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Can I install the central AC outdoor unit myself?

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08-19-01, 01:20 AM

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Can a central AC (outdoor unit) be installed by a non-professional person like me? What tool and/or knowledge do I need? I am the "doityourself" kind of person. Thanks

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08-19-01, 01:59 AM

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I used to be in this business as an assistant. I don't think that you would be able to buy an outdoor unit without being a refrigeration technician or working for an A/C company. I would suggest that you let a professional install this for you because of the EPA regulations involving refrigerant and the necessary specailized equipment for installing (ie. guages, refrigerant, and vacuum pump). Hope this helps.

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08-19-01, 09:11 AM

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From the studing I've been doin' the outside unit is sealed you must sweat it to in & out lines, level unit , wire in, vacuum, easy enough to do. Its hard to find someone to sell you the unit though w\o license.

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08-20-01, 05:39 PM

renhoek

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youself...

depends on your ability to "sweat" in the lines. yes, you can buy the unit. no-you can't buy the freon-which you'll need... at least some. but the main thing is to sweat it in properly with no leaks, with the dryers, and should do a vacuum on it. (must for the waranty) and the cert. is need for removing the old freon if it has any.....don't know your particular skills... but it's possible...just not likely. --maybe ask a miatenance man from some apartments who knows what he's doing, and offer enough $ --still less than a contractor...but without the warantees that would go wityh it.

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Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces
R-22 / R-12 Compatability

on Aug 19, 2001

Someone please tell me if there is any other type freon that is compatible with R-22. My system is running OK but not cooling below ambient temp. Data tag on outside unit sys max pressures should be 300/150 psi. They are below that and fluctuating. System is 6 years old. Has never had freon added.
Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces
Outside unit won't turn on

on Aug 13, 2001

I hope you can help. A repair man came out a few days ago and put a new blower motor in because one of my mounting brackets broke. A few days before the bracket broke I noticed the house was getting hot and realized the outside unit wasn't running. After checking the thermostat and turning the circuit breaker on and off the outside unit came on. The repair man said that the fan blower was probably not blowing enough air over the coils and it triggered the safety switch. Well, the unit did it again this weekend. It finally turned on after I messed with the circuit breaker. I have a 5 ton unit that's about 5 years old. The repair man checked the freon and said it was excellent and when the unit is running it cools the house right off. It is on a delsy switch. Also, when I was trying to get it to come back on by switching the circuit breaker on and off and then turning on the thermostat. The inside blower came on and then about a minute later my lights dimmed out and the power flashed off a quick second, but the unit didn't come on. What do you think is going on? Please help! I got home and found what I hope is my model # CPE60-1GB. It is a 5 ton unit. I'm not sure what brand, it said Goodman Manufacturing Company on the label on the outside unit which was out of Houston, Texas. I know the motor that ran the blower was made by GE. Also, the label on the inside unit said it was manufactured in 1993 thru 1995, so I'd guess this unit is only about 6 years old. I hope this information helps whoever may be able to answer my question. [Edited by maxssweetsioux on 08-13-01 at 09:55]

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