My window a/c keeps freezing!

[Maelstrom]

Hey y'all. So, I've been studying air conditioner trouble shooting online and the only thing I can of is that the air flow has been restricted too much by my light trap - a lot of outside light pours in through the vents so a light trap was necessary to keep the room dark during the "night cycle," - but what I'm wondering is whether anyone has discovered an easy solution to keeping the a/c coils from gathering ice. I was thinking maybe spraying a little alcohol on the coils might help. Instinct tells me that's a bad idea, I'm just considering possibilities.

 

[Moe.Red]

Could be a restriction of airflow or a loss of refrigerant.

What kind of AC unit is this?

 

[Maelstrom]

Brand name is, "Frigidaire." It works fine most of the time so I don't think it's refrigerant loss. I keep it turned up to 68, any cooler and it's guaranteed to freeze. I'll try taking the light trap off and see if less restricted air flow helps. Just thought of this... Maybe it's not draining the moisture outside. Okay. I'll start with air flow. Thanks.

 

[Moe.Red]

If you restrict the airflow there is not enough heat transfer from the air being cooled to the ac coils, and they freeze up.

You may need to come up with a different way to block light. If you remove the restriction and it works, thats it. If not, you will need an HVAC tech to measure pressures.

 

[Maelstrom]

Maybe I could use a vent fan to pull air through the light trap. Forced air through the a/c. That would keep the coils dry. And keep my room dark. Hmmm. Gonna try that first.

 

[1diesel1]

It is in the window with the coils outside?
What are your outside temps?

 

[Aqua Man]

Usually a sign of running to hard so id guess its under rated. Also high humidity can contribute

 

[1diesel1]

If outdoor temps are under 40-45F
The coils will freeze up, there not designed to run at those temps and will freeze up

 

[Aqua Man]

If outdoor temps are under 40-45F
The coils will freeze up, there not designed to run at those temps and will freeze up

Very true, I shouldn’t assume its inside

 

[mysticepipedon]

If the air conditioner is sized correctly, freezing usually means it's low on freon (or whatever refrigerant gas they use now).

 

[1diesel1]

If the air conditioner is sized correctly, freezing usually means it's low on freon (or whatever refrigerant gas they use now).

410a, typically

Freon™ 410A (R-410A) Refrigerant | HFC Replacement for R-22

Understand how the HFC refrigerant Freon™ 410A can be used and an alternative to R-22 in residential and light commercial AC and heat pump systems.

www.freon.com

 

[Buzzzz]

Hey y'all. So, I've been studying air conditioner trouble shooting online and the only thing I can of is that the air flow has been restricted too much by my light trap - a lot of outside light pours in through the vents so a light trap was necessary to keep the room dark during the "night cycle," - but what I'm wondering is whether anyone has discovered an easy solution to keeping the a/c coils from gathering ice. I was thinking maybe spraying a little alcohol on the coils might help. Instinct tells me that's a bad idea, I'm just considering possibilities.

Provided it is in good working order here are some reasons it can freeze.
Not draining,poor air flow(condensation is sitting on coils),fan set too low letting water sit,air con is too big for area(short on off cycles)

 

[CannaPrecision]

Lack of Air flow is typically the cause for this to happen, I would start there...

 

[Blastfact]

I'm not understanding the light trap at all. If it's a window unit there should be no light in the registers or evap coil where it's freezing up at all. Same with a stand alone unit. And so on with central unit.