Window A/C question

[mbplayer]

Just wondering if anyone has any experince with a window type ac unit? I have used this one for the past 3-4 years without issue. It always had lots of water dripping from the back and now this year it wont go under 77 and there is no water dripping? It almost seems like its not throwing cool air like it used to also? I thought maybe it was because it was so hot lately outside but am stumped. I took of the fron screen/filter and noticed the little rad fins were dusty so I vacumed them off and it still seems the same?? Any ideas or is it a done deal? Can these units be re-charged with fre-on??

Thx guys

MB

[boakley]

its been so hot / humid many simply can not keep up BUT regardless it should still be dripping condensate as it tries. My guess is low on coolent. Air blowing out of the unit should be about 55f or cooler in a perfect world. If it is coming out warmer than weak compressor, pluged, low coolent, etc...

Given you can buy a brand new 5000 btu one for $99 bucks now I question the wisdom of a service call / recharge. Especially if you may have a sig. leak that caused the problem in the first place.

A really cheap evac. pump is $15/$20 from Harbour Freight but it gets a job done for a home owner and is needed to get moisture out of the system so you can safely add the refrigerant.

18oz of 134a refrig assuming thats what you need w/ gauge to add is another $25.

$50 for a do-it yourselfer without addressing the leak issue if you have one.

[TwoStroke]

Just picked up a 12000 BTU for $250 new and it cools my 1600 Sq Ft Cabin very nice. Cheaper just to replace IMO

[mbplayer]

Originally Posted by TwoStroke

Just picked up a 12000 BTU for $250 new and it cools my 1600 Sq Ft Cabin very nice. Cheaper just to replace IMO

Where did you get that for that price??

Thx alot guys

MB

[TwoStroke]

Kernhill

Talk to Andy tell him Lee sent ya

[Lifeguard]

Originally Posted by TwoStroke

Just picked up a 12000 BTU for $250 new and it cools my 1600 Sq Ft Cabin very nice. Cheaper just to replace IMO

Wow, that's a great price. I bought my 12,500 btu about 10 years ago for about $550. The 12000 btu size can cool a pretty big area, especially if it's fairly open. At that price I might have to pic up another as a backup.

[mbplayer]

Well I did a really close look at the unit over the day on friday. I found out that the outer rad was plugged on the inside with dust. It was so dusty it made a layer that looked like a t-shirt covering it. the way this unit is made I could not take the top or side covers off. So I did the next best thing instead of hauling the air compressor over to the front of the house and or removing the unit from the window cause lets face it I am just too lazy. lol I ran the garden hose with a spray nozzle end and washed it out while it was still in the window. lol Anyway it works great now had her down to 62 on the weekend. It sure blows cold again!

So if anyone else has issue dont be lazy like me and assume its toast make sure you check really closely both of the rads for dust or pluggage.

Thx to all who replied and stay cool guys!

MB

[barkerlakebob]

When we bought ours last year we were advised to consider installing a screen around it to keep the bugs out............and............check it periodically for those little pesky flies.
All good advice and our cottage is nice and cool.....!!

As for condensation.........ours is quite efficient and when someone takes a shower or boils water etc etc , the moisture starts to be removed by the a.c. almost immediately.

Damned if I know how the previous owners survived in that cottage on days like these !!

[SmokeyMcBong]

Originally Posted by mbplayer

Well I did a really close look at the unit over the day on friday. I found out that the outer rad was plugged on the inside with dust. It was so dusty it made a layer that looked like a t-shirt covering it. the way this unit is made I could not take the top or side covers off. So I did the next best thing instead of hauling the air compressor over to the front of the house and or removing the unit from the window cause lets face it I am just too lazy. lol I ran the garden hose with a spray nozzle end and washed it out while it was still in the window. lol Anyway it works great now had her down to 62 on the weekend. It sure blows cold again!

So if anyone else has issue dont be lazy like me and assume its toast make sure you check really closely both of the rads for dust or pluggage.

Thx to all who replied and stay cool guys!

MB

you beat me to the answer! i have a friend who grabs up peoples old a/c units when they chuck them, he cleans both sets of fins and most of the time they run like new! he sells em real cheap in the hot toronto summer and makes a killing!