Indoor Coil in old Rheem Air Handler

[brando1118]

Hi guys,
I'm looking to replace my indoor coil. The tech said that it is leaking. OK, no problem. Well he quoted me a price and I wanted to do some comparison shopping to see if the tech was on the level. What I'm finding is disturbing me. I seem to have a horribly miss-matched system. I've got a 3 ton compressor outside, but I can't find a matching 3 or 3.5 ton indoor coil that will fit in my ancient air handler. My existing coil's dimensions are roughly 13" width, 16" height and 21" inches deep. The only uncased A coils that I can find online that are this size are 1.5 ton coils. The place has never cooled very well. I don't want to spend the money replacing a coil that isn't even correctly matched to the system in the first place. I may decide to bite the bullet and replace everything. The system functions with a recharge annually, but it most definitely has a leak. The compressor outside is an old Carrier model # 38GS036310 and the Rheem indoor coil's model # is either EF/FF 31cdus and SN#F0474. Is this the way they matched these systems up 20+ years ago or is this just a completely miss-matched system?
Thanks guys.

[energy_rater_La]

prolly one has been changed I've never seen an new install with two different brands of componets. I'd guess that one brand(carrier) was original to the house, and homeowner changed out only what failed with a different brand. (rheem)

IMO you'll just keep the problem going by installing a portion of the system. if you can afford the total system changeout you'll get
(hopefully) a matched system that will afford you more comfort for a lower operating cost.

mastic sealing of ductwork, return and supply plenums and r/a chase (if applicable) along with heating closet (if applicable) should also be done. this is often overlooked.

best of luck.

[brando1118]

Hi, and thanks for the reply.
I guess what I'd really like to know is if they make a 3 ton uncased coil that will fit in my old air handler? That will be the cheapest way for me to go, and still do this the right way. I won't be living in this house forever.

[RoBoTeq]

Have your entire system replaced. Whoever put that Carrier unit to an existing Rheem air handler was doing no one any favors. Jeesh, ya just can't trust those people who can buy Carrier, now can ya:rolleyes:?

You will not find a coil of the same capacity that will fit that older air handler because the newer coils need to be much larger pysically to handle the same capacity at the higher efficiencies.

Have an AHRI rated new system installed and don't look back.

[beenthere]

Your contractor should be able to find a match.

[RoBoTeq]

Your contractor should be able to find a match.
How? It sounds like the OP has a RHQA**** air handler. Where you going to find a coil today that even physically fits in that unit?

[brando1118]

Thanks Robo,
That is what I feared, because I could not find any indoor coils equal in size to the one I have now that's anything over 1.5 tons. I think I'm going to suffer through this one more year then bite the bullet.
Thanks to all that replied.

[krh1air]

Allstyle is making replacement coils for the RHQA

http://www.allstyle.com/casedUncasedImages/Uncased.pdf

[RoBoTeq]

Thanks Robo,
That is what I feared, because I could not find any indoor coils equal in size to the one I have now that's anything over 1.5 tons. I think I'm going to suffer through this one more year then bite the bullet.
Thanks to all that replied.
A coil rated for today's 13 SEER efficient 1.5 ton unit is most likely similar in capacity to your Carrier's 3 ton efficiency. That is not the major problem here.

The biggest problem is jerry rigging any coil to fit in that existing air handler, then using a txv metering to be able to make a new coil anywhere near compatible with that older Carrier unit, then making sure that old Carrier has proper start components in order for the txv metering device to work properly.

All of this and taking the chance of doing damage to the existing Carrier by opening up the system.

Just your luck, you'd pay someone to go through all of this only to find out the lead is somewhere else:confused:.

That grossly mismatched set up you have owes you nothing. Give it a proper burial and have a new, complete system installed. If nothing else, you'll love the savings on how much you will be paying to keep you comfy again.

[RoBoTeq]

Allstyle is making replacement coils for the RHQA

http://www.allstyle.com/casedUncasedImages/Uncased.pdf
There ya go. I didn't know these were still available. After all, it's been over 12 years since the *HQA air handlers have been manufactured.

I still wouldn't do it.

[krh1air]

There ya go. I didn't know these were still available. After all, it's been over 12 years since the *HQA air handlers have been manufactured.

I still wouldn't do it.

