What would cause a compressor seizure in a brand new AC unit?

[Angela]

I swear I have the WORST luck with air conditioning!

I got a whole three days of running out of a brand new 16K self-contained unit (ran it in cool mode for 1 day, then heat mode for 2 days). Now, the compressor is seized. Everything else is working just fine - fan, pump, digital control, etc. It's pulling 30 amps while when it buzzes trying to start. The others that are just as new are working just fine.

What would cause such a seizure in a brand new unit? Nothing I can do about it except pull it out and take it back to the factory in the morning, but I'd like to understand how something like that happens just for the pure knowledge. Any ideas?

[Genesis]

Manufacturing defect in the mechanical section or contamination (improper assembly) that got sucked into the moving parts and locked it up.

[Angela]

Can something like this be repaired or is it fatal meaning the compressor will have to be replaced? I do not yet know what position the factory will take until I get it there tomorrow. The way I see it, with this being a self-contained unit, it pretty much takes ME out of the picture as having broken it. There is no way I could have contaminated the gas by hooking up the water and electric wires.

[Genesis]

I'd expect them to replace it.

[saltshaker]

I swear I have the WORST luck with air conditioning!

I got a whole three days of running out of a brand new 12K self-contained unit (ran it in cool mode for 1 day, then heat mode for 2 days). Now, the compressor is seized. Everything else is working just fine - fan, pump, digital control, etc. It's pulling 30 amps while when it buzzes trying to start. The others that are just as new are working just fine.

What would cause such a seizure in a brand new unit? Nothing I can do about it except pull it out and take it back to the factory in the morning, but I'd like to understand how something like that happens just for the pure knowledge. Any ideas?

Installing it on your boat! You really do have some bad luck with AC. Sounds like a defective unit. Hopefully they'll stand behind their product and replace it with a new one.

[bostonhatteras]

I've been told that saturated desiccant dyers will allow an acid to form when the moisture and oil mix. the acid destroys the compressor. If the unit sat uncapped for a significant time that might be something to consider.

[Pascal]

Wow.. yeah you have bad luck!

Being self contained and precharged they can't find any excuse...

It s a NEW unit... new stands for Never Ever Worked

[captddis]

are you sure it is seized? A bad capacitor can do the same thing.

[saltshaker]

are you sure it is seized? A bad capacitor can do the same thing.

And do you have to remove it and take it to them for service? Being that it's new and under warranty I would expect them to come to you for warranty work.

[Boatnut]

Is there a possibility it is under warranty. I agree hooking up water and electric would not cause this problem. You might want to make sure the unit is getting good ac power to it though, a loose connection could give you a problem. On home units compressors have a pretty long warranty, I'm not sure on marine units. I agree with Dave, the start capacitor is a strong possibility.