[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by diyguy

Seems to be a 2013 model ac from the compressor label.

Yes, it does! You've deciphered it already, but for others like me with aging eyesight, I've tried to enhance the contrast of that label. The success of my efforts may be debatable!

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

As a general rule, do not move split units. Window units can be moved freely.

I disagree.

I have moved my split unit 4 times and nothing has happened. All it requires is careful handling of the unit and this applies as much to a window unit too. You flex the frame of a window unit and you risk bending the condenser/evaporator coil.

Aircon engineers are out there to make money mostly. They let out all the refrigerant which can be contained within the outdoor unit.

Also; copper pipes are better not reused at the new location even if you can. Any attempt to re flex the pipe generally causes problems. Lack of quality tools used for flaring the copper pipe is another reason why reinstallation of split units goes wrong. As the unit ages, the plastics of the indoor unit become brittle. Careful handling of the unit is all that is needed.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Why would they happen?

I'd assume these to be isolated incidents and the result of bad maintenance. I have never heard of any air conditioner exploding. The worst that can happen is a compressor seize but even this is rare.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

.... Careful handling of the unit is all that is needed.
....

Therein lies the rub. It is much easier said than done. Only technically savvy people can monitor properly and ensure that the job is completed successfully.

For the others, I would still say the same as my earlier post.

[Aroy]

R22 is one of the safest refrigerants, but has been phased out due to environment considerations. It requires relatively lower pressure than modern alternatives and is totally fire proof.

In contrast all the alternatives operate at much higher pressure and many of them are variants ff "Propane" gas, hence quite inflammable.

High ambient temperatures, bad ventilation and high operating pressures make for a highly unstable mixture. Explosions are result when all these factors combine.

I have seen people skimping of piping (diameter and thickness) and using bad workmanship, just to reduce the installation costs. This with modern refrigerants can cause leaks which may result in fire at the best and explosion at the worst.

Many modern AC brands, Diakin in particular requires thicker and larger diameter gas pipes, as well as installation by their trained engineers. Most users skimp on both counts, using thinner and smaller diameter pipes used in the older generation split AC. This not only increases risk of perenial leaks, but in extreme cases results in explosions.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Aroy

Many modern AC brands, Diakin in particular requires thicker and larger diameter gas pipes, as well as installation by their trained engineers. Most users skimp on both counts, using thinner and smaller diameter pipes used in the older generation split AC. This not only increases risk of perenial leaks, but in extreme cases results in explosions.

So, would you say that, properly installed, I should have no worries at all with Daikin? I do believe that, if they were blowing up anything more than rarely, news would have reached this thread by now!

Mind you, I'd still go ahead on that basis, but the brand may now be blown out by my wife. She had the first-hand description of the above events from the local engineer, so I guess I can understand. If so, the same dealer (who are definately Daikin authorised: I think they are actually distributors. I got the details from the Daikin site) sells Hitachi, Panasonic, and others.

Aroy, what is your view on shifting our split AC.Whilst I have a gut feeling not to touch something that works well, my brain says that these units get taken apart and reassembled for repair. And we could either replace the copper piping (which is already in use by a second machine) or... It is going to be a shorter run anyway, so the pipe would be cut and re-terminating. Properly, I would hope! But, as anupmathur comments above, "technically-savy"... whilst basic mechanical common sense can cover some stuff, only the specialist can really evaluate the work of the so-called specialist

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

So, would you say that, properly installed, I should have no worries at all with Daikin? I do believe that, if they were blowing up anything more than rarely, news would have reached this thread by now!

Mind you, I'd still go ahead on that basis, but the brand may now be blown out by my wife. She had the first-hand description of the above events from the local engineer, so I guess I can understand. If so, the same dealer (who are definately Daikin authorised: I think they are actually distributors. I got the details from the Daikin site) sells Hitachi, Panasonic, and others.

Aroy, what is your view on shifting our split AC.Whilst I have a gut feeling not to touch something that works well, my brain says that these units get taken apart and reassembled for repair. And we could either replace the copper piping (which is already in use by a second machine) or... It is going to be a shorter run anyway, so the pipe would be cut and re-terminating. Properly, I would hope! But, as anupmathur comments above, "technically-savy"... whilst basic mechanical common sense can cover some stuff, only the specialist can really evaluate the work of the so-called specialist

Most reputed AC installers follow the proper practice, but they charge for it. Many brands come without any piping and you have to pay both for installation and piping. So, yes you should have no problems with a Diakin AC that has been installed by their factory certified engineer.

The only cases of recurrent leakages in AC that I have heard from are where the local atmosphere is corrosive and literally eats up metal in one or two years. This is for both window as well as split units.

1. I have yet to see a properly installed Diakin (or for that matter Hitachi or LG) have any leakage problems, at least in the first five years. What is required is a proper grade of copper pipe - Chinese prevalent here is a strict no no, normally properly rated Malaysian pipes are specified. Both the ID and the wall thickness are critical in the newer refrigerants. Diakin refuses warranty if installation is substandard.

2. I am vary of shifting split AC, as the expertise and methology is usually lacking with friendly neighbourhood AC technician. What is needed to be done is :-
. Appropriate knowledge of how to get all the gas from the pipes and IDU into the ODU.
. Seal all the ends - IDU, ODU and pipes tight so no moisture goes in. This is especially important in coastal areas.
. Flush the pipes before installing.
. Check the integrity of the piping system after installation. First vacuum the system and check for any leaks with a gauge, for at least an hour, before releasing gas from ODU.
. When no measurable leaks are detected, release the gas in the ODU to the system. Check the pressure and top up if necessary.

