Originally Posted by trader4

Since no one has responded, I'll give you my 2 cents. The issue here
would seem to be whether the compressor can turn, thereby damaging
itself before being properly charged. You can disable the clutch by
leaving the wire disconnected or pulling the appropriate fuse. The only
remaining issue I see would be whether a compressor with no charge
is so easy to spin that somehow, even though the clutch isn't engaged,
it would turn some anyhow. I doubt that's possible, but I'm no expert
on the AC compressor.

But for sure without the AC belt on, the compressor can't turn at all.