Help! It's hotter than Satan's armpit in here

[New&no clue]

I've gotten such great fish related advise from all of you I thought I would ask if anyone had any idea why my portable AC stopped working. Below is the unit I have and it has worked great for a couple years. Then last week it stopped working ,it still turns on, and blows air but it is not cooling anymore. Does anyone have any thoughts on why? I pulled the filter and cleaned that. I tried to drain the back, but nothing came out. I really don't want to buy a new one if this is an easy fix... but I also don't want to get a divorce and if I continue to stay this hot and angry he will go find someone more pleasant to be around.

Amazon product ASIN B01DLPUWG2

 

[mtfish]

My guess is it low on freon. You would need guages, etc to check. Can you find where the coil is located and see if it cool or frozen?

 

[homer1475]

My guess is it low on freon. You would need guages, etc to check. Can you find where the coil is located and see if it cool or frozen?

+1

Replacing will probably be cheaper then getting it recharged.

I had a 14,000 window unit that was a couple years old, did the same thing as yours. Called a refrigeration guy and he wanted $300 to recharge it. Was only $100 more for a new unit.

 

[Bosreef]

Cause there inherently built to fail

 

[New&no clue]

Aww man, I just blew a ton of money on corals... I will just buy a new one than. Thank you

 

[TriggerFinger]

My guess would be Freon too. I wonder if you can buy one of those car refills and use it on one of these??

 

[homer1475]

My guess would be Freon too. I wonder if you can buy one of those car refills and use it on one of these??

I considered that, but with these home units there is no filling valves, like on your car. The guy has to cut the tubing, fill, then crimp it shut again. The guy I called showed me how he had to do it, and that was why it was so expenisive. They are not made to be refilled. They also requires gauges to know how much gas to put in.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I considered that, but with these home units there is no filling valves, like on your car. The guy has to cut the tubing, fill, then crimp it shut again. The guy I called showed me how he had to do it, and that was why it was so expenisive. They are not made to be refilled. They also requires gauges to know how much gas to put in.

Good to know, thanks for the information! I kinda figured it wouldn’t be that easy but thought I would throw it out there in case it was a quick or temporary fix.

 

[ThePickeledReef]

Had it been on continuously, it could have frozen... unplug for a while then watch to see if water starts to drain off.

 

[New&no clue]

Had it been on continuously, it could have frozen... unplug for a while then watch to see if water starts to drain off.

No, it's in our bedroom so I turn it on when I get home from work 5:00ish and then my husband turns it off when he comes to bed around midnight. So it is only on for 7hours a day.

 

[F i s h y]

If its really humid I'd still consider looking to see if its frozen. The condensation can def cause the issue you are describing

 

[New&no clue]

If its really humid I'd still consider looking to see if its frozen. The condensation can def cause the issue you are describing

What is the best way to see if it is frozen? Do I need to take something apart?

 

[ThePickeledReef]

Once you turn it off it should start to thaw and water will drip out.

 

[Starkrost]

I have a portable one that you don't have to install into a window. I love it!

 

[LRT]

You may want to check if it has a quick connect to refill freon. Recently had a Mini Fridge run out of freon and was able to use the simple auto refill with the guage on it.

 

[F i s h y]

If you can locate the coils under the cover you will very clearly see an accumulated amount of ice. You could also just turn it off and wait for it to form a puddle.
Happens to my fridge because of the kids when its humid

What is the best way to see if it is frozen? Do I need to take something apart?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Freon used in automobiles is different than what's in the portable units, even it you were to add a valve, you couldn't recharge it with R134A.

And if the evaporator is freezing up, it's also a sign that it's low on freon. Although if it's equipped with a sensor near the evap, then it may be faulty. Unfortunately your only sound advice is to replace it.