Fujitsu AC Outdoor Unit Noise (Video + Sound)

highon2str on 14/06/2022 - 18:10
Last edited 17/06/2022 - 13:00

We have a 7 year old Fujitsu AOTG24KMCA condenser unit, out of warranty now and recently started making a higher-pitched humming noise which varies depending on the indoor unit fan speed. When the fan speed on the remote cranks the indoor unit to max speed, the outdoor unit makes more noise.

In this video (ignore the basketball bouncing in the BG), the fan speed on the indoor unit is set to max and I have the top off the condenser unit. The noise doesn't seem to be coming from the fan; as the video pans to the right, you can hear the source of the noise is somewhere under the electronics.

Apart from the outdoor noise, the indoor unit seems to be working perfectly at the moment. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas what this might be, before I get someone to have a professional look at it?

*update 1: opened the covers and found that the sound was coming from around the compressor unit.

*update 2: AC tech reckons it's normal operation - compressor works harder in full heating mode (as opposed to cooling mode in summer).

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Gunther on 14/06/2022 - 19:22

    Google Drive - You need access
    Request access, or switch to an account with access.

    Pass.

  • highon2str on 14/06/2022 - 19:36

    oops.. just made the link public.

    And after doing a bit more googling it turns out it's probably the contactor/relay. Seems to be an easy fix if it is that.

  • highon2str on 14/06/2022 - 21:19

    Just took the cover off and had a look inside, don't think this model runs a contactor. Seems like the sound is coming from the compressor :(

    • donga100 on 14/06/2022 - 21:37

      Could just be a loose nut/washer. Press your finger on a few things and see if it stops/dampens the vibrating sound and then you will know exactly which part is creating the noise.

      • highon2str on 14/06/2022 - 21:41

        that's what I thought and I did prod around the compressor unit at the end of the video. Additionally before the video I also had a length of vacuum hose to my ear and managed to isolate the sound to the compressor unit.

        Might try again tomorrow during the day and prod around a bit more with a stick, but I've got this sinking feeling that the compressor is giving up the ghost… 😫

        • Overclocked91 on 15/06/2022 - 06:24
          +1

          That's live 240v in there. I wouldn't be pushing or pressing any nuts in there. Sounds like the compressor is on the way out. You need an Electrical contractor to repair.

  • highon2str on 17/06/2022 - 12:59
    +1

    So, good news after all. Got someone to look at it. Everything seems ok and the noise is considered normal operation apparently. Was told that the compressor works harder in full heating mode (as opposed to cooling mode in summer). Might be that I've never paid much attention to it in previous years and have only been overly conscious about it now? 🤔

    In any case, I'm glad it's not a compressor or mainboard problem!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join