AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

[handball]

Hi,<br />I recently installed a 12,000 btu air conditioner on my 1987 Sea Ray weekender.<br />The very first time we used it we set the thermostat for about 65 degrees when the cabin temp was over 80. The unit ran without cycling and eventually the evaporater froze solid and no air came out of the vents. when I inspected the evaperator by removing the foam filter for the first time I found the aluminum fins to be badly bent over in about 25% of the area. When I contacted the tech support person about the bent fins and the problem he said " why should my company pay for damage that was probably caused by the shipping outfit? Also his opinion was for me to revise my installation by turning the unit around 180 degrees. He also said he would send me a comb to straiten out the fins that are bent over.The fins are really flatened and I wonder if straightening them is possible?<br />Bill

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

He also said he would send me a comb to straiten out the fins that are bent over.The fins are really flatened and I wonder if straightening them is possible?<br />

Yes, It's done with those "combs" every day in the RV industry. I believe it's tedious work and take a bunch of time to do a large area, but it's possible.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

Yeah, the combs are pretty easy to use and make quick work of straightening the fins if using a quality one...

 

[crab bait]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

i used even a pocket comb.. start in a stra8 area an comb out bad..

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

Handball, if the fins are just bent over, a fin comb will work. If they are smashed down on top of each other, you may need to straighten one fin at a time. Its a pain, but once you have them all semi straight, then use the comb to even out the spacing.<br /><br />This is one job that is very time consuming. Recent hail storms have damaged a lot of our commercial roof top units.<br /><br />I must add a note. Be very careful while doing this job. A slip with your knuckles hitting the fins not only bends them again, but can cut multiple slices as well. BTDT and it is painful as well as it is hard to heal. Doctors have a real hard time stitching up a mess like that.<br /><br />After all the fins is straightened out and you still have problems of the evap freezing over, try turning the T-stat down in increments letting the compressor to cycle off. Then if it still does it, you maybe low on freon. For that, you will need a tech with some guages. Good Luck,,,,,,,,,,SS

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

Beyond the advice you've received I'd contact someone in customer support where you bought the unit. You didn't select the shipping outfit - the retailer did. I don't see where you're responsible for damage either they or the shipper they selected did to the unit. If it was used that's a different story but if it was new I'd work my way up the ladder until either I'd made it to the top or I'd been satisfied with the arrangements they made. <br /><br />We've probably all attempted this at one time or another and rarely do you end up satisfied, but having some donkey dismiss the problem the way they did would be motivation enough for me to stir the pot at least.

 

[handball]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

Thanks fellows,<br />The fins on this unit are really flatened over on each other, so much that they form a smooth wavy surface. I bought the unit brand new and between its price and the parts required for installation we are talking about 2k. I had purchased it back in jan. but did not get to try it out untill recently after launching the boat. The damaged fins were hidden behind the foam filter so I never saw them untill the unit froze over. Also there are v shaped splits in the fins that are at the top and run down for about 2 inches, the gap at the top may be about 3/16 wide. If you set the thermostat for only a couple of degrees less then room temp the unit works fine and cycles on and off. Is it possible that all this damage happened from freezing up? There is a y in the ouput that has a 6" and a 4" end for ducting. I made a gentle 360 degree turn with the 6" and ran it aft to a register in the dinette seat, the 4" makes a sharper turn and goes to a closet nearby. The tech. insists I turn the whole unit around so the 6" is straighter, if I do that the 4" will have to be longer.<br />Bill

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

Handball, anytime you deflect the air in the duct, your slowing/restricting it down. The straighter the air flow, the faster the air can move over the coil. Slow air movement over the coil will aid in the coil freezing over. Then with the fins bent over adds to the problem.<br /><br />To straighten them out, start with the one that is on top of the others. Then work your way across the coil. You may have to do one at a time. For instances like that, I use a plastic putty knife. Once all the fins are semi-straight, I then use a fin comb to align them. At least the damage done did not cause a gas leak.

 

[ob]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

I'm wondering how the evaporator fins got bent over to start with .Unless the unit was shipped without the plastic register/grill installed,the evaporator coils on most window units are protected behind the plastic grill.Just wondering.Otherwise ,I'm with Terry Olson on this one.To heck with straightening out all of those flattened fins.You'll never get it like new anyway.

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM

why should my company pay for damage that was probably caused by the shipping outfit? <br /><br />If it were packaged properly to start with that would not happen, and yes they are responsible for shipping damage thats why they have insurance, he just didnt want to use it.