3 Ton EcoTemp R-454B Multi-Positional Cased Coil, W5AM37M17XA
The W5AM37M17XA solves a problem the rest of the 3 ton market ignores: what to do when the load calls for three tons but the closet, the platform or the attic roofline will not accept a 29-3/4 in. cabinet. It delivers 3 ton nominal capacity in the short 25-13/16 in. body — roughly four inches lower than the standard 3617 coil — while keeping the same 17-1/2 in. width, 3/4 in. suction connection and 900 to 1500 CFM airflow rating. Factory R-454B TXV, twin sloped FRTP drain pans and a complete A2L leak dissipation system come standard, as does the multi-poise capability that lets one coil cover all four orientations.
Is a 3 Ton Cased Coil the Right Size?
This coil covers the same 36,000 BTUH nominal band as any other 3 ton evaporator, producing 48.9 MBH gross at 1200 CFM with 67°F entering wet bulb and 45°F saturated suction. Where it differs is the envelope: at 25-13/16 in. tall and 59.9 lb operating weight, it is both the shortest and the lightest 3 ton coil EcoTemp offers, which changes what is possible in a tight retrofit.
Height restrictions show up more often than people expect. Attic platforms under a low roof pitch, closets with a soffit or header above the furnace, garage installations under a bulkhead, and manufactured or modular homes all routinely run out of vertical room. The 3717 is the coil that fits those jobs without dropping to a 2.5 ton system the house cannot live with. Sizing still follows the AHRI-certified match and a blower capable of design airflow — the short cabinet changes the fit, not the engineering.
Ideal for: Height-restricted 3 ton installations — low attic platforms, closets with headers or soffits, garage bulkhead installs, manufactured and modular homes, and retrofits where the existing coil cavity was built for a short-body cabinet.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 3.5 Ton EcoTemp W5AM42M21XA Cased Coil — be aware it uses the tall 29-3/4 in. cabinet and a 21 in. width, so confirm both dimensions will fit.
Recommended applications are general guidelines only. Actual coil selection depends on the AHRI-certified system match, blower capability, duct static, and local design conditions. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Model Number | W5AM37M17XA — 3 Ton Low-Height Multi-Poise Cased Evaporator Coil |
|---|---|
| Nominal Capacity | 3 Ton / 36,000 BTUH |
| Coil Type | Vertical A-Coil, Cased, Short Body |
| Airflow Configuration | Multi-Poise — Upflow, Downflow, Horizontal-Left, Horizontal-Right |
| Refrigerant | R-454B Only |
| Cabinet Width | 17-1/2 in. |
| Cabinet Height | 25-13/16 in. |
| Suction Line Connection | 3/4 in. Sweat |
| Liquid Line Connection | 3/8 in. Sweat |
| Metering Device | Factory-Installed R-454B TXV |
| Rated Airflow Range | 900 – 1500 CFM |
| Operating Weight | 59.9 lb |
| Leak Dissipation | Complete A2L Dissipation System Included |
| Warranty | 5-Year Parts Limited; 10-Year with Registration Within 90 Days |
Outdoor pairing is the same as any 3 ton R-454B system — the EcoTemp W5A5S36AKAWA condenser or the W5H5S36AKAAA heat pump. If vertical space turns out not to be a constraint, the taller W5AM36M17XA offers a larger coil face at the same width. Where a cased coil will not fit at all, review the horizontal slab coil options.
Cabinet & Coil Features
W5AM37M17XA Cabinet & Construction
- Short 25-13/16 in. cabinet, about 4 in. lower than the 3617 coil
- 17-1/2 in. width, 23.4 in. depth
- 59.9 lb operating weight — the lightest 3 ton coil in the line
- 24-gauge pre-painted taupe metallic steel
- Foil-faced R-2.1 insulation throughout for quiet operation
- Two FRTP drain pans included, vertical and horizontal
- Engineered slope in both pans for reliable moisture removal
- Primary and secondary 3/4 in. FPT condensate connections
- Pre-cut UV knockouts in the casing
- Compact 23.6 in. by 18.1 in. by 23.4 in. shipping carton at 66.5 lb
W5AM37M17XA Coil, Metering & Installation
- 48.9 MBH gross at 1200 CFM, 67°F EWB and 45°F SST
- Full 900 to 1500 CFM rating despite the shorter cabinet
- Factory-installed thermostatic expansion valve for R-454B
- 3/4 in. suction, 3/8 in. liquid sweat connections
- Extra straight tube supplied for braze-less compression fittings
- Side-mounted tubing preserving coil cleaning and TXV access
- Refrigerant sensor and harness factory installed
- Dissipation control board, housing and power harness in the parts box
- 2100 psi minimum burst pressure; split delta plate service access
- AHRI rated, UL and c-UL listed
Specifications & Manuals
Compare the size 3717 and 3617 rows in the dimensional table to confirm the height difference for your application. The installation instructions cover downflow requirements and the condensate pan extension fitted for horizontal installs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the W5AM37M17XA shorter than other 3 ton coils?
It uses the short-body 25-13/16 in. casing instead of the 29-3/4 in. tall body. That is a deliberate design choice for installations where vertical clearance, not capacity, is the limiting factor.
Does the shorter cabinet reduce airflow capability?
No. The 3717 carries the same 900 to 1500 CFM rating as the taller 3617 coil. Rated capacity is marginally lower — 48.9 MBH versus 49.8 MBH at 1200 CFM — and air-side pressure drop is higher, so check the static pressure table against your blower.
Where does a low-height 3 ton coil make the most sense?
Attic platforms under a shallow roof pitch, closets with a header or soffit above the furnace, garage installs beneath a bulkhead, and manufactured or modular homes. Any job where a 30 in. carton will not physically go in.
What is the operating weight of the W5AM37M17XA?
59.9 lb operating and 66.5 lb shipping — about 6.5 lb lighter than the tall 3617 coil, which is a real difference when the install involves an attic ladder.
Can this coil be used in a downflow application?
Yes, it is multi-poise. The installation instructions include a dedicated downflow section and warn that certain furnace arrangements in downflow can cause water blow-off, so follow the specified configuration.
What ships in the parts box?
The leak dissipation control board, the dissipation board housing and the power wire harness. The refrigerant sensor and sensor wire harness are already factory installed. Everything listed is required for the installation to be complete.
W5AM Technical Specifications
