Oversized compressor in Trane Heatpump?

[drfluke]

I replaced a defrost board on a very old 2 ton Trane Weathertron heatpump (has TXV's on both coils) last winter. Owner said he purchased the unit 10 years ago from a local HVAC company who had repaired it and sold it to him as a used item. I replaced the defective defrost board and unit seemed to work fine.I recommended he let me clean and service the unit since it had not been done in 10 years! To my suprise I found a 3 ton bristol AC compressor (checked numbers) installed, with no high side port installed to check head pressure. Also, no accumilator which is only unnecessary with the oe compressor(built in design).No sign of stacking, etc.etc. How'd that guy accomplish this? What am I missing here? After 10 years it's still working pretty darn good. Unit has no modification except compressor.

[Shophound]

That Bristol may have a different pumping efficiency than the original compressor (which I would think was a recip Climatuff). Running good...how did you arrive at that conclusion? Check superheat and subcooling? Compression ratio? Actual BTUs being produced compared to energy input in BTUs?

[just_opinion]

...how did you arrive at that conclusion? Check superheat and subcooling?

The doggone thing runs for 10 years without missing a lick. That's how.

Wash her up and let her rock for another decade.

[bmathews]

We made a "Frankenstein" a few years ago in our yard while drinking a few cool ones after a long week of work. Installed it on one of the guys houses. 2 ton compressor on a 5 ton body/condenser. Ran great for 5+ years until he finally ponied up for a new unit. I think it's still floating around somewhere.

[Greend88]

We made a "Frankenstein" a few years ago in our yard while drinking a few cool ones after a long week of work. Installed it on one of the guys houses. 2 ton compressor on a 5 ton body/condenser. Ran great for 5+ years until he finally ponied up for a new unit. I think it's still floating around somewhere.

Nothing wrong with that just increased the SEER rating and made the unit more efficient.