I wouldn't either....but....if the coins aren't flowin, the system's not goin:D

[brando1118]

Hi guys,
Believe it or not, I put some effort into this before resorting to this forum so as not to waste your time. I found that exact site at AllStyle, but I could not find my air handler model number in the mix.
The model number for my ancient Rheem is: AGF 10C 15 31 and
SN#H F04743135

The model number on the coil is: EF or FF 31cdus and SN# F0474
I found none of those numbers there.

Is there a lookup table somewhere that I'm missing?

I just don't want to invest in a whole new system since I won't be here that much longer.
Thanks again.

[beenthere]

Are you gtrying to buy this, and then have your contractor install it for you.

[brando1118]

Yes,
I have no means to do this myself. I'm good with auto A/C, but this one is for the pros.

[krh1air]

Hi guys,
Believe it or not, I put some effort into this before resorting to this forum so as not to waste your time. I found that exact site at AllStyle, but I could not find my air handler model number in the mix.
The model number for my ancient Rheem is: AGF 10C 15 31 and
SN#H F04743135

The model number on the coil is: EF or FF 31cdus and SN# F0474
I found none of those numbers there.

Is there a lookup table somewhere that I'm missing?

I just don't want to invest in a whole new system since I won't be here that much longer.
Thanks again.

Holy crap! That's old! Post pics please! Looks like 1974!

[krh1air]

How bad is it leaking? Did the tech show the leak to you?

[brando1118]

Man krh1air,
You're good. I think that is when my townhome was built. Let me find my data cable for my camera and I'll try to post some.

No, the tech didn't point it out to me. He hasn't been called yet. The real reason I want to replace this is because there is mold all around the air handler on the inside foil insulation. The coil is original and the tray is rusted out and let water sit and allowed mold to grow. I'm assuming that the leak is in the coil and if the leak was fixed when the coil is replaced, then great. I need the coil out of there to be able to reach in and access all the mold spores and clean them out. So I figured why not have a tech come in and replace the coil. I can get him to remove it and it will only take a few minutes to wipe down the sides and get rid of the mold. Do any of you have any recommendations for the mold removal? Is there some kind of mold killer that won't ruin duct work and metal?

[BaldLoonie]

That's a 1974 air handler, the Carrier canned ham is probably pushing 30 years old. Dispose of all!

If flat out can't afford it, just have a 3 ton air handler with a piston coil installed. Then later you can have a new outdoor unit installed to match it.

[RoBoTeq]

Holy crap! That's old! Post pics please! Looks like 1974!
Yep, that's a 1974 pre-*HQA air handler. I was still a babe in this industry when that puppy was installed....and I'm getting pretty old.

[brando1118]

So what you nice folks are telling me is that there is no replacement coil for my ancient Rheem?

[RoBoTeq]

So what you nice folks are telling me is that there is no replacement coil for my ancient Rheem?
That would be an affirmative. I wouldn't put much trust in that Carrier unit either.

[brando1118]

OK. Thanks again guys. I guess it's a new system.

[Edwin73]

Allstyle is making replacement coils for the RHQA

http://www.allstyle.com/casedUncasedImages/Uncased.pdf


Yep, that's what I was gone say.

[Edwin73]

Hi guys,
Believe it or not, I put some effort into this before resorting to this forum so as not to waste your time. I found that exact site at AllStyle, but I could not find my air handler model number in the mix.
The model number for my ancient Rheem is: AGF 10C 15 31 and
SN#H F04743135

The model number on the coil is: EF or FF 31cdus and SN# F0474
I found none of those numbers there.

Is there a lookup table somewhere that I'm missing?

I just don't want to invest in a whole new system since I won't be here that much longer.
Thanks again.


Is the cooling coil located in the top of the air handler?

[brando1118]

Hi Edwin,
No. Going from bottom to top.

filter:fan:coil:heater element

[Edwin73]

Hi Edwin,
No. Going from bottom to top.

filter:fan:coil:heater element


Thanks buddy, yep that's what I was lookin for. They do not make a cooling coil for that anymore. I know money is tight, you can let it go another year like you said, or your technician can find some other brand coil to fit in there for temporary. I do recommend changing it all out to a matched system, but only you know the decisions you need to make since money is tight.

[Edwin73]

What part of the country are you in?

[brando1118]

Edwin,
I'm in Marietta, GA

[Edwin73]

I was just wonderin cuz I thought maybe I could give you a hand. But yer a little too far away.

[brando1118]

Edwin,
That is super nice of you. You've already helped a lot just by responding to my posts. It will work out. There are far worse things going on in the world than my crappy A/C.
Thanks.
-B