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New Member
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Jul 5, 2008, 04:29 PM
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A/C Compressor Replacement
I know I'm going to get admonished for this but... here goes.
I want to replace just the compressor unit in an older Weathertron outdoor unit. Question: can I do it myself? Yes, I'm mechanically competent but not HVAC trained. And, no I don't really care that newer units are more efficient. Quotes to replace the entire outdoor unit are running ~$4000 and I don't want to spend that right now.
I'd like to swap in a new unit then have a certified tech do the purging, charging etc.
So... if it's doable where can I find just a compressor unit for a 20-year old Weathertron?
Thanks for any advice...
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Ultra Member
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Jul 5, 2008, 05:25 PM
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Get the numbers,, all the numbers off the top of the compressor,take them to about any local HVAC parts house and they should be able to match it up. Problem is they might not sell it to you if you`re not certified ,licenced,and /or have a account with them, who knows you can try. Then take out compressor and replace just as you found it. The wireing is important,the soldering is important, no leaks allowed, then call in a certified tech to finish the job. Goodluck,, where I`m at $40000.00 is a lot to replace the condenser and evap coil,, try 1/2 that, 20 years old is kind of old to be spending $1000.00 on and not have a warranty
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Ultra Member
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Jul 5, 2008, 05:27 PM
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Sorry,, 4,000.00dollars,, not 40,000
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Ultra Member
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Jul 5, 2008, 07:16 PM
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If you don't know refrigeration it can be a costly mistake. If you do try and get caught doing it with out a license not good $$$$
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New Member
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Jul 6, 2008, 10:03 AM
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Thanks guys.:) I'm more a fix-it than a replace-it person so what you're saying confirms that this unit can be restored.
Question on soldering the connections: is silver solder necessary?
As for being illegal, I don't intend to skirt the law, just salesmen who want to replace the entire outdoor unit rather than fix it. I'll hire a certified, licensed tech to make the purchase and do the final setup. Craigslist seems to have a number looking for work.
BTW the $4000 was complete replacement of the outdoor unit with piping to indoor air handler.
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Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
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Jul 6, 2008, 05:12 PM
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You braze the connections with 15% silver rod. You will need a good torch.
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Uber Member
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Jul 6, 2008, 06:32 PM
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Silver soldering (a.k.a. brazing) for the first time in a confined space with no leaks or damage would be a feat. I second the "good torch". You need extremely good flexibility and control to heat uniformly.
I've done glass work (quartz and pyrex), silver soldering, plumbing soldering, electrical soldering, resistance soldering, TIG welding, MIG welding, STICK welding and they are all different.
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Ultra Member
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Jul 6, 2008, 06:48 PM
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Your skills are not the important thing to be concerned about in changing your own compressor. First it can be done but unless you are certified to work with equipment containing freon then you would be breaking a federal law. It is a law that will offer another person a $25,000 reward for turning you in, he does not have to prove you were doing anything wrong but you sure have to prove that you weren't. I think the idea of you calling a professional to do the job is you best approach to the situation.
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New Member
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Jul 6, 2008, 08:55 PM
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$25K for turning me in? Hmmmm, that must be in the New America. In the Old America where I'm from these bounties were for information *leading to a conviction*. Fortunately, in that America the judicial system still held that a man was innocent until proven guilty, in other words, the burden of proof was on the squeeler.
But not to worry, the earth is safe. Not one BTU of global warming will be attributable to errant escaping gases. A certified tech will be involved every step of the way... just not to sell me an entire new system.
Thanks again to all for the advice.
Anyone in the north Seattle region want to help?
Originally Posted by letmetellu
Your skills are not the important thing to be concerned about in changing your own compressor. First it can be done but unless you are certified to work with equipment containing freon then you would be breaking a federal law. It is a law that will offer another person a $25,000 reward for turning you in, he does not have to prove you were doing anything wrong but you sure have to prove that you weren't. I think the idea of you calling a professional to do the job is you best approach to the situation.
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New Member
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Jul 15, 2008, 06:11 PM
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Sounds Like You Just Really Need A Good Service Company To Take Care Of You And Let The Experts Do Their Job
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Ultra Member
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Jul 16, 2008, 08:17 PM
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When a "professional expert qualified certified technician" does the job you are paying for his salary, the companys overhead, the fuel for his truck, the insurance that covers him and your dwelling, all parts and labor, a guarantee, the bosses retirement plan, medical insurance and a bunch of other things. Aren't you glad you are so generous? But do it yourself and you will save a bunch of money up front... Pay them now or pay them later when something goes wrong.
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Ultra Member
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Jul 16, 2008, 08:39 PM
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You would be better off just buying a new condensing unit off the internet and finding someone to put it in. I think installing a new compressor in a 20 year old system is crazy, and a HUGE waste of money, and attempting it yourself is dangerous and also could be a waste of money. I will say 4,000 is a bit high, get some other bids.
