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I need to temporarily move the outdoor unit to one side to access the wall behind it. Is it possible to do this with basic tools? I just need to disconnect the copper pipes as there's enough slack in the power supply so I can keep the wires connected.

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Absolutely not. These lines contain a refrigerant/lubricant mix under pressure. The lines also must have no dirt, water or air in them, i.e. they have to be bled, evacuated to fairly high vacuum and refilled that way. You'd need to invest in a lot of tools specific to refrigeration to do this, e.g. a pump.

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    I was afraid that might be the case. Looks like I'll have to get someone in to disconnect it for me.
    – user82609
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 6:36
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    And to refill and reconnect it properly.
    – DrMoishe Pippik
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 6:39
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    Even if you got the tools, in most jurisdictions it's illegal to work on refrigeration equipment without an appropriate licence or certification. This is not a DIY job. Depending on the age of the unit it may also be charged with CFC refrigerant, which you really, really don't want to be letting out into the atmosphere.
    – J...
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 17:34
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    Note that it is fairly trivial to get a license via online class, but you still need lots of equipment to do the job.
    – R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 18:04
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    The only part that's illegal is (releasing it to the atmosphere) putting Freon that you've recovered from equipment that you don't own into equipment you don't own, w/o having sent it to be 'reclaimed'. You need a license to buy refrigerant.
    – Mazura
    Commented Feb 15, 2020 at 0:23
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you can't disconnect those pipes without damaging stuff. but it may be possible to move the unit with them connected. they are a little flexible

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    Good thinking - it may be possible for OP to work in a small space, but the risk of cracking the lines is real. Personally I'd not risk it.
    – Criggie
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 23:50
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    if you crack them you get to call the repair guy, same as option a, but he only visits once.
    – Jasen
    Commented Feb 15, 2020 at 4:53
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    true,. but you've dumped a load of refrigerant in the atmosphere which is not cool. Plus the potential for your pipes to be contaminated while open.
    – Criggie
    Commented Feb 15, 2020 at 6:14
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You may be able to move the condenser without disconnecting the lines, but if you're unsure it's probably not best to try.

I was in a similar situation where I needed to replace the siding on that wall of the house, but the AC condenser was only about 6 inches away from the wall. I was able to move the condenser about 2' away from the wall by simultaneously moving it away from the wall and lifting it up off the ground. While holding it in the air, I slid a temporary platform I constructed underneath the unit. I managed to do this all on my own with a 3 ton unit, but it was difficult. Two to three people would certainly have be preferable.

I think the determining factor if you can do this is how much "slack" you have in your lines. In my case, the lines ran up into the soffit, so I had about 8' that I could work with.

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    As Jasen & Fortis state, the lines can flex somewhat. However, as copper is flexed, it work-hardens, becoming less bendable. Also, when exposed to the environment, the copper may be embrittled. So, as they say in cartoons, "Be vewy careful."
    – DrMoishe Pippik
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 18:26
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    @Fortis, the unit is actually quite light and I can easily slide it around. I need to move it about 5 or 6 inches to one side but it's hard to say how much slack there is in the lines.
    – user82609
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 20:40
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If you're very careful with it you can spin it 90 degrees making sure that the refrigerant lines are your axis and they don't move very much but the whole other end of the unit will be out of your way. I'm a professional HVAC tech and I have successfully done this. Just keep in mind if you cause too much torque and flex on those Flare nut connections they will leak. So I recommend if you're going to do it you have one person holding those line still while the other person spins the other end of the unit 90 degrees

But as always the best answer is call a professional

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Knowingly releasing refrigerants into the atmosphere is illegal and could subject you to significant fines. Moving the unit with the knowledge that you are likely to crack the lines may be considered "knowingly". Please have a licensed service person remove the lines and purge the system in a legal and safe manner, it will save you money in the long run.

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I just need to disconnect the copper pipes

The disconnecting part is easy but take heed regarding the concerns expressed in other answers that this is done correctly and legally.

You need an adjustable wrench and a set of hex wrenches.

  1. remove the valve caps. These are the two large brass caps facing you in the picture (NOT the small caps on the left). you will see a hex-head valve under each one.
  2. Close the valve on the small (upper) line.
  3. Turn the unit on, COLD cycle, and listen carefully to the outer unit. After a minute or two the motor sound will change slightly - this is when all the refrigerant has been pulled into the power unit and the air handler + pipes are empty (of anything - they will be near-vacuum).
  4. Close the valve on the lower (large) line.
  5. Turn the unit off and unplug it.
  6. Crack open the nut on the large line. You should hear gas hissing - that is air going IN to the system and it will stop soon. If anything comes OUT, close the nut immediately and repeat the above. For reference, the pipes carry semi-liquid refrigerant at about 100+ PSI. It will be very obvious if they are pressurized or vacuum.
  7. Once the hissing stops you can disconnect both lines. Put the valve caps back on and cover both the exposed valve ends and the pipes with electrical tape. You can now move the unit anywhere you want.

CONNECTING it back up afterward is in the call-a-pro category. You need about $500 in specialized tools and a bit of practice, so it isn't worth the expense.

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  • @Michael Karas, thanks for the advice. If I'm going to have to get someone to reconnect it again anyway, I think it would be better if I get them to do it all.
    – user82609
    Commented Feb 16, 2020 at 1:23
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You can shut off both valves on the compressor (external unit), remove the pipes, relocate, reconnect pipes and turn the valves back on. You need a spanner to removed the valve caps.and Allen keys to close the valves. You may lose a tiny amount of gas but it won't affect the AC unit. Nothing illegal in the process.

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    – Community Bot
    Commented Sep 7, 2022 at 7:13
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    "Nothing illegal in the process" In the US, as far as I'm aware, venting any amounts of refrigerant (be it the real baddie R12 or the kinder, gentler, R134 or R410) is illegal. Of course, it happens all the time as systems leak and shade-tree mechanics adjust automotive AC systems, but that doesn't mean it's legal.
    – FreeMan
    Commented Sep 7, 2022 at 11:28
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    Legal or not, following this "answer" will destroy the AC in a short time. Any air in the previously-sealed system, particularly moist air, will cause venturis to get plugged. See airconditioning-systems.com/air-conditioning-vacuum-pump.html
    – DrMoishe Pippik
    Commented Sep 7, 2022 at 20:00