Comments on: How to Replace a Broken Air Conditioner Condensate Pump http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/ Home improvement, maintenance and repair projects. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:34:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joe http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3267 Joe Sun, 11 Sep 2011 01:13:00 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3267 Thanks very much for providing these useful insights, Bob. This should work with the system we have; I don't see any reason now not to run the condensate pump into the sump reservoir (plenty of room to spare) - the last thing we need to do is encourage termites. Also, my apologies for not replying to your message before now; I thought there was an email alert for this thread, and I only just remembered to check for your response while I was actually in front of the computer. Thanks again - have a great weekend! - Joe Thanks very much for providing these useful insights, Bob. This should work with the system we have; I don’t see any reason now not to run the condensate pump into the sump reservoir (plenty of room to spare) – the last thing we need to do is encourage termites.

Also, my apologies for not replying to your message before now; I thought there was an email alert for this thread, and I only just remembered to check for your response while I was actually in front of the computer.

Thanks again – have a great weekend!

- Joe

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3236 Bob Jackson Sun, 28 Aug 2011 13:25:42 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3236 If the condensate drain tube is properly sloped the last few feet as it exits the house under the deck, then there won't be standing water in the tube to freeze. The concern I have is the water is being dumped next to the foundation in a dark place under your deck - persistently damp ground invites termites and rot. > Am I correct in assuming that it would be unsafe to route the PVCI tube into an open sump pump reservoir in our basement? That would be fine if there's an air gap between the tube and water level in sump pump reservoir. You don't want the tube to be submerged which will invite algae growth and clog it up. For example, if you have a grate over floor drain, it's OK to lay the tube on the grate. > By the way, we’re on septic if that has any bearing on any of this. Septic is fine. The air conditioner will produce between 5 to 20 gallons per day of condensate water - that's about the amount of water used when taking a shower. The big concern with septic tanks is to minimize the organic load on the system - table scraps go into the trash can instead of down the garbage disposal - to protect the drain field and maximize the time between visits by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesspool_emptier" rel="nofollow">honey truck</a>. If the condensate drain tube is properly sloped the last few feet as it exits the house under the deck, then there won’t be standing water in the tube to freeze. The concern I have is the water is being dumped next to the foundation in a dark place under your deck – persistently damp ground invites termites and rot.

> Am I correct in assuming that it would be unsafe to route the PVCI tube into an open sump pump reservoir in our basement?
That would be fine if there’s an air gap between the tube and water level in sump pump reservoir. You don’t want the tube to be submerged which will invite algae growth and clog it up. For example, if you have a grate over floor drain, it’s OK to lay the tube on the grate.

> By the way, we’re on septic if that has any bearing on any of this.
Septic is fine. The air conditioner will produce between 5 to 20 gallons per day of condensate water – that’s about the amount of water used when taking a shower. The big concern with septic tanks is to minimize the organic load on the system – table scraps go into the trash can instead of down the garbage disposal – to protect the drain field and maximize the time between visits by the honey truck.

]]> By: Joe http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3233 Joe Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:42:41 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3233 Thanks for all of this useful information, Bob; we recently had a new HVAC installed in our home, and the installers routed the PVCI tube from the Utilitech condensate pump to drain out through one of the basement vents under our deck. We live in North Carolina so we do stand a chance of condensate freezing in the line. Am I correct in assuming that it would be unsafe to route the PVCI tube into an open sump pump reservoir in our basement? By the way, we're on septic if that has any bearing on any of this. Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide. - Joe Thanks for all of this useful information, Bob; we recently had a new HVAC installed in our home, and the installers routed the PVCI tube from the Utilitech condensate pump to drain out through one of the basement vents under our deck.

We live in North Carolina so we do stand a chance of condensate freezing in the line. Am I correct in assuming that it would be unsafe to route the PVCI tube into an open sump pump reservoir in our basement?

