A/C shipped standing on End

[jmckinley]

I just received a new Dometic air conditioner and it was standing on end when I got it. As a rule, thus is a bad thing, resulting in oil gathering in the compressor which can cause it to lock up at first startup.

I called Dometic to get a suggestion for how long I should wait before starting to allow the oil to get back where it belongs. They said they have never heard of such a thing.

Anyway, do any of you guys with expertise in HVAC have a suggestion on a decent waiting period?

[LJowdy]

Usually the time it needs to sit horizontal equals the time it sat upright. At least that's what they recommend if you have to transport a refrigerator horizontally.

Not knowing how long it was vertical, I'd let it horizontal for at least 2 or more days.

[xrated]

Normally a 24 hour time period is sufficient for the oil to drain back down

[tap4154]

Agreed with both of the above. Let it sit at least a full day (I'd wait several days). DO NOT plug it in before that or i will be wrecked. Amazing that Dometic was clueless about this. Usually AC's are clearly marked "ship this side up".

[docj]

Originally Posted by tap4154

Agreed with both of the above. Let it sit at least a full day (I'd wait several days). DO NOT plug it in before that or i will be wrecked. Amazing that Dometic was clueless about this. Usually AC's are clearly marked "ship this side up".

As someone who once owned an online retailer, all I can say is that you don't have a lot of shipping experience if you think that UPS, FedEx, etc, actually pay much attention to "this side up" labels!! As others have said, let the device sit for a day or two and it should be fine.

[Deep Water D]

Bunk. All the oil BELONGS in the compressor. A new compressor will come with a complete oil charge in it. The oil serves no purpose anywhere else in the system. The problems arise when the oil drains OUT of the compressor when a unit is not level. That said, you need to let it sit until the oil drains back into the compressor.

[jmckinley]

Originally Posted by tap4154

Agreed with both of the above. Let it sit at least a full day (I'd wait several days). DO NOT plug it in before that or i will be wrecked. Amazing that Dometic was clueless about this. Usually AC's are clearly marked "ship this side up".

In fairness to Dometic, I did get a later email from someone else suggesting 24 hour waiting period.

Regarding markings, on one side of the box there is a one inch high image of a wine glass. No arrows, no “This Side Up”, no nothing. To make matters worse, the packaging is horrible. If the box is stood on end, all the weight is on the shroud. This is my second unit, replacing the first one whose shroud was broken in shipping. If the shroud is broken all the load is on either the evaporator or condenser. That’s what happened to my first one, causing it to lose its refrigerant.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by jmckinley

I just received a new Dometic air conditioner and it was standing on end when I got it. As a rule, thus is a bad thing, resulting in oil gathering in the compressor which can cause it to lock up at first startup.

I called Dometic to get a suggestion for how long I should wait before starting to allow the oil to get back where it belongs. They said they have never heard of such a thing.

Anyway, do any of you guys with expertise in HVAC have a suggestion on a decent waiting period?

Got to ask who did you purchase the unit from?

[jmckinley]

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

Got to ask who did you purchase the unit from?

Purchased from PPL but this problem is not their fault. It's Dometic's incredibly bad packaging and FedEx mishandling.

PPL has been amazingly helpful I called PPL and received a new unit at no charge three days later. And they are paying to ship the broken unit back. Outstanding customer service with this company.

[Pepper2]

24 hrs.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by jmckinley

In fairness to Dometic, I did get a later email from someone else suggesting 24 hour waiting period.

Regarding markings, on one side of the box there is a one inch high image of a wine glass. No arrows, no “This Side Up”, no nothing. To make matters worse, the packaging is horrible. If the box is stood on end, all the weight is on the shroud. This is my second unit, replacing the first one whose shroud was broken in shipping. If the shroud is broken all the load is on either the evaporator or condenser. That’s what happened to my first one, causing it to lose its refrigerant.

I install home appliances, so see the packaging all the time and ANY item like an AC, refer, or wine cooler is very clearly marked ship upright ONLY. Hard to blame FedEx if the package isn't marked correctly. Good that you got another one!

[jmckinley]

Originally Posted by tap4154

I install home appliances, so see the packaging all the time and ANY item like an AC, refer, or wine cooler is very clearly marked ship upright ONLY. Hard to blame FedEx if the package isn't marked correctly. Good that you got another one!

Here is what Dometic thinks is adequate marking to prevent damage in shipment from up ending or inverting the unit. Keep in mind that this minature warning only appears in one place on the box.

[jmckinley]

Originally Posted by jmckinley

Here is what Dometic thinks is adequate marking to prevent damage in shipment from up ending or inverting the unit. Keep in mind that this minature warning only appears in one place on the box.
Attachment 246048

And this is how the unit is protected inside the box. And, there is nothing on top to prevent damage if inverted.

[Dom]

There is no need to let unit sit for more than a few minutes, most of the oil will stay in the compressor, the only place it could possibly go would be down the suction line a little ways but only a small amount. Then when compressor starts it sucks oil back into compressor. Been in refrigeration for 40 years and warranty for most a/c units