Foot in Mouth

[biscuitnt]

Not a real problem, "I HOPE!" but last night I replaced the contactor on the condensing unit for my neighbor. (Tempstar 3.5 ton, circa 1999) the compressor cycled, but the fan would not shut down on the CU.

After I finished and had their system up and running again, I was have a beer or 12 with my neighbor at my home when I made comment that I had not had troubles with my CU (exact same one as his). about that time we walked into the house (needed more beer) and I noticed that it was 77 degrees on the t-stat, blower was working, went outside and CU was not running.

Tripped breaker, damn and I was bragging on this Tempstar P.O.S. Reset breaker and started system, pulled cover off disconnect and check amp draw. 18.6 on both legs, Panel gives FLA of 18.7, so all is good.

Just makes me wonder if I need to quit bragging on the quality or non-quality of equipment.

Although I iwll be glad when this one dies so I will have an excuse to put a Carrier or Trane system in.

Regards

[ruud-man]

From the pan into the fire...

Heh-Heh

Have a beer on me.

[dhvac]

should have knocked on wood

[biscuitnt]

Still curious as to why that darn breaker tripped though,

Hoping was a thermal trip. heat Index was over 100 yesterday here and is expected to be 109 degrees heat index today.

I wish someone would tell the damn weatherman that its not August in Mississippi yet.

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by biscuitnt
Not a real problem, "I HOPE!" but last night I replaced the contactor on the condensing unit for my neighbor. (Tempstar 3.5 ton, circa 1999) the compressor cycled, but the fan would not shut down on the CU.

Please tell me how this is happening!

[biscuitnt]

Hmmmmm I give up... why?

[control_noob]

Bet I know...

[bb]

Originally posted by control_noob
Bet I know...

Check to see where you put the common wire at. Just a hint.

[Toolpusher]

Is it just me ?

But almost 19 amps sounds high for running amps.
Must be under a good load.

[beenthere]

Well, more then once while rushing, i've put the fan wire on the line side of the contactor, thinking i was putting the cch wire on.

Always curse myself out when i do it .

[Toolpusher]

usaully if you multiply the running amps by 5 or 6 .
that would give a close expectation of the start amps

18x5=90
19x6=114

maybe your breaker is getting weak.

[dave_slo]

Originally posted by biscuitnt

Just makes me wonder if I need to quit bragging on the quality or non-quality of equipment.

Although I iwll be glad when this one dies so I will have an excuse to put a Carrier or Trane system in.

Regards

Actually, don't you know that all mechanical equipment talks to each other? You put new parts in your neighbors unit, now yours wants some too. Sort of like replacing the condensor fan motor only to have the compressor fail a week later...

[biscuitnt]

Originally posted by bb

Originally posted by control_noob
Bet I know...

Check to see where you put the common wire at. Just a hint.

I replaced the contactor on my neighbors unit, its perfectly fine.

It was my unit that tripped the breaker when I was braggin on it never giving any trouble.

Regards

[pecmsg]

Toolpusher

Multiply by 6.5 to 7 and that gives you L R A

Starting amps can be in the hundreds for the first millisecond!

[ct2]

No , you all failed to see the real reason he had problems with his unit:

I was have a beer or 12 with my neighbor at my home



now multiply the LRA x the 12 beers and your answer will be the square of the headache after the beer

[Toolpusher]

Starting amps can be in the hundreds for the first millisecond!
[/B][/QUOTE]

I've metered the start before and seen as much as 80 to 90.
My meter has peak lock, so what ever the highest reading is it locks at that number.

I've never seen one in the hunderds, on res. maybe comm.
50 to 60 may be more commen in res.

But I'm not desputing your claim.

But how can lock rotor be lower the start amps,
Lock rotor is full amps with no motor turn.
Start amps are brief and then falls back.

Make me understand.

[Edited by Toolpusher on 07-01-2005 at 06:51 PM]

[biscuitnt]

Have a beer or 12 like I do and everything makes sense!

Regards and have a great day,