Rain, Humidity & the RV Air Conditioner
I’ve you’ve ever been inside an RV during a summer rainstorm you’ve maybe noticed how damp everything feels inside.
Campers are made to be weatherproof so no damaging water can get in, but that also means no water can get out. When everyone is inside the camper and the humidity starts to rise, it can really get uncomfortable inside.
See Also: RV Condensation And 14 Ways To Prevent Mold In Your Trailer
Mold growth in humid campers is a common problem, especially among full-time RVers. The best dehumidifier there is on a camper is the RV air conditioner.
Is it Ok to Run the RV Air Conditioner When it’s Raining?
Getting to the point, the answer is yes, you can run the RV air conditioner when it’s raining.
We asked this question while spending the winter in southern Texas on the coast. Humidity was high, and to keep the inside of our motorhome dry, we would run the RV AC almost every day. It rained quite a bit while we were down there, and we went through some pretty crazy thunderstorms.
After some research and learning about how an RV AC works, we found out it is okay to run an RV AC while it’s raining.
We even ran it during windy rainstorms with heavy sideways rain, and our RV AC is still running and no issues have come from it.
Why is it Ok to Run an RV Air Conditioner While it’s Raining?
Air conditioners draw air from inside in order to replace the warm air with cold air that’s been filtered and dried out.
An RV AC is no different. It draws air from inside the camper through the central AC panel that’s directly under the air conditioner unit.
Because the air comes from the inside, there’s no risk of water being drawn into the AC unit on the roof. RV ACs are also covered to make them rainproof since they are sitting outside exposed to the elements.
Thunderstorms and Power Surges
Many of us were taught that electronic appliances attract lightning, but this has been disproven, and using your RV AC will not increase the chance of getting hit by lightning.
What is true is that power surges can happen during storms. If you’re plugged into shore power during a thunderstorm, it could be dangerous, especially if you aren’t using an RV surge guard. Power surges can be caused by lightning hitting power lines.
Related: Best RV Surge Protector & EMS For 30 Amp & 50 Amp
If you don’t have an RV surge protector or you want to be extra careful, unplug your RV from the main power grid during thunderstorms with lots of lightning strikes.
What to Do If Your RV AC Leaks When It Rains
If the RV AC leaks when it’s raining, chances are it’s not because it’s on. Most of the time, a leak from the RV AC unit is because of the gasket that sits between the bottom of the AC and the roof.
The gasket is basically just a square piece of weather stripping that can get old or damaged over time and leak. Luckily, it’s one of the easier things to replace in an RV.
Camco makes and sells a replacement gasket kit you can find on Amazon.
To fix it, remove the interior vent cover and locate the 4 long mounting screws that hold the AC down. Once you’ve removed those screws, nothing is securing the AC to the camper roof anymore. Make sure you disconnect all the power and get another person to help you lift, since RV air conditioners are heavy.
See Also: Best RV Roof Caulks: When To Use Self Leveling Lap Sealants
The adhesive side goes against the air conditioner where the old one was. When you put the RV AC back down, have someone stand inside to make sure the gasket seals around the edges and there are no gaps.
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