Results 1 to 15 of 15

taking apart air conditioner compressors

| Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
  1. #1
    copycat started this thread.
    copycat's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Apr 2012
    Location
    South Western PA
    Posts
    215
    Thanks
    150
    Thanked 169 Times in 64 Posts

    taking apart air conditioner compressors

    Is it worth taking these apart? Is the only way cutting outside shell? Can I pry apart?



    Thanks
    Copycat


  2. #2
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    The only way to get them apart is by cutting them. Is it worth it? Depends on what your yard pays for sealed units.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to freonjoe for This Post:


  4. #3
    AuntieCake's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    By Saginaw, Michigan
    Posts
    140
    Thanks
    114
    Thanked 108 Times in 46 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by copycat View Post
    Is it worth taking these apart? Is the only way cutting outside shell? Can I pry apart?

    Thanks
    Copycat
    This is one of the items that had me itching to invest in a digital scale. I've weighed it out every which way it is possible to turn them in and based on prices here I cut them open and also separate the copper. It's in the 6-8.00 difference range depending on what type of compressor if I tear them apart verses selling them whole. This price also includes the cost of using a half grinding wheel on each one.

    I read a post recently that said on a/c compressors that there are 3 weld marks and if you cut those and then drop it you can get the insides out.

    For me personally it's worth taking them apart.

  5. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by AuntieCake:


  6. #4
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Boise, ID
    Posts
    2,702
    Thanks
    2,237
    Thanked 2,352 Times in 1,014 Posts
    If you pry it apart without cutting it, I want to see a video.

  7. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by IdahoScrapper:


  8. #5
    Libertytow's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Silverton NJ
    Posts
    562
    Thanks
    64
    Thanked 340 Times in 180 Posts
    i never cut them apart because i never knew any better would like to see a video first before attepmting

  9. #6
    AuntieCake's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    By Saginaw, Michigan
    Posts
    140
    Thanks
    114
    Thanked 108 Times in 46 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Libertytow View Post
    i never cut them apart because i never knew any better would like to see a video first before attepmting
    It's simple. Drain the oil out first. Use a grinder w/thin cutting wheel, cut 3/4 around, force the rest open (easy) then take out the motor, cut your copper off that and all done. I will warn you that the copper will be a bit slippy because it'll have oil residue on it. When we do compressors we make a day of doing what we've stockpiled because we will have oil residue all over our gloves and of course my clothes because of the way I work.

    BTW there are videos on youtube showing various people cutting them open and the different methods.

  10. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by AuntieCake:


  11. #7
    eesakiwi's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    2,531
    Thanks
    2,909
    Thanked 2,556 Times in 1,227 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by AuntieCake View Post
    This is one of the items that had me itching to invest in a digital scale. I've weighed it out every which way it is possible to turn them in and based on prices here I cut them open and also separate the copper. It's in the 6-8.00 difference range depending on what type of compressor if I tear them apart verses selling them whole. This price also includes the cost of using a half grinding wheel on each one.

    I read a post recently that said on a/c compressors that there are 3 weld marks and if you cut those and then drop it you can get the insides out.

    For me personally it's worth taking them apart.
    That might have been a post of mine.

    I find theres more than 1Kg of copper in each one, maybe 3Lb. Its not that hard to get the wiring out as its covered in slipperly oil, clean of oxides & paper & tar.
    With my 9inch grinder & a 9inch disc for NZ$6 each, I find it costs about 50cents to cut one open. (or, I can cut open 12+ per $6 disc)

    Once the disc gets worn down to the size of your smaller grinder (ie 5 inch dia) take the disc off & replace it with a new one, or put it in the smaller grinder & keep using it.
    Using a smaller disc in a larger grinder is a good way to waste grinder discs, plus it takes a lot longer..

    If I had a lot of them I'd try & get the varnish off the wire so I can sell it as #1 Copper grade.

    Heres a pic of one so you can see whats inside it. I can't see the spot welds but they are there somewhere.
    Last edited by eesakiwi; 09-10-2012 at 09:39 PM.

  12. The Following 11 Users say Thank You for This Post by eesakiwi:


  13. #8
    scraprecycler's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    44
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts

    sealed units

    I would sell them whole. I have never taken them apart does not seem worth the time if you can sell whole unit as is. In my area they sell for .30 per lb

  14. #9
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Feb 2012
    Location
    OK
    Posts
    5,728
    Thanks
    6,814
    Thanked 3,464 Times in 1,989 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by eesakiwi View Post
    Heres a pic of one so you can see whats inside it. I can't see the spot welds but they are there somewhere.
    Last edited by Bear; 09-19-2012 at 08:08 PM.

  15. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Bear:


  16. #10
    Russell's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Chicago,Il
    Posts
    815
    Thanks
    495
    Thanked 707 Times in 324 Posts
    I do not generally take motors apart and I've never done a sealed unit. Keep in mind when you extract one component out if another; you don't gain 100% of the difference. sealed unit price is broken down into 3 categories when disassembled. 1. Copper 2. Shred or heavy melt ( depending on how your yard grades and pays) 3. the waste oil

    These numbers are arbitrary but just as an example: 25 lb sealed unit @ $.30 lb = $7.50
    25 lb sealed unit - 2 lbs copper /-1 lb oil = 22 lbs @ shred price of $0.10 lb =$2.20 in shred + 2 lbs copper extract @ 3$ lb= $8.20 for a gain of + $.70. If you can knock out xxx per hour or day and your satisfied, great.

    Naturally, if your numbers were different and it was worth your time in your eyes. Then, go for it. Just make sure you're properly adding and deducting properly or, you could just be tricking yourself and waisting time. Hard work doesn't always equate to more money the numbers won't lie.

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to Russell for This Post:


  18. #11
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    Russell, in my area sealed units only bring .085 a pound. So a 20# pound compressor would only bring 1.70. If I break it down then I get .10 for the bodies ( 17.5# at .10) and 2.50 a pound for the copper (!.8 pounds at 2.50) and 8 ounces of oil that has a value that I won't post. So by breaking them down I get around 6.25 vs. 1.70 if I don't. I broke down 65 compressors today and got 133 pounds of copper and around 1400 pounds of #2 prepared.

  19. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by freonjoe:


  20. #12
    scraprecycler's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    44
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts
    freonjoe
    how long did it take you to break down the 65 units?

  21. #13
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Feb 2012
    Location
    OK
    Posts
    5,728
    Thanks
    6,814
    Thanked 3,464 Times in 1,989 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by scraprecycler View Post
    freonjoe
    how long did it take you to break down the 65 units?
    don't get him started braggin ; )

  22. The Following User Says Thank You to Bear for This Post:


  23. #14
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    Scraprecycler, It took 4 hours.

  24. The Following User Says Thank You to freonjoe for This Post:


  25. #15
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Apr 2012
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    297
    Thanks
    165
    Thanked 184 Times in 96 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by scraprecycler View Post
    freonjoe
    how long did it take you to break down the 65 units?
    The man knows his stuff and is good at it! More importantly, he knows his safety issues as well.


  26. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. air conditioner compressors , a can of money or a can of worms ?
      By EcoSafe in forum Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
      Replies: 54
      Last Post: 07-13-2016, 10:52 AM
    2. Industrial air conditioner need help
      By Chadcam in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 11-26-2015, 12:49 AM
    3. Air Conditioner Value
      By nyjetsfanx93 in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 17
      Last Post: 09-22-2015, 01:25 PM
    4. air conditioner radiators
      By Mstra in forum Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
      Replies: 20
      Last Post: 12-10-2014, 10:35 PM
    5. Replies: 12
      Last Post: 05-27-2011, 08:22 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook