I need a HVAC expert

[Barnacle Bill]

I have an air exchanger in my attic leaking water into my ceiling. I cleared the pan drain for what I hope is a temp fix however I cannot get the water to come out the main drain. I took it loose and could see water in there and put a shop vac on the line to make sure it is clear. Until all this started I didn't even know there were 2 drains and I can't ever remember any water coming out of the main drain so this may have been this way since day 1. I checked the unit for being level and although not perfect it was very very close. Any ideas?? Good grief its hot up there.

[tony2innc]

drain line has a clog in it somewhere. not an expert but has worked on a few for my job. we use a compressor an normally blow out the line works most times. other option is to run a new soft hose line to the outside

[Barnacle Bill]

I've triple checked all lines. Could this be my problem? I do not have the ¼" pitch.

[backtocrappie]

Bill I've been in HVAC my whole life. Put a shop vac to it. Wrap a rag around the drain and hose to keep any air from leaking. Turn on the vac and suck the drain line clean. That's how we do it. If you use compressed air and blow into it you'll F up your coil with dirt and slime.

I'd charge anyone else $150 for that.Rofl

[Barnacle Bill]

I already did that and I am sure the lines are now clear but I am still stumped as to why the main drain does not work. I even cut it loose from the box so I could see in there and it was clear. I vacuumed it out again anyway. I could see water right at the top but it goes into the drain pan instead of coming out. I can see where if I put the 1/4" pitch on the box it would come out the main. I hate to do it but I'll go back up there tomorrow and put two 1/4" wedges under the back side of the air exchanger and see what happens. Like I said before, I don't think the main drain has ever worked. Could it all be because of that silly little 1/4" pitch? Or should I put the wedges under the drip pan since the box sits in it? This would give them both a little slant.

[NeonMoon]

Does the main drain (off the unit, not the auxiliary pan) have a trap installed (as in the pic you posted)? Depending on the configuration of the equipment, the blower could be causing negative pressure on the drain preventing the condensate from draining (actually wanting to suck it back into the pan causing it to spill over). Where do the drain pipes terminate? Outside? If they run down the wall, are you sure the drain pan(s) are higher than the point at which the drains elbow down the wall? The lack of 1/4" pitch on the air handler isn't a problem. Your air handler should have been set inside an auxiliary pan (slightly larger than the air handler itself) to catch any leaks in the event the main drain plugged, sounds like yours wasn't if it's leaking through the ceiling (which is Code here). Hit the attic just before sunrise, it'll be the coolest time.

[Barnacle Bill]

The pipes terminate outside and yes I have the trap installed. Like I say the main drain isn't working at all and the drip pan overflowed because it's drain got plugged. It's all clear now and working, well hopefully working if I ever get power back from the storms last night. I read several sources saying that 1/4" pitch is important and in a way it sorta makes sense to me. I wasn't able to put those shims in today with all the problems going on from the storm.

[kycreek]

Be careful, it's awfully HOT to be in a attic.