Great finds today

Well today I was going around my normal areas looking for stuff and stopped at a house after spotting some metal at the curb. As I was loading the stuff I noticed there was an HVAC van in the drive way. When the HVAC guy saw me taking the stuff (and probably the load of stuff already in my truck bed) he asked "Hey would you want an AC too?"..... of course I said "Sure!". He even helped me load it!

This is my first AC unit. I usually do not mess with ACs because of the freon. I dont want the headache of dealing with freon and stuff. But seeing as this was from an HVAC guy and fully detached, I am ASSUMING there is no freon in this thing? Its got open ended pipes all around it so there doesnt seem like there even could be any refrigerant in there right?

I am going to disassemble this weekend probably. But a quick question for anyone, can the whole area that the refrigerant goes through be ACR? Am I better off cutting the copper ends off (and if I do can whats left still go as ACR?)?? Just looking for some advice on tackling this thing as its my first time on one of these whole home ACs.

Pics attached.



Edit: after some youtube searches ( ) I think I may have all the answers I need on taking this thing apart. but never hurts to get input from here!

To answer your second question, a strategy to consider is removing all of the screws. Use a sawzaw with a sharp blade to cut all of the exterior loops. These are #2. Using a sharp blades allows the removal of the metal end caps with a hammer. Sometimes they are aluminum and do not need to be removed. The sawzaw can make easy work of the copper tubing as well. All of the metal can be sprinkled in with your prepared instead of selling it as tin or worse yet as appliance metal. Just an idea.

I only do 40-50 per year, but I sprinkle in the condensers in with my HMS to get top dollar. Some will break down the condenser, but it is nor worth my time with the current prices.

Originally Posted by Patriot76

To answer your second question, a strategy to consider is removing all of the screws. Use a sawzaw with a sharp blade to cut all of the exterior loops. These are #2. Using a sharp blades allows the removal of the metal end caps with a hammer. Sometimes they are aluminum and do not need to be removed. The sawzaw can make easy work of the copper tubing as well. All of the metal can be sprinkled in with your prepared instead of selling it as tin or worse yet as appliance metal. Just an idea.

I only do 40-50 per year, but I sprinkle in the condensers in with my HMS to get top dollar. Some will break down the condenser, but it is nor worth my time with the current prices.

Ok thanks for the info! I definetly will use a sawz-all and try that method for the loops for #2 copper. My scrap yard has a category "ACR - alum copper radiators" that I think is at like $0.70/lb right now that hopefully the rest of the radiator that the loops are cut off of (minus the steel part between the loops and the radiator) can go as. Additionally, I thought condensors can go as "sealed units" which I think are around $0.08/lb at my local yard where-as hms/#1 is only at $0.05/lb



Here are some more pics from the back with the cut/detached ends, hopefully it is freon free

https://imgur.com/a/pam6mCO



Also, "I only do 40-50 per year", thats 40-50 more than I do per year lol! Your input is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by kss

Well today I was going around my normal areas looking for stuff and stopped at a house after spotting some metal at the curb. As I was loading the stuff I noticed there was an HVAC van in the drive way. When the HVAC guy saw me taking the stuff (and probably the load of stuff already in my truck bed) he asked "Hey would you want an AC too?"..... of course I said "Sure!". He even helped me load it!

This is my first AC unit. I usually do not mess with ACs because of the freon. I dont want the headache of dealing with freon and stuff. But seeing as this was from an HVAC guy and fully detached, I am ASSUMING there is no freon in this thing? Its got open ended pipes all around it so there doesnt seem like there even could be any refrigerant in there right?

I am going to disassemble this weekend probably. But a quick question for anyone, can the whole area that the refrigerant goes through be ACR? Am I better off cutting the copper ends off (and if I do can whats left still go as ACR?)?? Just looking for some advice on tackling this thing as its my first time on one of these whole home ACs.

Pics attached.

Edit: after some youtube searches ( ) I think I may have all the answers I need on taking this thing apart. but never hurts to get input from here!

The two compressor units I have come across were sealed and full of freon. Check the coils to see if you can find a cut line somewhere. If you cannot, DO NOT puncture a coil. The pressure is very high. There are some very small copper lines that are used for pressure sensors and temp sensors. There are also Shraeder valves you can hook up guaces to the unit to test for pressure.