Electrical connections to compressors 1

[berkshire]

I do not normally do service calls, but got called to help change a condenser unit on a 1 1/2 ton unit on a condo.
when I got there I asked the serviceman why they were changing the unit. He said the compressor was fried. looking at the wires the ends had overheated back about a 1/2 inch from the connector. However when I put a meter on the motor the resistance was normal. I then noted that the copper was corroded and falling apart there. I stripped the wires back an inch. crimped new ends on plugged it in and the compressor fired right up. amperage was normal, hard start against head pressure was normal.
We ran the unit for half an hour, the wires stayed cool.
I then noticed that the suction line was curved so that when it sweated the condensate was dripping right into the connector box on the compressor. I checked the adjacent units in the same condo complex they are doing the same thing. The connector is supposed to be waterproof, but it was pretty clear to me that the copper wire I took out of there was corroding.
Does anybody have any suggestions. On these compressors the suction port is right over the electrical connector.

 

[quark]

Can you put the connector box topsyturvy so that connections enter from bottom. Secondly, insulate the suction piping.

 

[berkshire]

quark (Mechanical)
I did turn the connector box when I reinstalled this one.
I will get the service guys to do the others.
That is a good point about insulating the suction pipe, each one of these units has 18" of uninsulated suction pipe.

 

[imok2]

For small jobs such as yours I would use "presstype tape", it comes in a roll and is very easy to apply and is self adhesive it's avilable at your local refrigeration supply house.