Securing outside A/C unit

[beelzerob]

Yea. I moved out into the country on a back road because I love the woods, but then the idiots see this as an easy mark. When the cops were here he said "It's nice being isolated like this, but the problem is, you're isolated like this". It's a real drag there are idiots like these in he world.

Ya, we might be a little more isolated than most out here. We're about 25 minutes out from the nearest large town, and that (State College) is by no means large. The main trouble this whole area has is the students at Penn State, and most can't seem to get further than a mile from campus, so we're free from that. Probably mischievious teenagers is the most we'd see, and while an annoyance, it's definitely not the same as actual criminals.

I do dread the day when I realize I took all our security for granted....but this place will still never compare to life in our new, developed AZ neighborhood, where it was just a matter of time before they came for you.

 

[beelzerob]

I had a guy out yesterday to give me an estimate on replacing the condenser, and he told me the condenser uses a refrigerant that is being phased out, and he's going to have to check to see if he can get a replacement, otherwise I'll have to replace the whole central AC.

Man, it's too bad you can't wait for a bit. I'm going to end up with a 4 ton york air exchange heat pump (outdoor compressor and inside fan unit) with 2 years of use on it that I'm going to try and sell, because it will just be sitting around once we get the geothermal system. I have no idea how likely it is to find a craigslist buyer in smallville here.

What refrigerant, btw? R22? Mine uses the 410a or whatever, and it would suck to sell if my unit is already becoming obsolete!

 

[mdonovan]

I had a guy out yesterday to give me an estimate on replacing the condenser, and he told me the condenser uses a refrigerant that is being phased out, and he's going to have to check to see if he can get a replacement, otherwise I'll have to replace the whole central AC.

Man, it's too bad you can't wait for a bit. I'm going to end up with a 4 ton york air exchange heat pump (outdoor compressor and inside fan unit) with 2 years of use on it that I'm going to try and sell, because it will just be sitting around once we get the geothermal system. I have no idea how likely it is to find a craigslist buyer in smallville here.

What refrigerant, btw? R22? Mine uses the 410a or whatever, and it would suck to sell if my unit is already becoming obsolete!

I *think* it was R22, but I'll ask the guy. I'm supposed to see him again Friday to look at his estimate, so I'll post here what he tells me.

Matt

 

[electron]

Ok, I have moved the 'offending' posts to beelzerob's new thread

How heavy are these A/C condensers? Do they have to pull up the vehicle pretty close, or do they just carry them away? I do have a fence, which would stop vehicles, but I never considered they could just walk away with it.

 

[apostolakisl]

Ok, I have moved the 'offending' posts to beelzerob's new thread

How heavy are these A/C condensers? Do they have to pull up the vehicle pretty close, or do they just carry them away? I do have a fence, which would stop vehicles, but I never considered they could just walk away with it.

R22 is being phased out and it was the most popular residential AC refrigerant for many years.

AC condensers weight varies by how many ton system it is. Something like a 3 ton unit would require at least two people to pick up if only becuase of the bulk. It would be easy to cart one off on a dolly by yourself.

Regarding booby trapping your AC. I think the previous post was joking but you really shouldn't do anything that could hurt someone. I know it sounds stupid but people have been sued by thieves for falling into booby traps. Even if you win the case, you lose. I remember one law suit against a day care center that had painted over skylights. A burgler walking on the roof fell through becuase he didn't see it. He sued and won. Stupid A** lawyers!

 

[beelzerob]

Ok, I have moved the 'offending' posts to beelzerob's new thread

Thanks Dan!

I can't believe that the stealing of these big, bulky, units is such an issue. I feel better about my chances of selling my old one!

I think the original idea of just running a low voltage line out alongside the high voltage line is good. Terminate that line with an EOL resistor, and when they cut that line along with the other lines (thinking it's a control line), then you'll have your alarm. Of course, it's not exactly a deterrent, and at the point of alarm, they've already done damage you'll have to repair.....

I agree that the cage is probably the best way to go, if mdonovan lived in a close neighborhood because it would definitely be too much trouble and noise and they'd move on....but if he lives rurally, then it almost doesn't matter so much how much effort it is, if they can work unobservered and unhindered.

Which begs the question....what about a dog?

 

[Dave X10]

I can't believe that the stealing of these big, bulky, units is such an issue. I feel better about my chances of selling my old one!

