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82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
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- Don't tell me to get a new heat pump.
- Have a 20 yr. old heat pump have had few issues
- It's got a 60 amp breaker for heat and a 30 amp for cool
- Today the ac breaker has tripped 3 times
- When the ac breaker has tripped it continues to cool
- What gives ?
- Thanks in advance
 
M

MountaineerWV

Sophomore
Sep 18, 2007
26,324
191
0
82Mountaineer said:
- Don't tell me to get a new heat pump.
- Have a 20 yr. old heat pump have had few issues
- It's got a 60 amp breaker for heat and a 30 amp for cool
- Today the ac breaker has tripped 3 times
- When the ac breaker has tripped it continues to cool
- What gives ?
- Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Is the breaker one of those pigtail Arc-fault breakers?
 
N

nvEERs

Junior
Jan 3, 2008
16,212
290
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82Mountaineer said:
- Don't tell me to get a new heat pump.
- Have a 20 yr. old heat pump have had few issues
- It's got a 60 amp breaker for heat and a 30 amp for cool
- Today the ac breaker has tripped 3 times
- When the ac breaker has tripped it continues to cool
- What gives ?
- Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
The only way it can cool with the breaker trip is if the 60 amp breaker is backfeeding. I don't know for sure but are you sure the 30a is for cool and the 60a is heat, should require more power to cool than heat.

So is it a GFI or regular breaker? You either have a short in the heat pump (normally the motor) you have a problem with breaker
 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
946
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Thats how I have the breakers marked. Those two could be reversed. I put a motor, capacitor and board in it it 4-5 years ago. Regular breakers and thanks.
 
N

nvEERs

Junior
Jan 3, 2008
16,212
290
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How quick is it tripping as soon as it comes on or after it has been on for a while, and is the breaker hot after it trips
 
M

Mntneer

Sophomore
Oct 7, 2001
10,192
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82Mountaineer said:
- Don't tell me to get a new heat pump.
- Have a 20 yr. old heat pump have had few issues
- It's got a 60 amp breaker for heat and a 30 amp for cool
- Today the ac breaker has tripped 3 times
- When the ac breaker has tripped it continues to cool
- What gives ?
- Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Have someone come out and check the capacitors in the condenser. Also, try replacing the 30amp breaker.

Even though you don't want to hear it, a 20 year old heat pump? You cold put in a new system that would probably be more efficient than what you have now.
 
R

roadtrasheer

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2016
18,321
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82Mountaineer said:
I know but if I don't have to spend that money now I'd rather not.
Click to expand...
I'm the same way ...hate to part with money until absolutely necessary & I want to get every penny out of everything I ever bought, then I just get attached to stuff ..lol
 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
946
113
roadtrasheer said:
I'm the same way ...hate to part with money until absolutely necessary & I want to get every penny out of everything I ever bought, then I just get attached to stuff ..lol
Click to expand...

However if you have any recommendations on a 2.5 ton heat pump It's never too early to plan. Looking for a Ford not a Cadillac lol.
 
I

indyrockstar

All-Conference
Dec 1, 2003
37,408
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82Mountaineer said:
However if you have any recommendations on a 2.5 ton heat pump It's never too early to plan. Looking for a Ford not a Cadillac lol.
Click to expand...

I wanted to go with Ford but then started thinking about not wanting issues later on. Not at least for a while.

Cost me 10k this past April for heating/cooling. I put down 5k and decided to finance the last 5k for 4 years. Honestly, I might just pay it all off in January/February. Just sucks that it cost that much. I did get like 600 bucks in rebates for energy efficient upgrade so really cost 9,400. This was relatively the going price on the cheaper end in Charlotte that isn't some random guy doing the job.
 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
946
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indyrckstar said:
I wanted to go with Ford but then started thinking about not wanting issues later on. Not at least for a while.

