5 Comments on Freshening Website

Tim Dolan on Mon, 10th Nov 2014 9:36 pm


Hi Chris,
I remember following you on the old newsgroups. Then I was not able to get them anymore. I think it had to do with my internet company.
Anyway, I am glad I just found you while looking for help with my 2005 DuoTherm 59136.531. A/C heatpump. It pops the breaker when in heatpump, mode sometimes, but not the A/C. The A/C runs just fine.
I’ve changed the circuit breaker Didn’t help. .Had a tech come out to us in Palmetto Fl. but it didn’t pop. He took current reading and said maybe the heat pump was drawing too much current when it ran for awhile.
Called another tech when we were at a different location. Again it didn’t pop. He recommended changing the circuit board and changed it. I was warmer weather and had no need for the heat pump so used A/C from last March to October.
We are now in Connecticut and the heat pump worked well – – – – 3 out of four
attempts. When it popped it reset it and it ran normally.
I don’t know what to do. Someone mentioned changing the start and run capacitors. Do you agree with that? If it may help I’ll gladly do it. Cripe new units are about $1000 and we’ll be heading south in Dec or Jan do we’ll need things working.
Please help me if you can.
respectfully,
tim Fm CT

Chris on Wed, 12th Nov 2014 1:18 pm


Hi Tim,
The first thing I look for is whether the coils are clean, and airflow. The current will go up if the unit can not get rid of the heat- which on a heat pump running in heat mode would be the inside coils. I would look closely at air flow, and make certain the air is not recirculating from supply to return. On an air conditioner, this would cause freeze up (or cycling on the freeze sensor), but in heating mode this would raise the current draw.
It could be a run capacitor- I doubt it is the start capacitor, unless it trips right on startup.
Another possibility is that the breaker is just a bit weak- after they trip a few times, they will trip at a lower current draw.

Hope this helps!

— Chris

Tim Dolan on Wed, 12th Nov 2014 2:07 pm


Thanks Chris,
I was nice to see a pic of you. Last winter it did both. Sometimes it popped right away. But usually after running a few minutes. I did change the breaker.
How many times does the breaker have to trip to make it weak?
Do you think low voltage could have caused the problem? If so, would a Hughs Autoformer help?
it was nice to hear from you.
Tim

Chris on Fri, 14th Nov 2014 1:12 pm


Hey Tim,
Low voltage would make it draw more current, so that could be a cause. Breakers loos a little bit every time they trip, though not much. I would check the air recirculation though- after it has run for a bit, stick your hand up in the air return (remove the filter) and feel for warm air leaking out of the supply.

P.S.- that picture is actually from around 2001- I pretty much look the same, but shorter and grayer hair, and thank to cataract surgery, no glasses :).Gotta take a new pic.

— Chris

Tim Dolan on Wed, 12th Nov 2014 2:08 pm


Forgot to mention that the coils are clean

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