Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Gadgets, Computers & Software (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/)

-   -   The home / office air-conditioner thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/4389-home-office-air-conditioner-thread-330.html)

So one of our Sharp Inverter ACs has conked off again :Frustrati

After the cooling coil and condenser have been replaced, it looks like it might be the compressor this time. They have taken it in for testing. Who knows, it could be one of the coils again..

If the compressor, esp on an inverter system, I am afraid though painful you have to bid adieu to the Sharp. Not much hope of getting a replacement.

Not much hope of getting anything from Sharp :Frustrati

But local guys have been dealing with them, and other, inverter ACs for a while now. We waited a year for a new indoor-fan motor from Sharp. It never came. The local-street guy replaced a bearing.

So Sharp, manufacturer support prognosis not good --- but ask around before throwing it out.

I wonder if people remember that gent called Rishi Guru who was all over the place (on the www) a few years ago singing praises of these Sharp inverter ACs?
I keep wondering if that/he was a 'new' marketing strategy used by Sharp.

I also have a very high opinion of Sharp as a brand. Teh best LCD displays in business. They have been in financial trouble, and service as far as ACs are concerned has gone for a six. Rather it has always been existent.

Me too!! But that is now past tense. I have learnt at this board that things can change rapidly; particularly when it comes to 'destroying' reputations that must have taken decades to build/earn!
A very much more proactive approach was the need of the hour from Sharp if they had any intention of preserving their reputation.

What kept me away from inverter ACs when I was buying one year before last was the fact that these machines have not been time tested in India yet. I bought a 5* LG instead.

Didn't sharp wind up its consumer division?

The compressor has a 5 year warranty so hopefully it will be covered.

I too thought that Sharp is a good brand and was influenced by Rishigurus reviews and posts. Well to play Devils advocate the first batch of Sharp inverters were Made in Thailand and imported whereas now they are all made in India so I guess that might explain the quality difference.

@Mortis; I must say you are an optimist. Five year warranty is fine, probably you have someone at the other end to honor it. And that is not the dealer, but the source. Importer / manufacturer or whatever.

I'm afraid that sqiitk is right. My experience is that customer support for Sharp AC simply does not exist any longer. Gone. Moved out. Kaput.

Would be happy if you experience otherwise. If not, then I repeat: don't give up without trying the local guys. Even if some part is proprietary and cannot be replaced by third-party stuff, there is still the possibility that they may be able to swap it from some other failed unit.

I'm sorry to say that Sharps must be piling up in the AC "scrapyards."

This query is related to air-conditioners but has to do with maintenance. Pigeons regularly visit my AC and leave their poop marks on it. What's the best way to get rid of the poop? Will spraying it with a hose be safe?

Spraying water on outdoor unit fins is safe. Just keep the main power supply off.

Thanks for the advice Thad and sgiitk. I agree with you guys. Already decided that if its more than a few grand than Ill just get a new AC and give this failed one in exchange.
The parts quality is very poor if every year one major component fails. 15-20k bills per year for each AC are no joke.

So what would be a good replacement for this ? A 1.5 tonne non inverter AC, most likely a 3-4 star unless the price difference isnt too much then a 5 star. A full copper unit is a must.
Hopefully a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries unit will be in budget. MHI seems to have become the 'General' of today wrt build quality and robustness.

Got a replacement 3 months back for my antique Voltas Crystal which after 25 years of flawless service, finally died. Decided to go with a desi Lloyds 2 star 1.5 Ton window AC with copper pipes. Cooling is good and it's very quite and I am really surprised at its performace for less than 17k finally spent on it. Service has been very responsive in Navi Mumbai for the grill replacement that was not a snug fit when the unit was installed.

@Mortis; I still feel that an Inverter will be a better bet that any 5*. I have had a Daikin Inverter with R401a running for three years, after one gas leak during warranty (replace foc) no issues, except for a failed fan motor (thanks to the serviceman giving it a bath).