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Nordyne Micro channel evaporator coils

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Iceman_pdx

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey guys,

Anyone familiar with Nordyne micro channel coils? I just ran across one on a job we did. We installed a Lennox 13 seer heat pump with there coil and nothing but issues. In heating mode it's acting like it's restricted. Changed out txv 2x, installed a larger RA in hallway cus not enough air to air handler. I pulled the coil the other day, and blew all the lines out,I cased fan speed etc etc, still unit is tripping on high head. First time seeing this coil it looked like it could be very restrictive. I called Nordyne and they told me this coil should only be matched up with there unit. Undersized ducts or any airflow issue there will be problems with this coil. Told me this coil would probably take a pound less of freon then heat pump says. Im taking coil out and installing a normal coil. Anyone know anything bout these Micro channel coils? Any other manufacturers make them? Anyone else have problems? Any help would be great
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
So what I've gathered is this Nordyne micro channel evap coil is having issues when it's matched up with a condenser that is a tube and fin coil.
 
#3 ·
Iceman_pdx said:
So what I've gathered is this Nordyne micro channel evap coil is having issues when it's matched up with a condenser that is a tube and fin coil.
Click to expand...
You got it
HP needs to be micro in and out.
2 stage HP w/micro needs to have tube an fin on inside
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Kamersoutdoor,

My system is a 13 seer single stage with a txv indoors. Piston or txv make any difference with this system? What a ass kicking. From what I read this MC coil was Nordynes solution to there leaky coils, and started sending this coil out matched up with tube and fin outdoors and then had issues with that match up? Isn't this coil ultra sensitive and any issues with airflow, filters etc gonna be problematic
 
#5 ·
First, you shouldn't have Lennox outside and Nordyne inside. Heat pumps have been notoriously picky about mismatches due to the different charge needs of the 2 modes. Even within a brand, a coil can be too small volume wise to work with a certain heat pump. Our American Standard supplier won't stock their NXC coils as they don't work well with some of the 14-15 SEER heat pumps even though they are rated that way. Not enough volume to hold charge in heat mode and pick up heat during defrost to get a thorough defrost.

Anyway, back to the microchannel coil. They can be used on plate fin outdoor coils. BUT, charging is CRITICAL and often you need a mild ambient kit to cycle the outdoor fan in milder weather. This kit can be needed in other brands, especially with indoor airflow problems.

Nordyne is the only split maker with a micrcochannel evap but I've seen it in geos and Rheem's new residential packs will be MC in & out. Nordyne is the only air source HP maker with a MC outdoor coil.
 
#6 ·
First, Did you follow the charge chart somewhere on the unit or in installation manual supplement exactly as directed by the manual? Some micro channels are charged like a light commercial RTU. Proper airflow (within design specifications) is essential when you chart charge.

Second.. Did you read the manual?
 
#7 ·
BaldLoonie said:
First, you shouldn't have Lennox outside and Nordyne inside. Heat pumps have been notoriously picky about mismatches due to the different charge needs of the 2 modes. Even within a brand, a coil can be too small volume wise to work with a certain heat pump. Our American Standard supplier won't stock their NXC coils as they don't work well with some of the 14-15 SEER heat pumps even though they are rated that way. Not enough volume to hold charge in heat mode and pick up heat during defrost to get a thorough defrost.

Anyway, back to the microchannel coil. They can be used on plate fin outdoor coils. BUT, charging is CRITICAL and often you need a mild ambient kit to cycle the outdoor fan in milder weather. This kit can be needed in other brands, especially with indoor airflow problems.

