Compressor 38TKB030300 3 ton replaced 2000
- indoor txv subcooling 11 F
- R22 with 4.88 lbs from factory
- low pressure listed on unit 150psi
- high pressure listed on unit 300psi
Furnace 58BV125-2B C - new 1968
Motor model number 5K910C 1/2HP replace 1990
I've owned this setup since 2008. Over the years we have had different techs out and I don't remember any details of what was done other than the following.
1. instruct me to be more diligent on filter change
2. add more R22
3. show me how to access top side of coil to use hair dryer on freezing coil during hot spikes with kids leaving doors open in a brick house with no insulation and crappy old windows.
Unit was freezing up and I'm trying to get another year out of it because... long story. We (I hired a guy) took the evaporator coil out (it was installed so that the triangle to access under the evaporator coil wasn't accessible) and there was a thick mat buildup so we peeled that off and cleaned it and reinstalled.
The unit seemed to work a bit better for two days when outside temp was 80 degrees. Now that its in the 90s it isn't working as well. I've had it freeze up twice so I turn on fan and compressor off and let it thaw.
The guy who helped me with removing evaporator and putting it back left me with instructions to clean condenser coil as it was showing 310 psi. So I got some cleaner this morning and a second hand yellowjacket manifold gauge set.
Today the high was 89 degrees, the thermostat is set to 70, and the temperature in the house was at 77 first thing this morning and it has only raised 1 degree today to 78 this afternoon. Except for a few short windows (15 mins once (cleaning) and 5 mins twice moving gauges) the unit has been on all day.
I have connected the gauges and the suction side reads a fairly constant 64 psig and the high pressure side reads a constant 25 psi. I have not calibrated gauges but I have swapped them and they read the same on both sides so I'm assuming they are accurate.
The outside temperature again is 89 degrees, the air coming out of the condenser coil reads around 108, the suction side pipe reads 57 degrees. I'm taking all of these temps with my meat thermometer that has two sensors and I've double checked all of these numbers.
I have as good of air flow as I've ever had from the 1968 blower and 1990 belt motor.
So, to my question, those pressures seem really low, especially after the guy who helped me 5 days ago remove/install evaporator coil said the high side was over 300 psi. Also, I'd like the house to get cooler than 77/78 degrees, from what I can remember it used to when we moved in to the house in 2008.
I would really love to hear anyones thoughts on this as I'm am really a novice.
Thank you
Jared
- indoor txv subcooling 11 F
- R22 with 4.88 lbs from factory
- low pressure listed on unit 150psi
- high pressure listed on unit 300psi
Furnace 58BV125-2B C - new 1968
Motor model number 5K910C 1/2HP replace 1990
I've owned this setup since 2008. Over the years we have had different techs out and I don't remember any details of what was done other than the following.
1. instruct me to be more diligent on filter change
2. add more R22
3. show me how to access top side of coil to use hair dryer on freezing coil during hot spikes with kids leaving doors open in a brick house with no insulation and crappy old windows.
Unit was freezing up and I'm trying to get another year out of it because... long story. We (I hired a guy) took the evaporator coil out (it was installed so that the triangle to access under the evaporator coil wasn't accessible) and there was a thick mat buildup so we peeled that off and cleaned it and reinstalled.
The unit seemed to work a bit better for two days when outside temp was 80 degrees. Now that its in the 90s it isn't working as well. I've had it freeze up twice so I turn on fan and compressor off and let it thaw.
The guy who helped me with removing evaporator and putting it back left me with instructions to clean condenser coil as it was showing 310 psi. So I got some cleaner this morning and a second hand yellowjacket manifold gauge set.
Today the high was 89 degrees, the thermostat is set to 70, and the temperature in the house was at 77 first thing this morning and it has only raised 1 degree today to 78 this afternoon. Except for a few short windows (15 mins once (cleaning) and 5 mins twice moving gauges) the unit has been on all day.
I have connected the gauges and the suction side reads a fairly constant 64 psig and the high pressure side reads a constant 25 psi. I have not calibrated gauges but I have swapped them and they read the same on both sides so I'm assuming they are accurate.
The outside temperature again is 89 degrees, the air coming out of the condenser coil reads around 108, the suction side pipe reads 57 degrees. I'm taking all of these temps with my meat thermometer that has two sensors and I've double checked all of these numbers.
I have as good of air flow as I've ever had from the 1968 blower and 1990 belt motor.
So, to my question, those pressures seem really low, especially after the guy who helped me 5 days ago remove/install evaporator coil said the high side was over 300 psi. Also, I'd like the house to get cooler than 77/78 degrees, from what I can remember it used to when we moved in to the house in 2008.
I would really love to hear anyones thoughts on this as I'm am really a novice.
Thank you
Jared