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New Member
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Jul 17, 2008, 12:28 PM
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Thanks, that would certainly solve the problem... maybe. But, you miss my point, I like to do things myself and in the process learn what makes the world go 'round. Decades of poking my nose into *experts'* domains have proven that many so-call complicated tasks are possible with simple due diligence and appropriate prudence.
Having said that I abide by Dirty Harry's advice, *A man's got to know his limitations.* I won't attempt brain surgery... :)
Originally Posted by DRAKE4ME
Sounds Like You Just Really Need A Good Service Company To Take Care Of You And Let The Experts Do Their Job
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Ultra Member
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Jul 17, 2008, 03:30 PM
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You have to understand that LEGALLY you can not do this project, and there is much more to replacing a compressor than just sticking it in place. It's your house, your money, do what you want , we are just trying to give you advice. I have seen this many times, the homeowner tries to do it himself, he ends having to pay a serviceman, and everything that he has done has to be redone, so you are the money for the original parts, new parts and a service call.
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Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
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Jul 17, 2008, 03:54 PM
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As to mark up or costs of business, keep in mind a quality contractor that will be there for you when you need him may have some or all of the following business expenses:
Not limited to;
401K
Coffee
Health Insurance
Holiday Pay
Office Benefits
Sick Pay
Uniforms
Vacation Pay
Air Conditioning Equipment Maintenance
Building Repairs
Cleaning Service
Electric Utilities
Facility Mortgage Payments
Furniture
Gas/Oil Bill
Landscaping
Office Rent
Parts Storage Racks
Security System
Shop Tools
Callbacks
Miscellaneous Hardware
Air Conditioning License
Answering Service
Bad Debt
Business Licenses
Cash Reserves
Certification Tests
Chamber of Commerce Dues
Collections
Company Picnic
Dealer Meetings
Employment Testing
Help Wanted Advertising
Interest Expense
Internet Access
Inventory
Inventory Shrinkage
Invoices
Legal Services
Liability Insurance
Management Training
Mobile Phone Charges
Mobile Phones
Office Training
Pagers
Property Insurance
Recycling
Subscriptions
Tax preparation
Technician Training
Trade Association Membership
Brochures
Charitable Contributions
Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Door Hangers
Home And Garden Shows
Magnets
Newsletter
Newspaper Advertising
Other Advertising
Outdoor Advertising
Patches
Radio Advertising
Sales Commissions
Warranties
Website
Yellow Pages
Youth Sports Team Sponsorships
Accounting
Calculators And Adding Machines
Computer System Maintenance
Computers
Copier
Copies
Fax Machine
Files And File Cabinets
Network
Office Supplies
Phone Bill
Phone System
Postage
Postal Equipment
Printing
Software
Stamps And Pads
Telephone Bill
Telephone Equipment
Training Equipment
Trash And Disposal
Water Bill
Call Taker
Dispatcher
Employee Incentives
Employee Pay
Management
Office Staff
Receptionist
Technician Pay
Federal Taxes
Local School Taxes
Local Taxes
Municipal Property Tax
Other property Taxes
Sales Tax
Social Security Taxes
State Taxes
Unemployment Insurance
Worker's Comp
Gasoline
Ladders
Radios
Tires
Tools
Truck Decals
Truck Depreciation
Truck Insurance
Truck Inventory
Truck Ladder Racks
Truck Maintenance
Truck Shelves
Trucks
Profit
Tool Insurance
Truck Plates
Life Insurance
Equipment Insurance
Warranty Expenses
Code updates
Other trade book updates
Permits
Dental / Vision Insurance
Equipment Consumables
Inventory Tax
Research & Development
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Ultra Member
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Jul 17, 2008, 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by hvac1000
As to mark up or costs of business, keep in mind a quality contractor that will be there for you when you need him may have some or all of the following business expenses:
Not limited to;
401K
Coffee
Health Insurance
Holiday Pay
Office Benefits
Sick Pay
Uniforms
Vacation Pay
Air Conditioning Equipment Maintenance
Building Repairs
Cleaning Service
Electric Utilities
Facility Mortgage Payments
Furniture
Gas/Oil Bill
Landscaping
Office Rent
Parts Storage Racks
Security System
Shop Tools
Callbacks
Miscellaneous Hardware
Air Conditioning License
Answering Service
Bad Debt
Business Licenses
Cash Reserves
Certification Tests
Chamber of Commerce Dues
Collections
Company Picnic
Dealer Meetings
Employment Testing
Help Wanted Advertising
Interest Expense
Internet Access
Inventory
Inventory Shrinkage
Invoices
Legal Services
Liability Insurance
Management Training
Mobile Phone Charges
Mobile Phones
Office Training
Pagers
Property Insurance
Recycling
Subscriptions
Tax preparation
Technician Training
Trade Association Membership
Brochures
Charitable Contributions
Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Door Hangers
Home And Garden Shows
Magnets
