Split AC Keeps Freezing over in exercise room

[atpeace]

This has happened in 3 different homes and it only happens in my exercise room.  I sweat more than anybody I've ever seen while exercising hard.  My new( installed 4 days ago ) 1200 btu AC in a small exercise room measuring 3x4 meters and had issues today.  The indoor coils behind the air filter were frozen which was the issue in my other homes also.  

 

Would a a dehumidifier reduce the humidity significantly?  If so, any recommendations?  Maybe a second AC unit?

[transam]

Make sure water is coming out of the drain pipe to the outside................😊

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Could be a number of issues, but I don't think it is the amount of moisture you put into the air from a workout.

 

Have the unit and filters cleaned and make sure the refrigerant is the correct pressure. Check that the drainpipe isn't blocked. 

[soi3eddie]

If the coils are freezing over, it suggests that there is not enough airflow OR that the thermostat is not cutting out when it should. Our aircon froze some years ago. Turns out it needed cleaning as the cylinder fan was clogged with dust/dirt. 

[atpeace]

3 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Could be a number of issues, but I don't think it is the amount of moisture you put into the air from a workout.

 

Have the unit and filters cleaned and make sure the refrigerant is the correct pressure. Check that the drainpipe isn't blocked. 

Just put 4 days ago and worked perfectly.  This has happened with 4 ACs and only the exercise room.  I know 100% it is the moisture.  My workouts are extremely hard.  Just trying to figure out how to reduce the humidity. Thanks for the input.

[atpeace]

23 minutes ago, transam said:

Make sure water is coming out of the drain pipe to the outside................😊

Yes, been here 20 years and used many ACs. It is the humidity and looking at a solution to drop the humidity because any AC I buy will freeze over. Hmm, I once had a 21000 btu in a small room and the ac didn't freeze over so that is why I brought up buying a second unit.  My treadmill workout are hard and sweaty.

[Crossy]

Try running the unit on "dry" before you start exercise to remove existing moisture before running it on "cool".

 

Or try the other way round.

 

Run with the fan on high, not auto.

 

[atpeace]

6 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

If the coils are freezing over, it suggests that there is not enough airflow OR that the thermostat is not cutting out when it should. Our aircon froze some years ago. Turns out it needed cleaning as the cylinder fan was clogged with dust/dirt. 

Been down this route the last 20 years.  It is because the extreme humidity causes the coils to freeze.  It happens all the time in "extreme" humidity.  I was curious if anyone had info on dehumidifiers.

[transam]

I had 2 x A/C's installed at the same time. One played up from new, water dripping, freezing up.

To cut a long story short, I got up there to investigate.

 

The unit wasn't level, plus the rubber connector to the water drain pipe was twisted, so water could not get out, then I got a bloke in to check gas pressure, it was low.

 

Been OK ever since..

[atpeace]

1 minute ago, Crossy said:

Try running the unit on "dry" before you start exercise to remove existing moisture before running it on "cool".

 

Or try the other way round.

 

Run with the fan on high, not auto.

 

Yes, that does make a difference.  Most the time it eliminates the freeze but occasionally my longer runs still cause the coils to freeze over as they did today.   Thanks and any exerience with dehumidifiers?

[atpeace]

Just now, transam said:

I had 2 x A/C's installed at the same time. One played up from new, water dripping, freezing up.

To cut a long story short, I got up there to investigate.

 

The unit wasn't level, plus the rubber connector to the water drain pipe was twisted, so water could not get out, then I got a bloke in to check gas pressure, it was low.

 

Been OK ever since..

Had those issues also but not the reason for my AC freezing over.  The same problem as the prior 4 - extreme humidity. 

[transam]

Just now, atpeace said:

Had those issues also but not the reason for my AC freezing over.  The same problem as the prior 4 - extreme humidity. 

Install an extractor fan high up a wall.........😋

[Banana7]

Low gas will cause the evaporator to freeze.

[GammaGlobulin]

13 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Try running the unit on "dry" before you start exercise to remove existing moisture before running it on "cool".

