I have a broken Trane Outside AC, please help fix cheap?

Question

For the last couple weeks it has been hot. My outside AC broke. I have had a few quotes, ranging from $2500 up to $4000. I think this is outrageous, however I understand equipment and time can be expensive for some. My goal is to replace this as inexpensive and effectively as possible. I am told I have a "dual coil unit", which I am led to believe my indoor hardware and outdoor fan/box hardware needs to be ripped and replaced. I am led to believe my outside fan box is the broken part. Why not just replace that?

I would like to know if possible

1) Is Trane, the brand unit I have, universally interchangeable with non-Trane hardware
2) Can I just replace the outdoor Fan/box (I call it that, you know the square grey unit with fan which is installed outside for AC).

I would love to be able to acquire just that part, if interchangeable, used/new, and get the AC running as cheaply as possible. It is over 10 years old made in 1993. The model # is TTR060C100A0. Options? :-) TY!!

Answer 1

What was the diagnosis for the dead unit? If it was a dead compressor, your HVAC contractor is doing the best thing for you. You will be getting a new unit that is more energy efficient than the old unit, and will come with a 5-year warranty. Replacing the compressor or whole outdoor unit with an incompatible unit will negate the warranty, and it will fail in the next two seasons. At that time, you will need to do what you are going to do now; replace the system with a new unit. Don't go for the cheapest solution; it will come back on you down the road.

You are replacing everything, so call two other vendors and get quotes for 16 SEER systems. Bryant, Trane, Carrier, Lennox are all good, each has its own issues. A cheap unit will cost more to operate, the more expensive higher SEER models will cost less to operate and keep your home comfortable.

Units are expensive now, as copper prices have increased significantly, and the new system will be using a different refrigerant that operates at twice the pressure of your current system. These pressures require thicker copper tubing. The vendor has no control over this; it is mandated by law.

Look at your new system as an investment in cooling your home for the next 15 years, rather than a huge expense this year. The new unit will then cost you between 200-350 per year. Sign up for annual maintenance, or have the installer tell you how to maintain the unit yourself.

Answer 2

I had a similar problem where a condensate drain backed up and water leaked onto a molex connector. To get the replacement part i had to go through a lot of hassle and spend a lot more money than what the part was worth.

First realize the heating and air industry and electric industry have a lot in common. They both require a license and both industries will only sell parts to licensed technicians and dealers.
Second is although some parts are interchangeable and other parts are not. The manufacturer will not tell you what is and what isnt.
Third do you know what the exact part that needs information is? I saw what the part was because it was visually burnt and damaged. The outdoor unit is more than a fan box it contains an outdoor coil, and outdoor fan and the AC compressor that curcualtes liquid freon coolant and a gas coolant through a larger line. The indoor coil and heater unit has the theromostat, condensate pump and furnace unit.
Fourth To change the whole outdoor unit you chave to remove power and cut 2 lines the small high pressure line and larger suction line. Freon is damaging to the ozone so the EPA requires technicians to pump the freon out of the system with a vaccum. Then once you get the very expensive unit to replace you have to braze/weld the copper fittings over both lines. Once that is done and the weld will not allow the freon to leak then you reconnect power. Then you have to use special gauges to fill the freon gas back into the system. Most units have a small amount of oil added to lubricate the compressor. To make a long story short it takes some serious qualifications to replace the entire unit. If the outdoor fan is only bad then you can replace that but an entire unit is tough.
Here my idea. First get a window unit and some box fans. Circulate air through the house and use the window unit to cool your room.
Look for a reputable dealer and a good deal for your unit. Keep looking for qoutes and actually pay for someone to look at the unit and tell you whats wrong specifically.
Then If the problem involves something you can replace then fine. If not and you have to rely on a technician then you can take the time to save and shop around again for someone cheaper. You are only out the visit of the technician. In the mean time you are saving money on power and acclimating yourself to life without ac.

Answer 3

sounds like you have a burnt out compressor,you can replace the compressor with a different [cheaper] brand but i don't recommend that, i would use the original brand, repair men allways try to sell you the most expensive route, replacing the compressor cost around 5 to $900 and replacement compressors do have warrantys ussually 1 to 2 years, a good repairman should take only 3 hrs to replace the compressor, thats what my boss used to tell me and it's true

Answer 4

the only thank you to tell from the exterior is to seem for a reversing or call a trane broking and that's a 21/2 ton might warmth a 12000 squarefeet domicile as long as a results of fact the temp. stayed above 30 stages exterior any temp. decrease than which you may might desire to have supplemental warmth. my wager is you have a 21/2 ton ac unit no warmth pump