Life, not only in the south but now in the middle zone in the summer, is simply unbearable without air conditioning. Over the past few years, summer temperatures have been breaking records, and people are struggling to escape the heat. So this product is being snapped up like hotcakes for the season. But, like any technology, it has its limited resources. These devices break down infrequently, but the probability is there, and the older the device, the greater the probability. Today we’ll talk about how possible it is to repair split systems with your own hands, when you can try to do something, and when it’s better not to.
Design of a split system and the principles of its operation
Before you take on the repair of such a generally complex device, you first need to understand at least its elements. So, what is included in the split system:
- an outdoor unit is something that is placed outside the room and performs the task of a compressor and condenser;
- evaporation unit – the internal part of the device, located indoors.
Each of these main units consists of individual spare parts. The outer box contains the compressor, condenser, control board, filter, fan, and valve. The external unit is the noisiest part of the device, so it is not for nothing that it is installed outdoors. Its dimensions are usually impressive – it all depends on the model. The outer part of the split system is connected to the inner part by a pipeline made of rigid aluminum or copper tubes, through which freon flows. Condensate is removed through a drainage channel.
Repairing the outdoor unit in apartment buildings is complicated by the peculiarities of its location: it is usually at a high altitude, and without special equipment and skill it is impossible to get close to it. Often, to simplify the task, external units are installed on a balcony or loggia, in which case there is a chance to do the repairs yourself. During installation, competent installers protect the outdoor unit with a grille and a cover from snow and rain, or better yet, with a box.
Causes of breakdowns of split systems
As already mentioned, the older the electrical appliance, the higher the likelihood of breakdown. It’s just wear and tear, there’s no escape from it, because nothing lasts forever.
Any device, including a split system, must be serviced promptly. Lack of periodic maintenance has a detrimental effect on operations. If you did not fill in the freon on time after the route was depressurized, you only have yourself to blame for the fact that the house is hot.
In addition to these most common reasons, others are not so common. For example, a fan in an outdoor unit may fail due to frozen impellers. This happens in winter when you use a split system to heat the air. If such a breakdown occurs, the fan must be replaced, and/or the starting capacitor must be replaced. In general, the heating function in split systems is rarely used.
Failure of the air conditioner may be associated with problems in the electrical board of the device, and they can arise, in turn, due to a short circuit, voltage surges, or moisture ingress. Electrical boards, in principle, are replaceable, but some craftsmen can carry out repairs without completely replacing this part.
Often the reason why a split system fails is an incorrectly selected model for the room area.
The main malfunctions of split systems and how to fix them yourself
Before you undertake any repairs to your split system, you must first clean it. In half the cases, cleaning itself solves all problems. Trivial contamination can be the reason for the loss of power of the device and malfunctions in its operation.
Now let’s look at the main breakdowns that are considered typical for air-conditioning devices.
Split works but does not cool the air
Visually, your device is turned on, the blinds on the body move up and down as expected, and the fan circulates air, but the temperature in the room does not change.
You should start with the control panel: see what is reflected in the settings. Maybe the cooling mode is simply not set, but the fan is simply turned on. If the settings are correct, check the operation of the compressor. It may not have started, this is clear from the suspicious silence in the external unit. If everything is noisy there, as in normal mode, the cause may be a freon leak. This usually occurs at the connection points of copper pipes connecting the external and internal units. Pressure checks are carried out using pressure gauges, but this is difficult to do without special tools and knowledge, also its Importance of Regularly Changing Your Air Filter of AC
The split system does not turn on or turn off spontaneously
It’s worth starting with a banal check of the functionality of the socket and remote control. Maybe the plug is not inserted tightly or the batteries are dead – and this happens. If both are in order, the cause may be in the control unit, and this is already a serious cause for concern.
If the split switches off after a normal start, the reason may be overheating of the compressor, malfunction of the fans, clogged capillary tube, freon leak, and the same problems in the control unit. Finding the problem on your own is not easy, but still, check the error codes and visually examine possible breakdowns.
Failure of the electronic part of the device, if you have experience and knowledge in this area, is worth investigating, starting with transformers and fuses. If a blown fuse is detected, it is worth looking for the original cause in the varistor. If the transformers and fuses are normal, you need to study the performance of the diode bridge, capacitors, voltage stabilizers, and relays.
For those who do not understand such subtleties and at the same time do not have the opportunity to call a specialist, all that remains is to advise purchasing a new board. But here you can miss: if, due to a lack of experience, you incorrectly determined the cause of the breakdown, buying a board will not solve the problem.
In what cases is it better not to undertake independent repair of a split system?
There are situations when it is better not to take risks and not undertake repairs yourself, so as not to cause even more damage to the device. For example, if there was a failure in the program. Its sign is the chaotic blinking of indicators against the background of a non-working device. To correct such an error, reprogramming is required.
How to avoid split system breakdowns
Prevention is always cheaper than repair – that’s a fact. So it’s better to follow simple rules and save your budget significantly.
It’s worth starting with the correct installation. The sealed system will prevent freon leakage, and a durable and safe installation will protect the units from accidental damage. It is better to pay extra for an outer box with a lid so as not to face the problem of icing in the future.
Every year at the end and beginning of the season, it is necessary to carry out preventive cleaning and diagnostics of the device. The device should be cleaned with the power turned off; you can do this yourself, but very carefully. Regular cleaning of filters will significantly increase the efficiency of the device. At least once every two years you need to add freon to the system.
All this will allow you to extend the service life of the split system several times. In addition, a short step-by-step video on how to clean the air conditioner yourself:
