Wet filter(Lennox Elite Heat pump)

[Jdsmitty10]

Hello,
New to the forum..
I am looking for advice on why my Lennox Elite series heat pump is not draining properly and causing my filter to get wet while cooling my house.

I checked for a clogged condensate drain line by running a snake through and it seems as though it is NOT clogged. The water is sitting in the bottom tray like it is stuck there. It doesnt seem to be overflowing the trays edge though. It is more like sweat is getting on to the side of the tray and causing the insulation on the front panel to get the filter wet.

The AC seems to be working great and keeping the house cool..

What can be causing this?

Thank you in advance!
Jon

[DLZ Dan]

Pictures would be great!.....and helpful

[Jdsmitty10]

http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc422/jdsmitty10/001282a4.jpg
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc422/jdsmitty10/d306816b.jpg
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc422/jdsmitty10/11709d8e.jpg

I have the filter out and system off since it cooled down today and I was worried about damage to the unit. It is hard to see in the pic but there's 1/4" of water in the tray. And the side of the tray was wet when I opened it up yesterday after the system was running. But no more water in the tray at that time. I first thought it was from te filter being dirty so I dried out the tray and replaced the filter and let it run to find it had water in it again and the new filter was slightly wet on the edge where the insulation of the panel is close to it. I do have 3 vents closed(don't know if that would cause any concern)

[superd77]

The drain needs to have a ptrap installed. The negative pressure on the drain will cause the air handler to hold water in and when it shuts off the water will rush down the drain. Sometimes overflowing the drain and thus getting the filter wet.

[Needingadvice]

I had this same problem, and it took the city coming to inspect the job and unit to notice there wasn't a ptrap installed. Once the city told the company they had to come back and install a ptrap there was no more problems. Good luck.

[XcelTech]

There is nothing like pictures to illustrate your point.

Missing P-trap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl4hbtnFZAw)
Empty P-traps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7RghMyKb40&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLC55308E57918F00E)
Missing Cap P-trap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKsV1SOSPVc&list=UU0zKqdjvVw0kBzgu-VZestQ&index=15&feature=plcp)

[Jdsmitty10]

Is a p trap just like a trap in normal plumbing? There is a trap just out of the pics on the left. There is a drop off into a trap and on top is a cap I can pull off to look down in the trap. Sorry don't have a pic of that can get one when I get a chance. Plus, it's been working fine for 6 yrs so if hat I describe is not a ptrap why an issue now?
Thanks for the replies!

[Jdsmitty10]

Sorry. Just noticed the videos after my reply. Mine is like the missing cap ptrap.

[superd77]

The extra water in the pan won't go away. The pan is designed to hold some water even after the unit shuts off.

First things first, open all the vents. Just cause you close some don't mean you gonna get more air somewhere else.

Second, your stopped up filter probably caused the new filter to get wet.

Change your filter monthly, open your vents and this problem should correct itself. If not call a pro to come check it out.

[Jdsmitty10]

The extra water in the pan won't go away. The pan is designed to hold some water even after the unit shuts off.

First things first, open all the vents. Just cause you close some don't mean you gonna get more air somewhere else.

Second, your stopped up filter probably caused the new filter to get wet.

Change your filter monthly, open your vents and this problem should correct itself. If not call a pro to come check it out.

So it is supposed to have water laying it in like that? does it only drain when it gets to a certain level?

Also, the closed vents are in the bathrooms cause we don't like the cold air blowing while showering..still not a good idea to close them?

thanks!

[Kevin Weaver]

I can not see the pictures at work, but if this is a downflow, it needs a downflow kit which is this s shaped metal that snaps into the drain pan.

[teddy bear]

The pan needs a strong pitch toward the drain line. If the evap has positive pressure, the trap has nothing to do with draining.
Regards TB

[Jdsmitty10]

I can not see the pictures at work, but if this is a downflow, it needs a downflow kit which is this s shaped metal that snaps into the drain pan.

Is it a down flow?

[Jdsmitty10]

So I poured water into the pan today and it drains out fine once enough is in there. So can someone else confirm there should be water laying in their all the time?

[teddy bear]

So I poured water into the pan today and it drains out fine once enough is in there. So can someone else confirm there should be water laying in their all the time?

Only enough to wet the pan. How much water is required in the pan before draining starts? Raise the pan opposite the drain with metal wedge for enough pitch to drain pan.
Regards TB

[Jdsmitty10]

I'd say about 1/2" made it start draining. What stands in there now is probably 1/4".

[teddy bear]

I'd say about 1/2" made it start draining. What stands in there now is probably 1/4".
Should only be 1/8" in the drain corner. 1 pint of water left in the pan will humidify 800 sqft of home 10%RH at the end of the cooling cycle. Plus as the moisture evaporates through the ducts, growing mold if wet for 24 hours. If there are a couple lbs. water in the pan, the supply duct will be damp for hours. You must get the pan to drain.
Regards TB

[Jdsmitty10]

i put some clorox down there to clean out any grime that might be in there(which I read can help, and someone told me that could help)..I am going to open the vents i have closed. and look into tilting the pan more..I dont think there is room to do that though.. The thing that doesnt make sense to me is the drain pipe comes out of the side of the pan and there is no lip or anything for the water to go over to start draining, but when i pour the water in it did drain when it got to a certain point. I may end up re plumbing the drain line...I don't know what could cause the problem now after 6 yrs of trouble free draining?

[wahoo]

Condensate pan tablets might be a good investment as they'll stop slime from growing in your pan. It's not unusual to have a small amount of water sitting an a drain pan. Make sure the inlet side of your A coil is not matted with dirt/debri from the air. If it is, then brush it out as any kind of matted material will make moisture run past the pan onto the floor. :.02: