YCIV Level sensor problems

[yorktek37]

Is it just the machines that I have in my area or does anyone else have this problem. I have one machine that is on its third level sensor. I started up 2 machines just before spring and 2 out of 3 on each one eventually had to be replaced. If they are having this kind of problem everywhere then why dont they set up some way to calibrate them instead of sealing them up. Or even better have a offset adjustment available on the board. This is ridiculous and a real pain in the rear. I have 1 at another sight that will require cutting a hole under the pole assy to get it out if it ever goes south. Some input please. Let me know that I am not alone.:confused:

[klove]

You are not alone.

[deno77]

there all bad but the new ones are better danfoss has changed there calibration procedure. if you order a new one that was made after june of this year it will be a lot more accurate but it needs some type of adjustment like on the the yk's etc. and there is a way to change the setpoint of the flash tank it takes a special pass word but it is not a permanent fix any power blip and the setpoint goes back to default of 35%

[york56]

One of the major differences between the YCIV & the YCAV is that they have relocated all the refigeration componants to the front end of the unit to sound reduction compartments , there use to be everything spread out throughout the back end of the unit along side off the Chiller bundle and space was limited. It was hard enough to work on it before know its even worse , fix one problem create another wait till they get the bill for warrenty service.:eek:

[klove]

One of the major differences between the YCIV & the YCAV is that they have relocated all the refigeration componants to the front end of the unit to sound reduction compartments , there use to be everything spread out throughout the back end of the unit along side off the Chiller bundle and space was limited. It was hard enough to work on it before know its even worse , fix one problem create another wait till they get the bill for warrenty service.:eek:

You're right, but even worse is wait until the customer gets the bill for out-of-warranty service. York always tried to be on the cutting edge of technology, and because of that, they've never owned the market share that Trane has. Trane has problems of their own, but by and large, they have found something that works and tweaked to make it better. York has a history of making wholesale changes when there's no good reason. Think of the customer cost for repair of the drive in a YCAV or IV out of warranty. jci service will charge more for the pole assembly than the chiller costs. York needed to have gotten the compressor issues corrected on the YCAS's and left the XL and Y-Delta starters alone.

[yorktek37]

there all bad but the new ones are better danfoss has changed there calibration procedure. if you order a new one that was made after june of this year it will be a lot more accurate but it needs some type of adjustment like on the the yk's etc. and there is a way to change the setpoint of the flash tank it takes a special pass word but it is not a permanent fix any power blip and the setpoint goes back to default of 35%

What calibration procedure. Eveyone that I have spoke with in PA says that all you can do is replace. However there is a few tricks to speed up the refrigerant transfer. I had 1 machine that had a sensor fail. I had it going in 1 hour. You just have to be real fast with the hot gas isolation valve and the oil line.I agree about the adjustment like on the yt and yk's. Just make a longer probe. Most of the time it is the electronics and not the probe so that would make any repair very cost effective.I have never had great luck with danfoss. Back in 04 I had a long run of failed exv's. It was stupid to take a txv and put a "heat motor" on it. Use a stepper motor and life will be so much better. enough of my ranting!

[york56]

You're right, but even worse is wait until the customer gets the bill for out-of-warranty service. York always tried to be on the cutting edge of technology, and because of that, they've never owned the market share that Trane has. Trane has problems of their own, but by and large, they have found something that works and tweaked to make it better. York has a history of making wholesale changes when there's no good reason. Think of the customer cost for repair of the drive in a YCAV or IV out of warranty. jci service will charge more for the pole assembly than the chiller costs. York needed to have gotten the compressor issues corrected on the YCAS's and left the XL and Y-Delta starters alone.