Nordyne is the only split maker with a micrcochannel evap but I've seen it in geos and Rheem's new residential packs will be MC in & out. Nordyne is the only air source HP maker with a MC outdoor coil.
Click to expand...
Bl, I know you're more familiar with nordyne than most (as I recall), but my supplier states "mc in and out on SS HP, MC out and fin tube in on 2 stage/variable", is this correct?
My supplier just picked up nordyne 2 years ago, I'm iffy on the high efficiency equipment as of right now
 
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#9 ·
Thats why i don't like mis matching equipment....too many variables to deal with....have used mortex coils in mobile homes on trane condensors but didn't really have any issues that come to mind now I've never installed lennox either but I've changed a truck load of their boards that always seemed to pop the fan relays every other year with revision boards smh what a mess dealing with those units....pulse furnace anyone? Lol
 
#10 ·
I have installed plenty of microchannel systems. You cannot mix and match them, even within the the Nordyne world. Their HPs are still fin/tube and they recommend fin/tube coils to prevent issues. They are developing MC HPs but that's a future release. They are also really finicky on charge, you cannot "beer-can" them or guess.

Microchannel is the wave of the future. They units are lighter, use less refrigerant, and the parallel piping gives you the opportunity to repair or even pinch off a few bad tubes and still have a usable unit.
 
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#11 ·
Our supplier only carries MC indoor coils so we have many systems with plate fin out and MC in. Now that heat pumps are going to MC, then we will finally have all MC. They won't honor the Quality Pledge putting a MC heat pump on an older coil though which could piss some customers off.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
From what I've gathered Nordyne developed this coil to replace there coils that were failing but then found out they couldn't match them with a conventional coil. Then they wanted a pound less of refrigerant in the system, and still had issues, then they wanted a fan cycle kit installed. Yes I adjusted my charge countless times. This MC coil CANT be matched up with any tube and fin coil. We check ratings of coils and never had a issue with match ups until this POS coil and 95% of our systems have to be AHRI rated. I took it out installed a conventional coil. Problem fixed. We don't go near Nordyne/Frigidaire, tried them before ya no thanks.
 
#15 ·
I'm going on my 3rd heating season with my unit. Micro channel indoor cool w/TXV, and a fin tube outdoor section. It's a matched set. The charge has be to dead on.

I wouldn't use a MC outdoor section for a heat pump up here. The upper couple rows on my fin tube is plenty chewed up from ice being slung off the condenser fan. I don't think the MC coils would fare well overall.

However, as mentioned, the system should always be matched. Heat pumps can be fussy.

FWIW, mine is a Frigidaire unit.

Chase
 
#16 ·
That system will never work correctly. Maybe with an expanslion vlv inside, but you shold have problems in the heat mode. Have put in a lot of MC to MC A/C systems with no problems. But your charge must be spot on. I have gone behind some who have put 13 SEER HP CU on a MC coil and no matter how you cut it. You will have a very high head # in the heat mode.....
 
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#17 ·
I just put the pressure switch on a heat pump that I installed, it did the same thing. It was very mild out. Previously I had the system charged one pound low so that was the first thing I did was put the other pound in the system. I guess I should have tried the kit first, lol.
 
#18 ·
dougfamous said:
I have installed plenty of microchannel systems. You cannot mix and match them, even within the the Nordyne world. Their HPs are still fin/tube and they recommend fin/tube coils to prevent issues. They are developing MC HPs but that's a future release. They are also really finicky on charge, you cannot "beer-can" them or guess.

Microchannel is the wave of the future. They units are lighter, use less refrigerant, and the parallel piping gives you the opportunity to repair or even pinch off a few bad tubes and still have a usable unit.
Click to expand...
You might want to ask Carrier and Trane's opinion about these coils lately, so far they are a big mistake. when they are blowing hundreds of pounds of refrigerant multiple times on there chillers, there is a serious problem.:oops:
 
#20 ·
jiffypop said:
You might want to ask Carrier and Trane's opinion about these coils lately, so far they are a big mistake. when they are blowing hundreds of pounds of refrigerant multiple times on there chillers, there is a serious problem.:oops:
Click to expand...
I have seen this. These units are vibration monsters. Resi units don't seem to have that problem...yet.
 
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