Heat Pump Condenser coils going bad - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

DCHVAC · 06-24-2009, 10:08 AM

Have any of you guys ever had this happen? The first time it happened it took four years to get to the point of failure. All the refrigerant and oil leaked out and the compressor seized. The manufacturer wouldn't give me a new unit so I had to rebuild the old one. They gave me a new coil and compressor. After just one year, it happened again. The original installer didn't use pump ups so I put them on when I rebuilt the unit. This is a heat pump installed in northern Pennsylvania. I'm at a loss to explain this and so is the manufacturer.

Verbal · 06-24-2009, 08:25 PM

who else tried to wipe that hair off the screen?

westernhvac · 06-26-2009, 08:10 AM

Definitely from ice build up. Might not be high enough off of the ground, defrost time too short, charge low or unit is located on the eave side of the home. Just some suggestions.

DCHVAC · 07-08-2009, 08:25 PM

Thanks for the reply Western. I thought it was from snow since it was only the first loop of the coil but the home owner is insistent that snow never builds up where the condenser is. I thought about the defrost issue as well but wouldn't the entire coil have the same damage if the defrost was the issue? I've observed many HP condensers just before they go into defrost and they all have frost building in bands all around the coil and not just on the first loop on the bottom. This is where I'm stumped.

greghvacguy · 07-08-2009, 08:32 PM

Looks like you have a dog peeing on the coil. Have seen it take the bottom of the coils out.

BigMikeB · 07-09-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCHVAC

Thanks for the reply Western. I thought it was from snow since it was only the first loop of the coil but the home owner is insistent that snow never builds up where the condenser is. I thought about the defrost issue as well but wouldn't the entire coil have the same damage if the defrost was the issue? I've observed many HP condensers just before they go into defrost and they all have frost building in bands all around the coil and not just on the first loop on the bottom. This is where I'm stumped.

What is the scrap mark on the coil from a screwdriver? How high is the damage 1.5"? First two tubes.

DCHVAC · 07-11-2009, 03:36 AM

Yes BM, the first two tubes. The damage is from fin deformation and then copper failure after that.