A/C condensate pan overflow protection?

[Hugh R]

In my last two houses, I had a blockage from schmutz in the A/C condensate drain line, and fortunately caught it early,

A friend of my Son who does A/C work recommended this item.
about $20. Its a float that shuts off the "Y" wire on the A/C so if the pan if plugged it won't keep running the compressor so it will prevent over flow to your carpet or hardwood flooring. Most A/C pans have a 3/4"plug to accept one of these.

[masraum]

In my experience, the AC should have a drain. Then there should be an overflow pan that drains in a very obvious place, like in front of a door or window so you can't miss it. Then yes, as a third line of defense there should be a float on a switch. I can't imagine it getting that far.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by masraum

In my experience, the AC should have a drain. Then there should be an overflow pan that drains in a very obvious place, like in front of a door or window so you can't miss it. Then yes, as a third line of defense there should be a float on a switch. I can't imagine it getting that far.

This is how we’ve done it the past 30 years.

Hugh, You can also get a clip on float switch, which is probably quicker and easier to install.

[Hugh R]

Yeah, have that drain, twice in my life its stuffed up with gunk. And overflowed $20 or so cheap insurance.

3/4" plug you remove a plastic plug, install the switch and hook it in series to the "y' wire.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by masraum

In my experience, the AC should have a drain. Then there should be an overflow pan that drains in a very obvious place, like in front of a door or window so you can't miss it. Then yes, as a third line of defense there should be a float on a switch. I can't imagine it getting that far.

Code. A secondary drain line is needed to drip on top of a window, usually the kitchen to tell the owners that the primary line is clogged. Why is 3/4" allowed is what I always ask myself.

[GH85Carrera]

Our AC evaporator and furnace is a unit in the garage in a little room of its own. If it did start to leak, it would leak onto the garage floor, so no damage. It is plumbed right into the floor drain now, so no mess on the ground outside.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Our AC evaporator and furnace is a unit in the garage in a little room of its own. If it did start to leak, it would leak onto the garage floor, so no damage. It is plumbed right into the floor drain now, so no mess on the ground outside.

Interesting. I still think you'd want to know if the drain clogged.

[GH85Carrera]

It would show up on the floor of the garage. Just no damage to the household. The water heater is in a little room next to it. It has a drain plumbed to the floor drain if one wanted to drain it, but the emergency drain has a pipe going around the wall, through the outside brick veneer and would dump out into the front flower bed. The water heater is jacked up off the ground by a platform as per code. Too many stupid people storing gasoline next to water heaters I guess. However we have three cars with gas tanks parked in the garage, so I have no problem with the water heater way up high.

[porsche4life]

Neat idea, but I don’t know that I’d want it killing my AC in the summer.

I’ve thought about putting flood sensors in our secondary drain pans though, that way I’d get a notification that the system was plugged and leaking into the secondary drain and know to unclog it.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Neat idea, but I don’t know that I’d want it killing my AC in the summer.

I’ve thought about putting flood sensors in our secondary drain pans though, that way I’d get a notification that the system was plugged and leaking into the secondary drain and know to unclog it.

I think the theory is that if drain#1 clogged, and then you didn't notice drain#2 or it was also clogged, then you need some sort of notification that you've got a problem. That notification is "holy carp, the AC just stopped!" I think the alternative is "holy carp! The ceiling just collapsed."

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by masraum

I think the theory is that if drain#1 clogged, and then you didn't notice drain#2 or it was also clogged, then you need some sort of notification that you've got a problem. That notification is "holy carp, the AC just stopped!" I think the alternative is "holy carp! The ceiling just collapsed."

True. I guess I’m less concerned about it here in AZ. It’s so damn dry in the summer that unless it’s recently rained there’s not enough humidity in the air to cause a problem. 🤣🤣😂

Our secondary also isn’t prone to plugging because there’s not water in it ever, so as long as you go clear out the first as soon as you know the second it getting water it’ll be fine.

I added unions to all our drains too. So I can spin them open and blast some compressed air through and flush them out quickly. 🤣

[biosurfer1]

Once a year I climb up and pour some bleach down the drain tube, and then some vinegar.

That cleans most of the junk out and what you'd probably have to do anyways if that cut off switch shut things down .

[masraum]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

True. I guess I’m less concerned about it here in AZ. It’s so damn dry in the summer that unless it’s recently rained there’s not enough humidity in the air to cause a problem. 🤣🤣😂

Our secondary also isn’t prone to plugging because there’s not water in it ever, so as long as you go clear out the first as soon as you know the second it getting water it’ll be fine.

I added unions to all our drains too. So I can spin them open and blast some compressed air through and flush them out quickly. 🤣

hahah, right, in AZ, I think you'd be hoping for a little moisture.

[GH85Carrera]

At the old commercial office building I worked at the owner of the building was the idiot son of the man that was a great boss. He did not want to pay for any upkeep. We had to rig up a garden hose to the jury rigged pan that dripped into a funnel, and then out the hose to the outside. It worked, but would never pass inspection for any inspector. When the idiot son had sucked all the funds from the company he shut everything down, and sold the building. They totally gutted the three phase dual AC system and made it a warehouse. I bet the demo team laughed at our rig, but it did keep the ceiling from collapsing.