portable AC unit needs fixing

psd99

psd99

psd99

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Joined
7 Sep 2008
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The AC unit I got has stopped giving out cold air. It is more just warm air now :(

I've done the basic troubleshooting but it looks like the unit has run out of coolant and needs to be recharged

how much should that cost in the London area?
 
If it's one commonly used in motors I'd just see a garage and see if he/she can drop some in for you but if you've got a leak it'll just **** out again.


Th refrigerant(s) should be on the compressor e.g R404, R134a, R410a, R407c. Basically it begins with R, followed by 2/3 numbers and maybe a letter

With them systems thou it's normally a complete sealed system with no service valves on so you have to break into the system with a Line Tap valve, put a bit of pressure in, find and repair leak if possible then Vac the system and put the refrigerant(s) specified on the compressor.

Normally just throw them away and get new ones in if it's a on site back up which has failed.
 
Dunno about the UK or the configuration of portable units, but the problem if you're losing refrigerant, means you have a leak on a coil. The two most expensive parts of an AC, are the coils. The air handler cand condensor coils. The air handler coil has less pressure than the condenser and can sometimes be contained.

So you may have a slight chance of using a sealant on the air handler coil, but no chance on the condenser, as the pressure is too high. Bottom line, it'll need replacing if on the condenser.

Also depending on how old the system is. The old type refrigerant is bad for the ozone, and legally, they're not allowed to refill after the one leak. You also have to be licensed to handle refrigerants. Failure to do so, can land you a 30k fine in the US. (given the UK is more anal, about this kind of thing, i'm sure its just as bad over there) ... The newer R410a refrigerant and can even be bought off eBay, as is less harmful, but all the regulations, carried over. So anything AC is not really DIY.
 
Well a regas is going to be what, a fifth of that, and you have no guarantee it will even work. You could risk it but you might end up having to pay a regas + a new unit and then kick yourself.
 
Yep, sounds like a replacement jobby - As people have already said you could get it looked at, but if it needs to be regassed, they'll charge for that and it might only work for another month or two.
 
I guess it can't be regassed like car AC

i.e I can't take it to halfords or a garage etc
it prob needs specialist attention.

damn shame that the unit worked okay last summer.
 
What refrigerant is in the unit, can you take a picture of the name plate?

These would be sealed a unit and a line tap valve installed and pressure tested to find whats leaking.
 
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