[aim120]

Any inverter AC which runs on R410A or R32 needs good copper tubes. Even more important is how good the flaring is done, that they don't crack the pipes while bending them or tightening , no debris from flaring should be left inside the pipes.

Most daikin inverter models atleast the 5 star rated ones come with company provided copper tube.

I searched the internet, there are all kinds of ACs exploding in India and if you read some of comments in those news article or videos from some HVAC guys in the west, they mostly blame the poor training, repair and installation in countries like India.

Even in vehicle service rarely do you see in India a service guy from reputed authorized service center use a torque wrench to tight the nut and bolt in car and 2 wheeler. I doubt a single person here has seen there wheel being tightened with a torque wrench. When I was in Honda service center only after insisting that they tight with a torque wrench the oil drain plug and wheel nuts, did the service tech go get a torque wrench some where in the building and then didn't know how to use them nor did they no torque to tighten them, I had to intervene.

The AC manuals atleast in Daikin specify how much torque the nut need to be tightened.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Well, the same guy would be shifting the AC as supplied and installed it and, good as he has been at keeping our old stuff going, I would absolutely agree that he does not do all that stuff by the book. In fact, the only time I've ever seen people vacuum-pump a system was our new-Sharp installation .

Torque wrench on a wheel nut? Goodness! I never knew. But then, I should have, I suppose.

As to those copper pipe connections with a ?compression ring? (UK plumbers call it an Olive, I think)... they are meant to be used once. That would be news to most of the fitters I've ever seen.

[govigov]

I picked up a Bluestar portable air conditioner today. CPAC12AD - https://www.bluestarindia.com/roomac...ml#bs-cpac12da

My home is away from my workplace, requiring me to stay at a rental place. I don't want to go through the hassle of asking permission from the house owner and then installing a split, not to mention the difficulties when moving locations. Portable was a natural choice as everything that I have at my rental place can be loaded on to my s-cross. This makes shifting homes easy.

I got this unit today afternoon. I went ahead with the install as it pretty straightforward and all the accessories are enclosed in the box. It was just - 'plug n play'; required about 15 minutes of assembly for connecting the hoses and wires. Created a mini flood in the room, I had routed the drain hose to a 2 L water bottle, which overflowed in about an hours time. Lesson learned, need a medium bucket to collect the drain water.

After my install, I got a call from Bluestar stating that someone will come over to do the install. He should be coming over on Tuesday, I will let him check and confirm the install. I also have some additional questions for him, so it will give me an opportunity to clear those questions as well.

The cooling performance is mediocre. The outside temperature was at about 34C, while I set the unit for 23C. It was in full blast for about 45 minutes, then reduced the fan speed automatically. In a hot room, it takes a while to cool the room, but once cooled, it is able to maintain a decent temperature without going overboard.

This unit has two air filters, which are easily accessible for cleaning if required. No tools required to access the filters.

It cost me 24k to buy this unit and I think it is an OK buy for my intended purposes. The warranty is for 12 months, the compressor has an additional 4-year warranty.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by aim120

.....
The AC manuals atleast in Daikin specify how much torque the nut need to be tightened.

Just the torque value is not sufficient to provide the required tension to the bolt. It is imperative that it be specified what lubricant is to be used on the threads and the landing surface of the nut. For example, you'd need only about half the torque if using molybdenum disulphide grease as when using oil as lubricant.

[carboy]

How is quality of ACs and quality of service for Voltas and Carrier?

[vijaycool]

I want to buy an AC for commercial purpose around 220 sq.ft . I have seen compressor online catalog for kirloskar and Tecumseh which got EER of 3.2 which is pretty good for reciprocating compressor. Inclined on Reciprocating compressor than rotary for much better cooling under high ambient temperature. Robust unit with simple electronics and good part support is the main criteria. I have narrowed down following brands Napoleon, Totalline, Cruise . Please share your experience with the above brands. I couldnt able to spot split AC with reciprocating compressor yet.

[sgiitk]

My 1.5TR Videocon finally gave up after some 20 plus years. So I need to replace it. This AC is used for maybe 20 hours a year. So I am thinking about a 2* unit. Now do I get a split or a window and some possible options.

[carboy]

For my room of around 170 sq ft, the dealer says that 1 ton is too small and I need to go for a 1.5 ton. What would be the problem if I go for a 1 ton? In my home temp is usually set at 26 degrees or so.

Also, how is service & quality of blue star, carrier, voltas?

[Behemoth]

Originally Posted by carboy

For my room of around 170 sq ft, the dealer says that 1 ton is too small and I need to go for a 1.5 ton. What would be the problem if I go for a 1 ton? In my home temp is usually set at 26 degrees or so.

Also, how is service & quality of blue star, carrier, voltas?

1 ton ac is recommended for upto 1000 cubic feet of unshaded room (room on top floor or with no construction on top) with a shaded room you can go upto 1200 cubic ft (12ft x10ft x 10ft height). 1.5 TR is better for 1000 cubic ft to 1700 cubic ft unshaded. Larger than 1700 cubic feet requires a 2TR Ac. It also depends on the city that you are in, but this thumbrule works for most cities in India, except for cities like Nagpur and Amritsar where the temperature can exceed 46 Degrees in summer. There you should take the higher rating.