Crankcase heaters

[rjpanozzo]

I have an Amana RCE Prestige 5 ton unit thats about 1 1/2 yrs old. I notice that if the unit does not run for a couple of days at start up it make a loud racket, after that it starts normally. My AC repair man said it's probably freon migration. He told me that Amana does not put crank case heaters on their scroll compressors to prevent this but it will not hurt the unit. I'm having a hard time accepting this. Would it be wise for me to add an after market crank case heater and if so what brand?

[lra]

Originally posted by rjpanozzo
I have an Amana RCE Prestige 5 ton unit thats about 1 1/2 yrs old. I notice that if the unit does not run for a couple of days at start up it make a loud racket, after that it starts normally. My AC repair man said it's probably freon migration. He told me that Amana does not put crank case heaters on their scroll compressors to prevent this but it will not hurt the unit. I'm having a hard time accepting this. Would it be wise for me to add an after market crank case heater and if so what brand?

No brand. Were it a Trane you could go with a "bullit" CCH.
If it were rusted in, you could go with a belly band CCH.
But what voltage ? What Phase ? What amp draw ? What diameter ? does it run through a stat or de-frost control ?,
Scroll or not, liquid refer is bad. Do you have the technological knowledge to decide what to do ? Call us. The noise may not be related to a CCH at all.

[rjpanozzo]

I not sure what your talking about. Your reply makes no sense to me.

[just_opinion]

rjpanozzo

The reason Amana does not have the crank case heater on your systems is to increase the SEER (for matching the government requirement).

Depend on your living area, crankcase heater is required. For example if you live in the colder climate. You can call your service man to order you a crankcase heater. Trust me Amana don't make the crankcase heater themselves. They are all after market item.

I am not saying your unit is overcharged. But overchared of freon will have them same effect as you stated too.

[docholiday]

I agree, if you want a CCH, have him install one. Odds are it will quite your starts and extend the reliability of the compressor.

You might consider having someone a little more technically compitent work on your unit.

You guy will need to measure the circumfrence of the compressor belly to know which CCH he will need.

[swagging tool]

Before I did any changes on that unit I would contact amana and see what they say. Yes energy effeciencey is the main reason why they did'nt put a cch on that scroll but there may be something else going on as well and who knows they might just agree with you and send you the proper cch to fit the unit free of charge.