Defrost Controllers...

[Engineer-Gal]

If you were to replace the defrost controller on your HP with anyone's which one would you choose?

[totaleclipse]

Oem

[Engineer-Gal]

If you have a HP that's 10 years old... and you know that a demand defrost would do a better job, why not take the time to retrofit it with a better controller?

[Airmechanical]

If you have a HP that's 10 years old... and you know that a demand defrost would do a better job, why not take the time to retrofit it with a better controller?


do it, tell us how it turns out!

when is the next time it gets cold in charm city?



.

[tpa-fl]

If you have a HP that's 10 years old... and you know that a demand defrost would do a better job, why not take the time to retrofit it with a better controller?

That's almost like trying to put more efficient boilers in the Titanic -- it might do a better job of defrosting, but any energy savings will be minimal at best.

[tecman]

Actually I retro'ed a spare YorkGuard controller into a 1 year old Goodman heat pump for an addition we put on the house. On the colder winter days went from defrosting every 2 hours or so (on some days) to maybe once a week under ideal humidity conditions. It was a bit of a squeeze, had to move the cap and contactor to fit the York module. Had spare sensors in the shop, so they went in, but it took a little trial and error to get the LL sensor at the ideal spot.

It's been workin' like a champ for a couple of years, but not a job for an amateur, as I had to completely rewire the condenser. Would not be cheap either to buy new parts. Also I had to pull new wire to the AH since the old 5-C did not have enough conductors for the YorkGuard. That was a PIA but had to be done.

paul

[ssmechservices]

Oem. Why re-engineer a 10 year old HP?

[tpa-fl]

Actually I retro'ed a spare YorkGuard controller into a 1 year old Goodman heat pump for an addition we put on the house.

Yeah, if I had spare parts laying around and felt like playing around with the unit, then I'd probably do it...but it certainly isn't worth the expense of doing this for a regular homeowner.

[beenthere]

Yeah, if I had spare parts laying around and felt like playing around with the unit, then I'd probably do it...but it certainly isn't worth the expense of doing this for a regular homeowner.


The original question sounds like its asking what you would use for your HP, not a customers.

[Swampfox]

Pretty sure it was a hypothetical question

In my case, I installed a Trane demand defrost control on my Goodman HP, I think it defrosted 3 or 4 times last year, with the time/temp control it would probably have went through 100

[kuryakin]

I had a problem with my old Rheem unit, couldn't get a OE controller for it. However, ICM probably has something that'll work just fine. They had one for me that was perfect. See:

http://www.icmcontrols.com/products/category.php?cat_pk=3

Most local HVAC stores carry the most popular versions of these.

Forget converting to demand defrost, unless you want an engineering project just for the fun of it.


If you were to replace the defrost controller on your HP with anyone's which one would you choose?

[Engineer-Gal]

Actually I retro'ed a spare YorkGuard controller into a 1 year old Goodman heat pump for an addition we put on the house. On the colder winter days went from defrosting every 2 hours or so (on some days) to maybe once a week under ideal humidity conditions. It was a bit of a squeeze, had to move the cap and contactor to fit the York module. Had spare sensors in the shop, so they went in, but it took a little trial and error to get the LL sensor at the ideal spot.

It's been workin' like a champ for a couple of years, but not a job for an amateur, as I had to completely rewire the condenser. Would not be cheap either to buy new parts. Also I had to pull new wire to the AH since the old 5-C did not have enough conductors for the YorkGuard. That was a PIA but had to be done.

paul
I have heard good things about the York Gaurd defrost controller.

I like the idea of phrasing it "if it was your HP" as well as the "theoretical" aspect.

Has anyone seen/worked with the new White Rogers Comfort Alert for HPs yet? I read that Rheem is implementing their whole line of stuff into their JEZ line... is it any good?

[darctangent]

Has anyone seen/worked with the new White Rogers Comfort Alert for HPs yet? I read that Rheem is implementing their whole line of stuff into their JEZ line... is it any good?

I recently took a training / sales class on it :rolleyes: they call it the "COMFORT CONTROL SYSTEM" if it's the same thing you are speaking about.


I like the Idea of an "Intelligent" board handling the condenser, but I think much of what it does could be handled by manual reset switches. I could do without the blinking lights, I think they do my trade more harm than good, but I like the idea of a error history.

The thing that really scares me is this "Intelligent Contactor" I suspect that thing is ripe for failure. Time will tell. I'm still trying to decide if I want to offer them to customers. Let me know if you are familiar with it's "all seeing photoelectric eye" As per usual I was asking the guy giving the class questions he couldn't answer. Not too impressive considering he is supposed to be the "go to guy" on Rheem/Ruud products

Let me know if you'd like to see the training materials for it, I can email it to you.