On my trip this summer I started getting water dripping through the vents on my air conditioners (Penguin). These are the original ACs, but have never had that problem before. I think it may be due the coolant fins freezing up. I understand that there is circuitry designed to shut the compressor off when the cooling fins get too cold. Does anyone know how to check this? I have cleaned out the weep holes but still leaking.

Ours did that once while running the fan on the low setting. It froze up due to lack of airflow over the evaporator .
If it gets low on freon it can cause this problem as well .

Bill,
The Penguin A/C's from that generation have a base made of foam. At about 15 years old our foam had deteriorated to the point that the condensate would drip straight through. I smoothed some silicone RTV over it which bought us some time but the condition is terminal and the unit will need to be replaced.

If the unit IS freezing up please see the attached Dometic Service Bulletin which contains diagnostic information including the resistance values for the freeze sensor. The most common cause of freezing is cold air coming down the discharge plenum is somehow escaping into the return air so check that well.

I hope this helps!

Air_Conditioner_Frost_Buildup_A-20.pdf (328 Kb, 90 downloads)

Bill,
It appears that you have nailed the problem that I’m having. It just started to happen this summer. At 27 years old, and even though the air conditioners are still working. I am sure that the foam is no longer doing it’s job.

I’m going to pull the air conditioners off the roof and see if I can seal up where the air is leaking from one side to the other. I have new gaskets and will re-set them and seal them to the roof. I need to make this accommodation in the short run, however it appears that replacement ACs are in order. Will need to save up for that purchase.

Thanks very much for your advice.
Bill Goodwin