Larkin condensors

[mpr73]

Just throwing this out there for you guys. Over the last year my company has installed 4-5 new walk in coolers. ( evaps, TXV, line sets and cond.)

And every last one has had a bad headmaster right out of the gate. The latest one is a Larkin m: LHT050X60CFM, new style with the micro channel coil. Once everything is up and running my liquid side hangs about 140PSI on a 180 valve. Check condensor coil and half is warm and half is cool. ( 24lbs of 404-a) Site glass flashing a bit. Add a fan cycler and of course glass clears during fan off. Fan cycles on glass remains clear. Ambient was 30*

We have done this a few times like I said til we can get a new head master, new valve diverts flow as needed and maintains the 180... Just wondering if anyone else has been having these issues right out of the gate.

[ryan1088]

Interesting. What brand valves??

[mpr73]

Sporlan OROA-5-180

[bunny]

From my experience in working for the valve company in question and being in the industry for nearly 40 years......almost without exception when someone finds multiples of the same component all failing on startup, there is normally some other explanation besides it being a defective component.

Just saying.....

[y7turbo]

How are you coming up with the additional charge to flood the condenser using the microchannel coil?

[jpsmith1cm]

From my experience in working for the valve company in question and being in the industry for nearly 40 years......almost without exception when someone finds multiples of the same component all failing on startup, there is normally some other explanation besides it being a defective component.

Just saying.....

This makes a LOT of sense.

One failure? Yeah, it happens. Multiple failures? Something fishy is going on.

How are you coming up with the additional charge to flood the condenser using the microchannel coil?

I know that Heatcraft published a chart that just gave a flooding charge value for their microchannel coils.

I suppose that Larkin would, too.

[y7turbo]

I know that Heatcraft published a chart that just gave a flooding charge value for their microchannel coils.

I suppose that Larkin would, too.

In sure they do JP. Lets see how the OP calculated the charge.

[codgy]

It does sound like system charge is the culprit. You must charge to full sight glass then add additional chagrge for low ambient operation. If sight glass was not full then there was not enough charge to flood condenser which would then lower condenser pressure below valve setting. I must admit that 24 lb is about what I normally charge that size unit when lines are under 50'.

[ryan1088]

This makes a LOT of sense.

One failure? Yeah, it happens. Multiple failures? Something fishy is going on.



I know that Heatcraft published a chart that just gave a flooding charge value for their microchannel coils.

I suppose that Larkin would, too.

I thought Larkin was Heatcraft?

[jpsmith1cm]

I thought Larkin was Heatcraft?

I can't keep track of who is who.

Bohn is Heatcraft, I know.

Other than that, I write down the numbers and somebody else deciphers who owns who and who supplies what parts.

[Tommy knocker]

Flashing glass = big red flag.

[evilsanta]

Weigh in charge until glass is full. Take that weight and figure out what 10% of that is and weigh that in. Heatcraft tech support told me that 12 years ago and I have done it ever since with out fail.

[ararams]

Weigh in charge until glass is full. Take that weight and figure out what 10% of that is and weigh that in. Heatcraft tech support told me that 12 years ago and I have done it ever since with out fail.

Did he tell you what the ambient should be when doing this.