Stuck in self servicing.

[MGuy]

Yup.
Here I am in 2012 having bought a brand new top of the line York heat pump installed by "jobbers". (Affinity YZF 16 seer, matched to an MV16C v/s blower)
And yes, I read about the process of choosing the right company for the job. Out of four companies I saw, this one was the best. To my untrained eye of course.
It might have something to do with the 10 years parts AND labor I bought as well. But that is another debate.

Oh, the system is working (contrary to some nightmarish situations I read in this forum), but not perfectly. When they left, I discovered that;

1- The blower CFM setting was incorrect, giving 2000 instead of 1000.
2- The thermostat wiring was incorrect, giving no staging on the heat strips. (an expensive 18 kw toaster)
3- The line set was touching the joists, transmitting vibrations.
4- The heat pump orientation is making the sun "cook" the outside thermometer, giving inaccurate temperature readings. (41 F instead of 23 F)
5- The condensate evacuation line was leaking.

Because of that and the mail exchanges I had with them, which I'm not gonna list here, I choose to make as many corrections I could myself.

All of the above have been corrected by me.

What remains to be checked is the refrigerant charge.

To that end, I ordered a set of R410a Freon Refrigerant Manifold Gauges W/ 60" Hoses and an HVAC meter:
http://www.fieldpiece.com/stick-meters/hs33
I'm aware that these are not the best there is but will do the one shot job I plan to do. I intend to measure the subcooling with these.

Keeping in mind that this not a DIY forum, what amount of refrigerant loss should I expect from hooking and unhooking my gauges?

Is there a fitting that I could add to my hoses that would provide a "no loss" connection?

The specs say:
3 pcs Charging Hoses, 60" in Length Each
Red(1/4" SAE), Yellow(1/4" SAE) & Blue(1/4" SAE) Charging Hoses
Include 5/16" SAE Adapters for R410a
Working Pressure: 800 PSI
Burst Pressure: 4000 PSI
Designed to Meet 1/4" SAE Requirement for Refrigerant Permutation
45 Degrees Angle on the Service Port Site for Easier Access

Thanks

[knave]

gud luck buddy....

[MGuy]

Thanks... I think

You anticipate a screw up?

Any answer on my question?

[MGuy]

Ok guys.

Forget my question. Another thread already answers that same question.

[kdean1]

Your saying it is not a DIY question does not change the fact that it is.

[catmanacman]

Call York customer service And explain you situation see if they can help with a new contractor

[surenuff]

I do not understand why you fixing anything on your own concerning this unit. If there was a warranty, and this was a even half way good company, they should have been back out there fixing anything that was installed wrong or not working correctly. Anyone doing anything can make a mistake. And those of us who have guys working for us can have guys who make a mistake. But I know from being a guy that has worked for his reputation, that when these mistakes are indentified, I want to be notified so I can take care of it.

[MGuy]

I'm fixing it on my own, because I lost confidence in the company. So much so that I'm convinced I'mm doing a better job than they are! So far.

And like I said, I'm not going to quote emails I had with their service manager but they are feeding me BS for answers.

If there was a guy in this forum that was servicing my area, I would gladly hire him.

[NCHeat]

I'm fixing it on my own, because I lost confidence in the company. So much so that I'm convinced I'mm doing a better job than they are! So far.

And like I said, I'm not going to quote emails I had with their service manager but they are feeding me BS for answers.

If there was a guy in this forum that was servicing my area, I would gladly hire him.

Where is your area? While I understand your frustration with the installing contractor, you are getting in over your head here. I strongly urge you to find another contractor. Call YORK customer service in Wichita, KS. Tell them your story. They will help you.

[Freezeking2000]

You should not be adjusting blower settings or you will void the warranty on parts and labor. Home owners should not be re-wiring the low voltage either.

The installers wired the unit incorrectly so have them fix it. You blower cant even be set for 2000 cfm so it is evident you are over your head.

[MGuy]

Ok, ok.

Since I understand that this is not a forum where DIY subjects are allowed, and that it is read by many people around the world, I should never attempt to service my own unit when there are trained service professionnals for that kind of job.

Thanks.

[DLZ Dan]

Pretty much. These systems are using deadly voltage as well as chemicals under high pressure. If you watched a tech, we make it look easy but it takes a lot of training to make sure we do what we do in a safe manner. I realize more and more that many homeowners are trying to do more things themselves but keep this in mind: Is it worth seriously hurting yourself or someone else ,maybe permenently, to avoid calling someone in? Plus, if you work on it yourself, it voids the warranty. I'm a York dealer and i can tell you that Affinity products are not cheap and the warranty is there for things like this. The fact that these failures occured so close to installation, the installing company needs to handle this.

[jpsmith1cm]

I would strongly suggest NOT following your planned course of action.

Without proper training and knowledge, you not only run the risk of injuring yourself and damaging your equipment, but you will also not get the correct results when you do take your readings.

I'm often amazed at how many seasoned techs take inaccurate or incomplete readings.

You have PAID for a complete system install. You have an expectation to have a properly operating system.

DO NOT accept crap from a service manager. Push them to make the system operate properly. Contact the manufacturer for assistance if neccesary.

[MGuy]

Ok.

I'll try these guys one more time.
I sent an email to the service manager asking him to confirm that the sound I'm hearing from my line set here; http://youtu.be/YjtUfI3HFpI
is worrisome and a reason for a warranty service call. Someone here suggested to have the system charge rechecked.

Which I would tend to agree with, considering the "quality" of the job overall...

Regards.

[pacnw]

First and foremost, you should follow the advice of the others here and NOT do this yourself.

Second, that is most likely NOT the line set making the noise, but the compressor noise. It could be transmitted via the line set, usually that is a low pitch bass type noise.

[beenthere]

Line set fastened to the structure somewhere. And charge problem is my guess. Affinities are loud like that. Often can't tell if the compressor is running or not while standing beside them.

[MGuy]

I really hope that it is only a minor problem, given that the system works fine.
This sound cannot be heard outiside standing next to the compressor. When the system starts, the sound doesn't exist. It builds over time. It's most noticable when the heat pump is in it's "hot heat pump" cycle. As soon as it ends and the blower speed ramps up, it seems to calm down a little bit.

This kind of "flutter" makes me think of a valve problem. What if the installer didn't protect the TXV while brazing? But what do I know right?

Anyway, it will be interesting to see the kind of answer I get from the service manager.

I'll bet sound problems and leaks are two of the most annoying problems to deal with in your field.

Regards

[DLZ Dan]

The TXV's on the York coils are flare nut connections so i doubt he heated it up. The tube is about 8-10" long so if he heated it up all the way to affect the TXV, he needs a lesson in brazing.

[surenuff]

I wonder how much flakes of oxidation are in the screen on the txv or if the guy used nitrogen while brazing.

[Freezeking2000]

My hl5b York makes almost the same line set noise when in hot heat pump mode.
They should be able to insulate the clamps and quiet it down.

[MGuy]

My hl5b York makes almost the same line set noise when in hot heat pump mode.
They should be able to insulate the clamps and quiet it down.

Assuming that your Luxaire HL5B has the same parts as my York Affinity (really?), I appreciate your comment as it puts me more at ease.

You are then implying that this is a normal sound.

I would like more than one person saying that, though.

Thanks