Daikin Condenser - something missing?

[JohnnyUK]

Hi All

Further to my concrete pad question, we had the system fitted today.

All good, but I'm pretty convinced they forgot something!

This is the installed Unit - note the open cooling fins on the side (and open on the back).



It seems very vulnerable......

Here's a stock photo of this exact condenser unit:




I asked the installer and he said that's how they come. I checked out my neighbour's Mitsubishi condenser and that's all enclosed!

I'm waiting for the Contracts Manager to call me.....

[MattyD803]

I have a 2.5kW Daikin split for my home office and the outdoor unit has a plastic ‘guard’ across that end as shown.

I would concur that something is missing because you don’t really want those fins getting damaged/crushed.

[Danns]

I believe we have the same condenser and yes… here’s a pic of mine…

Comes pre fitted and not taken off for commissioning - I know as I installed mine.

Also… go careful with the pressure washer, bent fins at the bottom were from that!

[JohnnyUK]

Thanks! That confirms it!

May I ask: is the rear of the unit also completely open? i.e, the cooling fins completely exposed?

[Digger]

Installers probably too lazy to check the packaging for all the parts required to install!

[Buzz84]

Got loads of Daikin unit's at work, big ones. We replaced two last year and the old one had grills like that but the new ones didn't. Seems like something they are not doing any more.

We did swap them over but to be fair they are so big and wide they aren't likely to stop much damage.

And for bent fins, you need a fin comb:
https://amzn.eu/d/04l2jQ4N

[Danns]

Yurpp on the back too. Although I installed and purchased last year, is a 2022 built unit if I recall correctly, so maybe they have dropped it!

[JohnnyUK]

Oh wow! We watched video of them unpacking (security camera) and there were no grilles on the side or back!

The box looked factory fresh.....

[Digger]

Might be purchasable at additional cost.

[JohnnyUK]

Had an email reply from Daikin UK - the newer models do NOT come with a grille - seems mad but at least I know.

The good news is that the grille from the older model fits the new model and costs a princely £5, so a no-brainer to offer some protection.

Thanks all for your help.

[Neil_Sc]

Would you mind sharing the part numbers and where you are buying from as have the same issue?

[JohnnyUK]

Neil_Sc said:

Would you mind sharing the part numbers and where you are buying from as have the same issue?

Of course! Here you go:

https://www.climatecontrolsandspares.co.uk/daikin-...

https://www.climatecontrolsandspares.co.uk/daikin-...

I just went for the side protection.

[Buzz84]

The mesh just becomes a bingo grid to get a dent in each square...

[JohnnyUK]

LOL, at least we can have some fun along the way!

[hidetheelephants]

JohnnyUK said:

Had an email reply from Daikin UK - the newer models do NOT come with a grille - seems mad but at least I know.

The good news is that the grille from the older model fits the new model and costs a princely £5, so a no-brainer to offer some protection.

Thanks all for your help.

I'd assume a management drone has earned some corporate brownie points by making the grille optional, saving a kilo on shipping weight and thus saving the planet. Given the comedy large size of the mesh I'd want to ziptie some finer stuff on top of it.

[Simpo Two]

Buzz84 said:

The mesh just becomes a bingo grid to get a dent in each square...

I had a look at my Fujitsu Airstage today and it's Fort Knox compared to that.

[caziques]

The "protective" grilles are for show, and don't really provide any useful purpose.

Some tend to get blocked with leaves, some tend to rust and look unsightly.

Leaving them off is probably a justified cost cutting measure.

[JoshSm]

caziques said:

The "protective" grilles are for show, and don't really provide any useful purpose.

Some tend to get blocked with leaves, some tend to rust and look unsightly.

Leaving them off is probably a justified cost cutting measure.

True. I haven't seen these grills on any recent units.

Problem is the metal is too thin to block anything chunky from hitting the condenser (it'll just bend!) and the holes are so large that most things would just miss the 'grill' entirely.

If you want maximum performance & a few quid in your pocket leave it off. If you want something that actually protects you'll need something different with more to it, either mesh, bars or (probably) slats.