I have a small (200lb?) commercial ice machine in our garage, Servend brand.
The compressor is bad, according to a refrigeration tech I paid to come out
and check it over. He says the compressor is a Copeland, and new
replacement unit is $400.

I'm wondering if that's something I can replace myself?

If so, how/where can I find a good used one, or a rebuilt one?

I'm just starting out on this query, so may not even know the questions to
ask.

"RB" wrote in message
...
I have a small (200lb?) commercial ice machine in our garage, Servend
brand.
The compressor is bad, according to a refrigeration tech I paid to come
out
and check it over. He says the compressor is a Copeland, and new
replacement unit is $400.

I'm wondering if that's something I can replace myself?

If so, how/where can I find a good used one, or a rebuilt one?

Sure if you have a license to handle the refrigerant (buy it and reclaim
it), a set of gauges, a vacuum pump, know how to evacuate a system and
pressurize it without blowing something up. Some things just have to be
left to a pro.

On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 13:12:07 -0600, "RB"
wrote:

I have a small (200lb?) commercial ice machine in our garage, Servend brand.
The compressor is bad, according to a refrigeration tech I paid to come out
and check it over. He says the compressor is a Copeland, and new
replacement unit is $400.

I'm wondering if that's something I can replace myself?

If you had the knowledge and the tools, you may still have the issue
of the refrigerant. A lot of localities restrict sales to licensed
refrigeration guys.

Steve Manes
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.magpie.com/house/bbs

"RB" wrote in message
...
I have a small (200lb?) commercial ice machine in our garage, Servend
brand.
The compressor is bad, according to a refrigeration tech I paid to come
out
and check it over. He says the compressor is a Copeland, and new
replacement unit is $400.

I'm wondering if that's something I can replace myself?

If so, how/where can I find a good used one, or a rebuilt one?

I'm just starting out on this query, so may not even know the questions to
ask.


Is this a guy you trust? I have seen a lot of people ripped off on the
"dead compressor" story.

Biggest problems you face with DYI is that most companies aren't going to
sell an unlicensed person the parts and you can't buy the gas to fill it up.
And even if you beat those two items refrigeration guys really have to know
their stuff to make it balance it out and make it work. Most any hack can
install an AC unit and get cool air. Refrigation is a whole different
ballgame.

Get a second opinion and they buy another machine. 200 pounders are pretty
small. Restaurants go out of business all the time. Check with some used
equipment people in your area.

Colbyt

"RB" wrote in message
...
I have a small (200lb?) commercial ice machine in our garage, Servend brand.
The compressor is bad, according to a refrigeration tech I paid to come out
and check it over. He says the compressor is a Copeland, and new
replacement unit is $400.

I'm wondering if that's something I can replace myself?

If so, how/where can I find a good used one, or a rebuilt one?

I'm just starting out on this query, so may not even know the questions to
ask.


This is Turtle.

Well RB , It's all in who is doing the job. If it is me , hey not a big deal at
all and rather boaring to say to do it. If it is you , well I don't know what
equipment you have and the skill level you have in changing a compressor out. If
you own or can borrow about $5,000.00 worth of tools, a EPA card / Licences for
buying the R-404-A replacement freon, Have the Tech support number handy, Know
the Micro to pull on it, get a Burn out drier and not standard, Skill to sweat
fittings, and have the trouble shooting skill to figure out what killed the
first compressor before put the next one on there to burn it up. If not your ill
prepaired to do it. If you are, Well your good to go.

Here is some answer to your questions.

Yes if you have thje tools and skill , Go for it.

They don't sell rebuilt compressor but you have to buy new ! At any
Refrigeration warehouse in towns of 50K Poppulation or more.

You just starting out on this Query here. yes I know that is for , if you knew
exactly what was involved here and the skill & tools needed. We would not be
talking here now. Well RB , I will say this. there is lot's of things people can
do theirself but this is not one of them and is right next to asking about
wanting to rebuild your car engine or replace the crank shaft and have no
mechanical skills to try it. RB , This is not the do it yourself job that you
might think it may be.

TURTLE

New units use easily 75% LESS Electricity. .. Junk your crap and get a
new unit

Assuming the compressor is bad, it's a job for a refrigeration guy, or an
air conditioning guy. Why?

1) Pumping freon in and out of a unit requires EPA certification if you're
in the USA
2) Purchasing the freon to recharge it also requires the EPA cert.
3) The ammount of equipment needed to do the job right, isn't worth
purchasing for just one job.

It's a noble idea, DIY is a time honored tradition. But this one isn't going
to be an easy one to DIY.

As for $400, is that the compressor only price, or the job completed price?
The last time I did a refrigerator compressor replacement it was about $300
(whole job), the one I did for a guy's reach in cooler was about $400 (whole
job). Don't know how big your unit is, but compressors can cost $400 for
just the compressor.

--

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com


"RB" wrote in message
...
I have a small (200lb?) commercial ice machine in our garage, Servend brand.
The compressor is bad, according to a refrigeration tech I paid to come out
and check it over. He says the compressor is a Copeland, and new
replacement unit is $400.

I'm wondering if that's something I can replace myself?

If so, how/where can I find a good used one, or a rebuilt one?

I'm just starting out on this query, so may not even know the questions to
ask.

OK. I'm convinced this isn't one of the "do it yourself" things around the
house.

And yes, it's $400 for just the compressor. Probably $200 or so more for
the complete install.

Thanks for the thoughts. It was a good try.

Where are you? Wonder if you are any where near me?

--

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com


"RB" wrote in message
...
OK. I'm convinced this isn't one of the "do it yourself" things around the
house.

And yes, it's $400 for just the compressor. Probably $200 or so more for
the complete install.

Thanks for the thoughts. It was a good try.

Pensacola, FL. Still licking our wounds from Ivan.

I'm in NYS -- want me to calculate my tripcharge?

--

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com


"RB" wrote in message
...
Pensacola, FL. Still licking our wounds from Ivan.