Amp Draw Inconsistency

[vandal57_75]

I have a 11/2 ton Fedders window unit that is 2 seasons old. Compressor LRA 7.8 Amps, On startup, amprobe reads 4 amps and slowly increases to 10 + amps until overload kicks out. Cap. seems to test OK. PC board has time delay feature. Blows cold when compressor is running but dosent run properly to keep room cool all the time.

[rocket]

from compressor manufacturer get the winding
resistance specs and check if yours are in spec

you probably have turn to turn shorts
(i.e. compressor windings gone)

[vandal57_75]

Thanks. Ill get on that. Justs seems awful weird that a unit less that 2 years old with no excessive use could blow a compressor that easily. Starts w/ low amps. NO surge @ startup. Then steadily climbs to 10 or so amps while running. Blows cold air when it is running. When its overcast it works a lot better than when its 80 or 90 Degrees plus. Wondering if an overcharge could produce these symptoms also?

[jdenyer]

Originally posted by vandal57_75
Thanks. Ill get on that. Justs seems awful weird that a unit less that 2 years old with no excessive use could blow a compressor that easily. Starts w/ low amps. NO surge @ startup. Then steadily climbs to 10 or so amps while running. Blows cold air when it is running. When its overcast it works a lot better than when its 80 or 90 Degrees plus. Wondering if an overcharge could produce these symptoms also?


Why would it be overcharged? These are factory charged unless someone else has added gas to it. Rocket is probably right, sounds like a winding to winding short. Or maybe your condenser is plugged solid, remember to remove the cover and look at the condenser facing the inside of the unit as the air usually enters from the side and then through the fan and out the back. They can look clean as a whistle from the back yet be totally plugged.

[onetime]

So you have no idea what the pressures and temperatures are and your making a diagnosis solely on amp draws. It could be anything.