AC condenser damaged.....

[David Paul]

I discovered that during the winter, the condenser (Trane) for the home central air was damaged. Two adjacent coils were pinched by about 60% but not punctured. System turns on ok. I was wonder what effect this will have on the systems cooling efficiency.
Thanks....
David

 

[pop pop]

Not likely much. If close in the flow path to the compressor, even less as it's going to be gas at that point. Near the end of the flow path, liquid, which might give slight resistance. I'd be more concerned that the metal got "thinned out" where bent and pressure/corrosion might take a toll. It has a safety design factor though. I'd run it.

 

[bacr619]

I have been in the HVAC trade for 25 years. You will probally have problems when the ambient temperature gets above 85 degrees. You may run into problems with the unit shutting down on high head pressure. As the prevoius poster said metal fatigue could crack and start to leak. The coils are made of aluminum and does not tolerate being bent. May need to get a pro to check it out. Its hard to say how it is affecting system efficiency with out checking the pressures.

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[zmaxmotorsports]

Picture?

 

[Milton Shaw]

Some condenser have the flow split into several different circuits with a distribution block. I have seem some with 4 or more different paths through the coil for the refig. I yours is one of those I would think it would not make a lot of difference. You could probably get away with even capping that section of the coil and recharge the system if it ever leaks with you. If you do this do monitor the amp pull and make sure the system is not overloading. The more coils you have the higher the energy rating and that may be the only reason its got so many coils.

 

[derkperk]

I have been in the HVAC trade for 25 years. You will probally have problems when the ambient temperature gets above 85 degrees. You may run into problems with the unit shutting down on high head pressure. As the prevoius poster said metal fatigue could crack and start to leak. The coils are made of aluminum and does not tolerate being bent. May need to get a pro to check it out. Its hard to say how it is affecting system efficiency with out checking the pressures.

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Most condenser coils out there are copper tube, aluminum fin. Only the newer micro channel coils are all alluminum and I'm yet to see one of those in residential. The aluminum fins are very flexible and easily straightened.

To the op, unless you can get the condensing unit replaced by the at fault party, I would ride it out and see how it runs over the summer. You'll get a lot of dooms day comments here but unless the unit lost its charge already, the dented copper tube will most likely hold.

During peak operation, check the temp of the small (liquid) line exiting the condensing unit. I'd say you have higher than ideal pressures if the temp exceeds 120*f.

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[David Paul]

Thank you all for your replies. The tubes are copper with aluminum fins. I understand the concern for the stress placed on the tube due to the damage. I'll see if I can get a picture later today.
Thanks again for all the feed back.
David

 

[bacr619]

I wouls like to see a pic. Usually Trane spilt systems are spined fin with aluminum tube. There package units are a mix of microchannel with plate fin and copper tube.

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[David Paul]

Picture as requested...

 

[derkperk]

That bend looks rough. I'd still let it ride and see how it runs once summer hits.

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[eddieK]

Most condenser coils out there are copper tube, aluminum fin. Only the newer micro channel coils are all alluminum and I'm yet to see one of those in residential. The aluminum fins are very flexible and easily straightened.

To the op, unless you can get the condensing unit replaced by the at fault party, I would ride it out and see how it runs over the summer. You'll get a lot of dooms day comments here but unless the unit lost its charge already, the dented copper tube will most likely hold.

During peak operation, check the temp of the small (liquid) line exiting the condensing unit. I'd say you have higher than ideal pressures if the temp exceeds 120*f.

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From the picture it looks like the dent on the right has just about collapsed the tube.

There are no manufacturers left today that use copper tube and and fin coils in residential units. Lennox was the last one to completely convert.

This Trane unit must be at least 5 years old.

 

[eddieK]

Picture as requested...

It will affect your efficiency, most likely not enough for you to notice. If it was mine I would reclaim, clear the area of fins and repair the tube with silver solder (the thin copper in these tubes will not handle the heat from brazing). Then pressure test, evacuate and weigh in charge.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . paint those copper pipes SILVER . .
. . . you don't want the Jersey shore rif raf stealing your unit for the copper !!

+1 that it looks rough but I'd straighten the fins and see how it does . . .
. . . OR . . . follow EddieK advice above.

 

[derkperk]

There are no manufacturers left today that use copper tube and and fin coils in residential units. Lennox was the last one to completely convert.

This Trane unit must be at least 5 years old.

Good to know Eddie. Thanks.

Are they mirco channel or just aluminum fin and tube?

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[eddieK]

Good to know Eddie. Thanks.

Are they mirco channel or just aluminum fin and tube?

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Most have converted to micro channel...Trane and Carrier have used the "christmas tree" type for years in their lower teir models...Aluminum fins with splines.

 

[brewchief]

There are no manufacturers left today that use copper tube and and fin coils in residential units. Lennox was the last one to completely convert.

Lennox still uses copper tube and fin coils in a lot of their condensers, some are being switched over currently but many are still copper. Indoor coils are being switched over to aluminum tube and fin now and they are using up the copper fin tube inventory.

Many models from Amana/Goodman are copper tube/fin as well.

 

[pop pop]

That won't help, but I'd bet that fuzz on your coil is doing more harm than the dent and loss of fins. See if a fin comb will help the fins and run it.....but clean the coil!

 

[David Paul]

That won't help, but I'd bet that fuzz on your coil is doing more harm than the dent and loss of fins. See if a fin comb will help the fins and run it.....but clean the coil!

Yea, I was thinking the same thing...lol.
Thanks again guys....

 

[sms1974]

snap a pic of the data tag...

I've been a Trane / American Standard dealer since Trane existed, GE before and I haven't seen a residential unit with that type of coil in a Trane unit in well over 20 years. GE is who actually started the spine fin coil ( someone called a christmas tree looking coil ) the spine fin coil was invented by a guy in ohio, his son is a tech rep for the Trane company and i know him well.

those tubes look semi ok... you'll do more damage trying to fix them then they will hurt. coils are built in circuits meaning there are several different loops built in to that coil... i wouldn't loose sleep over it

 

[David Paul]

Thanks sms for the reply. The unit is about 5 years old, ill take a picture tomorrow.