How much copper wire is in a fridge or ac compressor?

+1 vote
asked Sep 5, 2017 in Do it yourself by mrbrown (150 points)
How much copper is in a sealed refrigerator compressor and air conditioner compressor?

I'm trying to decide if it's worth my time to cut open the fridge and ac compressors I have to extract the copper wiring or just sell the fridge and ac compressors as is?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Sep 5, 2017 by chad (14,670 points)
There's usually about 2 lbs of copper wire in the fridge and ac compressors. But be aware that some of the central ac compressors could be aluminum wire.

The fridge and ac compressors are worth it for me take apart and I can make a profit doing so.

I can usually cut open around 12 compressors before wearing down a chops saw abrasive disc.

The chop saw abrasive wheel costs me $6.00 each but I get 2 lbs of copper out of each compressor and when copper was at $3.50 lb I made $84.00 by extracting the copper before taking into account the $6.00 for the chop saw wheel.

So with buying and using the $6.00 chop saw wheel I made $78.00 profit from 12 compressors.

With copper prices now you'll make less but I still cut them open and store the copper back until prices improve.

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