Window AC's have the same issue as refrigerators: If stored other than
in an upright position, you need to let the compressor oil settle back
before you operate it.
I've heard time frames that range from 1 hour to 24 for a window AC.
re: "backwards"
I doubt it matters which direction the front faces.
re: "upside down, on it's side, etc"
Probably not a good idea, no matter how long you plan to let it
"settle". I'm thinking that the unit was designed and components were
placed/attached based on it being in an upright position. The weight
of some components hanging at an "unatural" angle might be an issue.
Window air conditioners have no nervous system and can feel no pain.
The AC unit does have a compressor with a crankcase containing oil
that should be kept upright to prevent oil from migrating out of the
crankcase into the evaporator(cold)coil and tubing which would cause
the unit to malfunction when put back into service. It's best to store
it in an upright position.
TDD
I have 4 window units and have been storing them on their backs for the last
6 years with no problem. After storage, I put them in the window and allow
to sit for several hours. They work flawlessly.
If stored on their backs, the oil isn't likely to run into any of
the tubing unless the suction line connection to the compressor is
toward the rear. I have turned them on their sides when cleaning
them so the water drains when I'm hosing them out.
TDD
On Sat, 02 Oct 2010 10:20:49 -0500, The Daring Dufas wrote:
Oil in the lines isn't much of a problem anyways. And if left in their
normal position for a few hours it's even less of a problem. However I
see no reason to store one on it's face or upside down. I can't recall
seeing a suction line in the rear (no pun intended) but i have seen some
coiled to make sure any liquid R22 remaining as a mist was flashed off
before it hit the valve plate.
I've repaired enough of those damn things over the past four decades to
have seen just about screwy thing happen to them. Way back in the day,
window units, like color TV's were very expensive and worth repairing.
Now small window units are like small microwave ovens, the labor charge
can be more than a new unit costs. I remember a guy who owned a TV shop
who would take a transistor radio from a customer who wanted it
repaired, he looked at it, dropped it on the floor, stomped it to
pieces, turned to a shelf, picked up a new one then handed it to the
stunned customer and said, that will be $7.95 please. 8-)
TDD
On Sun, 03 Oct 2010 01:18:33 -0500, The Daring Dufas wrote:
Some of the bigger units 12k+ BTU still are worth repairing. But people
tend to leave those in place. Or they are mounted in a thru-the-wall
casement. But like you say they aren't worth repair these days. Not when
you can buy a 5k BTU unit that will cool 600 or so sq feet for $69.99 at
WallyMart.
My service call on stuff like an AC unit is $65.00 not including parts.
When someone calls or asks me about repairs to commodity items, I ask
them if they priced a new one. I tell them the truth, calling a repair
tech to come out may cost more than a new unit. If I happen to be there
for another service, I'll be glad to take a look at it but unless it's
a simple problem I won't spend the time. They can donate it to Goodwill
or some such place.
TDD
Uh, NO! Last thing Goodwill and other charities need/want is busted
appliances. The landfill costs they pay for people using them as a
disposal point take a BIG chunk out of their proceeds.
Try the free section on CL, or FreeCycle, but make sure you say it needs
work. If no takers, pay the fee (or a small bribe) to your regular trash
hauler, or stick it in a corner until the next local hazmat/oddball
large stuff pickup day.
HVAC companies here, at least some, drop off large compressors to a
local guy and he dismantles the units for the metal. It cost him
nothing, the company doesn't have to deal with them and he makes some
money on metal recycle.
Many are off commercial building roof tops using a crane. The local
guy wins all around.
There are some folks who make good money from hauling scrap.
That's good all around, the HVAC guy gets a free drop off, and the
scrap guy gets the money from the metals.
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