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Never cleaned the coil.....I would call the air coming out as *very* warm.
Yikes, I clean mine every spring (and run AC on first warm day to make sure it works correctly).
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Never cleaned the coil.....I would call the air coming out as *very* warm.
Just think of all the hours I've saved over the years *not* maintaining it with zero downside (until now). I'm way ahead ;-)Yikes, I clean mine every spring (and run AC on first warm day to make sure it works correctly).
Just think of all the hours I've saved over the years *not* maintaining it with zero downside (until now). I'm way ahead ;-)
#ac_skinflint
;-)
Breakers should sized for the ampacity of the wire, not the size of a load.Meh, 28.4 is minimum circuit ampacity, not full load. 40 would be fine but I don’t think that’s the problem.
It could be contactor/fan/cap/even a failing safety switch. I would inspect all those first, but without eyes I think you need an hvac tech.
If it’s tripped a bunch of times recently, replace the breaker even if it doesn’t need to be.
Shit, it could be failing bus bar behind the breaker, I’ve been embarrassed by that before!!
Your statement is generally correct, but not in this case. There are exceptions to every rule.Breakers should sized for the ampacity of the wire, not the size of a load.
My 1st thought was clogged coil.Could be a bad start cap.
Could be low on refrigerant and there is icing
Could be a clogged condenser coil
Could be a clogged evaporator coil
could be a clogged return air filter
could be a bad txv
could be mice eating wires
could be a bad heater element if its a heat pump compressor
ect....
check filters, check for a clogged condenser coil, call a pro.
Not "fixed" in the sense that I took some action as a result of troubleshooting....but " more better" because I haven't tripped a breaker since the nasty hot weather got out of here and my AC went back to cycling on/off to maintain temp as opposed to running 24/7 without being able to reach desired temp (which admittedly is pretty cool).OP, did you get this fixed? What was the final diagnosis?
Classic #10s on a 50Your statement is generally correct, but not in this case. There are exceptions to every rule.
You’re obviously not familiar with article 430 Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers, and article 440 Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment. You got some reading to do. Please don’t try to do any electrical work your self!!
I’ve never canceled an HVAC appointment in over 30 years covering at least 30 compressors off the top of my head.Some hot and muggy weather coming this week. You may want to take care of it now.
The hvac service guys are still pretty well backed up.I’ve never canceled an HVAC appointment in over 30 years covering at least 30 compressors off the top of my head.
No need to step out of line. Nothing good will happen by waiting and if the unit goes down versus working part time OP suffers.The hvac service guys are still pretty well backed up.
I guess we have two different ideas on comfort. I’ll cycle the house two times to remove moisture then shut it off for the day when it’s still cool but humid.My thought process on kicking the can on service is this:
Tech comes in next month and "fixes" my problem. I shut the A/C down for the season soon after...assume all is well, don't really know if issue is resolved cuz I'm not using it. Come late Spring/Early Summer I find issue really isn't resolved....place another pissed off call to tech.
Instead I chose, limp along for a few more weeks, shut A/C down and get A/C serviced next year knowing (and be able to prove it cuz I'm using it) that issue is resolved.
Skinflint A/C logic....perhaps ;-)
My thought process on kicking the can on service is this:
Tech comes in next month and "fixes" my problem. I shut the A/C down for the season soon after...assume all is well, don't really know if issue is resolved cuz I'm not using it. Come late Spring/Early Summer I find issue really isn't resolved....place another pissed off call to tech.
Instead I chose, limp along for a few more weeks, shut A/C down and get A/C serviced next year knowing (and be able to prove it cuz I'm using it) that issue is resolved.
Skinflint A/C logic....perhaps ;-)
I always do a test as soon as it hits 80. So that was a few weeks ago. Also checked for critter damage after my sister called me to ask why her system wasn't running. It turns out that mice chewed through the Tstat wiring at the condenser. It was a 10 minute repair to get it up and running again.I tested my central AC system yesterday.
If I had any problems I wanted to know BEFORE the cooling season starts.
All is good.
You said that the condenser breaker was tripping, but there was a blower motor short…so it was the air handler breaker tripping, not the condenser!! Tough to troubleshoot with the wrong info!Ok, the bill has finally come due on my HVAC issue - service completed this week. Started with the normal PM stuff, clean/hose the condensor, new filter, then a deeper dive.
Multiple issues.
Refrigerant low - leak at the shrader valve - replaced.
Liquid line dryer/filter not functioning...connections rotted - replaced.
System was pressurized to check for any more leaks and as luck would have it, we tripped the breaker while running the system. Tech took closer look the at air handler and found signs of the blower motor shorting. Motor had some crispy wires that smell like burned toast
Motor and capacitor replaced.
Feeling good that the problem is resolved....but July & August will tell the tale.
Did I wait too long to address this....YEP....but it looks like a case of all is well that ends well.
Cost was ~$1K
15 amps versus 30 amps or more.You said that the condenser breaker was tripping, but there was a blower motor short…so it was the air handler breaker tripping, not the condenser!! Tough to troubleshoot with the wrong info!
Amperage can vary depending on systems….condensers are almost always 2 pole, and most air handlers, but definitely not all, are single pole breakers. My air handler is single pole 20, the condensate pump is on same circuit.15 amps versus 30 amps or more.
Sounds like a capacitor or arced contacts. Amp meter time.
But it was heating fine?You said that the condenser breaker was tripping, but there was a blower motor short…so it was the air handler breaker tripping, not the condenser!! Tough to troubleshoot with the wrong info!
I was responsible for 12 separate systems in one single family house in MA with 3 boilers. A total of 9 in another on the cape with 2 boilers plus a bunch of smaller “normal” systems in smaller houses all owned privately by one family.Amperage can vary depending on systems….condensers are almost always 2 pole, and most air handlers, but definitely not all, are single pole breakers. My air handler is single pole 20, the condensate pump is on same circuit.