Air Conditioning - Window A/C mounting... Newbie... First ???

I'll explain later guys... but here is my first question...

Can you mount a conventional window unit (horizontal) in a vertical window ?

My apologies, but I dont have time to do a full search right now, and any help is appreciated.

thanks,
wvresq

as long as you keep it horizontal in the vertical window..they sell vertical window units for those windows:eek:

I believe he was asking if he can mount a horizontal unit vertically. Here is my answer, don't laugh. Before mount on the window, set vertically on the floor, turn it on, see if it works.

the only thing workable there would be the fan...the compressor oil won't be where it should be,and the condensate pan will be on the vertical and the water will run down the wall when the compressor does try to run.

My first repsonse would be NOOOOOOOOO it will not work but, "OK time for a JOKE HERE I caNNOT HELP MYSELF" Hmmm now lets think about this a minute here. This should be about equivalent to turning your car on its side and trying to drive it so lets experiment on that old yugo that you drive first big w. Roll that puppy on its side and lets see how that works out first. If she does well then go ahead and pop that AC unit in on its side and it should work fine. Let us know how the experiment works out. Pictures would be awesome.

just say no but they tell me that that message is not long enough so No, No,No that should do it.

Don't try to run the unit on it's side!! Yikes!!! I had the same scenario in my last house. I made up some mounting brackets for the AC so it wouldn't fall out of the window. I then bought a sheet of plexiglass and cut it to size for the gap between the top of the AC and the upper frame of the window. Worked great, AC didn't fall out and it looked as if it should be there.

I wish I did not sell my old AC unit so I can try it out. Anyway, I think it will work based on what I understand about the air conditioning theory. SInce the pipes go left and right, up and down inside the unit, which direction is not a issue, and the compressor is a closed system, theoritically, I just can not think of anything that will stop this unit from working. The only concern is where the condensation water will drip, if there is a hole(s) on the side (which will be the bottom) and the water does not get into the fan or electrical items, I think all should work out OK.

Clocert, you ARE kidding, right?

No, mounting a "standard" window A/C on its side definitely WILL NOT work for the reasons previously stated. It has been two and a half days since the original poster asked the question and he/she has not returned so I suspect this is another "one-post-wonder" and not a serious question from someone really wanting a serious answer.

However, if I am mistaken this is how I mounted a conventional window unit in a horizontal sliding window.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193775/airconditioner.JPG

Understand that I had to remove the sliding window (it just lifts out) and this is NOT a code compliant installation since it eliminated the code required second means of egress from my bedroom. The installation IS removable and I will likely remove it and store the A/C in the garage later this month.

No, I am not kidding, but my post was solely based on theory. like I said, besides the condensation water issue, I can't think anything else that will stop it from working. If you have any other theory says it will not work, I sure like to hear it. I know the original poster is gone, but this is an interesting question and it may worth to discuss a little more.

Quite simply, the liquid refrigerant and oil follows the laws of gravity. Compressors have crankcases and therefore there is a specified orientation of the compressor to ensure the oil is in the proper location to lubricate the bearings and not collect in an area where it could create a hydraulic lock.

Thanks, your theory sounds right. I don't know much about the inside of the compressor, I thought compressor is a closed system, oil and freon together all over the place once it starts, no directional issue. hope some one else can confirm.

It's not a theory of mine but simple fact.

The oil is somewhat soluble in the refrigerant and as a result some oil does travel throughout the refrigerant circuit but the bulk of the oil will always be in the compressor. While there are several different designs of compressors all of them use a decreasing volume arrangement to increase the pressure of the gaseous refrigerant returning from the evaporator. Since only gases can be compressed the presence of liquid oil (or liquid refrigerant) is extremely detrimental to the gas-carrying parts of the compressor. For this reason the orientation of the compressor (and its liquid oil) is important.

Furd is the man, now lets figure out why that ole Yugo will not work turned on its side.