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  1. 01-16-2012, 10:17 PM #1
    cinobyte
    cinobyte is offline Regular Guest
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    heatpump causing street light to blink

    I have noticed for about a week now when my heat pump compressor kicks on it makes my street light blink.

    My street light is NOT connected to my electric service meter. I pay for the pole and light but not the power it consumes. I live on dead end street. obviously the electrical service is all tied together somewhere on the line but it bothers me that the street light is not tied to my service meter but is still seeing a surge from my compressor. Im a little concerned this may be leading up to a bigger problem.

    what could the issue be? capacitor going bad? how worried should I be?
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  2. 01-17-2012, 05:57 AM #2
    wanttosee
    wanttosee is offline Professional Member*
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    The power to your house and to the street light are all tied together in the power grid. It is most likely that the power company has a large load on their power lines and the startup load from your compressor is dipping the power down far enough to affect the street light. This dip can be negated by having a start capacitor added to your system.

    Since the power dip is also most likely causing your compressor to have to work even harder on startup, and I'd definitely recommend having one installed.
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  3. 01-17-2012, 08:05 AM #3
    genduct
    genduct is offline Professional Member*
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    CALL THE UTILITY

    There is no way that you HP should have that effect. They have a problem and you are going to pay with your HP's life expectancy
    You have got to learn from other people's mistakes! Because God knows you don't live long enough to make them all yourself !!!!!!!!
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  4. 01-17-2012, 08:15 AM #4
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    Shophound
    Shophound is offline Professional Member*
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    Do the lights in your house dim or blink as well when the heat pump kicks on?
    Building Physics Rule #1: Hot flows to cold.


    Building Physics Rule #2:     Higher air pressure moves toward lower air pressure


    Building Physics Rule #3:     Higher moisture concentration moves toward lower moisture concentration.
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  5. 01-17-2012, 08:31 AM #5
    cinobyte
    cinobyte is offline Regular Guest
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    I did notice a slight flicker in the house But I have just started watching things when pump kicks on. Its definitely not as noticeable as the street light flickering.

    I thought the pump had a starting capacitor. I got guy to replace contactor 2ish years ago and I saw the capacitor we even talked about it for a sec.
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  6. 01-17-2012, 08:31 AM #6
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    trouble time
    trouble time is offline Professional Member*
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    Call the local utility company and point the problem out to them. Have your system looked at by a Pro. They could install a Hard Start Kit. This will help you.
    Never give up; Never surrender!
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  7. 01-17-2012, 02:58 PM #7
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    precision hvac
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    Call out power company to verify incoming voltage.
    I had one w/ similar issues on a private street & when I checked- customer only had 193v (instead of 240v) at panel.
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  8. 01-17-2012, 05:56 PM #8
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    tinknocker service tech
    tinknocker service tech is offline Professional Member*
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    may be a corroded connection at the pole and causing this also may have a draw down affect on your compressor
    call the power company and have them check out a conferm thier side of the meter
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