Possible Cycling Problems

[lostboy]

My problem is with an electric Furnace and heat pump that are together in one cabinet, and it is called THE INSIDER. The furnace is in my mobile home, and I think it has some cycling problems.

THE INSIDER model DHP-29 is installed. The manufacture is Martin Industries out of Florence Alabama. I think they sold this unit to a company out of San Antonio, Texas. When I moved in several years ago I replaced the old mechanical thermostat with a Honeywell CT3611 7 day heat pump programmable thermostat. I had contractor replace a timer for the defrost on the heat pump, and a couple relays.
I think the unit has 2 heat stages and one cool. The thermostat has one basic Heat selection and one Emergency Heat selection and one cool.
I use the unit sparely in combination with electric oil filled heaters, and a propane unvented heater.
On a cold day using the furnace only the furnace will cycle on/off about every five minutes.
It will come on for about five min. off for about five, and then back on.
It has had this problem for a long time. I can’t remember if the problem started after the new thermostat or before, or if it always did this.
I’ve read online about furnaces with short cycling problems, and how on a mechanical thermostat you can adjust what is called a anticipator to help with this type of problem.
I’m trying to get educated about the possible problem before calling a tech.
Does this sound like a cycling problem?
Is there a cycling adjustment on a programmable thermostat?
If not what might be the problem?
I know the unit is old but I’m not going to replace it, I’m going to get it fixed.
Thanks for any help, George

[second opinion]

most digital stats have cycles per hour adjustments

[lostboy]

Are you saying that my programmable thermostat has a feature to change the on/off/and legnth of cycles?
Thanks

[udarrell]

Are you saying that my programmable thermostat has a feature to change the on/off/and length of cycles?
Thanks

Did you get any owner operating instructions with the thermostat?

What is the make & model number? Might access instructions & features of it on the Internet. You always need to know all the features & how to use them.

Most programmable digital thermostats have a cycles per hour, or swing 1 to 9, one I know of has temp on/off differential temperature settings of up to I believe 4-F.

I can get up to 4-F differential on/off with my t-stats higher numbered swing settings. Those adjustments are very important to achieve the best runtime lengths & cycle intervals for optimal inefficiencies in both heating & cooling, plus better humidity control in cooling mode, & they work okay for comfort...

[jpsmith1cm]

Orangeheat1,

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[lostboy]

I have the manual for the thermostat, it's a Honeywell CT3611. This is a cut and paste from the manual, and is the section for adjusting the cycles?
Or here is a link to the manual online.

http://customer.honeywell.com/techlit/pdf/PackedLit/69-1081.pdf

STEP 6. CUSTOMIZE YOUR THERMOSTAT
Your Honeywell CT3611 thermostat comes preset to the most commonly used settings. The settings are:
— Auxiliary and/or Emergency Heat type.
— Smart Response™ technology on.
— Temperature °F.
— 12-hour clock format.
You can change any or all of these settings.
IMPORTANT
Always press the keys with your fingertip or a similar blunt tool. Sharp instruments like pens and pencil
points can damage the keyboard.
q Press and hold down , , and , simultaneously until the screen shows.
You now can change any of these settings.
Auxiliary Heat Type (Feature Number 5)
Auxiliary Heat options are:
— 3 = Hot water, high efficiency furnace (90% or better).
— 6 = Gas or oil forced air furnace (preset).
— 9 = Electric heat system.
To change your Auxiliary Heat type:
q Press until display shows your Auxiliary Heat type.
q Press Time to move to next feature or to return to main display.
Emergency Heat Type (Feature Number 7)
Emergency Heat options are:
— 3 = Hot water, high efficiency furnace (90% or better).
— 6 = Gas or oil forced air furnace.
— 9 = Electric heat system (preset).
To change your Emergency Heat type:
q Press until display shows your Emergency Heat type.
q Press Time to move to next feature or to return to main display.
Smart Response™ Technology (Feature Number 13)
Smart Response technology options are:
— 0 = Smart Response technology on (preset).
— 1 = Smart Response technology off.
To turn Smart Response technology on or off:
q Press once.
q Press Time to move to next feature or to return to main display.
NOTE: See Smart Response™ technology (page 20) for information about this feature.
Temperature Format (Feature Number 14)
Temperature format options are:
— 0 = °F (preset).
— 1 = °C.
To change temperature format:
q Press once.
q Press Time to move to next feature or to return to main display.
Time Format (Feature Number 16)
Time format options are:
— 0 = 12-hour clock (preset).
— 1 = 24-hour clock.
To change time format:
q Press once.
q Press to return to main display.
Factory Set Function (Feature Number 37)
Do not change this setting.