Blown transformer

[youngw]

I installed a new Comfort-Aire gas furnace in my sisters house today. After getting everything hooked up. I turned the thermostat up to start the furnance. The inducer moter ran for about 10 sec and we heard a pop come from the area of the control board and everything stopped. We inspected the control board for any signs of visible damage (burns) but did not see any. After checking for power to the board and to the transformer everything checked out OK. When we checked for power from the transformer there was none. All of the wiring was doubled checked and all was OK. The thermostat that is in the house is a Hunter. I know of Honywell and White-Rodger thermostats but did not know that Hunter made a heating/cooling thermostat. My question is, could the thermostat have caused the problem?

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

This is not a DIY site...

[fixit50]

Model # of the furnace and the phone # of the supply house you got it from would help. Again this is not a diy site. but could you tell us more where you got the unit?

[Toolpusher]

Answere is No,
the t-stat did not cause the problem.

[Swampfox]

My guess is you have a faulty installer, you can find a new one in the Yellow Pages

[youngw]

First off I didn't say I was a DIY. I've installed furnancs before and had no problems. I asked a simple question, as I have seen on this forum. Also, I have no clue why asking for the number of the supply house I bought the furnance from has anything to do with the problem.

[coolguysfl]

The low voltage issue you describe is very simplistic in nature, you have a short.

What you interpet as an abrasive response is professional fustration that if a minor problem of this sort has you stumped - you have no business installing / servicing products that could burn a house down or kill someone.

The vendors Ph # was requested as he should be chastized for putting dangerous products in your hands. Ok - so now you saved a few bucks. It's time to call a professional B4 you hurt yourself.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

Originally posted by youngw
First off I didn't say I was a DIY. I've installed furnancs before and had no problems. I asked a simple question, as I have seen on this forum. Also, I have no clue why asking for the number of the supply house I bought the furnance from has anything to do with the problem.

Unless you are a licenced contractor with insurance, you are a DIY'er.

[docholiday]

Originally posted by swampfox
My guess is you have a faulty installer, you can find a new one in the Yellow Pages

Lol. prolly should get a few spares just in case

[indian]

I've seen other techs start speaking in tounges,pulling their hair out, throwing their tools, going home, kicking the poor dog and jumping off roofs when trying to trace out a low voltage short to ground! Does this give you any clue why we can't help unless we're there? Don't forget we will need to be paid for all this!

[youngw]

It was not my intention do offended anyone by posting my question. As I stated before I'm not a DIY. I have been doing this type of work for a number of years. My father was in the HVAC trade for years and also my brother was in the trade. I thought this was a simple question to see if anyone else had this type of problem happen to them.

[coolguysfl]

I have an uncle that is a doctor.... I still can't perform surgery, unfortunatly knowledge is not gained by osmosis. Family members in the trade don't automaticly enable you to opperate in the industry.

You install HVAC for a full time living? Are you licensed? Are your insured? How many continueing education classes per yr do you attend?

There is no secret we're keeping from you. If you wish this knowledge - go to school.

I repeat: What you interpet as an abrasive response is professional fustration that if a minor problem of this sort has you stumped - you have no business installing / servicing products that could burn a house down or kill someone.

[brettln]

That is definatly a direct short. I really would call someone a little more advance in electrical skills. It sounds like you might want to look at the back of your board to confirm there was damage to it.
I really would call someone though. If you still insist in installing it yourself, get a transformer w/breaker. Not that thats going to protect you against any damage occurring or any damage that has already occurred.

[brettln]

And by the way...........There is not one person in here *****ing that this is "not a DIY site", that hasnt tried
repairing or fixing something that they were not qualified to do or try. Like fixing the car, fixing the lawn mower,
fixing the outdoor lights, ect. You get my point though.

Just be polite about not wanting to help someone. There is no need to be prick about telling someone that maybe they should call someone with little more experience.

Written in regards to: HVAC God Complex has Struck again!