 

Or try the other way round.

 

Run with the fan on high, not auto.

 

 

This is NOT caused by excess humidity in the room, or outside the room, or outdoors.

 

The REASON the evaporator will freeze up is either it needs cleaning, OR there is a coolant leak.

 

Just in my VERY humble opinion, obviously.

 

Note:  There is also the chance that the thermostat might have been damaged, but I think this would be unlikely if the AC was functioning properly...in the past.

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

30 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Could be a number of issues, but I don't think it is the amount of moisture you put into the air from a workout.

 

Have the unit and filters cleaned and make sure the refrigerant is the correct pressure. Check that the drainpipe isn't blocked. 

 

CORRECT.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

35 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Just put 4 days ago and worked perfectly.  This has happened with 4 ACs and only the exercise room.  I know 100% it is the moisture.  My workouts are extremely hard.  Just trying to figure out how to reduce the humidity. Thanks for the input.

 

With a new installation, I would first suspect refrigerant leak, but could be something else.

 

Let us know what the solution was once you get it sorted.

[PJ71]

joule-thomson - google it.

[atpeace]

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

This is NOT caused by excess humidity in the room, or outside the room, or outdoors.

 

The REASON the evaporator will freeze up is either it needs cleaning, OR there is a coolant leak.

 

Just in my VERY humble opinion, obviously.

 

Note:  There is also the chance that the thermostat might have been damaged, but I think this would be unlikely if the AC was functioning properly...in the past.

 

 

Nobody is reading my posts 🙂 It is the humidity and this is common occurrence.  The AC is a few days old and this has happened on 4 previous ACs.  The humidity is nearly 100% after 1 hour running hard on the treadmill water sometimes runs down the windows.  This happens with split ACs and I was asking if dehumidifiers might work. 

 

 

 

 

[atpeace]

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

joule-thomson - google it.

Has zero to do with my situation. Read my OP. This happens with split AC when humidity nears 100% which it did today before freezing up as did my four prior ACs. Google will confirm what I know if you have doubts 🙂

 

Nobody has answered my OP - lol.  No problem and this is entertaining.  @Crossy did have some good ideas that do delay the freeze.  

[petermik]

Switch it off....open doors/windows and sweat like hell.....no freezing up then 👍

[Sigmund]

Run the aircon with the windows open ?

[blaze master]

2 hours ago, transam said:

I had 2 x A/C's installed at the same time. One played up from new, water dripping, freezing up.

To cut a long story short, I got up there to investigate.

 

The unit wasn't level, plus the rubber connector to the water drain pipe was twisted, so water could not get out, then I got a bloke in to check gas pressure, it was low.

 

Been OK ever since..

 

Did you pay him 200 to top up your gas.

[atpeace]

12 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

Run the aircon with the windows open ?

Actually not a bad idea if I had a 24000 btu AC in the 3x4 room.  Then again if I had put in a 24000 btu AC the coils would never freeze over because it would be able to dehumidify while cooling with the windows closed.  

[atpeace]

19 minutes ago, petermik said:

Switch it off....open doors/windows and sweat like hell.....no freezing up then 👍

Yep, and destroy the treadmill and virtual bike setup  in a month because of water damage.

[atpeace]

4 hours ago, Crossy said:

Try running the unit on "dry" before you start exercise to remove existing moisture before running it on "cool".

 

Or try the other way round.

 

Run with the fan on high, not auto.

 

This new AC's dry mode is behaving different than the previous AC.  It actually drops the humidity and the temp! Only used for 30 minutes tonight while on the treadmill.  23c and 45% humidity which is almost  ideal.  Maybe I don't need a dehumidifier 🙂

[GammaGlobulin]

2 hours ago, atpeace said:

Nobody is reading my posts 🙂 It is the humidity and this is common occurrence.  The AC is a few days old and this has happened on 4 previous ACs.  The humidity is nearly 100% after 1 hour running hard on the treadmill water sometimes runs down the windows.  This happens with split ACs and I was asking if dehumidifiers might work. 

