousy "solution" to a manufacturing defect, IMO. AFAIK, they don't need to take the roof off, but the ceiling would need to come down to fix the ducting issue. Poor, poor excuse for service, both on FR =and= the dealer. Dealer =should= have told FR that a 2nd AC wouldn't solve the problem. You're still getting cold air in the ceiling from the duct that's not attached to the outlet, which is where the condensation's coming from, I suspect. Hope you win the battle =and= the war.

    Lyle

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