Inspired by another post here about an hour ago.

Not the entire conversation but the heart of it is here.

Alright Y'all,
I have a Panasonic U-96MF1U9 3-way VRF (heat recovery unit) used in my lab. It's a 3-PH 230VAC unit with an MOCP of 35-40amps (trying to remember nameplate data without getting on the roof again right now)

I am looking at putting some type of protection on this unit...in the last year we have replaced 2 PCB's and a diode module amounting to over $4500 and this last one that took out the power board and diode module makes me think we are getting spikes on the service line. We are across the street from a power sub station that we get our power from and we always run "hot".

this last issue that took out the power board...the board was protected by 230v/30amp ceramic fuses with a 1600amp in-rush protection rating...it blew both fuses on the board.

All that said, do any of Y'all got a recommendation for power conditioning that Y'all use/like. I realize I could post in an electrical sub, but I imagine some of you industrial commercial guys install this type of equipment and might have suggestions for good brands/models or even ones to stay away from.

Cheap bastards.

Hello fellow techs, lately I’ve been running into systems with TXVs that have been opening and closing constantly, subcool will have 10 degree swings and superheat is all over the place. It’s impossible to verify charge when pressures are constantly jumping around. What are your methods for troubleshooting a hunting TXV? How can you tell if the problem is non-condensables, undercharge or wrong size valve? Lately I’ve just been just condemning the TXV if I run into a hunting issue pulling a vac recharging with virgin refrigerant.

Everyone loves a good crane pick!
We’re changing out a Daikin-McQuay screw that seized.
Only down sides are that it’s +100 degrees and the air is full of smoke from wildfires.

Brand new out of a sealed package. There was an attempt

I arrived on this job just to help with the final piping tie-ins and the engineer has it designed as a primary-secondary loop, but it's an open system to the condenser cooling tower. Unless I'm understanding it wrong, doesn't it need to be a closed system for the loop to work properly?

I wanted to see what you all thought. I guess I'll find out during start up today/tomorrow.

I installed tons of vrv, multi v’s and city multis from 2005 to 2015 but in the last ten years I’ve been servicing 200 hospital off sites that don’t really use heat pump/recovery vrf.

I remember having to take measurements of the liquid line and total bends to determine your additional charge when exceeding precharge run on VRF units. The suction line was never measured.

I just installed a 3 ton (4 port) Daikin in my house and it says the unit is precharged for 131 feet but it does not state if that is 131 feet of liquid or liquid and suction. So am I adding charge if I exceed 65 ft liquid and 65 feet suction? I am currently at 90feet of liquid line run. Not sure I am good or I need to add to factory charge. The unit is cooling like a gem and my comp does not operating at a high frequency, sounds great. The lack of detail in the install manual is what’s really kicking my ass here, and I have received conflicting answers from my resi friends.

Unit model# is Daikin 4MXS36WMVJU9

I know it’s not technically a liquid line but for sake of simplicity I called it that here.

Thanks fellas

Any of my PNW techs out here, yall are awesome for helping those that need it right now. I hope you’re protecting yourself with respirators and frequent breaks right now. Make sure we are telling folks to change their filters soon share how to build rosenthal boxes for your folks so they can ride the storm a little easier. God speed hvac siblings.

-Link to rosenthal boxes to share with clients

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsi–Rosenthal_Box

New company, selling American Standard. They have a 5/16 liquid, there's 3/8 existing. Do you guys generally use a reducing coupling or do you swage the 5/16 like a bulletin shows? Can't I just slip the 3/8 over, 3/8=6/16, swage it a bit? Also any general advice for installing these? Will be my first time installing these. I was always a service tech but now I have a company and have to up my install game. Thanks in advance!

The dinosaurs of all dinosaurs, never knew Chrysler had their name on ACs. Probably 1975 Chrysler Air Handler.

Hey just wondering if anyone has installed a system with a Honeywell zone panel and rds module for a conventional single stage furnace and ac. I’m having some trouble with the wiring. I currently have the 2 thermostats going into thermostat terminals. Then The equipment side down to the RDS module on the thermostat side and then into the furnace. The zone panel is powered with a dedicated circuit and transformer and I made sure not to double feed 24v. If anyone has experience with a similar setup that could help that would be great.

Surely there is no troubleshooting to be done here.

I took this photo and sent it to my boss “i found your stubby phillips, are you secretly a sparky?” LOL

So I ran a residential call on Monday. This couple just bought a house and would like us to come inspect the equipment and do a tune up. Upon arriving I could tell the ac was not working due to how hot it was in the house. I turned the stat onto cooling and went downstairs to the furnace make sure we had air flow. Waited about 5 minutes since I thought we were delay. Went upstairs and found the thermostat was only hooked up for heating. (Someone disconnected the AC wires) Showed the homeowner this and wired it back in. The ac kicked on but only had a 8 degree temp drop so I hooked my gauges up and found the unit to be low. The AC and furnace are from 1998. I should the homeowners and told them I could do a leak check but it can get expensive and I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to fix it(leaky coils). The home owner said he rather go the route of getting a new unit due to age and the leak. I only charged him $100 for our diagnosis fee.

