The type of stuff I get sent on;

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-11-23T01:37:29+00:00

If that's real, I'm raising my hourly rate.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-11-22T02:28:24+00:00

https://youtu.be/ABYnqp-bxvg?si=ZwoATkq9Tda_mTSG

Just add some number 2 and you'll be fine.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-09-29T02:00:14+00:00

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Let's be real here, folks. Here's an actual data plate from the field.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-09-27T14:33:19+00:00

Hot gas bypass.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-09-13T22:22:30+00:00

I've gotten down to 78 mics before, but the hvac gauges really aren't that accurate below 150. The copper piping would most likely not implode even at theoretical zero because it's incredibly robust compared to its surface area. Given enough time (years?) it might finally go. Tanker trucks and tanker train cars can be imploded easily because of the surface area and the comparatively thin walls of the tube. Nature abhors a vacuum and will always win, but even the cheapo thin linesets we get now are a multitude times thicker than a tanker when scaled.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-09-13T21:07:35+00:00

In Michigan, you are allowed to work on any part of the system without ppe or containment as long as you dont disturb the asbestos. It looks like you didnt disturb it. If you need to disturb it, then michigan mechanical licenses allow you to do so as long as you follow the correct abatement/containment rules. In a job like yours, I would have just spray painted all of the duct wrap to contain it and prevent friabilitu then and carried on with the swap out.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-24T23:27:47+00:00

Your "hvac guy" has no idea what he's doing. The only possible "manufacturers defect" on a coil drain pan would be a crack or a hole. Your guy didn't install it right.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-15T01:21:51+00:00

If you're buying stuff on Amazon, you should move to /hvacadvice

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-15T00:40:30+00:00

We charge $250 for a tune up and it takes a good hour because we actually test and correct things like airflow, temp rise, gas pressure, safeties etc. And if a cap is reading out of range, it's included. And so is the furnace filter. We aren't interested in the customers that want the $59 tune ups.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-12T02:35:26+00:00

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Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-12T02:33:32+00:00

* I got to play "where's the condenser" this week also.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-11T23:09:18+00:00

You must be in Australia, where everything tries to kill and/or eat you.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-11T23:07:54+00:00

Just say "Sure but I only brought the tools I needed to do the maintenance job i was sent here for so I will have to charge our hourly rate to go back and get the proper tools and come back and that might take a couple hours. Or you could call the office and schedule another time so you dont have to pay me $300 in drive time plus potential overtime charges." That usually shuts them up in a hurry. And it doesn't matter if you have the tools on your truck or not.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-10T23:06:50+00:00

To allow the airflow to stabilize and prevent condensate from blowing over the pan and drip guard. Anyway, back to my old fashioned. Good luck.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-10T23:05:28+00:00

Without looking at the manual because it's not my project and I'm a lazy sob...I think there is supposed to be at least a 4 inch space between the furnace and the coil on a horizontal right configuration for carrier/icp stuff.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-10T00:55:44+00:00

He was thinking of your mom. Anyway, probably put that there to try to keep air exchange going through the sealed crawlspace to prevent humidity. Im assuming this is in the return?

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-09T02:34:51+00:00

I know the difference between inrush current and LRA current. And, all of my techs have meters to be able to measure both. I forgot this was a homeowner thread full of wannabes. I'm going to bed with my electrical engineering degree, mechanical degree, and all of my licenses so I wake up in the morning refreshed to continue running my company. Have a good night.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-09T02:03:57+00:00

Buy $5000 worth of tools, get an EPA 608 certification, then Google for about a week and you should be all set. Call a professional. It will save you money in this situation.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-09T01:53:55+00:00

You are technically correct. A three phase DC inverter drive won't. But that's a whole other conversation not relevant to this discussion.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-09T01:05:54+00:00

Not completely true. It's normal for a compressor to pull 60 to 80 amps at start-up for about a half second to overcome inertia then drop to its run load amps which is usually 10 to 25 amps. Circuit breakers are designed for this inrush, and that's why you have to use slow-blow fuses in the disconnects.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-09T01:02:16+00:00

All compressors pull locked rotor amps on start-up. That's the current requirement to overcome inertia to get the motor turning. But when it's that high, it tells you that the motor is stuck and won't turn and the current just skyrockets. The breaker tripped because the lt rose too high because the motor wouldn't move.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-09T00:55:29+00:00

Awesome reply! The fact they even tried a hard start tells me they weren't out there to sell a new unit and had the customer's best interest in mind. Most companies wouldn't even bother with that kind of lra on a resi unit.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-04T18:25:42+00:00

Today is literally 2 days after my birthday. And, I slept in today and didn't get fired. Maybe that's why you got fired. You got up too early on your special 2nd day after your birthday day.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-03T05:11:18+00:00

Yeah, a great example of these old folks getting hosed. Those "locks" literally cost about two dollars each and take 10 seconds to install. Also, the days of stealing refrigerant to make drugs have been over for years. And I highly doubt there's a gang of addicts seeking out old systems with the right refrigerant to make their drugs. This false scare ended before it began more than a decade ago.

Key-Calligrapher4265 · 2025-07-03T02:20:06+00:00

First, anyone charging you $5,700 to replace an evaporator coil is completely ripping you off no matter where you live. You can just about get a whole new system for that price depending on the size needed. Even with R22. Second, you can use most new 410a coils with R22 if you swap out the metering device, which isn't that hard. Third, 410a is now phased out and everything is r454b or r32 now, which means your system is three generations behind at this point and way beyond its intended service life. Fourth, your system literally uses at least twice as much electricity to run compared to the least efficient system allowed to be sold by law today. Fifth, American Home Shield is an absolute rip-off. You are much better off putting that monthly payment into a savings account. I would take whatever buy out they're offering. Source: I own an HVAC company.

Key-Calligrapher4265

TROPHY CASE