SpudFiles

Today I had nothing to do, so I wandered into my basement and found a very old looking air conditioner, neatly tucked away in the corner. I'm sure there is a compressor in it, but I haven't started to take it apart yet. Any info on how to wire it? Is it similar to a fridge compressor? Pics will come soon...

Yes very similar.

Well, I started to cut one of the copper tubes, and all this gas starts fissing out. I'm like oh crap and I quickly placed it outside the hosue. Is freon gas poisinous?

Depends on the gas and how old it is. I doubt you'll drop dead from it afterwards

Freon can refer to any number of gases. Generally, they are toxic, but it takes a fairly high concentration to have major or lasting effects.

However, the main issue is the irresponsibility of releasing Freon, given that it damages the environment.

Even if you're cool with it (pun not intended), the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol (which relate to such things) are the first and, to date, only universally ratified international treaties. Suffice to say, if you are going to do it... don't get caught.

Ragnarok wrote:However, the main issue is the irresponsibility of releasing Freon, given that it damages the environment.

I have a compressor from a window AC and I can only get a bit over 400 PSI, but I suspect that the flow rate is greater than most fridge compressors. Not sure on that last point though.

My advice...? If anyone asks just say that it leaked out on its own

As far as wiring goes make sure you take good, clear pictures and take as much of them as possible. That really makes it easier to understand aaaaand do it before you modify anything - mind you it's almost 95% done anyway (assuming no parts require replacement)

Hmm it would be a good idea to make a very general video on how to wire AC and fridge compressors. It would make more sense to just have one thread instead of 20 or 30.

Oh well, its too late. Sorry, no pictures yet, and I probably won't be working on this for a couple days. I'm just going to add a switch and put on a compression fitting. The compressor was turned upside down for a minute, is it still going to work? (it wasn't plugged in )

It should work just fine - don't worry

If you pay attention to how it comes out of the A/C unit it will be easier to put back together correctly.

Most compressors require a motor start/run capacitor to function which will come out with the compressor. Other than that, optionally wire in a switch to turn it on and off (the plug off of my unit had a power switch).

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:

Ragnarok wrote:However, the main issue is the irresponsibility of releasing Freon, given that it damages the environment.

love it

BUMP- Here's some pics. Any idea how to configure the wires?

lol you shouldn't take all of it apart - it was already wired the right way and only needed adding an on/off switch.

[youtube][/youtube]
If you hadn't taken it all apart you'd only need to identify two wires and put an on/off switch there. I probably even make it seem harder than it really is in that video - it really is damn simple.... aaaaand you just made it more difficult for yourself (or person who's going to help you)



Sure it can be done, but just needs extra work. I can already tell you that the thing with coil wrapped around it is a starting relay and the black circular thing is an over current protection relay

First you have to establish which wire or pin (I understand that the wires sticking out of the compressor are connected to a 3 pin connector right ??) is which.
Here's how to do it
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Do that and take better more detailed pictures. Also when taking better pics look for part number/s - quite a lot of them have wiring diagrams on the internet.

i sort of threw the rest away I used your multimeter method, and the sum of the 2 small numbers (4 and 8 ) equaled the large number ( 12). I tried googling some model numbers, but came up with nothing. Until I figure out the wiring, I'll put this project on hold