I have heard of these unit being taken... for over a decade. But maybe.... differently than now... I am not sure. In my area [Ohio] lighting kills many of the compressor units... not wear. So it wasn't uncommon in areas with a lot of new construction... to see [or hear of] a compressor unit being removed following a lighting storm.

But I was always under the impression that these were guys.... "taking things home from work". Although sometimes the home involved had already been sold.... or was even lived in at the time. It was generally a couple "workers" loading a "like new" unit into the back of a van or pick-up. This enabled to construction worker to have his AC restored before bedtime.... without even calling the insurance company with a claim. I am not saying that is a "harmless" crime... but materials being taken from construction areas... isn't the same as residential crime ether.

Is that what is [still] happening now... or are thieves actually taking older units... or even newer units from older neighborhoods?

 

[Kevin L]

A lot of the thefts, at least in SW FL are for the copper coils. They go to the recyclers and get paid by the pound. Same reason you see so many thefts of copper cable.

 

[mdonovan]

Ok, I have moved the 'offending' posts to beelzerob's new thread

<snip>

I agree that the cage is probably the best way to go, if mdonovan lived in a close neighborhood because it would definitely be too much trouble and noise and they'd move on....but if he lives rurally, then it almost doesn't matter so much how much effort it is, if they can work unobservered and unhindered.

Which begs the question....what about a dog?

My house is very rural, and the compressor is on the side of the house, towards the back, under a porch, and hidden with lattice. They could spend all day there and not be seen. A cage would just be one more layer in my defenses. Alarming the unit is something I'll do too, and when I get a new one I am going to have them bolt it to the concrete pad. And throw in a camera for good measure. And the delay should hopefully allow me to at least get a good recording of the jerk. That's all I can think of to do, short of sitting by it 24 x 7 with a shotgun. Hmmmmm...

As far as getting a dog, I'm not sure my cat would approve. I'll have to ask her. Plus, I really don't care for dogs. Too noisy and too much work.

Matt

 

[mdonovan]

<snip>

Is that what is [still] happening now... or are thieves actually taking older units... or even newer units from older neighborhoods?

Mine was 10 years old, same age as the house. I'm sure it was stolen for the scrap value.

Matt

 

[sic0048]

I think most of the thefts right now are for the copper. They don't care that they cause $5,000 worth of damage for $50 worth of copper - it's $50 more than they had before stealing your unit. Plus the consequences are pretty small if they get caught. The whole thing is just shameless however.

 

[ano]

I think most of the thefts right now are for the copper. They don't care that they cause $5,000 worth of damage for $50 worth of copper - it's $50 more than they had before stealing your unit. Plus the consequences are pretty small if they get caught. The whole thing is just shameless however.

That could be a solution. Just suspend a bag containing $50 in copper near the unit. Any thief stealing copper will be lured to your bag of copper, and will soon forget about stealing your compressor. Of course when they actually steal your bag of copper, a camera will go off and take their picture, but that's for another thread. It will cost you $50 for these other bolt and cage solutions anyway. It doesn't even need to be "real" copper, maybe copper painted scrap steel. (Thieves are pretty stupid anyway or they wouldn't have to resort to stealing copper for a living.)

A second solution might be to just make a professional sign with the unit logo on it that says: "WARNING, Unit contains no copper." I'm SURE that will be enough to have them looking elsewhere.

 

[mdonovan]

<snip>

A second solution might be to just make a professional sign with the unit logo on it that says: "WARNING, Unit contains no copper." I'm SURE that will be enough to have them looking elsewhere.

Now there's an idea! I'm sure too that will work.

Matt

 

[apostolakisl]

Fortunately most states have laws that require scrap metal dealers to get ID from anyone selling scrap metal. This has got to help a little. I don't think anyone stealing a unit is taking it to pawn as a functioning unit, it is pretty much for the copper.

Put a light on it, put a camera on it, and put an alarm that is tripped by an action that precedes an action that costs money to fix!

 

[Rupp]

A while ago my house was broken in to. Yesterday I was walking around the property and I noticed that my A/C compressor is gone. Upon closer inspection it looks like they had bolt cutters to cut the electric and copper tube. I didn't notice it before because it's tucked under a porch, and there was a couple feet of snow.

So now, after I replace it, how can I protect the new unit? A camera and a motion detector are what I thought of first, but I am also interested in securing the unit to its concrete pad. Anyone have any ideas? How do I defend against bolt cutters?

I thought there was a thread about this before, but I can't seem to find it.

Matt

A cheap camera mounted just above the unit should be deterrent enough. Plus you will have video evidence if they do not see the camera.