Do I need to have the system vacuumed and recharged after installation?

Yes. Any time you open the AC system, you'll need to pull a vacuum to remove moisture and air, then recharge with fresh refrigerant. This is critical for system longevity and cooling performance.

What about the seals and O-rings — do they come with this unit?

The condenser comes assembled with factory seals. You may want new O-rings and caps for the connection ports to ensure a clean seal during reinstall — grab those separately if your current ones look worn.

Can I install this myself or do I need a shop?

If you're comfortable removing fasteners and disconnecting AC lines, you can do it. Just cap the lines immediately to keep moisture out, work in a clean space, and don't force any connections. A shop can handle it in under an hour if you'd rather not tackle it.