Evaporative ducted AC systems

Hi All,

I am told I have a dead AC, I have worked on reverse cycle systems but know not much about evaporative.

I thought the benefit was they were very simple and trouble free ?

All I know is tenant says it just blows hot air, I have a quote for 2500 to replace, just says unit is not repairable no other detail, but from tenants info obviously the fan is working to the ducts.

if it is in fact dead, they do not need to run ducting or install vents, I imagine the main unit won't work properly with the existing fan blower etc.

Is there brands that are better or worse, what are coolair like ?

 

Hope you don't mind asking you @D.T. and @Xenia , I know both are not likely AC repairers, but imagine you have seen plenty of this as I remember Adelaide rooftops near all had one of these AC systems

 

Hey mate

When I've ran into this issue in our rentals before, its just been a pump fault. I think some techs go for full replacement so they can make more money and most PMs are glorified receptionists so just agree.

If it does in fact need replacing, replace the unit only (assuming rest is in good nick, need to go and verify).

Hope this helps. If it's in Adel I can put you onto my aircond guy if needed.

 

They are simple and trouble free if you get them serviced / cleaned each year. It sounds like you've got a busted pump, but if it hasn't been serviced in a while it will probably need new filter pads too.. Neither should be a big deal nor big $$.

I'd ask for more quotes to repair it.

 

Hi Dabler, how are you?
I've replaced several boxes in rentals and twice at my house for around the $2000 mark.

What I'm seeing a lot of in recent years is disposable appliances, air conditioners, ovens, range hoods ... there are few technicians now days they would replace a part and often at a labour cost of a little under the cost of total replacement with no guarantees that it would hold.

A bit of a waste of $$$ and cost of landfill but unfortunately a sign of the times.

 

@dabbler yeah, ours died too. We got some ridiculous quote to replace. Turns out ours was just a missing fan nut which was easy to replace. It also gets regular pad replacements. Still going strong after who knows how long buts its a very old unit. As far as I know they should last well. I agree with @D.T. that it is worth investigating the pump. There is not much to go wrong with these units.

 

@dabbler - swamp boxes are usually trouble free but will need replacing eventually. How old is the unit?

Pumps and filters are usually the easy fix - has the water been turned off? If the unit is old, replacement parts may not be readily available.

 

This is what I was thinking, the place is in NSW. DT

That was the main benefit I had in mind with that type of AC, low repairs & low running costs.

Xenia, yes, things are more and more like this, which may make it worth repairing an old one even more so, but stoves etc, nah, I would just go get a new unit with warranty for 500 odd bucks, rather than 300 to repair.

I am going to try and talk to him tomorrow, and some other companies.

SNM, yeah, not sure how old, I never bothered to look, water should be on, but I will wait to see what the guy says, not being able to get parts may be legit, or maybe too lazy to try as saving us $$$ is not a primary concern for some

 

Seems unit is approx 20 year old Bonaire

Pads, pump and fan all gone, dropper ok

Heatwave has hit in NSW, is also hot in Sydney town today, seems I am stuck, so will pay a premium due to time of year, guy says buying parts and then labour will cost as much as new unit most likely, I think this is what the term "leverage" is regarding property

 

Evaps are good for arid heat and questionable for humid regions. Sydney works some days and waste of time other days. Better suited to southern states and inland. A 100% waste of $$ in Darwin. They dont work well if you close all windows either. The air must be recirculated unlike a AC.

Good luck with parts. New unit and existing duct should work. Drop in to same space. Annual service at start of summer is almost mandatory for these units as they contain water.

 

Replace.

 

Yeah, is a drop in, just minor plumb, new controller, the coolair is suppose to have it's internals placed better and better pump, but I do not know really.

It is hot and dry climate......except for when it's cold and wet.....lol

Why do you say that ? Just age or the brand, or both ?

 

Without costing it out, pads, pump and fan parts and labour sounds expensive. Then you have an old "refurbished" unit that more could go wrong with. My thinking is to scrap it (you get a deduction), replace then depreciate. If mine had that much wrong then I would replace.

 

Sounds like your repair guy is having a lend. I'd try someone else. How can the fan be gone if the tenant says the unit is blowing hot air??

Pads are cheap and I'm sure the pump is replaceable.. it's just a motor and impeller in a case.

 

Thanks for the update @dabbler - 20 years is a good run for one of these beasts. Replace and keep the tenant. Look at it this way, a couple of grand cools the whole house, an a.c unit is slightly cheaper, cools one room and needs more servicing (plus patch one big hole in the roof).

Make sure that the underflashing & flashing to the unit are in good condition or replace them now too.

 

@Perthguy @Scott No Mates
you guys are making me feel like a real tight-wad..

 

I repair if feasible.
If not, then I replace.

 

Yeah, am not sure, I would assume there are more than one fan.

The real problem is, it is over 40 today, getting close to Christmas, and probably may even be a stretch for this guy to do it, tenant has just signed a 12 month lease and they keep the place tidy and only a couple and child in 4 bed house. They have put up with some things without forcing us to repair everything, so realistically am boxed in & is probably best solution.

 

Nah, I think you have to watch the outgoing, I was going to say to Perthguy I would prefer to keep the cashflow higher as the write offs do not mean much to me, but there comes a point when is not worthwhile or practical, or both.

I really did expect this AC to be low cost to maintain, but what do you do, I try to win them all by fixing or replacing myself or with slightly used or whatever, but you can't always win, gotta let some go.

 

@dabbler - Only one big axial fan in these beasts - the fans not the problem, usually the bearings go and cause a racket.