2nd stage cooling airflow problem with new tstats

[J_E_F_F]

Hello, new to the forum.

I am a homeowner, and, live in hot Alabama, so I am here for cooling questions. My home is about 6 years old, and has the original non-programmable thermostat. I believe I have a 2 stage cool, with a heat pump, single stage heat. (Possible Variable AH??) My system is as follows:

BRAEBURN 3200 2 Heat / 2 Cool (thermostat)
Bryant 698BN060-C (outdoor unit)
Bryant FV4BNB006 (indoor AH)
The wires in use on the Thermostat are: R Y1 Y2 W2 G O C

Currently things work fine together. When the AC is keeping up, it runs on low with a low volume of air out of the vents. When the temp is more than 2 degrees from the set point, the unit ups the airflow quite a bit. I am unsure if this is due the 2nd stage, and/or a variable air handler. All I know is that the airflow from the vents is MUCH higher when it needs to be and the house cools down.

while I am unsure of the exact terminology, I will refer to the higher airflow mode as the 2nd stage

I'd like a programmable thermostat. About 8 months ago, I decided to try a Honeywell RTH7600D. I hooked everything up, checked the settings, and turned it on. It appeared never to get out of the first stage. While the airflow was cool, it was not of sufficient volume to cool the house down. I called Honeywell, and we checked all the wiring and settings, but the thermostat could not force my AC to put out about volume to cool the house. The thermostat was returned as it did not seem to function well with my existing system.

Today I gave it another shot with another brand. I purchased a Filtrete 3M-50, the WiFi option intrigues me. I matched all the wires up, checked the settings, and I have the same problem as before. The 2nd stage appears not to be coming on. The volume of the airflow is very much reduced as to what it should be. The temp differential setting was 4 degrees, and I set desired temp to about 20 degrees cooler than the house, ensuring the 2nd stage should kick on. I left a message for customer support for the Filtrete 3M-50, though reviews say not to hold my breath for customer support to return my call.

Wires on all units were matched existing to new: R Y1 Y2 W2 G O C
The old unit has been reinstalled and airflow is back to normal high/low.

Any idea why I am unable to replace the existing simple thermostat and still get the same level or airflow with a new programmable one?

Do I have a 2nd stage, and/or variable speed problem?

[J_E_F_F]

I received a call back this morning. It appears the issues I am having are due to my HVAC configuration.

I have a single 2 stage compressor with a heat pump, and a variable speed air handler. It appears to be single stage heat with emergency heat. Is this configuration that uncommon where aftermarket thermostats don't support it correctly?

[mark beiser]

Pretty much any 2 cool/3 heat capable thermostat will work with that system, but you have to tell it what kind of system it is controlling. Most thermostats come set up for 1h/1c by default.
The thermostat should be set up for controlling a 2 stage heat pump with auxiliary heat.

The control board in the outdoor unit will control which compressor stage is used in the heat mode, regardless of if the thermostat is telling it to use first or 2nd stage.

[BaldLoonie]

That stat should do it. Not sure about the 3M.

[beshvac]

If you got a pro to get you a very good stat, you could have dehumidify function as well with that equipment.

[skippedover]

I'm not sure, given Bryant HP and Bryant air handler, why you're not using a Bryant t-stat that's both made for and supported by Bryant?? Of course, it's unlikely you'll find them at a big-box or on the internet. Not made for DIY, you see. So maybe that's the rub?

All that aside, I'd highly recommend against a Filtrette air filter. You're already complaining of insufficient airflow that filter will just compound your problems.

[J_E_F_F]

The Bryant equipment and Braeburn thermostat were in the home when I purchased it 2 years ago. I have no idea why they are mismatched other than they came with the house like that.

I did ensure, both through the manuals, and through the thermostat tech support that the software was set up for 2cool, and heat pump if available.

I only have airflow issues when using a different thermostat, the filtrete brand was the thermostat, not the filter.

I did find a Braeburn programmable version of my existing thermostat, so I may go that route to ensure compatibility.