[dorrmann]

This is actually three different places. I just didn't feel like cluttering up the forum with three different thread each for one pic.

I would have liked to have been there when this happened. I've never seen one before.

Kablooee!

This was an under-sink temperature booster. We don't normally do this, but it was only an element, so I figured I'd help them out. Once I got it open, I noticed all the minerals built up inside. I scooped out what I could through the element hole and told the customer to start budgeting for a new one to replace this hunk of rusty junk.

It puked.

This unit was installed brand new about a year ago. I was there for a different problem (the installers, or someone since then) grossly overcharged it. I happened to notice this, and had to mention it. Needless to say, I fixed it while I was there.

This isn't going to accomplish much besides being an expensive way to tell approximate time while on the roof.

 

[PaysonHVAC]

You are right! Only Line and N will just rin the darn clock motor LOL! Why did they bother?


You got to LOVE the compressor that blows out the terminals. GUARENTEED to be a burn out!
I just had another one on a commercial Carrier the other day.

 

[mark beiser]

I would have liked to have been there when this happened. I've never seen one before.

Trust me on this one, you really DO NOT want to be right there when that happens!

 

[tpa-fl]

Mark, what's it like when a compressor lets go like that? This intrigues me, but for the wrong reasons. <evil grin> We used to blow up caps in the back of the parking lot when we decomissioned equipment or found any old cap we weren't planning on reusing. Good clean fun. I'd say more fun than bottle rockets.

 

[heatpumpjesus]

I would have liked to have been there when this happened. I've never seen one before.

Trust me on this one, you really DO NOT want to be right there when that happens!

ditto

 

[karsthuntr]

We used to blow up caps in the back of the parking lot when we decomissioned equipment or found any old cap we weren't planning on reusing.

How do you blow up caps?

 

[sonc]

Dynamite..next question please..

 

[icemeister]

I've encountered a lot of terminal blowouts like that, but fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view) I wasn't around when any of them happened. The only one I can relate to you was one as told to me by a commercial customer of mine whose home A/C unit blew a terminal while they were having a backyard party. He said there was no loud boom or anything, just a lot of "smoke" which I assumed was actually an oil fog as it dumped the charge with the condenser fan still running. Dorrmann's pic looks like it blew pretty clean.....no oil.

I don't do booster heaters either but that lime buildup just tells me they need a water softener real bad. That's a real problem around here in Florida.

The yahoos that installed and grossly overcharged that refrigeration condensing unit likely didn't read that I&O manual tucked behind the contactor. I come in behind these dudes a lot. Wet systems, overcharged, no pumpdown, no sightglass, cooler evap fans cycling off with the t'stat, 3/4" and 3/8" no matter what size the system is, etc. They're the ones who typically get the installs for most of the C-Stores around here. I get to fix 'em.

 

[usaf hvac retired]

Mark, what's it like when a compressor lets go like that?

Ive been there when it did that twice in 20 plus years. Both times , scared the $#!t out of me!

last time was only a few months ago, A residential heat pump, Customer says the breaker trips every time the compressor trys to start, so I pull the disconnect, send him inside to reset the breaker, attach my Amp Probe, and when he comes back I throw the disconnect...BOOM, lots of fire, burning oil, phosgene gas.
I just looked at the customer and said , "well it looks like shes dead"... It was an easy sale.

 

[cxagent]

I had the same two blow out experience in about 30 years. The first one was when I was just learning A/C service (late '70s??). The guy I was helping wanted me to tell him when the compressor came on while he was flipping breakers inside. There was no question when he found it. There was a LOUD BOOM and I got hit with hot oil. I'm glad the teminal cover was still on so it wasn't a direct spray of hot oil. I couldn't hear much for a couple of hours.

The second time was last year in front of the HO. Again, a load boom and oil, smoke, hiss. I was standing up and reaching for the disconnect when it blew. It kind of feels like getting hit with a shot gun firing a blank. Not that I know what that feels like...

 

[rushin]

Hey That thing needs a timer! OK! Did you looke at the setting to see if they were set 5 min. apart. And yes it is an expensive way to tell time.

 

[lynn comstock]

Exposed terminals (no cover) scare me a little. I NEVER stand in front of them.

I saw a compressor once that had blown a terminal. The terminal cover and the unit panel were both missing. The unit was ground mounted. The oil mist had ignited and made a torch that burned the grass for about 30 feet and up to 3 feet wide. I never want to SEE that happen.

Lynn Comstock

 

[billygoat22]

They had one here that blew and set the side of house on fire.