How to keep my air conditiong unit from corroding?

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reportjones

Guest
The aluminum fins on my outside air conditionig unit keeps corroding. The sea air turns the aluminum into dust and the air conditioning unit eventually overheats and breaks. How can I keep this from happening? I cant put a cover over the unit since I rent and the unit is on the roof. Can I spray oil on it?
 
R

reportjones

Guest
I tried one Kenny but it hasnt seemed to do anything. Actually what I tried was an anode that attaches onto a boat shaft that turns a propeller. It seems like sea moisture and condensation actually sits on the aluminum fins and makes them break down. I need to get a barrier between the fins and the condensation (humidity).

Ladyjeeper, what I meant is I rent my place to others so it would not be practical to expect my rental company to go up on the roof and take a cover on or off everytime it rents. Can you imagine what Seaside would charge for this? Maybe not a big issue since my place is almost never rented hence the need for advertising.
 
Roberto

Roberto

Guest
That's a common problem. I wonder if someone might make a unit that is designed to be less affected by salt corrosion. Aluminum seems very sensitive, brass much less so and it is a good conductor. I have pieces of brass that have been under water since they moved Gillespie's gold stamping mill and they are pretty much intact. The only thing I know of that works is flushing the fins frequently with fresh water. You know, a crafty person could make a unit that would flush automatically at present intervals. Should not be too complicated. Jerry, get to work on this idea.:jerry2::jerry2:

You know everyone else wherever you are has the same problem. Might be able to get together and hire a guy to hit them with a hose periodically, assuming there is water nearby. Lots cheaper than replacing every few years.
 
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mondone

mondone

Whitecaps
reportjones said:
The aluminum fins on my outside air conditionig unit keeps corroding. The sea air turns the aluminum into dust and the air conditioning unit eventually overheats and breaks. How can I keep this from happening? I cant put a cover over the unit since I rent and the unit is on the roof. Can I spray oil on it?
Click to expand...
Don't use any oil or corrosion protectant on it. It would only clog the fins with sand and salt and that won't be good. Covering is really the only solution to some extent. You could at least cover only in the cool season and leave uncovered during A/C season. That would extend the life of the fins somewhat. I just had covers made for 2 mini-split units and also my new 1000L propane tank to protect from salt and rusting. A neighbor recommended an upholsterer in town named Juan who did a fantastic job, they all fit like a glove. I have his number if interested, just PM me.

 
az-dan

az-dan

Guest

I have a contract with Kelpinc and they service my unit 4 times a year and send pictures showing the work.
www.kelpinc.com
This is what they do:
Preventive Program


Quarterly PM Service (four times per 12 month contract), the PREVENTIVE PLAN includes immediate replacement of marginal small parts (up to $200 without prior approval). This plan offers immediate preventive action for maximum up-time and your peace of mind with ASAP notification of major failures (requires pre-approval to repair unless waived), and within 72 hours of replacement of small parts via direct billing to account. All service calls are chargeable for travel, parts and labor.
Includes:
· Blow-out and washout service – power-wash all compressor coils, fan, housing and blow off dust and salt from electrical wiring and controls.
· Compressor control inspection - check for loose, corroded contacts, check for leaking parts, bad bearings and signs of overheating.
· Inside fan and operation check - clean air filter, vacuum/wipe-down all inside registers, test fan for proper air flow and temperature performance in heat and cooling modes.
· Acid wash of coils on 1st contract visit; Anti-corrosive treatment – twice / year (1st and 3rd ), coating of all compressor coils, tubing and welded connections.
· System Operational Test - run, measure cooling/heating performance; system noise check; adjust speeds as required for best cooling/heating performance.
· Filter replacement - Replace old air filter with custom heavy-duty reusable "forever" air filter. (parts charge)
· Gas and power-check - Refrigerant gas leak and power consumption check every visit.
Annual Contract Cost:
- 1 Thermostat - $275​
- 2 Thermostats - $376​
- 3 Thermostats - $481​
- 4 Thermostats - $587​
- 5 Thermostats - $630​
 
Roberto

Roberto

Guest
Just piece of information. CFE, the Mexican Electrical Company, routinely flushes the connections of the feeder power lines in town using a high pressure water squirter. To reduce corrosion I guess.

That quote from Kilpinc seems very reasonable if I am reading it correctly and they do all listed items.
 
brokenwave

brokenwave

Guest
Other than covering it, the PM service mentioned above makes sense. (I have never used them)
But when the A/C unit has to be replaced consider doing a split system to get the compressor/condensing unit on the ground away
from the Summer wind flow from the SE. That should add a few years to its life.
 
M

MIRAMAR

Guest
This is one reason I'm sticking with the old fashioned room ai conditioners. There's only about 4-5 weekends that we need a/c, so the other 95% of the time, I can pull them inside and cover them up. I don't like the sound, and I hear they're not as efficient as the mini-splits, but they're cheap and portable.
 
R

reportjones

Guest
Would a coating of oil sparyed on be okay if I keep an eye for clogged fins? Will the oil hurt anything?
 
Roberto

Roberto

Guest
Just go up there with a bucket or two of water and slosh it onto the condenser fins every chance you get. You can't hurt anything.
 
D

dennydaddy

Guest
Hi...

Last June I just installed an heat pump with the outside unit on my side wall with a bracket to keep it high.

Now, reading this post got me thinking about this topic.

I really don't want to climb up and down to cover, and
un cover the unit.

The unit is protected from the ocean air flow. Does anybody know if I build a roof over the unit, will that protect somewhat from the salt mist that will settle down on it???

Does anyone have any thoughts on that????

Thanks

DD
 
jerry

jerry

Guest
How close are you to the water? I see a amazing difference between first row wear and tear and houses in the cheap seats down my way at Santo Tomas.
dennydaddy said:
Hi...

Last June I just installed an heat pump with the outside unit on my side wall with a bracket to keep it high.

Now, reading this post got me thinking about this topic.

I really don't want to climb up and down to cover, and
un cover the unit.

The unit is protected from the ocean air flow. Does anybody know if I build a roof over the unit, will that protect somewhat from the salt mist that will settle down on it???

Does anyone have any thoughts on that????

Thanks

DD
Click to expand...
 
PintoPoint

PintoPoint

Guest
Just googled the problem and there are many products that claim to give up to a years protection. Many products claim to dry without oily residue. I use Salt-X on my boat which when you let dry leaves a protective coating for a while. I also found different manufactures have special units that resist the salt air.

Rick
Cholla Bay
 
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