Carrier Water-Cooled Air Conditioner Question

[Rob Gray]

My dad is giving me an old water-cooled Carrier central air conditioner that used to be used in his home but was impractical due to the need for circulating water to the system. I can use it in my home because I have a pond I can use to get water from. The problem is that when the folks took away his last oil furnace to the dump, they mistakenly took the two front metal panels from the air conditioner as well since it was the same color and the panels were leaning against a wall. Anyway, the lower panel just covers the compressor and bottom of the unit, but the top one needs to be in place for proper air flow. Would those in the know think I could find such a part from a unit from the 60's, or should I try to fabricate one with metal and maybe plywood?

Rob

[SQLit]

Take pictures and measurements and go to a sheet metal contractor. Have the panels made from sheet metal, paint to your liking.

Ply wood holds moisture and would not be my choice to protect equipment.

[Art]

That unit from the 60's should probably go to the dump. I had a Florida water source Heat pump from the early 80's and even though they were efficient for their time they are a joke by today's standards.

[Rob Gray]

I would agree wih a heat pump but was told this unit is still acceptable, and it is free. I also don't need AC much here except for maybe two months.

[Stormin Mormon]

I'd be tempted to call a HVAC company out. It's likely to need the coils cleaned, more freon added, and so on.

Many HVAC companies can cut and bend pieces of sheet metal to size. Personally, plywood might be easier to cut to shape. But, please make it marine or exterior plywood, cause it sounds like it's near the evaporator, and will get wet.

I've been toying with the idea of making a water cooled AC for my trailer. Seeing as how it can be 93F out, and the water coming in much cooler than that.