cleaning condensers

[hvac wiz 79]

i keep a roll of 24" x 12' x 1/4" foam filter media on my truck for these applications that i can custom cut .. some dust makes it way thru but it is way easier to remove a matted filter & replace it then it is to have to go thru the other messy process .. + im lazy

[jpsmith1cm]

Filter media is nice, but in some cases, impractical. The foaming evap cleaners are nice, but expensive if you have a lot of self contained units. Wet rags, water sprayers and just letting the dust blow. I've tried them all.


The best solution that I have found so far is a sprayer for my co2 or nitrogen bottle that has a venturi for chemical pick-up. Plunk the hose in a bucket of water and hose away. That nearly eliminates dust. Of course, there is the issue of cleaning up the mess that runs out of the bottom, but in most supermarket applications, that's easier than explaining a mushroom cloud of dust in the deli or bakery dept.

As an extra benefit, you can get enough flushing and washing action out of this to clean small single condensing units, up to 7 hp or so, using a chemical cleaner in a pump sprayer plus the water.

[bob_scheel]

Filter media is nice, but in some cases, impractical. The foaming evap cleaners are nice, but expensive if you have a lot of self contained units. Wet rags, water sprayers and just letting the dust blow. I've tried them all.


The best solution that I have found so far is a sprayer for my co2 or nitrogen bottle that has a venturi for chemical pick-up. Plunk the hose in a bucket of water and hose away. That nearly eliminates dust. Of course, there is the issue of cleaning up the mess that runs out of the bottom, but in most supermarket applications, that's easier than explaining a mushroom cloud of dust in the deli or bakery dept.

As an extra benefit, you can get enough flushing and washing action out of this to clean small single condensing units, up to 7 hp or so, using a chemical cleaner in a pump sprayer plus the water.

Nice description. I like the idea of nuking the deli dept. (just kidding.. umm maybe not)

Where did you get the venturi device or did you adapt a hose sprayer?

[mike robinson]

I have used a product called blowout it is pretty expensive works good but has apretty bad smell.


mike r

[jpsmith1cm]

I found the one that I currently use at harbor freight tools. I have seen them other places.

I tried making one, but didn't get the restriction right to create a venturi and created a mess when the co2 flow went into the bucket rather than into the condenser. WHOOPS!

[jpsmith1cm]

Sorry, but I was using my BB earlier, here is a link to what I am talking about.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3953

[canman13]

I always use Viper coil cleaner comes in a can and then rise it out useing a water bottle works real good even on greese made for kitchens and food here is a link to what it looks like.

http://rtxs.com/xcart/product.php?pr...cat=112&page=1

[stanbyyourword]

nothing beats hot water ,nothing, i never used co2 inside have a great weekend stan

[patrickm1587]

I've been cleaning condensors at restaraunts around town for the past week, it sucks. But most of the ones I clean have a lot of grease in them along with the dust. I use the coil cleaner that you mix with water and it works pretty good, makes a big mess, but still works. And it doesn't work good on some of the True units with the black coils. Not sure what they put on them but it doesn't foam up like it supposed to. That cleaner reacts with aluminum doesn't it? And that's what makes it foam up? That **** will make you cough your head off too.

[canman13]

I've been cleaning condensors at restaraunts around town for the past week, it sucks. But most of the ones I clean have a lot of grease in them along with the dust. I use the coil cleaner that you mix with water and it works pretty good, makes a big mess, but still works. And it doesn't work good on some of the True units with the black coils. Not sure what they put on them but it doesn't foam up like it supposed to. That cleaner reacts with aluminum doesn't it? And that's what makes it foam up? That **** will make you cough your head off too.

Yeah the Viper cuts through the grease and has no smell to it

[Phase Loss]

Short bursts of co2 will do the trick.

[mikep]

My sales rep from United talked me into trying a can of the Viper coil cleaner and now I won't use anything else as far as chemicals go. I hate using chemcials but this stuff has no odor and won't burn your skin. Really does a great job of cleaning.

[MechAcc]

watch out for smoke detectors that are sensitive to dust

Especially the ones that are tied in to shut down elevators.