AC & Fridge Compressors (sealed units) What do you do?

[glockngold]

For years now, my yards need me to remove the compressors from refrigerators.
And when I scrap a window AC unit, I have another compressor. (some yards call them "sealed units")
I usually drain the oil, then whenever I have a burn pile, I toss the compressor in & burn out the remaining oil then toss it in the shred steel pile.

Does your yard pay anything over shred steel price for them?
What's inside them?
anyone ever cut one apart?

[wayne1956]

I use a thin metal cutoff wheel on an angle grinder and cut the casing open. Inside is an electric motor that is generally easily removed by unscrewing 4 bolts. If it is from a refrigerator, then I remove the string holding the copper wire windings. After that is done on both sides, I cut the wire on one side and remove it from the other. This is all #2 copper wire. The cut apart casing then goes into the general steel pile. If it is from an ac unit then the string and windings look to be coated with a heavy varnish, which makes it harder to remove these. I have recently purchased some varnish remover, but have not gotten around to trying it to see if it would make removal any easier or not. The yard I generally frequent does pay for complete compressors separately, generally double steel price. When I drain the oil, I just drill a couple of holes and drain it like that. I do not toss it into a burn pile to remove any left over as there is not much left after draining it like that.

Just as a side note, it is worth taking them apart if you have time on your hands and want something to do. As much as the copper being worth more it keeps me from polishing the couch with my butt. I hoarded the wire for a year or so, and finally turned it in a few weeks ago. Had 110 lbs, and at $3.25 a lb it added up nicely.

[Hades12]

I have been buying sealed units from a local yard to cut them for the wire. I am on my second load and have 56# of #2 so far. payout is not real high and this load or the next will tell me if it is worth the time.

[glockngold]

OK,
thanks guys, I'll probably cut this one open just to see what's in there.
I think I'll try the saw first, then the grinder if it eats saw blades.

[davycoppitt]

I cut open all my compressors. I use a grinder as well. Cool video on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLU-qtek12g

[Hades12]

A saw wont cut it, teeth will come off before you get much done. torch works good and the cut off works good. Hard factor on them is the cost of the blades.

[wayne1956]

I get my blades from Harbor Freight. Cost is 8.00 per 10 wheels. If you do it right then you can usually cut about 1 1/2 casings per wheel.