A Ghost in the Air Conditioning: The Mystery of the Wandering Cap

Daniel Verastiqui

Oct 15, 2024 — 4 min read

Last month, as I was tending the grounds (walking in my yard), I noticed a shiny cylinder standing upright on the stylish concrete block that holds my air conditioning unit. Upon further inspection, I realized it came from a small valve on the AC itself. When I tried to replace it, the cap became stuck and could no longer be removed. I assumed the cap simply fell off and that a good Samaritan had placed it on the concrete slab so I wouldn't lose it. And that was the end of it.

Life moved on.

Until yesterday, when upon another surveying of my land, I noticed the cap was off again. I found it closer to the valve this time, sitting upright again as if someone had placed it there with care. As the quote goes:

“Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” – Ian Fleming

Fearing the worst, I did what any reasonable man would do–I asked the internet for help.

And the internet responded.

What: A Locking Service Valve Cap

According to Google's ultra-reliable AI Overview feature, A locking service valve cap on an air conditioner is a tamper-resistant cap that prevents unauthorized access to the refrigerant valve. The cap can only be installed or removed with a special tool or key.

I enjoyed Tony's "if you have one" comment. 😄

So now I know what it is... but why is someone removing it?!

Why: Multiple Theories

I asked the internet for answers, and boy, did I get them. Here are some of the most popular and interesting.

Good Vibrations

Freon Fanatics

Blame the Animals

Dark Conspiracy

You Didn't Move the Bodies?!

Now What: I Love Big Brother

The two prevailing theories are equally plausible in my mind: either someone is removing the cap for nefarious reasons, or the cap is just vibrating right off this 10-year-old AC unit.

Little did eyeramona know, I had set up a camera already. I've been playing with these Eufy cameras since Prime Day as a way to get around Google Nest's yearly subscription fees, so I had an extra one sitting on my desk. Ten minutes later, and we're ready to catch the culprit (or restless spirit) in the act! Or we could watch nothing happen as the cap falls out out of sight. Either is fine.

All that's left to do is sit back and wait.

Stay tuned for updates!

October 15, 2024

Nothing to report overnight. All is quiet. Cap is in place. The enemy is clever.

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Howdy, Carl! Have I ever told you that sometimes, when I'm writing and a little stuck, I like to imagine writing directly to one of my readers sitting in their easy chair at home with a cute little pug in their lap? It's true! And since

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