2 ton Trane compressor leaks a lot of water onto pad

Is it "normal" for a Trane compressor (2TTR1018A1000AA) to leak water (underneath) onto the pad outside? I have another compressor right beside it, for the downstairs, and it is never wet on the pad/noticeably leaking water. This Trane has leaked like this since day 1 - it was installed 2 years ago.

Note: the downstairs compressor runs much less than the upstairs unit/Trane. I just want to make sure that this water leaking/loss is normal and there aren't any maintenance issues I should be addressing to assure a good life span.

Thanks!

 

It can't really be "leaking" since there is no water used in the system. The water is condensate that collects on the evaporator coils as humidity is removed from the warmer air in the house.

Is this a package unit, where all the componants are in the same enclosure? Or does it have 2 lines that run into a air handler unit in the house?

 

Geez...I'll try to take a stab at this. It does have 2 lines that run from the unit, thru the concrete block foundation, thru the crawl space and up a chase to the furnace and coil in the attic. Would that indicate it is not a package unit? I can tell you the compressor unit itself is tiny. Even smaller than the 1.5 ton unit beside it.

Does this large amount (or perhaps it's normal?) of condensate require additional care/monitoring? Will it have mineral build up, etc.? How often should I have the compressors professionally cleaned? Is this something I could do myself to save some $?

 

Ok, not a package unit. I'd guess that either your condensate drain from the coil in the attic terminates somewhere near the outside unit, and thats what you are seeing, or that the large line (the cold one) running to the coil isn't well insulated and you are seeing some condensation (not condensate from the coil) running down where it enters the outside unit.

Shouldn't really be any mineral problems, its basically distilled water. Could be a little staining though I guess.

You should find out where it's coming from, just for peace of mind if nothing else.

You should also know where your condensate drain lines are. If you see them not dripping on a hot humid day, you could have a blockage. Drain lines should be cleaned at least once yearly by pouring a mixture of bleach and water though from the coil area.

Heres a pretty complete article on cleaning. They also sell a foaming spray coil cleaner that works pretty well if the unit is in a dirty dusty location. You can find it at good hardware and any HVAC store.
Clean Your Air Conditioner Condenser Unit | Housecleaning | Reader's Digest

I searched using "cleaning your A/C condenser".

As to size, newer more efficient units are smaller than older ones. A lot is just the size of the enclosure and how the outside coils are arranged.

 

I will definitely read the article/link you attached. Would the condensate drain line(s) be the clear tube that comes out and drains lots of water? The 2 units (one in attic and one in crawlspace) join in the crawlspace and have just the one line of clear tubing that comes thru the concrete block foundation and rests to the left of both units outside. It does drain lots of water, but I knew that was normal. But I was concerned that the Trane compressor was also showing it's own water elimination onto the pad. Looks like I have some homework/more maintenance items on my to-do list.

Thanks again.

 

that is just the sucton side of the compressor reacting to a humid day and the drop lets of water runnig off the base of the compressor and out onto the pad

 

Actually, newer more efficient units are much larger then older ones, larger coil surface.

 

I can't tell you if it is normal or not, but I have a 3.5 ton Tappan unit that does the same thing. I can look down by the fan and see the condensate is building on the large lines and the compressor itself, it doesnt look like the coils is producing and condensate. My large lines from the outside unit to the inside air handler is well insulated. insulation over insulation 2 times :-)