AC question

So I have a pretty old through wall AC that's on the fritz.  What's this stuff I see about sliding out the old chassis and putting in a new one as opposed to replacing the whole unit?  Can you just buy the "guts" of the AC somewhere?  The old unit is caulked in and it would certainly be easier to leave the box in place and replace the insides.


You may be able to find a new unit with the same dimensions.  Take pictures and measurements and go to PC Richards or someplace like that.  


Just did this recently. You should be able to slide out the old unit (probably/possibly attached via a couple screws) while the old steel box remains supportive outside the wall. You don't necessarily have to remove the steel box of the new unit as long as it fits into the dimensions of the old.

The top-to-bottom dimensions are the most critical as almost all new units have the adjustable accordion wings on the sides.

Also, as in all such wall or window AC installations, -make sure it is going to have the slight downward pitch to drip outside the wall.


jeffl said:
You may be able to find a new unit with the same dimensions.  Take pictures and measurements and go to PC Richards or someplace like that.  

 I think that's likely, especially if I go with same brand (Panasonic) but do you mean I should do a total replacement and not just the chassis?  I don't get this chassis stuff.  I've seen youtube videos where guys slide out the chassis but unless they are replacing  it(and from where?), I'm not sure why they re doing it.


steel said:
Just did this recently. You should be able to slide out the old unit (probably/possibly attached via a couple screws) while the old steel box remains supportive outside the wall. You don't necessarily have to remove the steel box of the new unit as long as it fits the dimensions.

 Where did you get the replacement chassis?  Or do you by a whole new AC unit and just slide in the guts of the new one in the box of the old one?


Just got a whole new AC unit (at Home Depot for a friend) that fit inside the old steel box.


PS: If the opening is high up on the wall, -make sure you have a second person to help you take the old AC out as the old units are freakin' heavy.

I'm pretty strong for little guy but if I hadn't had a second person, the weight might have pitched me off the ladder.


A bit of follow up.  It's through the wall but not a true through the wall AC.  Just a 7800 btu Panasonic window AC.   The  guys who put it in made a sort of window frame on the inside wall, rested the weight on the the inner cross beam/fire break 2 by 4 I guess, and caulked it in on the inside.  Its worked for 15 years so I can't complain.  just have to figure out what the easiest replaceement option is.  


I was just looking at wall ACs online...said it ws 120 pounds....even though many people can lift that weight, it is the size and weight distribution that can be a problem....hard for 1 person to get a good grip


The 7800 was big enough.  Doubt one of those weighs 120.  If I can find something the same size and figure out how to put it in (myself), I'll do that.  But I'm not sure.  



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