By the way, we’re on septic if that has any bearing on any of this. Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

- Joe

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3191 Bob Jackson Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:59:20 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3191 As best I can tell from the <a href="http://franklin-electric.com/media/documents/998086.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">owner's manual</a> drawings, it appears the pump cover snaps on to the tank. Page 2 of the pump manual clearly says to remove the motor/pump cover for testing and cleaning - it's just doesn't say how to remove the cover. If the cover won't snap off without damaging the unit, best to wait until you can speak with Customer Service on Monday. Thanks for reading! As best I can tell from the owner’s manual drawings, it appears the pump cover snaps on to the tank. Page 2 of the pump manual clearly says to remove the motor/pump cover for testing and cleaning – it’s just doesn’t say how to remove the cover. If the cover won’t snap off without damaging the unit, best to wait until you can speak with Customer Service on Monday.

Thanks for reading!

]]> By: Jay Torchio http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3189 Jay Torchio Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:57:29 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3189 EXCELLENT article! As previous posters have indicated - such a great resource. Thank you for all the time and effort you've put in. Quick question for you (or others). I just had a Little Giant Condensate pump put in (model #554425). I see that one of the keys to a long lasting pump is cleaning it periodically. Unfortunately, I have NO idea how to access the inside of the reservoir on this unit. There is only one screw that is visible from the top. When I unscrewed it, the cover came off but exposed what seemed to be the motor and other electrical parts. At that point, I thought it best to put the cover back on and do a little more research. On this model, am I relegated to just pulling one of the caps out and putting a little bleach? Any advice would be much appreciated. I called the Little Giant people but they're not open until Monday and my neurotic nature makes it difficult to wait until then. :-) EXCELLENT article! As previous posters have indicated – such a great resource. Thank you for all the time and effort you’ve put in. Quick question for you (or others). I just had a Little Giant Condensate pump put in (model #554425). I see that one of the keys to a long lasting pump is cleaning it periodically. Unfortunately, I have NO idea how to access the inside of the reservoir on this unit. There is only one screw that is visible from the top. When I unscrewed it, the cover came off but exposed what seemed to be the motor and other electrical parts. At that point, I thought it best to put the cover back on and do a little more research. On this model, am I relegated to just pulling one of the caps out and putting a little bleach? Any advice would be much appreciated. I called the Little Giant people but they’re not open until Monday and my neurotic nature makes it difficult to wait until then. :-)

]]> By: JJP in NJ http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3188 JJP in NJ Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:27:07 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3188 Excellent write-up. I just emptied my condensate pump (using a 60cc syringe and a bucket) and the AC kicked on. I come up and read this article and it's exactly my issue. Now I just have to figure out if there is a clog, a bad float (the pump was running continuously with noting coming out). My drainage tubing to my sewer line is bone dry and it feels like there is a vacuum in there as the end close to the sewer drain has a bend and that feels or looks like it is a vacuum like kink. Also my pump appears to be plugged inside the furnace above the blower like it might be hard to get to--this will complicate turning off the pump to clean it and check it for clogs or malfunction. So I have my work cut out for me. Excellent write-up. I just emptied my condensate pump (using a 60cc syringe and a bucket) and the AC kicked on. I come up and read this article and it’s exactly my issue. Now I just have to figure out if there is a clog, a bad float (the pump was running continuously with noting coming out). My drainage tubing to my sewer line is bone dry and it feels like there is a vacuum in there as the end close to the sewer drain has a bend and that feels or looks like it is a vacuum like kink. Also my pump appears to be plugged inside the furnace above the blower like it might be hard to get to–this will complicate turning off the pump to clean it and check it for clogs or malfunction. So I have my work cut out for me.

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3049 Bob Jackson Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:05:44 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3049 That's real street cred coming from the Product Manager at Franklin Electric - the manufacturer of <a href="http://franklin-electric.com/hvac/condensate-removal.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Little Giant</a> condensate pumps! Thanks! That’s real street cred coming from the Product Manager at Franklin Electric – the manufacturer of Little Giant condensate pumps!

Thanks!