Newsletter
Newspaper Advertising
Other Advertising
Outdoor Advertising
Patches
Radio Advertising
Sales Commissions
Warranties
Website
Yellow Pages
Youth Sports Team Sponsorships
Accounting
Calculators And Adding Machines
Computer System Maintenance
Computers
Copier
Copies
Fax Machine
Files And File Cabinets
Network
Office Supplies
Phone Bill
Phone System
Postage
Postal Equipment
Printing
Software
Stamps And Pads
Telephone Bill
Telephone Equipment
Training Equipment
Trash And Disposal
Water Bill
Call Taker
Dispatcher
Employee Incentives
Employee Pay
Management
Office Staff
Receptionist
Technician Pay
Federal Taxes
Local School Taxes
Local Taxes
Municipal Property Tax
Other property Taxes
Sales Tax
Social Security Taxes
State Taxes
Unemployment Insurance
Worker's Comp
Gasoline
Ladders
Radios
Tires
Tools
Truck Decals
Truck Depreciation
Truck Insurance
Truck Inventory
Truck Ladder Racks
Truck Maintenance
Truck Shelves
Trucks
Profit
Tool Insurance
Truck Plates
Life Insurance
Equipment Insurance
Warranty Expenses
Code updates
Other trade book updates
Permits
Dental / Vision Insurance
Equipment Consumables
Inventory Tax
Research & Development
That about sums it up! Common sense just isn't a good qaulity for this OP, I have a feeling he will be back in a week wondering why his house is hot!
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New Member
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Jul 18, 2008, 12:51 PM
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Thanks again for the ALL the advice. You are all well intentioned.
But your attitude is kind of disturbing. Have you all forgotten what America is about? This is the country of individualists, who value the ability to do what they please without a nanny looking over their shoulder. I'll give in on handling the refrigerant, that's the law, but plumbing, wiring, etc are not rocket science otherwise they, too, would be prohibited. Here in WA they are not... yet.
Sure, it might fail. Big deal. The point is, we as individuals enjoy the right to do it. That's a good thing, one that each of you also enjoy. And, please don't tell me that not one of you has not poked his nose and skilled hands into a task where a so-called *expert* was needed. If you're a successful parent I contend that you took on a dangerous task, without training, without a license and did well using your God-given ability to just figure things out.
As for the nice list of expenses that must be covered I appreciate it. As a small business owner myself I understand costs quite well. In fact there were a couple on the list that I'll have to factor into my next bid. :)
Originally Posted by hvacservicetech_07
That about sums it up!! Common sense just isnt a good qaulity for this OP, I have a feeling he will be back in a week wondering why his house is hot!
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Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
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Jul 18, 2008, 01:04 PM
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This trade takes years of training. You cannot relay all that training over the net.
I would not consider replacing a compressor in any unit out of the 5 to 10 year part warranty. It is just false economics.
The days of repairing your own car without special tools are over. The same can be said of this industry.
Good luck with your endeavors.
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Uber Member
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Jul 18, 2008, 02:13 PM
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I put my hands nearly everywhere they don't belong. Always have.
Let's take this project.
1. You need a service call for someone to recover the refrigerent
2. Now you can use the small hand tools, cur the old compressor out and replace it.
3. Replacing it means you must be proficient in silver soldering and you can borrow a good torch. You must keep moisture and dirt out of the system.
4. Then there is leak checking, which requires a manifold gauge set and a vacuum pump. If your not prepared to wait a long time to check for a leak, a micron gauge.
5. Possible leak locating. Nitrogen, bubbles, UV dye, introducing freon and recover to electronic leak detectors work.
6. Fix the leak and verify it's fixed.
7. Charge.
There is a lot too it.
Assuming nothing went wrong, you have at least two service calls to recover and (check for leaks and charge).
Furthermore, that person doing the charging has to accept the fact that your joints won't blow apart.
Before I became certified, I replaced the evaporator in a relative's car because the tech said he would not do it (too much labor).
I had installed an AC from just a box of parts before that and serviced and leak detected various other systems.
So, I installed and checked for leaks. The car is much easier - no soldering and aluminum tubes. Just cleanliness and compatible refrigerent oil to lubercate the o-rings. The tech charged it.
My install from a box of parts was good too. Every 8 years I had to replace two hoses. Then the compressor clutch died and it was time for a new car.
So, your problem MAY be possible, but as hvac1000 pointed out, it doesn't make economic sense to replace it unless you know something that we don't.
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