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Thread: Hill Phoenix
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11-27-2012, 09:56 PM #1
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Hill Phoenix
(Smart Valve ) anyone servicing these ?
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11-28-2012, 06:21 AM #2
You mean the Hill Phoenix SMS system.
The Electronic Expansion valve that requires a FREE software download and an outrageously priced USB Dongle to program or communicate with?
The same system that they're installing on their Glycol "semi-self-contained" systems, attaching the controller to the bottom of the drip pan and wondering why they burn out?
Nope.... Never worked on one....... This week....

Whaddya need to know?
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11-28-2012, 07:47 PM #3
If you service these it would be wise to carry a temp sensor and a pressure transducer.
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11-28-2012, 07:55 PM #4
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11-28-2012, 07:58 PM #5
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11-28-2012, 09:15 PM #6
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Sounds like the same setup. The way I'm seeing it you have to use a IR device that plugs into ones laptop then shoot it at the possessor. This is the only way to reprogram it for a different refrigerant use. That's not what I'm after though. Was just curious if one can troubleshoot the plugins. I know the first thing I need to do with the one I'm working on is to get the outdoor unit on some type of head pressure control. Will these valves hunt like the mechanical valves ? How much is the dongle ?
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11-28-2012, 09:44 PM #7
I suppose that wild swings in system operating conditions could make the valve hunt, but under relatively constant conditions, they're TIGHT! They'll run a nice, low superheat and keep it pretty tightly controlled with a minimum of hunting.
My understanding was that the dongle was about $400. I didn't buy it, though.
I suppose that you could troubleshoot these systems by 'guess and golly' but I've found that a laptop and the dongle make it much easier and more accurate.
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11-28-2012, 10:15 PM #8
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Thanks jp,
So it sounds like you got your company to shell out the shillings for you....nice. Unfortunately this cheap a$$ is not going to do that. I'm twisting his arm just to get a fan cycling control on it. I would much rather pipe in a proper head pressure control. This reach-in is using R404a at medium temp. What should the coil temp. be running at ? I was at about 15* if I remember correctly. Hill Phoenix is showing a 6-8* superheat. I was getting a yellow/red led which is a high superheat code. Also the case is on a time clock for time defrost is that necessary ?
Thanks VTP
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11-28-2012, 10:18 PM #9
We carry a Q body kit for these gems
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11-28-2012, 10:22 PM #10
Hill Phoenix and smart don't belong in the same sentence, not even the same thread.
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11-28-2012, 10:29 PM #11
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11-28-2012, 10:37 PM #12
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11-28-2012, 10:46 PM #13


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But what a shame to waste all that advanced technology.
