Original message
| ChristineP
 |  "Compressor turning on for 2 seconds"
, posted Sun 31 Aug 09:14  
My outside residential compressor is turning on for 2-3 seconds, then shutting off, when temperature on thermostat does not even call for it to come on. Then, some time later, it will come on and run normally. I would appreciate it if someone would explain to me what is happening here. :)
P.S. Programmable thermostat lets ambient go 2 degrees warmer than setting before signaling the compressor. This weird on/off thing seems to be happening when ambient is 1 degree warmer than setting.
|
|
Replies:
|
| yuri
| "Re(1):Compressor turning on for 2 seconds" , posted Sun 31 Aug 10:44
Sounds like you need a new thermostat. I recommend the Honeywell Focus or Vision Pro type and no others. The el cheapos are garbage.
Yuri
|
| | ChristineP
| "Re(2):Compressor turning on for 2 seconds" , posted Sun 31 Aug 11:24
Am I in danger of doing serious (read: preventable and therefore totally money wasting) damage to my compressor until my regular AC guy gets back in town in 8 days? I installed this thermostat 10 years ago and I've decided these things are just best left to paid professionals; however, if I'm going to ruin my compressor for the cost of a thermostat, I'll do it. I just need to know what my risk is for not doing it.
|
| | yuri
| "Re(3):Compressor turning on for 2 seconds" , posted Sun 31 Aug 12:43:
Not good to start/stop too often. If it short cycles it may not equalize the freon pressures/stall and overheat the compressor. A wonky/fluttering tstat can send low voltage to the circuit board and damage it. I would set it to OFF from COOL. Wait until the house warms up 3 degF and then turn it to COOL. Run it manually until the tech is in town. Ask for the Honeywell tstat. Some have 5 yr warranty and they are very good.
Yuri
[this message was edited by yuri on Sun 31 Aug 12:58] |
| | ChristineP
| "Re(4):Compressor turning on for 2 seconds" , posted Sun 31 Aug 16:05
Well, compressor did it's 2 second thing twice in a row and I couldn't rest thinking I was going to burn up my compressor. I turned the AC off and ran to Home Depot. The 90 degree heat in DC today had the house nice and toasty when I returned. :/ No one at HD could help me with thermostats so I made my best judgement and got the Honeywell RTH230B. It took me a little (ok, I lot) longer than the 15 minute install advertised on the packaging, but mostly because I didn't have my reading glasses handy. I made my 4-wire connection, installed batteries, flipped the breakers on...and nothing...although I could get the air handler to run. I took the cover off again and checked for tight connections. I put the cover back together and BAM, the compressor came on. It's nice and cool in here now when only 10 minutes ago I was perspiring and my dog was suffering. I'll be listening for regular compressor pattern now. Thank you Yuri for your advice and thank you Willis Carrier for inventing air conditioning. :)
|
|
|