[Mr Bill]

Originally posted by brettln
And by the way...........There is not one person in here *****ing that this is "not a DIY site", that hasnt tried
repairing or fixing something that they were not qualified to do or try. Like fixing the car, fixing the lawn mower,
fixing the outdoor lights, ect. You get my point though.

Just be polite about not wanting to help someone. There is no need to be prick about telling someone that maybe they should call someone with little more experience.

Written in regards to: HVAC God Complex has Struck again!


Ditto!

Criticism builds hostility and bad attitudes. Criticism is poison to good human relations. You don't like to be criticized; so don't criticize other people. They don't like it, either. And you won't help accomplish anything good by criticizing. As your mother should have taught you, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."



[Edited by mrbillpro on 02-08-2005 at 09:21 AM]

[btexpress]

I agree with you Brettln, the guy asks a yes or no question, and it's like everyone wants to be the first to call him out as a DIY'er! He didn't ask how to fix it. Like it has been said here many times, if you don't want to be helpful, don't answer at all.

[Mr Bill]

Originally posted by BoltonNC
Unless you are a licenced contractor with insurance, you are a DIY'er.

Well I guess I am a DIY'er in everything but the A/C Business.
Lol!

[cold-n-mode]

Keep it simple disconnect the t-stat wires at the furnace,and check the transformer secondary voltage,if good jump it out with the wires off.If it works you have stat or stat wire problem.

[indian]

Originally posted by brettln
And by the way...........There is not one person in here *****ing that this is "not a DIY site", that hasnt tried
repairing or fixing something that they were not qualified to do or try. Like fixing the car, fixing the lawn mower,
fixing the outdoor lights, ect. You get my point though.

Just be polite about not wanting to help someone. There is no need to be prick about telling someone that maybe they should call someone with little more experience.

Written in regards to: HVAC God Complex has Struck again! This is true, Most people have the common sense when to cut their losses and find true knowledge! BEST OF WISHES! Spend a few grand {U.S. Dollars} and let us know how it comes out. If you don't have the tools, the aptitude, or any training, how do you expect us to be able to help you? I am not trying to be upsetting to you but somehow you need to understand that some people have GOD given talent for what they do. What is your talent? Do you impose that everyone is as good as you?

[acg]

Use the short-pro tool to locate 24 volt short it will protect your 24 volt circuits while you test, and after
that install the resttable fuse.

[youngw]

Coolguysfl, I somewhat agree with you, but when you work side by side with someone in the business , you do tend to pick up knowledge of the job you are doing and that is what I have done for many years. No I don't do this full time, but I've done it for more years then I want to remember.

Brettn, you are right. It was a short, caused by a faulty transformer. After installing the new transformer, which does have a line fuse on the low voltage side, everything worked fine. I did look at the whole control board, front and back for damage. The only damage was to the transformer. Luckily the short was on the high voltage side and did no damage to the control board. And yes I did have a licensed HVAC pro look things over. His response was like I said, a faulty part. I did get rid of the Hunter thermostat and istalled a Honywell, just to make sure.

His comments to me were very proffessional and he stated that I did a very proffesional install.

Cold_n_mode, thank you for your response

[indian]

Originally posted by youngw
Coolguysfl, I somewhat agree with you, but when you work side by side with someone in the business , you do tend to pick up knowledge of the job you are doing and that is what I have done for many years. No I don't do this full time, but I've done it for more years then I want to remember.

Brettn, you are right. It was a short, caused by a faulty transformer. After installing the new transformer, which does have a line fuse on the low voltage side, everything worked fine. I did look at the whole control board, front and back for damage. The only damage was to the transformer. Luckily the short was on the high voltage side and did no damage to the control board. And yes I did have a licensed HVAC pro look things over. His response was like I said, a faulty part. I did get rid of the Hunter thermostat and istalled a Honywell, just to make sure.

His comments to me were very proffessional and he stated that I did a very proffesional install.

Cold_n_mode, thank you for your response Thank you as well! And likewise I smell something that anyone would step in if they were not watching the dog!