Fujitsu AC Need new inside unit, outside still good

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I really could use some good advice of an air con dilemma I'm facing, about how to best proceed...

I've got an older 8900 BTU split system wall-mounted air con unit in our main bedroom in which the fan motor has died. I've checked with several places, and they don't think the motor can be repaired... Plus, the unit is a Fujitsu, and air con folks are telling me there's no way to get a replacement fan motor inside Thailand anymore. But the outside compressor unit still is/was functioning fine.

I could simply pay to buy an entirely new inside and outside aircon unit... But our home is a rental, and so I'm trying to look for a more economical approach to restore air con to our bedroom. I'm told that it's possible to just replace the indoor unit with a same sized BTU model...and pair that with the existing outdoor unit, and that should work OK... But I haven't been able to find a shop yet that's selling solo 9000 BTU indoor only units.

Our bedroom is on the second floor of a older, rock solid 5-story building and only has direct sun on one side, with most of the windows on a shade-only side. The total size of the bedroom is about 16 sq mt (3.5 X 4.5). Also, I probably only need to purchase the unit, because my wife has a colleague at her large company work who maintains their air conditioning equipment who's willing to do the install for us at home.

So my questions are:

--Since the expense is going to be coming out of my pocket and I'm trying to be as economical about this as possible since our home is a rental, what's the best way to proceed given my situation with restoring a working air con system?

--What about the advice I'm getting that it's perfectly fine to replace the indoor unit and pair the new indoor unit with the older outside compressor unit, as long as both are similar BTU models? (One air con dealer place quoted me 4,000 baht or so for a new 12,000 BTU inside only unit...but they didn't sell an inside only 9,000 BTU unit)?

--Any suggestions in BKK for any particular air con equipment seller who would be good to deal with in terms of resolving my issue in the best possible way?

Thanks much...

[Naam]

--What about the advice I'm getting that it's perfectly fine to replace the indoor unit and pair the new indoor unit with the older outside compressor unit, as long as both are similar BTU models? (One air con dealer place quoted me 4,000 baht or so for a new 12,000 BTU inside only unit...but they didn't sell an inside only 9,000 BTU unit)?

go for it! 12k btu/h inside can be paired without any problems with a 9k btu/h outside unit but NOT vice versa.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Thanks Naam...

When I was asking my wife's work air con guy about it...and she was translating his answers back to me in English, it sounded vaguely like he was saying the 9000 outside/12,000 inside combination might not run efficiently or that there might be some problems... But I couldn't get a clear sense of what he was saying on that, due to the language issues.

I do understand though why a 12,000 BTU outside and 9000 BTU inside combination would be problematic...

If I can solve this thing by spending 4 or 5,000 baht for the new 12,000 BTU inside unit (vs. replacing the entire system inside and out for 12,000 plus), I'll feel OK about the outcome.

[Naam]

as i mentioned, no problems. don't waste money!

[Kwasaki]

Thanks Naam...

When I was asking my wife's work air con guy about it...and she was translating his answers back to me in English, it sounded vaguely like he was saying the 9000 outside/12,000 inside combination might not run efficiently or that there might be some problems... But I couldn't get a clear sense of what he was saying on that, due to the language issues.

I do understand though why a 12,000 BTU outside and 9000 BTU inside combination would be problematic...

If I can solve this thing by spending 4 or 5,000 baht for the new 12,000 BTU inside unit (vs. replacing the entire system inside and out for 12,000 plus), I'll feel OK about the outcome.

As naam said go for it, if your landlord you rent from won't do anything.

Edited January 14, 2012 by Kwasaki

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

BTW, I've gotten a couple of off-line suggestions here that instead of dealing with air con folks/shops, I might be better served in looking for a straight electric motors shop that could possible rewire/rebuild my Fujitsu AC fan motor that's gone out...

If anyone has any first-hand experience with a good shop that might be able to handle that kind of job in BKK, and more specifically around the Sukhumvit area where I live, please do offer up any suggestions... Of course, I can travel anywhere around BKK if I need to...

There also seems to be a divergence of opinion about what I should do.. Some folks are saying no problem about matching a new inside unit with an older/existing outside unit...

But I'm also getting some words of warning saying that might not be a good move.... Particularly when it's not likely they could be of the same manufacturer, since Fujitsu is no longer in the AC business in Thailand.

[harrry]

THis is one area Naam is a real expert in. If he says it works it will.