supplemental heat strips versus defrost cycle

[alchemy]

General question on what heat pumps 'typically' do when going into defrost mode. An HVAC tech friend (I'm licensed but have retired from the line of work years ago) told me that heat pumps' supplemental heat (heat strips) are supposed to come on when a heat pump goes into defrost mode, in order to counteract the fact that defrosting will make units blow cold air. I have a Trane XL800 (10 Seer,made in 1988) and an American Standard Heritage 12 (made in 2000) that do not operate this way. Is the wiring from my outdoor unit to my air handler improperly connected, or is this guy full of BS?

Thanks,
RS

[djken]

He is right... What were you 'licensed' in?? Not HVAC I hope.

[alchemy]

Originally posted by djken
He is right... What were you 'licensed' in?? Not HVAC I hope.

Licensed in MVAC. What's your highest level of education obtained? Just curious...

[djken]

High enough to know how a heat pump works.

[Wirenut]

The answer your friend gave you is correct, most heatpump's energize heat strips during the defrost. How do you know that your unit's are not staging in some of the strip heat during defrost? Some units will not allow all the strips to be energized unless the outdoor temps are low.
djken
He just asked a simple question, not information about DIY repair of his system.

[alchemy]

Originally posted by djken
High enough to know how a heat pump works.

I've a Ph.D. in Chem Engineering, MS in Chemistry, and a BS in Pharmacy. Talk down to someone your own size.

NOW THAT'S FUGLEY...

[djken]

I apologize ... I read it as you having a mechanical license.

[Hroper]

So you can top off a charge on a 84 buick. Well i can tell you got a BS.

[bb]

I have a Trane XL800 (10 Seer,made in 1988)

BTW an XL800 is an 8 SEER

[beenthere]

Maybe one of youor strip heaters is burnt out.