Broken 3 1/2 Ton AC Compressor
#1
07-12-10, 06:34 PM
Broken 3 1/2 Ton AC Compressor
We have a small building with a 3 1/2 ton central A/C unit. However, it seems that the compressor is out.
We have a compressor for a 5 ton unit. We're wondering how feasible it will be to install the 5 ton compressor, but keep the 3 1/2 ton furnace/air handler/everything else?
We have a compressor for a 5 ton unit. We're wondering how feasible it will be to install the 5 ton compressor, but keep the 3 1/2 ton furnace/air handler/everything else?
#3
07-12-10, 06:54 PM
Welcome to our forums!
I'm afraid it would not be feasible at all.
because of being grossly oversized your main problem would be coil icing and short cycling of the outdoor unit.
There is a far to great a spread in unit sizes.
because of being grossly oversized your main problem would be coil icing and short cycling of the outdoor unit.
There is a far to great a spread in unit sizes.
#4
07-12-10, 07:55 PM
Oops! I mean the CONDENSING unit! Sorry!
So the question should read:
We have a small building with a 3 1/2 ton central A/C unit. However, it seems that the CONDENSING UNIT is out.
We have a CONDENSING UNIT for a 5 ton unit. We're wondering how feasible it will be to install the 5 ton CONDENSING UNIT, but keep the 3 1/2 ton furnace/air handler/everything else?
Also, apparently we have a 4 ton CONDENSING UNIT as well. If its feasible, which would be better to use?
So the question should read:
We have a small building with a 3 1/2 ton central A/C unit. However, it seems that the CONDENSING UNIT is out.
We have a CONDENSING UNIT for a 5 ton unit. We're wondering how feasible it will be to install the 5 ton CONDENSING UNIT, but keep the 3 1/2 ton furnace/air handler/everything else?
Also, apparently we have a 4 ton CONDENSING UNIT as well. If its feasible, which would be better to use?
#5
07-12-10, 08:27 PM
Member
4 ton might work if you can move a lot of air over the indoor coil. But it will not be efficient
#7
07-12-10, 09:34 PM
Thanks guys! Let me get a little bit more clarification... my knowledge of this kind of stuff is very very basic 
But anyways, both of you mentioned efficiency and cost -- I assume we're talking about reduced efficiency in performance? And cost as in more electricity?
Being that I have access to both a 4ton and a 5ton, should I not consider the 5ton?
But anyways, both of you mentioned efficiency and cost -- I assume we're talking about reduced efficiency in performance? And cost as in more electricity?
Being that I have access to both a 4ton and a 5ton, should I not consider the 5ton?
#8
07-13-10, 05:24 AM
You can do what you want but repeating the question will not get you the answer you want to hear.
The best person to ask would be the one doing the work.
If they were prepared to install mismatched equipment maybe they would have the patience and you the money to try to make it work.
The best person to ask would be the one doing the work.
If they were prepared to install mismatched equipment maybe they would have the patience and you the money to try to make it work.
#9
07-13-10, 09:36 AM
Originally Posted by GregH
You can do what you want but repeating the question will not get you the answer you want to hear.
Thus, if there isn't any more helpful feedback/information, then thank you once again and I guess I'll figure it out...
#10
07-13-10, 11:11 AM
There really isn't much for you to figure out.
You received two opinions saying that it would not be feasible.
airman's comment about the transmission being too small says it all..............This equipment has to be balanced to work properly.
Because of the regulations surrounding a/c repairs you will need to hire a properly certified tradesman to do this work.
If you get an answer from a forum like this and direct the tradesman to do what we suggest you will accept all liability when it doesn't work and we both are suggesting it won't.
You need to ask the person doing the work if it can be done.
It is not to say that you won't get any cooling at all, it is that the imbalance will be sure to generate a whole pile of service calls to attempt to keep it running.
I do this kind of work for a living and the only way I would do a job like this is if you handed over a blank cheque for follow up service calls!
You received two opinions saying that it would not be feasible.
airman's comment about the transmission being too small says it all..............This equipment has to be balanced to work properly.
Because of the regulations surrounding a/c repairs you will need to hire a properly certified tradesman to do this work.
If you get an answer from a forum like this and direct the tradesman to do what we suggest you will accept all liability when it doesn't work and we both are suggesting it won't.
You need to ask the person doing the work if it can be done.
It is not to say that you won't get any cooling at all, it is that the imbalance will be sure to generate a whole pile of service calls to attempt to keep it running.
I do this kind of work for a living and the only way I would do a job like this is if you handed over a blank cheque for follow up service calls!
#11
07-14-10, 10:33 AM
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Wisconsin USA
Posts: 713
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by AntiAmy
Oops! I mean the CONDENSING unit! Sorry!
So the question should read:
We have a small building with a 3 1/2 ton central A/C unit. However, it seems that the CONDENSING UNIT is out.
We have a CONDENSING UNIT for a 5 ton unit. We're wondering how feasible it will be to install the 5 ton CONDENSING UNIT, but keep the 3 1/2 ton furnace/air handler/everything else?
Also, apparently we have a 4 ton CONDENSING UNIT as well. If its feasible, which would be better to use?
So the question should read:
We have a small building with a 3 1/2 ton central A/C unit. However, it seems that the CONDENSING UNIT is out.
We have a CONDENSING UNIT for a 5 ton unit. We're wondering how feasible it will be to install the 5 ton CONDENSING UNIT, but keep the 3 1/2 ton furnace/air handler/everything else?
Also, apparently we have a 4 ton CONDENSING UNIT as well. If its feasible, which would be better to use?
Using the 4-Ton condenser:
If it does, & you can get enough air through the coil, which may even be 4-ton rated, it could work...
Last edited by HVAC RETIRED; 07-14-10 at 10:36 AM. Reason: Using the 4-Ton condenser:
