Trane Heat Pump DOA - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| TDEngine35
 |  "Trane Heat Pump DOA"
, posted Fri 27 Oct 12:05  
Hey Guys....... I was poking aroud and read a thread from a while back on Heat Pump & its operation & Theory. Very well spelled out. Pretty much confirms my assumptions.
I have a Trane Weathertron Heat Pump Mod: BWD724A100B0, and I think its time to bury the beast. I have battled it for the last 2 years, once it just needed a recharge, and this past summer a guy put in a "Hard Start Capacitor" on the compressor as it wasnt kicking in when it fired up. Seemed to work OK ($500 later) (for a short time).
Now when I turn the heat on the Compressor Fan spins up, but you never hear the Compressor actually drop in. I checked the wiring off the relays and there seems to be voltage going to the compressor, but it wont kick in. Freon Tube to the house stays cold (never warms up).
I have it running on Emergency Heat now and that works fine so I assume the Air Handler works OK on the Electric Coils. I think my electric meter is gonna spin off the wall though if I keep it up though.
The unit is 19 years old and I dont want to put any more big $$ into it at this time if I will only need to replace it soon. Is there a life expectancy on these?
Is there anything "Basic" that might keep the compressor from kicking in that I might check?
If I decide to get the thing replaced, which I think is coming, Can you ballpark what I would expect to pay for a replacement in kind ? I just don't want to be taken by anyone who comes to replace this thing?
Thanks and Great Website......
Tom
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Replies:
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| TDEngine35
| "Re(1):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 16:04
OK Thanks Guys. I hear ya on the $$ thing. I will check the coils and see how they look. I live in a 50 unit Townhouse complex and lately we see others getting replaced as well, so I imagine there may not be too much life left in it.
Thanks for the Goodman Tip. Someone here actually went that way. not sure how it worked out for them. As for Trane and $7000. HOLYYYYYYYYYYYY........... I guess they really are the Cadillac of Condensors huh? I have seen Lenox, Trane, Goodman and a few others.
What is your opinion on a "Decent" Middle of the road Brand ? I would like something that is proven but done need top of the line either.
Tom
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| Freon
| "Re(1):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 15:05
First you need to determine the exact condition of the compressor. Given it's age, it may be dead but with a multimeter you can check. Then look at the condition of the coils of the outdoor condenser. Are they in good condition or has salt air been eating away at them? If they're in good condition, consider a new compressor only. Most of what you do depends on how much you use this system. You can go on ebay and price system components to give you an idea as to what you may have to pay for the installation. Usually new equipment is a one price situation without a breakdown for labor and materials.
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| | DW1
| "Re(2):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 15:56
Your system has given you 19 years of service. 2 years ago you had to have a recharge. This year a hard start was added.
From your post it sounds like the compressor is not coming on. If the compressor is bad it could cost 1500 to replace and the compressor would only have a 1 yr warranty. The compressor is a componet in the condensing unit.
Putting a new condensing unit on your existing air handler is not
the best solution. Your system would operate but would not give you the efficiency that the new condenser is capable of obtaining. There are operational issues as well because the new unit must be overcharged to work with your existing air handler.
Replace the entire system instead of resurrecting the dead.
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| | Freon
| "Re(3):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 17:28
DW1, I do not disagree with anything you have said. It's all good, sound advice as all of your advice has been. However I will offer the on-the-cheap-homeowner alternatives.
Get prices for:
1. replace the compressor only (assuming the old one is dead and coils are in good condition). Please double check what type of hard start kit that was used.
2. replace the condenser unit with the new minimum 13 SEER condenser and add a TXV to the evaporator coil and increase the blower air flow setting. The increase in blower air flow accomplishes the same thermodynamic goal as a bigger evaporator (matched) indoor air handler at far less cost. Most AC settings are lower than heating so you should have the ability to increase the motor rpm. Check to be sure!!
3. replace everything.
We're always balancing. Just be an informed balancer.
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| | TDEngine35
| "Re(4):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 18:26
Oh By The way As I just stated that I dont know bout this...
TVX ?
Tom
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| | TDEngine35
| "Re(4):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 18:22
Freon
The Hard Start Kit was nothing more than an additional Capacitor put in parallel with the Original Start Capacitor. I can pop off the top and check if you need more on it. It was about the size of an empty toilet paper roll tube. When I looked at the coils & components, they looked pretty "used" shall we say. I live in the North East and we get some pretty good weather here, so I am sure it has taken a beating in 19 years. I'd hate to put 1500 for a compressor only to have the remaining Condensor components start to fail shortly thereafter.
I am talking to a repair guy who quoted me 2800 for the whole condensor. He is looking at a YORK. It that a decent box ?
Thanks for your help. I can put out a fire pretty well but this HVAC stuff I leave to you guys.
Tom
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| | Freon
| "Re(5):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 21:00
Go price a 2 ton heat pump condenser on ebay. Then figure 5 hours to have only the condenser units swapped out... you do the hourly math.
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| | tecman
| "Re(5):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 20:33
A hardstart kit is more than another cap. It consists of a potential relay and a cap. The cap is active only during starting. If all you got was another cap for the money you paid, you got ripped and it most likely hastened the failure of the compressor.
BTW, despite comments by some, Goodman is a good value for the money. It is a solid reliable unbit for a very reasonable price. They have come a ling way in the last 10 years or so and are the second or third largest manufacturer in the US for resi units.
paul
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| hvac
| "Re(1):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Fri 27 Oct 13:54:
Tom,
we don't talk much about cost of units here they really don't want you to. The cost is different all over. But if you go back with trane expect 6 to 10 thousand for a complete replacement. Shop around. PS don't buy a Goodman
[this message was edited by hvac on Fri 27 Oct 13:55] |
| | city
| "Re(2):Trane Heat Pump DOA" , posted Sat 28 Oct 14:56:
My advise is that you call several contractors to get a properly matched system. Trane/ American Standard, Rheem/Rudd, even Goodman makes pretty good equipment. Find a contractor that will do a quality installation, as this is more important than the equipment. Do not hesistate to even call a Trane dealer, because when i was trying to replace my unit the Rheem dealer acually had the highest bid. Remember that the highest bid is not a GUARANTEE OF QUALITY WORK, so choses in between. Ask your neighbors who they used for thier install. If you do not replace your unit now, it will cost you more to operate:ie electric and repair bill. Goodluck
City
[this message was edited by city on Sat 28 Oct 14:58] |
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