 

 

 

 

 

I read your posts.

 

This problem that you describe would NOT be happening if your AC were functioning properly.

 

ACs are DESIGNED to work in very high humidity conditions. And, it is their VERY FUNCTION to work in humidity up to 100-percent relative humidity.

 

Therefore, you must check to see if you have a coolant leak in your system, and that the pressure of the coolant is not decreasing.

Check to see that the filters are clean.

Then, have your AC serviced so that the insider of the evaporator unit is completely clean.

 

Next, if all is well with this, then check thermostat.

 

Your AC was never designed to freeze up on the indoor unit, the cold unit.

 

I do understand that if an AC is not functioning properly, and needs repair, it will sometimes freeze sooner and more quickly when there is higher humidity.  But, even at 100-percent humidity, a properly functioning AC should NOT freeze up.  The properly functioning AC is DESIGNED to prevent this.

 

Do you NOW understand my very humble opinions?

 

 

[atpeace]

12 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

I read your posts.

 

This problem that you describe would NOT be happening if your AC were functioning properly.

 

ACs are DESIGNED to work in very high humidity conditions. And, it is their VERY FUNCTION to work in humidity up to 100-percent relative humidity.

 

Therefore, you must check to see if you have a coolant leak in your system, and that the pressure of the coolant is not decreasing.

Check to see that the filters are clean.

Then, have your AC serviced so that the insider of the evaporator unit is completely clean.

 

Next, if all is well with this, then check thermostat.

 

Your AC was never designed to freeze up on the indoor unit, the cold unit.

 

I do understand that if an AC is not functioning properly, and needs repair, it will sometimes freeze sooner and more quickly when there is higher humidity.  But, even at 100-percent humidity, a properly functioning AC should NOT freeze up.  The properly functioning AC is DESIGNED to prevent this.

 

Do you NOW understand my very humble opinions?

 

 

Yes but it doesn't apply to my situation which I am 100% sure is caused by humidity when it nears 100% for 90 minutes.  I wasn't asking about my AC functionality.  I have owned probably 20 ACs over the years here in Thailand and understand all the issues you discussed.  

 

I had my 3 ACs cleaned 5 days ago and a new AC installed the same day.  My  AC iced over in the AC that was just cleaned.  I then moved my treadmill to my new exercise room and it was frigid during my easy workouts but iced over after 90 minute hard run just like all ACs have done over the last 20 years in Thailand.   BTW, all the non exercise room AC are working perfectly as they always have for 20years - LOL.

 

It would be almost impossible for any AC under 12000 BTU( A 20k + BTU would remove the humidity faster than it could accumulate in my 3x4 room ) to not freeze up often when the windows are fogging over as they do occasionally during hard 90 minute runs.  

 

Thanks for trying to help but yet again it isn't answering my question in the OP. Cheers and thanks again 🙂

[transam]

14 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Did you pay him 200 to top up your gas.

Can't remember what I paid.......☺️

[sometimewoodworker]

15 hours ago, atpeace said:

Nobody is reading my posts 🙂 It is the humidity and this is common occurrence.  The AC is a few days old and this has happened on 4 previous ACs.  The humidity is nearly 100% after 1 hour running hard on the treadmill water sometimes runs down the windows.  This happens with split ACs and I was asking if dehumidifiers might work. 

@atpeace
 

They certainly will though they are not at all cheap if you get a good one. You will need a floor drain or very long outlet pipe to another room that has a floor drain.
 

My dehumidifier can drop the humidity in my workshop by 10% to 20%! Now before you get your panties in a bunch the workshop has a floor area of 90sqm and a volume of 450cm before deducting for tools and fixtures.

this was more expensive than an big AC but is mobile 

 

so probably if you drop the humidity to 30% before you start, have it and a good A/C running at the same time it will be OK though the 45 litres a day may be too little 

 

NB you need the AC because the humidifier is blowing hot air, it must to dehumidify. 

 

[Dan O]

17 hours ago, Banana7 said:

Low gas will cause the evaporator to freeze.

This is general the cause of freezing over.