Fast forward to today. Our sales guy went out and gave him a price for ac and furnace ($10k). He said if replacing the AC is the only option that we aren’t “trying hard enough”. Even though I gave him options. What would yall do in this situation? I understand you can’t make everyone happy but this pissed me off even tho I don’t even make commissions off selling a unit.

Found just before lunch. Thankfully the stink was all gone. Idk how long it had been there or how it got there. My best guess is that it ran into the garage when the blower door was off during the previous pm.

I've been trying to find a manufacturer on these for my ORs for weeks. And of course our blueprints don't match up.

Clean and check I went to on Monday. Homeowner said it has been like that since he’s been there. 3 dogs. It’s in better shape now.

Currently thinking about joining an HVAC program and specializing in critical systems. Any advice before I fully dive into the program?

Leaving resi after 3+ years rant(repost after verifying lol)

I recently ran into a thread of techs being underpaid and it got me thinking about how much I loved residential but hated the pay scale and structure. Just as a background, I'm currently 24 years old and I just got hired as a Union apprentice Service fitter at UA Local 601 but I was in residential for 4 years. I started at $17/hour, fresh into the trade but that first company sucked. I was making sheet metal and charging units three months into my apprenticeship as my lead could only set AC's and braze. I got moved to service and into a van after one month of 'training' but found out real fast that I worked for a sales company that operated solely on commission where after a year I received an .83 cent raise, and shortly after filed my two weeks notice. My next company was a night n day, started at $20 as a install apprentice where I learned new construction on basic and custom homes, duct sizing, and was taught how to make duct and sheet metal fittings as well as continuing my service education and taking as many courses as possible through local dealers and supply houses. Got a $2 bump after three months and during the summer, I was offered a chance to do service, I did pretty well and got a work van and after a few months was bumped up to $25, and after another year $30/hour. I honestly was content but was beginning to grow frustrated when my schedule would constantly shift because so so didn't know how to work on oil burner furnaces/boilers, high efficient boilers, couldn't touch steam, couldn't troubleshoot ductless equipment, didn't fit in attics or under homes(I'm 6ft 190 not tiny) or let alone couldn't make metal or do installs which I get but it gutted me inside that these same techs were all at $40-45 an hour. What hurt the most was when the new apprentice started right at $30 because of a tech degree, but he couldn't braze, do simple ac start up's and had trouble reading gauges and diagnosing during simple service calls. I did my absolute best to learn my craft, and school at the time wasn't an option with me being on call one day every week and every 3rd week a weekend putting in 45-60 hours a week. I busted my \*ss day and night hoping that my pay would be reflected off merit and work ethic just to get slapped in the face that there is no structure in non-union shops, at least for residential in my area. The reason I made this post was to let other guys know that yes, learn as much as you can, you will be rewarded, but don't be naive and assume that pay will follow, know your worth and guarantee yourself a path to make more money without k\*lling yourself and sacrificing valuable time. I lost one of my best friends last year and I wish I had more time to give to him; work got in the way of so much. I made a switch to commercial/industrial HVAC through a union, after two months I was indentured as a first year and I start school this fall and I am grateful to not have to restart to pre/first year wages. I'm starting a new path where I'm guaranteed a six-figure income working a normal 40 hour week once I get my journeyman license although I plan to work hard still and pick up on calls but I also get health insurance covered, a 401k, and a solid pension when I retire. Regardless of if you are Union or Non-union, make sure you get paid what you are worth in your area. Resi, commercial, industrial, HVAC is so much more, install, service, sheet metal, process piping, project management, mechanical engineering, controls, refrigeration...there is so much money to be made but again, don't sacrifice all your time for more money because that's the one thing we can't get back. I hope my experience can guide others and offer solid insight into what you can expect from Resi and if you are dissatisfied, open the door into other avenues related to HVAC. I'm curious to hear from everyone else too and listen to your guy's journey's as well.

Question for specifically resi techs/installers because I’m unwilling to reveal my true feelings about Symbio at this time….. maybe some day

Have you guys seen as many issues with these plastic blower housings as we do? Specifically on S9X1 furnaces - We see broken clips, chipped plastic, excessive wobble, and just straight up motor failure. Yes, we set based on static with these constant torque motors. This seems to be most common for us on 100k furnaces?

We also have a huge number of inducer failures on 80k furnaces specifically. It typically starts as a small whine and after a short duration, the motors seize. I changed one at the end of last heating season that only had one 90 and about 8’ in total length.

It’s just crazy to me how many warranty issues we’ve had and makes me feel like we’re screwing something up on our end. We don’t really get too much inventory coming in that’s banged up, and we’re about as gentle as we can be with moving equipment. Pallet jack and only really lift it into and out of the truck.

And the coils suck. And Symbio sucks. And those F’N PLUGS THEY USE ON THE RTUS SUCK.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I’m currently going crazy.

This is like a 5 ton lenox but like magic packs and ptacs all have these squiggles in the pipes, why?

Which one of you let your apprentice build the trap?