Problem w/6yr old heat pump system - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| CRAZYMAN
 |  "Problem w/6yr old heat pump system"
, posted Mon 16 Jun 23:02  
I have a 6yr old 3br by-level home with a heat pump HVAC (R22)unit . It's not cooling very well (getting worse every day)& after it runs for a short time the inner core (evaperator)starts to freeze-up. My blower fan is working fine ,filter is clean & evaperator core is also fairly clean.Air blows good through out the house until the core starts to freeze-up. Today I checked High side & low side refrigerant line pressure while the system was running. approx 50psi on low side & 175psi on high side (out side air temp was about 80 deg F). Static line pressure once the system is turn of & equalized was approx 100psi high & low sides.I'am not to familiar with the psi values on home Ac systems. I thank maybe there's a good chance my refrigerant is low on charge. Do these Line pressures sound normal? I haven't visually seen any signs of a leaks (no oily residue/ hard to tell on the evap core with the water always washing it clean) I ran my refrigerant leak detecter around the inner core & try spraying it down with soapy water to find a leak (nothing yet)Any help would appreciated...thanks
CRAZ
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Replies:
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| Houston204
| "Re(1):Problem w/6yr old heat pump system" , posted Tue 17 Jun 00:15
How would you have an electronic leak detector and not know standard charging techniques? How would you get refrigerant without a license or at least EPA certification?
It does sound low on refrigerant.
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
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| | CRAZYMAN
| "Re(2):Problem w/6yr old heat pump system" , posted Tue 17 Jun 07:29
I do have my certification for R12 ,I work on cars for a living. My gauges work on R12 & R22. I've got a Snap-on refrigerant leak detecter. OK.....
CRAZ
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| | Houston204
| "Re(3):Problem w/6yr old heat pump system" , posted Tue 17 Jun 08:21
Section 609
Verify the metering device at your evaporator coil. if you have an expansion valve, charge by subcooling. If you have a flow rator or cap tube charge by superheat.
Verify your type of refrigerant before adding any. Some 6 year old units use r410.
I will email you more detailed instructions when I get home. I don't think I want the whole world learning charging techniques since most of them do not realize the damage leaking systems can cause the environment.
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
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| | CRAZYMAN
| "Re(4):Problem w/6yr old heat pump system" , posted Tue 17 Jun 19:52
The metering device would be four very small copper lines feeding into the bottom of the evaperator coil. kind of reminds me of a orifice type system on automobiles. Would this be considered a flow rator? We've got a refrigerant identifier at work. I'll make sure it's R22 before topping off my charge. My email: bad00civicblu@yahoo.com Thanks
CRAZ
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| | Houston204
| "Re(5):Problem w/6yr old heat pump system" , posted Tue 17 Jun 21:35:
I usually just read the tag on the outdoor unit to identify refrigerant.
This might help determine your metering device.
A third type of metering device is a cap tube. It resembles a piece of 3/4 inch copper squeezed around 5 or 6 very small capillary tubes and brazed. It is very old and not in use for split system air conditioning anymore.
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
[this message was edited by Houston204 on Tue 17 Jun 22:03] |
| | rayjones3
| "Re(4):Problem w/6yr old heat pump system" , posted Tue 17 Jun 17:09:
Houston, Would you mind also e-mailing me a copy also of your detailed instructions on the proper charging (adding refrigerant to) R-22 systems. I worked with a major engineering firm for thirty nine years as a designer of HVAC systems but was not responsible for installing/maintaining/operating systems. However, I am well aware of the destruction that leaking refrigerants do to the ozone and other parts of our environment.
Thanks in advance for this information.
I always enjoy and get much "service education" from your answers to questions on the forum. Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Ray Jones
Greer, SC
My e-mail address is: rayjones3@juno.com
rayjones3
[this message was edited by rayjones3 on Tue 17 Jun 17:12] |
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