Securing outdoor unit (air conditioner or heat pump)

[skipswift]

I just had a new heat pump system installed .. reasonably pleased, but the outdoor unit doesn't seem very secure .. it's an Armstrong SHP13LE and it's sitting on two horizontal mounting poles.

How should this be secured? I want to call the installed back to secure it properly.

Thanks.
S.

[turtle]

This is Turtle.

You get a respectiable dealer to install your equipment for when you have a problem like this you call them and they come fix it. if you have a question you need to ask them about it.

TURTLE

[smokin68]

Is it hanging off a building? Most are installed on a concrete or pre-fab pad.

[docholiday]

you got a digital camera? A pic would be worth a 1000 words.

[skipswift]

Will post a picture tonight when I get home .. but it's mounted on the same poles that my old unit was mounted on .. difference is .. the old unit was secured to the poles with u-bolts. This unit is just sitting on top of the poles ..

The installer drilled metal screws into the bottom and tied these to the poles with some wire .. but that's not sufficient.

I have to believe there are preferred ways to secure a unit the poles that it's mounted on .. maybe some kind of strapping, or something else ..

[travisfl]

In addition to any manufacturer's instructions, the condenser attachment method is likely defined in your state's building code. If your installation requires inspection then the inspector should be verifying that yours is in compliance.

[skipswift]

Here are a few photos .. you can see the unit is secured to the poles only with a few machine screws and what looks like framing wire.



Left pole:


Right pole:


What is the right way to secure an outdoor unit to the poles?

Separately, this same outdoor unit frequently makes loud clink/clunk noises and whines or screeches/squeals .. should I be concerned with this?

Thanks guys. Your help is really appreciated.
S.

[travisfl]

Condensers are designed to sit on flat surfaces, not brackets that look something like those on a fork-lift truck!

I would have installed a solid pre-fab pad on top of the support brackets, attaching it with U-bolts.

http://www.ndspro.com/Downloads/equip_pad_nov05.pdf

The condenser itself should be attached to the pad with factory hold-down clips. But that is what my state/municipality codes would require.

[BaldLoonie]

In a cold climate, the pump shouldn't sit directly on a pad for drainage reasons. No idea where this job is.

We'd normally abandon that mount and put the unit on pad & pump ups on the ground. Probably not much clearance behind the big new unit. The control compartment is back right and looks to be murder to get at for service

[skipswift]

Job is in Ohio .. cold enough that good drainage is required.

I'm OK with the unit being mounted on the poles (the old unit was mounted on these same poles) .. just want to make sure it's secure and I don't remember how the old unit was secured ..

Other than the pre-fab pad that travis recommends, are there other acceptable methods of securing the unit?

Separately, this same outdoor unit frequently makes loud clink/clunk noises and whines or screeches/squeals .. should I be concerned with this?

Thanks.
S.

[Edited by skipswift on 03-06-2006 at 09:34 AM]

[travisfl]

Good call on the service panel issue, OhBaldOne. I missed that completely. Check out the disconnect, too. I wonder if the electrical installation meets NEC 440.14?

That installation sure wouldn't make it by our city's inspectors!

[skipswift]

The service panel is actually on the outside left, fairly easy to access.

[travisfl]

At first glance I thought that was an A/S condenser.

I see from your first post that it really is an Armstrong SHP13LE. My bad.

[Edited by travisfl on 03-06-2006 at 10:04 AM]

[travisfl]

Originally posted by skipswift
Separately, this same outdoor unit frequently makes loud clink/clunk noises and whines or screeches/squeals .. should I be concerned with this?

An occasional clunk noise (when the compressor contactor pulls in) is normal. But if you are hearing LOUD noises when the system starts or stops that indicates something is amiss. It could be as simple as reverberation of the condenser housing because of the mounting method.

Screeches/squeals are definitely abnormal and indicate that something is rubbing. Again, it could be the mounting style or it could be something else.

[skipswift]

Will have to have them check it out then .. there's a loud clunk when the fan stops .. and occassionally it's accompanied by or immediately followed by a squeal.

S.

[smokin68]

I'd use u-bolts instead of that flimsy wire if you want to use those poles. JMO

[chillbilly]

Why not mount the unit on a treated wood stand?
Get it away from the wall a little and make it easier to service.
4, salt treated 4x4's, a 2x10 for exterior band, and use the rest of the 2x10 for decking.
Assemble all together and sink stand about 12" into the ground with a height of about 3-4 feet.

[Edited by chillbilly on 03-06-2006 at 02:25 PM]

[bar7]

pathetic!!!!!!!!!!

[BaldLoonie]

I haven't installed one of them yet, older units were back right corner like A-S/Trane. Great to see them put the controls in a handy location!

BUT after looking at the unit on the web, I would expect controls are in a panel above the lineset entrance, just like A-S. That's back right. You might want to doublecheck! I don't think the defrost board, capacitors, contactor will fit in the left front corner.

[Edited by BaldLoonie on 03-06-2006 at 03:19 PM]

[cdn hvac]

Contractor on a budget