5'ver , Remove old A\C , Install New A\C ?

fordy · #1 12/09/10, 08:13 PM

.....................Old AC is close too dying , so I'm needing to replace it with a new unit . I can remove the old unit easy enough but was wondering if anyone hereabouts has done this for themselves ? I'll probably have one extra set of hands for getting the old unit down and the new unit up . Any advise would be appreciated . , thanks , fordy

**Ross** · #2 12/10/10, 06:40 AM

What sort of AC unit are we talkign about?

fordy · #3 12/10/10, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

What sort of AC unit are we talkign about?

..............Roof mounted 15k btu unit , Duo therm circulates air into a ceiling ducted system ! The heat exchanger must have been slammed by a hail storm because all the aluminum vanes are flattened but it has worked OK for the 4 years I've owned this trailer . It seems to be on it's last leg ; you can't stay in a trailer in Tx come june 1st. when av. temps are running 95f to 98f ! Consequently , I'm not going to wait until it craters , best too preempt fate and replace in Mar or April . , fordy

agmantoo · #4 12/10/10, 01:46 PM

Fordy

I will let others suggest how to remove the old unit.
I want to bring your attention to a device that I strongly suggest using as a replacement. The device is an upgrade of what was once know as a PTAC or package terminal air conditioner. http://www.shophmac.com/amana-pth153e35axxx.html The unit is now a package terminal heat pump w/ strip heat. They are cheaper than you may image and they afford a lot of convenience and power savings. The only issue I see is do you want to continue to use the ceiling duct. Two of these units, one small and one larger size equally the requirement of the home can give comfort and at a much less utility bill than a single unit.
I suggest you call the manufacturer(s) for their input. I have done a lot of business with these folks.
http://ptac4less.com/

mightybooboo · #5 12/10/10, 02:06 PM

All I know about em is make sure it has the 'soft start' setup so it uses less start up power to get compressor going.

fordy · #6 12/10/10, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Fordy

I will let others suggest how to remove the old unit.
I want to bring your attention to a device that I strongly suggest using as a replacement. The device is an upgrade of what was once know as a PTAC or package terminal air conditioner. http://www.shophmac.com/amana-pth153e35axxx.html The unit is now a package terminal heat pump w/ strip heat. They are cheaper than you may image and they afford a lot of convenience and power savings. The only issue I see is do you want to continue to use the ceiling duct. Two of these units, one small and one larger size equally the requirement of the home can give comfort and at a much less utility bill than a single unit.
I suggest you call the manufacturer(s) for their input. I have done a lot of business with these folks.
http://ptac4less.com/

.........................Thanks , AgMan , I'll look into these units ! , thanks , fordy

Blu3duk · #7 12/11/10, 12:29 AM

know anyone with a gantry crane? Ive demoed em out but was tearing the whole trailer down, saved the unit and sold it for less than it was worth..... but i didnt care about saving the trailer just the wires/control panel and so forth.....

they really are not all that heavy just bulky..... the crane would just make it easier to lower it down and then set in place...

Willam

Curtis B · #8 12/11/10, 06:34 PM

What do you mean by "on it's last leg"? Those are the condenser coils (which I assume is what you are talking about), and usually can be combed out with a $5 fin comb. The thing is with each RTU they have a different layout for the supply and return. You will usually need to have a sheetmetal shop make you a "curb adapter" if you change it, or cut into the roof, and replace the curb. Or, are you talking about a split system where the condenser is on the roof and the refrigerant is piped into an evaporater coil inside? It will make a differance.

fordy · #9 12/12/10, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis B

What do you mean by "on it's last leg"? Those are the condenser coils (which I assume is what you are talking about), and usually can be combed out with a $5 fin comb. The thing is with each RTU they have a different layout for the supply and return. You will usually need to have a sheetmetal shop make you a "curb adapter" if you change it, or cut into the roof, and replace the curb. Or, are you talking about a split system where the condenser is on the roof and the refrigerant is piped into an evaporater coil inside? It will make a differance.

..............This Ac unit is a complete unit on top of the trailer . Most all travel trailers and 5'vers have a 14"x14" hole that is standard for ac units and air vents . Now , the heat exchanger coil looks like someone bent most of the small aluminum vanes down with severley impedes the airflow over the vanes . I guess I'm not familiar with the comb you're referring too . Come spring I'll make a serious effort too see if I can straighten out a bunch of these vanes . The ac unit pulls air from inside the trailer and pushes it into a ceiling mounted duct system . Where can I get one of these specialized combs ? Please don't tell me at Walgreens ! , thanks , fordy

Curtis B · #10 12/13/10, 03:29 PM

Ahh, 5th wheel, I was thinking a moble home. The fins should be the same as any other unit. Find a local HVAC supply house, or grainger should have them. They are simply called a "fin comb". The plastic ones are easier to use, but don't last a long time.

Gianni · #11 12/16/10, 04:41 PM

Lack of air flow will shut you down. I would straighten the vanes before i bought a new one.

Old Vet · #12 12/17/10, 12:47 AM

Go to bumper to Bumper and ask for a fin comb or NAPA or most any auto parts store and they may have to order one but they have them at the warehouse. If you are near a Granger or other HVAC parts store they will have them on hand at about $5 each. They use them on cooling systems on cars also.