Ever seen this?

[dakers]

Most here know I'm not a Trane fan by any means, but I give credit where it is due. This was one tough gas pack.

http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/ACCHVAC/Album2/100_1166.jpg

The duct system was "less than desireable". A 12" supply flex from a plenum box for a 3 ton unit. A 14" flex was utilized for the return.

http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/ACCHVAC/Album2/100_1168.jpg
http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/ACCHVAC/Album2/100_1172.jpg

But wait...it gets better! I removed the duct system in "1" piece since good pictures could not be taken under the home. Here is the duct system spread out in the yard.

http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/ACCHVAC/Album2/100_1171.jpg

Lets see here. A 12" flex to a 12" Y, then 12" flexes to 2 more Y's. Then 12" flexes to the duct system. We have [1] 12" flex feeding [4] 12" flexes...hmmmm? My customer complained of airflow problems. I wonder how it worked for 11 years! :rolleyes:

[mayguy]

Wow..

What was done for return? Just a single return vent?


You have your "after" picture or still working on the job right now?

[spike]

That's my "bid" on the head pressure for that dude on an 90 deg day...

[pmeunier]

The air speed would be 1500 fpm in that first section of 12" flex, assuming 400 cfm/Ton. Bonus: get a free wind tunnel with your furnace!

[tlcartman]

i ran across that one time, i went to change out a compressor that had gone bad. while reclaiming i decided to do a little check for possible causes. looked in crawl space and seen this same thing. told home owner i would not install new compressor until duct work was corrected. he said he put duct work in his self and that it wasn't a problem, so i loaded up my toys and went home.

[jrbenny]

Man, I hate to see that kind of abuse! Although, I really liked the flex "duct tape" hangers. Is that a crawl space vent behind the unit? I wonder how often they smell the combustion products in the home??

Did you get any pressures while it was operating? I'd be curious about the operating parameters. Folks always seem to believe numbers instead of me on the soapbox.

Thanks for the training aids!

[James 3528]

Looks like duct tape holding the flex up!

[duct_dude]

I remember back in high school at my buddy's house his dad was installing his own system.He was an insurance salesman. I didn't know alot about how to do it but I knew enough that he didn't either .He made his whole trunk line 10x10 O.D. ductboard. I asked why and he said that was the only size that would fit thru the opening in the gable end of the house.When it was done you couldn't here the tv set in the living room.

[dakers]

Originally posted by mayguy
Wow..

What was done for return? Just a single return vent?


You have your "after" picture or still working on the job right now?

Here you are mayguy. Yes, the return is a single. The home is a double wide and there is no room for additional returns.

A nice little 552 12 SEER deluxe 3 Ton Bryant condenser for the cooling.

http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/acchvac/Album2/condenser-burgess.jpg

A 340MAV 60,000 Btu 92% Bryant gas furnace concentric vented to the outside.

http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/acchvac/Album2/furnace-burgess.jpg

http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/acchvac/Album2/concentric-burgess.jpg

Fresh duct system. Redesigned with an 18" flexible return and [4] 10" supply flexes with balance dampers to balance out the airflow. Duct was sealed with mastic and wrapped with R-6. Flex duct is also R-6.

http://www.iwebphoto.com/Clients/acchvac/Album2/supplyplenum-burgess.jpg

The customer now has airflow throughout the home, unlike before. I wish I had took readings before, but I was in a rush. Isabel was on the way! I don't know what you think, but it seems a shame to post the "after" pictures in the "wall of shame". :D:D

[Edited by dakers on 09-22-2003 at 06:50 PM]

[Airhead]

Nice after pics!
Is that a heat pump, or are you just using hp legs on a/c unit? I use them alot lately for all units because I'm tired of cleaning mulch, grass and dirt out of base pan. Does inspector require you to use purple primer on pvc pipes?

[craig1]

i like the condensate drain on the old unit

[mayguy]

Looks good...

But poor wall.. I am sure it's going to be fun trying to patch up the wall w/ stone and trying to match rest of the wall..

[dakers]

Purple primer is required so the inspector can tell the pipe was primed. I like the clear since it looks better. The customer is going to repair the wall and I think he already has matching stone.

[ossm]

Once saw an 8" flex feedind 3 6" flexes, and one of them was split into 2 5" flex runs! This was done repeatedly, the customer wondered why he had poor airflow, after all.... this was a brand new million dollar custom home! We replaced, are ya ready?, 300 FEET of various pieces of flex with metal trunk duct and properly sized (and length) branch ducts.

[dakers]

Originally posted by ossm
Once saw an 8" flex feedind 3 6" flexes, and one of them was split into 2 5" flex runs! This was done repeatedly, the customer wondered why he had poor airflow, after all.... this was a brand new million dollar custom home! We replaced, are ya ready?, 300 FEET of various pieces of flex with metal trunk duct and properly sized (and length) branch ducts.


Sounds like all the manuals were used on that one too.

Manual Sq./Ft./Ton [sizing]
Manual I've got this in stock [duct design]

If they paid for a "quality design and properly installed" HVAC system, they would not be able to afford that $15K Chandalier!

[grizzlyj]

I'm amazed at all the flex shown here. we have a 5 foot rule and no more!! this just blows me away.