[mcd1]

I had a Trane XR13 unit (2TTR3036A) installed yesterday along with a Trane 13 seer evaporator coil (2TXCB036A) and Trane XR 80 single stage furnace (TUD1B080A9361A). The system was up and running at 1pm. At that time, the temp at the outlet ducts was measured at 65 degrees. At 5 pm when my wife returned to the house, there was no cool air coming out of the vents, only warm air. The unit ran for another two hours until 7 pm when I returned home and turned off the system. When the tech returned this morning to check on the problem, he determined the system was overcharged with freon. The condensor, which ran for about a 1/2 hour prior to the tech's arrival was hot and had to be cooled down with a hose. The tech told me the pressure was 275 and should have been around 225. He said he removed 1 and 1/2 pounds of freon and said the condensor is now running properly. He also said the condensor was not permanently damaged and it is designed to shut down when it gets too hot. Is the situation I generally described likely to cause the condensor to be permenantly damaged? Also, the tech said the unit comes precharged. Was the fact that it was installed and operated in this apparant overcharged condition a Trane issue, an install issue, or both? Thanks in advance for your comments.

Mike

 

[Wild Leg]

It could have been shipped with excessive refrigerant, but the installer is supposed to verify proper charge.

 

[coordinatesales]

It could have been shipped with excessive refrigerant, but the installer is supposed to verify proper charge.

I agree-a good installer will always double check the charge since even if the factory charge is correct, was it correct for the length of line set you have? Yours seems to have been quite a bit off so I would lean more towards the factory charge being wrong. It does happen and thats why the installer should check.

 

[kevinmac]

Sounds to me that the installer just turned the valve and left. I guess he figured the precharge was sufficient. He should have adjusted the charge as per the proper methods of super cooling and superheat. It also sounds to me the second guy is only adjusting to average pressures and not accounting for inside, outside ambeint temps and coil loading.
Perfect example of a bad installer which will make a customer unhappy with the manufactuere!

 

[docholiday]

It could have been shipped with excessive refrigerant, but the installer is supposed to verify proper charge.

Amen, the installer is the final inspector.

 

[Panama]

And you can't check for proper charge just by measuring pressures.

 

[Chill]

Sounds to me that the installer just turned the valve and left. I guess he figured the precharge was sufficient. He should have adjusted the charge as per the proper methods of super cooling and superheat. It also sounds to me the second guy is only adjusting to average pressures and not accounting for inside, outside ambeint temps and coil loading.
Perfect example of a bad installer which will make a customer unhappy with the manufactuere!

I agree with most that you say. Let's just hope that he is a great installer and just a bit weak on the Tech side. I have worked with many like that, who do great work, but always let me do the testing and measuring.

 

[captainrat]

that equipment is to be charged by the subcooling method PMI per manufactures instuctions provided with the unit. one would have to read & comprehend as well as posses the proper instruments to do this.
it really gets to me when people do such a hack job.
the best equipment will never perform like the best when in the wrong hands.
Mr Eddie Says Get A ------ Manual

 

[dougfamous]

Your condenser is now permanently damaged and worthless. You should demand that they come out, remove everything, and install all new equipment with new lines and you better have them throw in a new thermostat too just in case.

Seriously, who do so many people think their equipment is made of glass? The least little thing happens and they start asking if it's damaged or wrecked. For crying out loud, you have a warranty. If something does happen it's covered.

If it's cooling properly now, then don't worry about. It doesn't matter whose fault this is, they fixed it. They obviously didn't charge you extra to fix it, so no harm done.

 

[grasshopper1]

No premanent damage should have occured but it sounds like you hired a second rate company must have been a lowest bidder situation. You can not comprehend a correct system charge by pressures alone. Depending on the type of metering device the system contains either super heat or subcooling reading would have to be obtained to determine a proper system charge.

 

[xersw]

manafactuerte?what are you french.Wee-Wee

 

[jim baughman]

Your unit is not hurt at all from being overcharged with the built in pressure safety. However, the reading of 275 will not be high enough to trip out the compressor. I am not sure if this was your problem or not. They do come with a pre-charge in them, but this does not take into consideration for the line sets...every home will have a different length of lines and require different charges to compensate. The installer has to make this adjustment. Like mentioned above....you have to know how to charge one correctly and not just "guess" at it. But I am concerned that he claims it was just overcharged and cutting out on the pressure switch...the pressure would have to be much higher for that to happen. Call them back out if you have more problems...it is under warranty and will get fixed. It is harder than most of the general public thinks to diagnose a problem without checking it yourself. If you have doubts about the person doing it, request someone different from that company to come out...or try another company.

 

[t1tech]

dose it need a hard start kit?

 

[rclaoac]

According to the homeowner the unit tripped out on head pressure when it was running in the afternoon. The tech came out the following morning and found the head at 275. The pressures were likely higher the previous day in the afternoon.

 

[stafford]

It's fine

I agree with the other poster, your equipment is fine.

Trane offers a 10year Parts & Labor extended warranty that any local Trane dealer should be willing to sell to you on your new system if you are really that worried about it.

 

[gsxrsquid]

I had a call last year. New 5 ton lennox system. The people complained it had not worked since it was installed and someone had already come out once and changed T-Stat. Put the guages on it and holy cow! 120/off the dial 500+. I shut it down and recovered pounds of refrigerant. The condenser was placed on other side of the wall from AHU. No dubt in my mind the installed opened the valves, threw the switch and walked away.

 

[thoglow]

dose it need a hard start kit?

I'm pretty sure it comes with a start asst already installed.

 

[cphc]

Damage beyond compare! Did he want to sell you another unit? Just BS! If the condenser motor goes out is the unit doomed also. Don't use either one of those contractors again. Compressors are tough and can take some what of a beating for a period of time. Have the charge adjusted and you'll be good to go.

 

[lynn comstock]

When the tech returned this morning to check on the problem, he determined the system was overcharged with freon. The condensor, which ran for about a 1/2 hour prior to the tech's arrival was hot and had to be cooled down with a hose. The tech told me the pressure was 275 and should have been around 225.Mike

In the morning with 1/2 hour of running, and a hot compressor...Did it ever cool in the morning?...I suspect that the unit compressor may have a starting problem. Trane factory overcharges are pretty rare. They are evacuated and filled automatically, computer controlled. Hi pressure cutout is about 400#. Another possibillity is fan motor problem...such as running backwards.