The DIY thread - DIYourself
- Thread starter Red Mosquito
- Start date
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
Interesting challenge. This wall mounted AC is drooping badly and in danger of falling out. It's 15' off the ground on the outside and eye level on the inside. It's a tight fit on the inside and recessed, so I'm not even sure I can get the front cover off. I'm reluctant to try because I'm afraid disturbing it could push it over the edge. The 2x4 supports holding it up are pulling away from the house. Landing zone is safe, but AC still works and I'd prefer to keep it. Any ideas on how to safely approach it?
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
Bring it!
Pic of inside/front panel and the ground would help. Initial thoughts are put a helper on an extension ladder to brace it from outside, remove front panel from inside and slide unit out into the room. Re-install housing properly, starting with getting rid of busch league 2x4's.
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
Tight fit and recessed on inside. No room for fingers. Thought about using a length of steel cable to make a loop around the sides. Don't have a helper available at the moment. I wouldn't go underneath it on a ladder right now. It's pretty unstable. I was alerted to the problem by seeing pieces of the interior insulating foam on the floor.
JerseyPete
Well-Known Member
Right on, yeah that looks ready to drop out. I stand by bracing it outside, but after seeing the interior pic it will require even more caution. I used to install these before college helping a friend's business and we never dropped one, but came close a few times.
Home Depot will rent you a 14' step ladder or even larger extension, both fairly inexpensive for 4hrs. You can set up from the side (out of fall zone) and provide some support while messing with the front panel inside. Worst case you can tie off a line to the power cord to provide some interior support, but I don't like that beyond a last resort. Either way I see this as a two person job. Would drive over if I wasnt 2 1/2hrs away!
Home Depot will rent you a 14' step ladder or even larger extension, both fairly inexpensive for 4hrs. You can set up from the side (out of fall zone) and provide some support while messing with the front panel inside. Worst case you can tie off a line to the power cord to provide some interior support, but I don't like that beyond a last resort. Either way I see this as a two person job. Would drive over if I wasnt 2 1/2hrs away!
Fantastic!
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
I have plenty of ladders. Safety is #1 issue. Unit probably weighs 80 lbs. I feel like it's hanging on by a thread. I'm gonna pick up some 3/16 steel cable, eye hooks and cable clamps, make a loop around the sides near the top and secure it to the side studs on the inside. Just to give some peace of mind until I come up with permanent solution. Note that I inherited this installation from previous owner.
i can't tell if it is a unit that slides into a cage, or a replacement unit sitting in the old cage?
or just something stuck in the wall.
the front plastic panel inside should pull off.
After that, there should be plenty of things to grab onto, and pull it in.
with it at eye level, it would be nice to be standing on a bench (or two)
agree on video, inside and out.
practice faces for any possible outcome.
make sure you have witch legs to place under it if it goes out.
JerseyPete
Well-Known Member
On a side note for safety, have you observed it for wasp/bee hives built into it? I had a window unit with a bunch. Be careful, you don't want to find out when you are up on the ladder wrestling with the 80 lb. AC.
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
Yep, need those. Are there universal ones or do they need to be brand-specific?
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
Yep, thanks. Constantly at war with those bastards all summer. Haven't seen any European Giant Hornets this year, thankfully.
Looks like a permanent install to me.
SmooveP
Well-Known Member
Shh. Don't encourage me. I was so annoyed about having deal with this that I seriously considered laying a mattress on the ground underneath and giving it a good shove.