Results 1 to 10 of 10

a/c compressor help!!

| Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
  1. #1
    jczfromkcz started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Apr 2014
    Location
    ks
    Posts
    1
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    a/c compressor help!!

    Hey all new scrapper here. Came across 6 ptac's aka hotel a/c and heater.. I got them all torn down and got to the compressors... question is how do you get the motors out? I've cut two tops off... seems like it's wedged in there pretty good.. and I cut one in half and still can't get it out.... what am I doing wrong? Used angle grinder and 3 cut off wheels



  2. #2
    wadarbr549's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2013
    Location
    southern ohio
    Posts
    412
    Thanks
    175
    Thanked 505 Times in 204 Posts
    there are a few old threads on here about that particular type of tear dow....try searching for air conditioner compressor...you may want to think about if there is enough copper in there to pay for your consumables...blades, bits, and wheels get costly....

  3. #3
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    PTAC's usually have rotary compressors in them. Takes about a minute to cut them apart with a plasma cutter. I have been thinking of posting a video on doing one. If there is any interest, let me know.

  4. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by freonjoe:


  5. #4
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    15
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked 25 Times in 9 Posts
    Are you referring to the sealed unit? Where the coolant is stored? If so, you're wasting time and money by tearing them down, grinder wheels get expensive. Sell them whole. They should be priced somewhere between shred and electric motor price. Furthermore, check with your local yard to make sure you can sell the ACRs laws have clamped down on what and who we can buy these from, they vary by state
    Last edited by LordMallard; 04-03-2014 at 11:13 PM.

  6. #5
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Mar 2014
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts
    You are wasting your time with those compressors. Separate the coils, motor, any wire, and copper tubing sell the compressor as sealed unit. Shred the rest. You paid more in cutoff wheels than compressor is going to yield in copper.

  7. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by njrefertech:


  8. #6
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    466
    Thanks
    1,612
    Thanked 417 Times in 199 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by freonjoe View Post
    PTAC's usually have rotary compressors in them. Takes about a minute to cut them apart with a plasma cutter. I have been thinking of posting a video on doing one. If there is any interest, let me know.
    I'd be very interested in seeing the process. Just wanted to let you know beyond a simple "thanks"

  9. #7
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    Erewen, I will post one on cutting up the three most common types of compressors next week.

  10. The Following 9 Users say Thank You for This Post by freonjoe:


  11. #8
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Boise, ID
    Posts
    2,702
    Thanks
    2,237
    Thanked 2,352 Times in 1,014 Posts
    I cut up 10 compressors in about an hour, using a plasma cutter. Started out using cutoff wheels. Never again.

  12. #9
    spinroch's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    675
    Thanks
    1,983
    Thanked 1,556 Times in 460 Posts
    I spent many oily hours breaking down A/C units, including cutting the sealed units apart to get the copper.
    After I did the math, I found I can take them to the yard and come out just as well, without the cost, mess and danger.
    Just break off the lines & drain the oil first.
    Make sure you recycle the oil!
    None of this bad oil disposal stuff.
    Just one experienced scrapper's Humble Opinion.
    (Professional Driver on a closed course. Your results may vary)
    F1 Recycles

    Electronic/Electrical/Mechanical Recycling
    www.f1recycles.com


  13. The Following User Says Thank You to spinroch for This Post:


  14. #10
    wayne1956's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Cleburne, TX
    Posts
    705
    Thanks
    195
    Thanked 754 Times in 293 Posts
    On top of everything else the windings in AC units have a thick coat of varnish on them, making the windings difficult to remove from the ferrous material. Unlike refrigerator compressors which are relatively easy. If I get an AC compressor, I just take the .18 lb the yard offers.

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to wayne1956 for This Post:



  16. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. How to scrap an ac compressor
      By jackshmuc in forum Scrap Metal Videos
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 09-08-2012, 03:16 PM
    2. Car AC compressor
      By ron22 in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 08-02-2012, 01:56 AM
    3. Refrigerator Compressor
      By RVS in forum Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 06-25-2012, 02:09 AM
    4. Compressor day
      By freonjoe in forum Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
      Replies: 15
      Last Post: 01-11-2012, 12:47 AM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook