How to keep my air conditiong unit from corroding?

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?

If you rent, isn't the owner responsible for the care of this unit?

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If you value your air conditioner, as we do here in Florida, and live within 15 miles of salt water, please take a few minutes to review this revolutionary product that has recently become available to protect your air conditioner!!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

The Mini Splits are very reasonabley priced down there. I am thinking of buying one for my office up here.

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

reportjones said:

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

I say not worth the effort, much too hard to control and clean if you are anywhere near the beaches. Oil is like a sand magnet.

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.

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

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

Thanks Contacted Juan Made the cover in a weekend made to fit and reasonable

Kramer said:

Thanks Contacted Juan Made the cover in a weekend made to fit and reasonable

Glad he was able to help you. He is prompt and reasonable, very true!

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

Kramer,
How much was you cover, I just bought 2 at home depot for $28 each.

PintoPoint said:

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

Are those splits that are special to resist salt air? Which manufacturers are they?

Good point on the manufacturer, some of those products are very cheap and rust forms right away, Lg and Samsung make the best Mini's.

mondone,
I only know what I have read online with exception to Salt-X which works great on my boat. The articles made it clear that there were different grades availible from manufactures.

Rick
Cholla Bay

Do you have any names for these protectants or direct me where to find info on them? I have searched the Internet and cant seem to find any.

reportjones said:

Do you have any names for these protectants or direct me where to find info on them? I have searched the Internet and cant seem to find any.

Found Salt X right off on ebay..I've made over 300 purchases on ebay, and I've never been burnt.
FreightTime left:17d 23h 8mSalt-X Regulator Cleaner, 1 Quart


Returns: Accepted within 7 days

Buy It Now$17.95
+$7.85 shippingTime left:9d 23h 31mSalt-X Regulator Cleaner, Gallon


Returns: Accepted within 7 days

Buy It Now$39.95
+$13.80 shippingTime left:9d 23h 32mSalt-X Regulator Cleaner, 8 Oz Pump Spray


Returns: Accepted within 7 days

You should be able to pick it up at West Marine, or any other marine supply store.

I use that or Salt Terminator to flush the jetskis when I ride down in Penasco (or any salt water).....also good to rinse the trailer or truck. I had my truck wheels lock on from the salt once, wouldn't even break loose with all lug nuts loosened. Sprayed some of that on for about 10 minutes....came off easily.

I don't know if it's much of a protectorant.

Reportjones,
Here is one link http://www.acsaltremover.com/Product_Information/. I just googled "salt corrosion air conditioner" and got a listing you could also try "salt removal" I found 10 to 15 in a few minutes surfing. I would lean toward a spray that drys no oily and gives you prolonged protection after cleaning it with Salt-X.

Rick
Cholla bay

Cortez2 said:

Kramer,
How much was you cover, I just bought 2 at home depot for $28 each.

This heavy dual sided material, measured to fit with buttons to hold it down for $80 I do not have a standard size unit and could not use a one size fit all from Home Depot

Stay away from mini split units! Cheap materials, every brand uses the same cheap compressor inside, every brand is chinesse, it will rust in a couple of years in front on the beach! No parts for repairs, lots of leaks! We recomend american or even mexican units such as central units and split units! Don't use oils or other stuff on fins, reduces efficiency, clogs the air flow, the best u can do is wash the coil once a while and cover the unit when not in use! We offer the units service (recomended once a year) for 70 bucks, cleaning coils, checking terminals and freon pressure, and we have parts if something need to be replaced! Just PM me!

Thank you Rick. That looks like goo stuff. Do you use it and I wonder how often you need to use it?

Thanks Kenny.

Aihre, why not use oil? It shouldnt hurt efficiency just because it is a oily product. The only thing I think it could do is attract dirt which could clog the fins. If the fins are clean is should be okay with oil. Do you think?

aihre said:

Stay away from mini split units! Cheap materials, every brand uses the same cheap compressor inside, every brand is chinesse, it will rust in a couple of years in front on the beach! No parts for repairs, lots of leaks! We recomend american or even mexican units such as central units and split units! Don't use oils or other stuff on fins, reduces efficiency, clogs the air flow, the best u can do is wash the coil once a while and cover the unit when not in use! We offer the units service (recomended once a year) for 70 bucks, cleaning coils, checking terminals and freon pressure, and we have parts if something need to be replaced! Just PM me!

reportjones,
I haven't tried anything for air conditioners. I have just used salt-x for my boat.

reportjones said:

Thank you Rick. That looks like goo stuff. Do you use it and I wonder how often you need to use it?

Rick
Cholla Bay

I will get some and try it. I dont go to my rental condo much so I am afraid SaltX might rinse off the salt but will it protect it? I want to find something that will protect the aluminum coils for at least 6 months.

As you said oil attracts dirt and clogs the unit, reducing the efficiency on the unit, we've tried some other products that the same a/c company applies on the coils but it is expensive and it doesn't really makes the coil last much longer, any other product you apply on the coil such as "paint" or similar stuff reduces the heat transfer so does the efficiency, best you can do in my opinion is rinse the unit once in a while and cover it, that's just my 2 cents!