View Full Version : Out with the Goodman, in with the Carrier (melted a/c coil drain pan)
jeffw
10-09-2006, 04:34 PM
I posted about this a bit ago ( http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=117018 )
but finally got some time to upload the pictures.
The Goodman's indoor blower motor died twice this past winter (which melted the plastic A/C coil drain pan) and then when I used the A/C for the first time in July the furnce spent the long July 4th weekend with water running thru it.
Here's a few photos of the scortched & melted drain pan:
http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/albums/new_furnace_2006-10-01/IMG_2842.sized.jpg
http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/albums/new_furnace_2006-10-01/IMG_2854.sized.jpg
Here's the original furnace:
http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/albums/new_furnace_2006-10-01/img_1292_cropped.sized.jpg
And the replacement:
http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/albums/new_furnace_2006-10-01/IMG_3080.sized.jpg
There's more pictures (including the start of the heat exchanger rusting) at http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/gallery-new/new_furnace_2006-10-01
Thanks again to everyone that helped....
BaldLoonie
10-09-2006, 05:43 PM
What is that humidifier? Some kind of spray mist type? If so, that scares me. Between damage to duct and damage to furnace & coil if (when) it leaks...
jeffw
10-09-2006, 05:53 PM
Originally posted by BaldLoonie
What is that humidifier? Some kind of spray mist type? If so, that scares me. Between damage to duct and damage to furnace & coil if (when) it leaks...
It's an EWC/Autoflo S2000...makes steam with a heating element. I've had it in since 2001 and never had a problem with it.
It doesn't have standing water in it, which is nice.
http://www.ewccontrols.com/steam_humidifier.htm
hvacgreg
10-09-2006, 06:00 PM
I always like to build a metal pan for the a-coil to sit on at least three inches above the furnace.I dont know if it would have prevented this situation or not.May just be cheap plastic.Even though it is a pain I also try to raise it on cased coils to if I have room.I know the blower was not working for a couple days but that would not be fun to have to replace a-coil every time blower went out.
docholiday
10-10-2006, 09:45 PM
I dont know for sure but I would almost bet that the point at which that plastic even starts to warp is over 300 degrees. That pan melted when the fan didnt run. Theres simply no way around it.
jeffw
10-10-2006, 10:14 PM
Originally posted by docholiday
I dont know for sure but I would almost bet that the point at which that plastic even starts to warp is over 300 degrees. That pan melted when the fan didnt run. Theres simply no way around it.
I was pretty shocked when I saw the condition of the pan. I was expecting a small crack.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the insurance company...sure hope they'll help out with the replacement....
duxinaroe
10-10-2006, 10:22 PM
What happened to the high limit?
Hvacgreg, carrier has a 5" filter rack that would work great for seperating the coil and furnace like you do.
used it a couple times, comes with some of their furnaces. Helps for coil inspection too.
tinmantu
10-10-2006, 10:22 PM
not a lot of space to work with there for height so I guess the drain line blocking the filter maintenence was unavoidable....other than that, nice looking job.
jeffw
10-10-2006, 10:26 PM
Originally posted by duxinaroe
What happened to the high limit?
That's a very good question. As far as I know, it did trip off on the high limit (twice).
One of the people that looked at the furnace after it failed commented that the high limit that was in the furnace was a 220 degree cutoff, and he thought that might be a bit high for the furnace. Any thoughts?
The insurance company has a HVAC inspection company looking at the furnace, so it'll be interesting to see what they turn up.
-j
hvacgreg
10-10-2006, 10:29 PM
Your probably right about the plastic overheating.I was just shocked by the pictures because in my 12 years in the business I have never had that happen.Whether they were my installs or someone elses.I guess I have been lucky.
jeffw
10-10-2006, 10:31 PM
Originally posted by tinmantu
not a lot of space to work with there for height so I guess the drain line blocking the filter maintenence was unavoidable....other than that, nice looking job.
Yeah, it was tight. I'm glad to hear someone else thinks it was a good install job. The installer apologized for having to block the door & said it was pretty much his only choice.
The drain line is on a 'barb' right at the edge of the furnace, so it pops off pretty easily to open the filter door. At least the media filters won't need to be changed quite as often as the old 1" filters in the old furnace.
duxinaroe
10-10-2006, 10:35 PM
How old was that goodman? 220 limit doesn't sound high for a big furnace. Depends on the manufacturer. Makes me wonder if the manual was in the heat exchanger? I've seen it before on a change-out remnants of a burnt manual in the heat exchanger. scary
jeffw
10-10-2006, 10:48 PM
Originally posted by duxinaroe
How old was that goodman? 220 limit doesn't sound high for a big furnace. Depends on the manufacturer. Makes me wonder if the manual was in the heat exchanger? I've seen it before on a change-out remnants of a burnt manual in the heat exchanger. scary
The furnace was built in 99 (assuming I'm reading the serial # correctly) & installed at the end of 2000 (I bought the house new in March of 2001). It was a 80,000 BTU furnace (you can see the serial/model number at http://www.smoe.org/jeffw/albums/new_furnace_2006-10-01/IMG_2846.jpg ).
[QUOTE]Originally posted by duxinaroe
[B]What happened to the high limit?
Hvacgreg, carrier has a 5" filter rack that would work great for seperating the coil and furnace like you do.
used it a couple times, comes with some of their furnaces. Helps for coil inspection too.
how much cooler is it going to be 5" higher on an up flow furnace? Seems to me that it will still be very near the same melting temp.;)
hvacgreg
10-10-2006, 11:10 PM
Sounds like there were other problems that contributed.Limit switch problem.Limit setting to high.Raising the coil and having a piece of metal under it may have helped slow down the process but if it got 250 to 300 degrees there is no way you could have prevented it.
mayguy
10-10-2006, 11:44 PM
Originally posted by jeffw
Originally posted by BaldLoonie
What is that humidifier? Some kind of spray mist type? If so, that scares me. Between damage to duct and damage to furnace & coil if (when) it leaks...
It's an EWC/Autoflo S2000...makes steam with a heating element. I've had it in since 2001 and never had a problem with it.
It doesn't have standing water in it, which is nice.
http://www.ewccontrols.com/steam_humidifier.htm
I don't see it on the before picture.... So how can you have since '01?
jeffw
10-10-2006, 11:53 PM
Originally posted by mayguy
I don't see it on the before picture.... So how can you have since '01? [/B]
The 'Before' pictures were taken before I bought the house (March of '01). I had the humidifier installed before the winter of 2001.
mayguy
10-10-2006, 11:56 PM
Originally posted by jeffw
Originally posted by mayguy
I don't see it on the before picture.... So how can you have since '01?
The 'Before' pictures were taken before I bought the house (March of '01). I had the humidifier installed before the winter of 2001. [/B]
Oh ok. What's the two drain hose for?
jeffw
10-11-2006, 12:34 AM
Originally posted by mayguy
Oh ok. What's the two drain hose for? [/B]
On the humdifier? The top one (right under the water feed line) is an overflow/safety drain.
The bottom one is on a solenoid-controlled drain valve. Every 12 hours, the humidifier goes thru a one-hour cool down/flush cycle. Here's a better picture of the unit:
http://www.ewccontrols.com/_borders/s2020b.gif
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