Summer is coming to North America. Is your AC compressor ready? I know that for many heavy machinery operators, the biggest fear in summer is not sunburn, but the sudden failure of the air conditioner to cool. Especially in high-temperature and high-load environments such as mines and construction sites, once the air conditioner goes out of service, the experience of sitting in the cab is very uncomfortable. Some people think that it is just that there is not enough refrigerant, but it is not the case at all.
Sometimes, the problem lies in the air conditioning system – the a/c compressor. The compressor is the power source of the entire air conditioning system, responsible for compressing the refrigerant and driving it to circulate. If it fails, even if you fill up the refrigerant, it will be useless, and the air conditioner will still not cool. This article will teach you the 3 main manifestations of a broken air conditioning compressor to help you determine whether it should be repaired in advance.
1.Air Conditioner Suddenly Stops Cooling
Have you ever encountered this situation: the air conditioner was working normally a few days ago, but when it was turned on for the past two days, you found that there was wind, but it was not cool at all? If you exclude problems such as refrigerant leakage and poor wire contact, it is likely that the compressor is severely worn inside and can no longer compress the refrigerant.
This problem occurs more frequently, especially for equipment that has been working for more than two years and is running at high load every day. Once the compression efficiency of the AC compressor decreases, your air conditioner can basically only blow “warm air”.
2. Abnormal Noise of the Compressor
The sound of a normally working compressor is relatively light. Once you hear a sound similar to metal friction in the cab, you must be alert. This is usually a manifestation of loose, stuck, or worn bearings inside the compressor. If you continue to use it, it is likely that the entire system will be implicated, causing more serious damage.
At this time, it is recommended that you stop the machine and check it immediately. If it is determined that the compressor has a problem, it is recommended to directly replace it with a high-quality air conditioning compressor instead of making do with it, otherwise, you may have to spend several times more money to repair the air conditioning system.
3.Refrigerant Leaking
If you find that you often have to add refrigerant, and the air conditioner is not cool after a while, it is likely that there is a problem with the compressor’s sealing system. The compressor of heavy equipment operates at high temperature, high pressure, and high frequency, and the sealing ring ages very quickly. Once the leakage is serious, not only will the refrigerant be wasted, but the lubricating oil may also be lost with the leakage, further accelerating the wear inside the compressor.
In this case, the safest way is to replace a new a/c compressor. Remember to check the model and matching parameters when selecting. FridayParts has a large number of air conditioning compressors suitable for various heavy equipment. Whether you are using an excavator, loader, bulldozer, or other models, you can find suitable replacement parts.
Remember to Replace in Time
The compressor is not like the filter element that fails slowly, it usually fails all at once. Experienced operators know that once they find that the wind is not cool, there is an abnormal sound, and the refrigerant is added frequently, they can’t delay any longer and should deal with it immediately. Early detection and early replacement can not only keep you comfortable in the hot summer, but also prevent the entire air conditioning system from being dragged down.
Conclusion
If your equipment has been in service for more than three consecutive years and operates in a hot, dusty, and heavy-load environment, it is recommended to check the compressor status once a year, especially before the summer. Prevention in advance is always better than repair after the event.
