Bad Timing:....... Reaching out to my fellow PelicanHeads !

PRE-H20 · PRE-H20's Garage

well guys I'm reaching out to the pelican community to see if i can make a withdrawl from the karma bank.

well kinda indirectly for me... directly for my girl Erika.

here is the story...........

my girl owns a hair salon in huntington beach...... and unfortunately her A/C unit went out at the WORST possible time.... during this damn heat wave! she is super super stressed as business is down 80% and things are tough for her. I am a bit stretched out as i am helping her with some other $ stuff. the salon gets REALLY hot as her employees use hair dryers and girl stuff in the joint.

so what i am humbly asking of the community is a little help. does anyone know someone that can take a look at a business A/C unit asap, or does anyone own an A/C business?..... maybe just a band-aid for now...... i know she would never ask this of you guys, damn she barely can ask me for help but she is in a jam at the moment so i am reaching out to you guys.

if the cost is minimal, that would obviously be best.....

anyone ?

alex

Zeke · 09:36 AM

Did she check the fuses? Can she get to the unit w/o a big ladder? There are fuses at the condenser unit as well as in the panel for the whole shop. With the load yesterday and today, that is a big possibility.

Look for these rascals:

PRE-H20 · PRE-H20's Garage

hey milt!..... bit of a surprise.......the unit is located on the roof of the complex, we already tried calling the property management company we got the heisman, said it was her responsibility.

she just called me said, the yellow pages guy (random AC business) just told her she needs to replace the whole unit, 5K!... THAT isn't happening anytime soon)

erikas friends guy has a A/C company, he was supposed to come out and fix it (he said he can fix it for nothing) but they broke up this week and friend doesnt want to call him (go-figure!) so that option is out.

KevinP73 · 08-25-2010, 10:16 AM

I've got a 220volt wall unit she can have if that helps.

PRE-H20 · PRE-H20's Garage

kevin..... thanks for the offer but im not sure that application would work......but i cant thank you enough for throwing out the idea/offer.

KevinP73 · 08-25-2010, 11:19 AM

Zeke · 08-25-2010, 12:23 PM

Be careful about a contractor that claims it has to be completely replaced. Yes, it may be shot, but that isn't always the case on a sudden shut down.

Could just be a fan motor.

john walker's workshop · 08-25-2010, 12:49 PM

i would think if the place was leased with running A/C, that the owner/property management outfit would be responsible. what's in the lease? any disclaimers?

Rot 911 · 08-25-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

i would think if the place was leased with running A/C, that the owner/property management outfit would be responsible. what's in the lease? any disclaimers?

Excellent point. Especially if it is a rooftop unit.

daepp · 08-25-2010, 12:52 PM

I am a long way away and not an A/C person, but there are a lot of DIY things you can try if you are safe. Milt's suggestion about the bus fuses is right on. They are easy to test, often fail in the heat, and are easily replaced.

Does the fan/blower work?
Could the coils be iced over due to the heat and/or a clogged filter?

I have not talked to him in years, but DLS Air (Don Snead) used to work in OC and lived in Huntington He is very honest.

Zeke · 08-25-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

i would think if the place was leased with running A/C, that the owner/property management outfit would be responsible. what's in the lease? any disclaimers?

Not to hijack, but landlords are increasingly transferring the burden of maintenance to the tenants. In a triple net lease, they just bill you with all the costs associated with common grounds like taxes, landscaping and liability insurance.

When it comes to your own front door, you are responsible for the door and everything beyond including your mechanical equipment. The only time this would not be true is when there is a central system serving more than one unit.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Does she know anyone who is an apartment maintenance guy, who would be willing to moonlight to check and fix the unit? That is the cheapest way to get this done except DIY.

Brian 162 · 08-25-2010, 05:56 PM

Ask her is the fan circulating air in the salon? If it is running that would eliminate the fuses or breaker from the fuse box.
In this heat the run capacitors on the condensor motors can pack it in causing the compressor to lock out on the high head switch.

Dottore · 08-25-2010, 07:36 PM

I don't know. I know we are a community, and I can (and do) deal with illnesses and natural disasters and financial ruin and fires and the death of pets. These things get my attention.

But the air-conditioning going out in a girlfriends hair salon? Sweet Jesus. Find a contractor and get it fixed. Or not.

speeder · 08-25-2010, 08:50 PM

Yep. Calling an HVAC repair company is the only thing I can think of. I don't know anyone here who does free or cut-rate work for strangers. Or even for friends and relatives.

M.D. Holloway · 08-26-2010, 06:06 AM

work out a barter system - fix AC for free cuts for family for X years?

speeder · 08-26-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

work out a barter system - fix AC for free cuts for family for X years?

And by the time you find someone interested in this, it'll be cold out.

That's basically the reason why money was invented.

Eric Coffey · 08-26-2010, 08:54 AM

Does it blow, just not cold, or not blow any air at all?
No air at all = air handler/furnace blower fan is dead (or board, fuse, relay, etc. relating to blower fan).
Air blows, but not cold = condenser fan capacitor/fuse/relay is dead, condenser fan itself is dead, refrigerant leak, compressor seized, etc.

No HVAC expert by any means, but just went thru the same deal not too long ago.

rick-l · 08-26-2010, 09:08 AM

I'm thinking he hasn't looked at it or laid a hand on it. You can make your own conclusion why he posted this.
Beauty salons stink.... literally

LeeH · 08-26-2010, 09:25 AM

The fan on my heat pump went out last month on a Saturday afternoon when it was 115 degrees out. Called a couple of major companies and got answering services. Out of desperation I pulled up Craigslist and looked under services. The first guy I called said he could be here in 20 minutes with a $30 trip charge. He had the fan on his truck and put it in for $260. When I finally got return calls from the big companies I asked them how much to replace the same part... $500-$800.

I talked to the a/c guy while he was working. He said his whole business was built around Craigslist... no office, no warehouse, and no yellowpages ad. Previously he had worked for a large a/c company and said he grew tired of the pressure to sell a/c units to people who just needed a minor repair.

Obviously you have to be careful with CL contractors, but I was very happy with my experience.