]]> By: Jim Hollinsgworth http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3046 Jim Hollinsgworth Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:07:26 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3046 Mr. Jackson, Enjoyed the self help article on condensate pump replacement. Annual inspection and cleaning inside the pump tank, around the float, check valve (if installed), pump head components and discharge line is very important to keep the pump in tip top condition. A well maintained condensate pump will last longer than the air conditioner. Job well done. Regards, J Hollingsworth Mr. Jackson,

Enjoyed the self help article on condensate pump replacement. Annual inspection and cleaning inside the pump tank, around the float, check valve (if installed), pump head components and discharge line is very important to keep the pump in tip top condition. A well maintained condensate pump will last longer than the air conditioner. Job well done.

Regards,

J Hollingsworth

]]> By: Bob Jackson http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3021 Bob Jackson Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:38:51 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3021 If a safety cutoff switch isn't included with the pump, it's usually available as an accessory for around $10 to $15. I highly recommend buying a pump that includes an internal safety switch. It's possible you already have an <a href="http://franklin-electric.com/hvac/accessories/switches/599125.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">external safety switch in the condensate drain line</a>; however drain line cutoff switches are most commonly found on gravity drain systems that don't require a pump. Pump manufacturer wiring instructions vary greatly in the level of detail and usually recommend consulting your air conditioner's operating manual. The safety switch is typically wired into the low voltage thermostat circuit as shown in <a href="http://www.hartell.com/Files/Hartell/Global/US-en/site_files/KT3-PAB3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Figure 2 of this installation manual</a>. The float switch as shown in Figure 2 will be "normally closed" and if the water level gets too high, the float switch will trigger and open to disrupt the thermostat circuit causing the air conditioner to turn off. If in doubt, consult an HVAC professional as the cost for wiring in the float switch would likely be the minimum charge for a service call. If a safety cutoff switch isn’t included with the pump, it’s usually available as an accessory for around $10 to $15. I highly recommend buying a pump that includes an internal safety switch. It’s possible you already have an external safety switch in the condensate drain line; however drain line cutoff switches are most commonly found on gravity drain systems that don’t require a pump.

Pump manufacturer wiring instructions vary greatly in the level of detail and usually recommend consulting your air conditioner’s operating manual. The safety switch is typically wired into the low voltage thermostat circuit as shown in Figure 2 of this installation manual. The float switch as shown in Figure 2 will be “normally closed” and if the water level gets too high, the float switch will trigger and open to disrupt the thermostat circuit causing the air conditioner to turn off.

If in doubt, consult an HVAC professional as the cost for wiring in the float switch would likely be the minimum charge for a service call.

]]> By: Sue http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/05/09/how-to-replace-a-broken-air-conditioner-condensate-pump/#comment-3019 Sue Sat, 09 Jul 2011 03:32:24 +0000 http://www.handymanhowto.com/?p=1990#comment-3019 This isn't the first time I've had problems with this old pump. It's at least 13 years old - that's how long I've been in the house. I cleaned it tonight after finding water on the basement floor and a reservoir full of gunky water. It still won't turn on. Out to buy a new one tomorrow. My old unit doesn't have the safety cut-off switch wires. Do all newer models have them? If so, will the directions tell me what to connect them to on my system? (It's at least 22 years old - I know I need a new one but can't afford it right now.) I pride myself on learning how to do things on my own - is this as manageable as you make it sound? Thanks for any help you can give me! This isn’t the first time I’ve had problems with this old pump. It’s at least 13 years old – that’s how long I’ve been in the house. I cleaned it tonight after finding water on the basement floor and a reservoir full of gunky water. It still won’t turn on. Out to buy a new one tomorrow.

My old unit doesn’t have the safety cut-off switch wires. Do all newer models have them? If so, will the directions tell me what to connect them to on my system? (It’s at least 22 years old – I know I need a new one but can’t afford it right now.) I pride myself on learning how to do things on my own – is this as manageable as you make it sound? Thanks for any help you can give me!

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