Your right about that pole assembly it don't come cheap and JCI does wack them hard for it I have already changed it.;)

[deno77]

Danfoss was calibrating them in water not the refrigerant they are measuring from what i have heard the different densities of the two is where the problem lied.all of the ones i have changed lately are much better but only 2 out of 10 were dead on with 35% being the middle of the site class but they have definately gotten better. this has stopped the low suction pressure trips that we all were experiencing

[yorktek37]

Your right about that pole assembly it don't come cheap and JCI does wack them hard for it I have already changed it.;)

rumor has it that there are going to be some big changes on the pole assy. Can't go into details but the cost should go down some. And the eff. will go up.

[yorktek37]

the sensors dont really care about density. They do care about the dielectric constant. as the liquid covers the sensor the capacitance increases. Thats how they work. I think what is taking then out is the teflon is absorbing the oil and changing the characteristics. I did have 1 that failed from an apparent cold solder joint. It worked great until the temperature changed on the head and then it went wacko. The level swinged randomly and it was not even running. No brainer there.

[klove]

rumor has it that there are going to be some big changes on the pole assy. Can't go into details but the cost should go down some. And the eff. will go up.

Biggest change they could make that would be helpful would be to sell York back to York...................................

[yorktek37]

that about summs that up. you are right!

[Hastie001]

Can level sensor issues be also due to lack of refrigerant and not sensor even tho your reviving the alarms

[jpsmith1cm]

Moved to Open Chiller Forum

[Hastie001]

The drain valve on the chiller I have with the same issues is at 50% and the feed is at 100% trying to maintain a 5.5 degree superheat once I added gas I was able to get the level to operate at 35%. I have 2 other chillers that have the same problem but are more frequent. Any suggestions?

[yorktek37]

The drain valve on the chiller I have with the same issues is at 50% and the feed is at 100% trying to maintain a 5.5 degree superheat once I added gas I was able to get the level to operate at 35%. I have 2 other chillers that have the same problem but are more frequent. Any suggestions?

Did I read this correct. Did you say 5.5 degree superheat?? They are designed to be at 10 degrees.

[Hastie001]

Are you talking 10 degree's c or f

[york56]

That would be 10 deg.f

[yorktek37]

If your trying to run 5.5 superheat you are going to have a whole slew of problems. Like running liquid thru the compressors. Get it back to 10. Verify that the exv's are stroking filly. Verify that they are sealing off. I've seen to many of them come uncoupled. Is the superheat staying pretty stable? Also are you using water or glycol for your cooling liquid?

[yorktek37]

Also you dont charge the machine by the level. You charge by the LL sightglass.
Just because the operating level in the flash tank is 35 percent does not mean it will always be 35 percent. It only tries to maintain 35 percent by controlling the feed valve. The drain valve controls suction superheat. By setting your suction superheat you are probably starving the flash tank. And who told you to set it to 5.5??

[milkyway]

I was reading the Form: 201.23-RP2 (208), MODELS YCIV0157, 0177, 0187, 0197, 0207, 0227,
0247 and YCIV0267

and i was looking for the level sensor that u guys are referring to., this is an air cooled machine right?

now i have seen and read about the level sensors in the water cooled machines, YT & YK.,
am i correct is saying this.,

one more thing, when u guys say POLE ASSAMBLY u referring to the drive?

[york56]

I was reading the Form: 201.23-RP2 (208), MODELS YCIV0157, 0177, 0187, 0197, 0207, 0227,
0247 and YCIV0267

and i was looking for the level sensor that u guys are referring to., this is an air cooled machine right?
That is correct. that sensor is for the flash tank fill and drain valves ajust the level.
now i have seen and read about the level sensors in the water cooled machines, YT & YK.,
am i correct is saying this.,
These also have a level sensor which is located in the bottom of the condenser mainly for variable orafice to control level in condenser.
one more thing, when u guys say POLE ASSAMBLY u referring to the drive?

Anything with a VFD will have a pole assembly.

[Hastie001]

Im operating in degrees Celsius which normally requires 5 degrees kelvin. I'm pretty sure that 10 degrees fahrenheit is 5 degree Celsius