Cost me 10k this past April for heating/cooling. I put down 5k and decided to finance the last 5k for 4 years. Honestly, I might just pay it all off in January/February. Just sucks that it cost that much. I did get like 600 bucks in rebates for energy efficient upgrade so really cost 9,400. This was relatively the going price on the cheaper end in Charlotte that isn't some random guy doing the job.
Click to expand...

What capacity ? And what did you end up with ? Ductwork as well?
 
N

nvEERs

Junior
Jan 3, 2008
16,212
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82Mountaineer said:
If I had not heard the breaker trip I probably wouldn't know about it.
Click to expand...
that is strange being able to hear the breaker trip. If it is tripping as soon as it is going on, then you either have a direct short or the breaker is bad. Do you have a amp probe?
 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
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nvEERs said:
that is strange being able to hear the breaker trip. If it is tripping as soon as it is going on, then you either have a direct short or the breaker is bad. Do you have a amp probe?
Click to expand...

Yes am I going to end up on the evening news ? Lol
 
I

indyrockstar

All-Conference
Dec 1, 2003
37,408
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82Mountaineer said:
What capacity ? And what did you end up with ? Ductwork as well?
Click to expand...

They did duckwork and actually 2 level control so they had to add more. Technically, it should have been an extra 2k but they messes up and honored the price of 10k that we agreed on. (long story)

Gimme a minute and i'll track down that email with the info.
 
I

indyrockstar

All-Conference
Dec 1, 2003
37,408
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TRANE- 16.25 SEER SYSTEM

Trane
4TTR6036J1000A
-XR16
-Air Conditioner
-Single Stage

Trane
4TXCB006DS3HCA
-All Aluminum Comfort Coil


Trane
TUD2B080A9V3VB
-XV80
-80% AFUE
-Two Stage Gas Furnace
-Variable Speed ECM blower

Trane
TCONT824AS52DA
-XL824
-Connected Control

Included Deductions:
• PRIME COMFORT COMPLETE SYSTEM DISCOUNT ($1,000.00)
Other Incentives:
• Duke energy level 2 17 SEER or higher with ECM motor office needs account number to file rebate ($400.00)
• DUKE DUCT SEALING REBATE ($100.00)
• Duke energy smart Thermostat rebate ($50.00)
Net Investment:$9,450
Financing Details:
0% APR Payment based
on 48 Mos

AHRI Matchup:
AHRI # : 9924158
Cooling Capacity : 36000
Heating Capacity :
SEER : 16.25
EER : 13.5
 
N

nvEERs

Junior
Jan 3, 2008
16,212
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82Mountaineer said:
Yes am I going to end up on the evening news ? Lol
Click to expand...
Ok did a little research. Your breakers are one for the air handler and one for the condensing unit, almost guarantee you the 30a is for the air handler. But didn't find anything on this issue.

Amp probe is the safest tool you can use just don't buy a cheap one, it can blow up on you. Here is what you do clamp the probe to one leg and have someone start up the system. Monitor the amperage-or if you have a decent one that will lock in the highest reading you can do it yourself if it is under 30a +10%, repeat for the second leg. If both are under 30a + 10% than your problem is probably the breaker. If it is over that amount your problem is probably with the air handler or if I am wrong the condensing unit-sorry I can't help much more than this the only time I have had a heat pump was in Turkey and it had a single circuit plus 30 years ago.
 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
946
113
nvEERs said:
Ok did a little research. Your breakers are one for the air handler and one for the condensing unit, almost guarantee you the 30a is for the air handler. But didn't find anything on this issue.

Amp probe is the safest tool you can use just don't buy a cheap one, it can blow up on you. Here is what you do clamp the probe to one leg and have someone start up the system. Monitor the amperage-or if you have a decent one that will lock in the highest reading you can do it yourself if it is under 30a +10%, repeat for the second leg. If both are under 30a + 10% than your problem is probably the breaker. If it is over that amount your problem is probably with the air handler or if I am wrong the condensing unit-sorry I can't help much more than this the only time I have had a heat pump was in Turkey and it had a single circuit plus 30 years ago.
Click to expand...

