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PARTS OF THE CONDENSING UNIT:

The Compressor--The Heart of the System:

This is the pump and motor driving the pump for the refrigerant. It compresses and heats the refrigerant and sends it on its way through the condenser coils. Notice the box on the side. This is where the 230 volt wires attach. You can not and must not ever check the voltage at these terminals. Make sure the cover is always over these connections because under abnormal stress, these terminals can blow out of the compressor at a speed like a 22 caliber rifle shot. Never be anywhere near the FRONT of these terminals when the unit is running if the cover is off them. Turn off the unit and replace the cover securely.

recriprocating piston style compressor

  • Compressor: Figure 10
  • Reciprocating Piston Style
    		•  scroll compressor

  • The new Scroll Compressor

    • With the power off, you might remove this cover and examine the terminal connectors. They will show signs of overheating if a connector is loose. It will eventually burn off if left this way and you will be without cooling and your compressor may die in the process. This is a good thing to observe occasionally. If you have now or have had a burned off wire, you will be well advised to seek a professional to repair it again, because there are special things he may do to save the compressor that we must not get into here. His charge is better than the cost of a new compressor.

    The two wires coming out the bottom are the crankcase heater wires. This is a 50 to 75 watts heater (or near that) to keep the bottom of the compressor warm. Oil lays in the bottom and needs to remain warm, especially in cooler weather so that the refrigerant will not mix with it. If they are mixed and the unit starts up, the oil will foam like whipped cream and will pump out of the compressor and then it has no lubricant for the time until the oil can make the cycle path and return to the crankcase. Other compressors have this heating done by a more complicated method of trickle current through the run capacitor.

    The little tube sticking upward on the top is a process tube for the factory and is seldom otherwise used. The larger tube pointing outward is the suction line and the little tube near the bottom is the high pressure hot gas that is exiting the compressor and connects to the condenser coils. The tab on the top is a handling hook.


    Other Parts Of The Condenser
    Blade Assembly Motor Mounting Bracket
    Capacitors Contactors Condenser Coils
    Line Valves Compressor Feet Compressors



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