Icy Air Conditioner

[Johnny Rotten]

I agree with The American. I live in a high humidity area and I've had brand new AC units right outta the box freeze up in 8 hours. The only thing I found that worked was the above mod. Not only does it solve the freeze up problem, I can also get the room down to a much lower temp than the built in thermostat will allow.

RR

Thanks for giving me an example to work with. I you did a little planning an figured your heat load, you would of done the necessary preparation to find out the BTU's required. But, since you didn't do that, you have a undersized A/C unit that runs all the time (which they aren't designed to do). Like i said, a properly chosen QUALITY a/c unit with proper airflow over clean coils with a fully charged refrigerant system SHOULDN'T freeze.

I'd recommend this:
(http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_524747_524747)

Playing inside 115v T-Stats and Relays i wouldn't recommend to noobs.

 

[riverrat]

You are right of course that the root cause of freeze-up are due to undersizing and or dirt, and a clean and right sized AC should not freeze-up. However due to wiring, money and available AC units lots of people try and make due with what they have. And a lot of people struggle with frozen AC units. The suggested mod will allow you to get the most outa the AC compressor you can. You also have a good point that the compressor should not run all the time, they can and have overheated and caused a fire. AC units should not be plugged into drop cords and after running for a while the plugs and power cord should be checked for overheating.

RR

 

[Johnny Rotten]

I completely agree with you about making due with what you've got and sometimes you have to. I would not agree with telling people who aren't that familiar with a/c systems or schematics to do any type of modification to your system. Its just not a safe suggestion with the possibilities of fire or your a/c taking a dump. Also, window shakers DO NOT step down voltage for t-stats so you are playing with 110v.

That t-stat link was just the first one i found. There are quite a few 110v load carrying timers or thermostats that would be suitable for this application. Check your options before settling on one. Also, an undersized or oversized a/c is much better than no a/c at all.