A/C Coil Cleaner

[30BR]

I want to clean the condenser coil on my TT before I take it out in a couple weeks. But what I DON'T want to do is harm the rubber roof when I flush the cleaner off the coil. Is there a specific coil cleaner that is safe for the rubber roof?

[Joe417]

30BR,

Be careful, Dometic may not have tried it on a rubber roof. The roof isn't their concern, only cleaning the coils, and their profit margin. Also most commercial coil cleaners are weak acid based, so try not to inhale.

Removing 4 bolts and 1 or 2 plug type connectors is all that's required to remove the AC (on most). Put it on the ground and you can clean everything without worry for the roof.

It's around 70 or 80 lbs. I've removed them by myself using a rope, a couple of 2x4's or plywood leaning against the side, and sliding it down. It's harder to get it back up. I'm a little older now so I wait and get someone to help me.

Good luck.

[30BR]

Dometic D1227001 Advanced AC Coil Cleaner

Found this from another site, since Dometic makes A/C units and is a major supplier for RVs, seems worth a look.

[DavidP]

tvman44 wrote:
Both coils need to be cleaned for efficient operation. I buy coil cleaner in a aerosol can and spray on the evaporator coil and let sit a few minutes then turn unit on and it does a great job, no water needed. For the condenser coil I either just use the garden hose or aerosol coil cleaner. Been doing that for years no problems. 🙂

Aerosol coil cleaner contains solvents and petroleum distillates. Not recommended for a EPDM/TPO roof. Seems to be working for you though.

[tvman44]

Both coils need to be cleaned for efficient operation. I buy coil cleaner in a aerosol can and spray on the evaporator coil and let sit a few minutes then turn unit on and it does a great job, no water needed. For the condenser coil I either just use the garden hose or aerosol coil cleaner. Been doing that for years no problems. 🙂

[DavidP]

You may want to try Simple Green Aircraft. It is entirely safe on aluminum. There are no solvents or petroleum in the product. This is what I use on anything aluminum needing degreased/cleaned. I also use regular SG but not on aluminum.

[Chris_Bryant]

Coleman recommends Formula 409, but you can buy non-acidic coil cleaner in most home improvement stores that are safe for epdm.

[30BR]

Understood about the evaporator and getting water in the ductwork. But I disagree the condenser coil not needing a cleaning. Airborne dirt and pollens flow through these coils as much as an evaporator. And to flush cleaner off runs across the rubber roof, just like condensate water. I've replaced the roof once, not wanting to do it again.

[DavidP]

LarryJM wrote:

30BR wrote:
I want to clean the condenser coil on my TT before I take it out in a couple weeks. But what I DON'T want to do is harm the rubber roof when I flush the cleaner off the coil. Is there a specific coil cleaner that is safe for the rubber roof?

As far as a cleaner Simple Green or anything non Citrus or with Petroleum products in it should be safe on either the evap or condensor coil.

Larry

No on the simple green. Would be too hard to rinse thoroughly.

From the SG site:

"The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation."

[LarryJM]

30BR wrote:
I want to clean the condenser coil on my TT before I take it out in a couple weeks. But what I DON'T want to do is harm the rubber roof when I flush the cleaner off the coil. Is there a specific coil cleaner that is safe for the rubber roof?

I don't think I would use any sort of cleaner on the actual evap coil since that is open to the ductwork and only protected by a drip pan so unless you're EXTREMELY careful you could end up with a mess inside your ductwork. I would vacuum it and carefully remove any excess build up with a damp rag and small screwdriver being careful not to bend the fins. As far as a cleaner Simple Green or anything non Citrus or with Petroleum products in it should be safe on either the evap or condensor coil.

The Evap coil is really the one you want clean since that is where the actual cooling is done and is subject to a lot of sticky lint/dust at a low flow rate.

Larry