Thanks man ! You gave me something to check and if I'm still alive it could save me some $$
 
E

EERs 3:16

Redshirt
Oct 17, 2001
73,677
25
0
82Mountaineer said:
- Don't tell me to get a new heat pump.
- Have a 20 yr. old heat pump have had few issues
- It's got a 60 amp breaker for heat and a 30 amp for cool
- Today the ac breaker has tripped 3 times
- When the ac breaker has tripped it continues to cool
- What gives ?
- Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

was it raining?
 
M

MichiganHerd

All-American
Aug 17, 2011
44,277
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Your best option is to call an HVAC repair shop and have them look at it. You may end up feeling like an idiot though, like I once did, as my unit kept tripping due to a dirty air filter. Unit simply has to work harder, and that overloads the 30A. I never thought to look at that, since I had a really new filter, but after he pulled it out, it was a mess. New filter and it all worked perfectly. Same can be true if the outside unit is filthy, as he also cleaned that out real well.

Found a site on-line that provides common issues when a breaker is tripping. The two issues I described are part of the common issues within the article.

 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
946
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Also tripped when running heat and it's been dry today.
Does that rule out the compressor?
 
Last edited:
M

MichiganHerd

All-American
Aug 17, 2011
44,277
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I just noticed you said your heat pump is 20 years old. That's living on borrowed time. You could be having a host of issues. Old worn out parts will also trigger the breaker to trip.
 
Walter Brennaneer

Walter Brennaneer

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
47,286
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82Mountaineer said:
Also tripped when running heat and it's been dry today.
Does that rule out the compressor?
Click to expand...
I say compressor is his issue. Bad compressor will trip the breaker every time. 20 year old unit has outlasted it expectancy. Like a 80 year old dying his hair.
 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
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Changed filter it wasn't really dirty and the outside unit is clean. Could I get lucky enough for it to be a failing breaker? Probably not. Next cheapest choice would be a hard start capacitor. But as stated it's probably the compressor so I may have to start pimping again.
 
M

MichiganHerd

All-American
Aug 17, 2011
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Dog Rescueer said:
I say compressor is his issue. Bad compressor will trip the breaker every time. 20 year old unit has outlasted it expectancy. Like a 80 year old dying his hair.
Click to expand...
A better analogy would have been like rifle trying to hold onto his receding hairline while still attempting to date high school seniors.
 
N

nvEERs

Junior
Jan 3, 2008
16,212
290
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82Mountaineer said:
Changed filter it wasn't really dirty and the outside unit is clean. Could I get lucky enough for it to be a failing breaker? Probably not. Next cheapest choice would be a hard start capacitor. But as stated it's probably the compressor so I may have to start pimping again.
Click to expand...
I tried to find what the different breaker sizes were for but can't find anything, the lower size breaker should be for the air handler but am not sure. You need to find out which breaker is for the air handler and which is for the compressor. Did you do the amp check and if you did what did it say. Probably be best to call someone at this point.
 
82Mountaineer

82Mountaineer

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
6,196
946
113
nvEERs said:
I tried to find what the different breaker sizes were for but can't find anything, the lower size breaker should be for the air handler but am not sure. You need to find out which breaker is for the air handler and which is for the compressor. Did you do the amp check and if you did what did it say. Probably be best to call someone at this point.
Click to expand...

I have a guy coming Monday morning but I think I know what he's going to say.
 
M

MichiganHerd

All-American
Aug 17, 2011
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Same thing my guy told me back in 2014. I can probably fix it, but it will costs you more to fix it than what it will cost you to buy a new one from me.
 
M

MountaineerWV

Sophomore
Sep 18, 2007
26,324
191
0
82Mountaineer said:
Changed filter it wasn't really dirty and the outside unit is clean. Could I get lucky enough for it to be a failing breaker? Probably not. Next cheapest choice would be a hard start capacitor. But as stated it's probably the compressor so I may have to start pimping again.
Click to expand...

Breakers do go bad. Have a new house, had to replace two breakers after just 4 weeks.
 
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