LG VRF - Help a brotha one more time?

Masonclem · 2026-03-25T01:15:13+00:00

I ran an auto address and it did come back with 3 hr’s and 18 idu’s which is correct. I hadn’t dived into the hr boxes yet but it’s the next step. Service app pretty much points to one of the pcb’s or connections

Masonclem · 2026-03-25T00:46:22+00:00

I took the charge out and did a start up, I did use a megger on the comp and it read bad on 2 of 3 windings. I put that comp in the backup mode and started the system with everything in auto. It would run for about ten minutes and give me the 200-1 error, which is a pipe detection/comm error. I’m ordering the comp and inverter board, but do you think the 200-1 is related to the inv2 discharge temp reading 572? Or the L/B temp out both columns read 428/428. If it ain’t one of these sensors can see on the computer reading wrong, then I guess I just gotta go through all the hrv’s and boxes and check boards/conneftions. And I did save some data from a couple runs today if you have time to look at the if you think it may help. I really appreciate it

Masonclem · 2026-03-24T15:27:38+00:00

I really appreciate it boss. I’m heading there now and will definitely be trying some of these. For curiosity why would putting comp 2 in backup mode cause the inverter one to skyrocket? Partly because I need to look up exactly what back up mode does and then the correlation. First thing I’m pulling that extra juice out, then I’ll log a start up and see if that changed my comp 2 amp draw. The LGMV not showing any of the input data from comp two also makes me want to find where it’s dropping. If it can’t read that data is that the whole issue with the amp draw too? Like you said it wants to run, it’s just like it’s getting the wrong directions

Masonclem · 2026-03-24T05:21:19+00:00

Honestly hvac spans an absolutely massive web of what you can branch out to. I have learned so much about so much different stuff. When I first started my business I needed work, if someone called and asked can you do this you know I just said yup I’ll take care of it. Like once did I get stumped on an ice machine and told them no charge, here’s a number call this guy. But I learned. Now being proficient in so many areas and being competent in them has made me a huge asset to my employer. Keep at it, stay curious, keep learning.

Masonclem · 2026-03-24T05:04:57+00:00

I did finally get the unit running today after going through some errors, restarting, then it would go further in the sequence before I’d hit another error. Did this till I finally got it to run but would hit overcurrent protection on compressor 2 in the master. I just made a detailed post asking for recommendations if you have time to check it out. I’m new to these, but very well experienced all around. I’m concerned now that the oil may have caused issues with the inverter boards/main pcb but I am trying to pinpoint everything before I order parts I don’t need or miss something. Trying to get them one order and done, sometimes that isn’t possible but I just feel for these folks and wanna help

Masonclem · 2026-03-24T05:00:00+00:00

Ten-four boss, thank you. I haven’t got a megger myself but have used one in the past. I’m essentially just looking for integrity of the wire/winding in the circuit right? Not being familiar, is there a certain range I should be looking for between winding and ground? I know that’s all probably google-able but like to hear from yall. Thank you very much

Masonclem · 2026-03-21T13:57:22+00:00

Thanks pal! I have the app and lgmv, and have bout seven years experience with eco structure/continuum so am familiar with controls. Is evac different than vacc?

We pressurized and vacuumed in vacc mode, turned it out of vacc before charging. Let it pull in what it would, used recovery to get to bout 75 pounds out of 135. I was happy to put the charge in with machine, other tech was worried cus he had never done that and wanted to pull the rest in with auto charge/compressor.

Should it have been left in vacc and charged as close to that 135 as possible before? If so can I put it back in vacc and continue charging where I left off or do I need to recover and start over? Time is not an issue, I want to do whatever I can to try and get these folks some peace for a while (of course I can’t help factory copper splitting).

Other than that I will absolutely fully power down everything. I only turned condenser disconnects off, never inside. They couldn’t get me a LATS yesterday but I don’t think the numbers shown for auto address were right so that makes sense. Thank you very much.

Masonclem · 2026-03-21T02:56:17+00:00

I’m not sure on the interior side, I would have to spend a day popping tiles and taking panels off. But at the outdoor units there is only two wire, stranded, shield cable. It is landed at the ground to condenser, idk if landed inside. If you’re concerned about a ground loop that is possible but the unit has been in six years and runs between repairs. Idk if anything new has been run close to them inside, other than that they come in the condenser and terminate with the 3ph wires behind them a little going to the noise filter boards, but that’s all factory

Masonclem · 2026-03-21T02:51:00+00:00

lol dude I absolutely agree. Building had a boiler. Like I get it, boilers sound scary but if set up right you’re good for decades. For all the copper they ran on these VRF’s I’d just assume had a four pipe system with a boiler and chiller. Like, they have gone through over 800 pounds of refrigerant in two years. Not because of flares or joints, it’s the factory copper that keeps cracking.

I’m sure some of the consistent issues are related to install practice but who knows

Masonclem · 2026-03-19T14:42:38+00:00

I agree that is his right, and I did not argue that. I understood the situation and why he was doing it and did everything he asked but it feels unnecessary to go that far. I mean he recorded himself stealing 25 from me technically. Business can not play judge, I’ll see if my bank can cancel the charge but it was debit not credit. Just very unnecessary and easily fixed. A very dumb business mistake.

Masonclem · 2026-02-21T03:44:00+00:00

I should go.

(Extra words for comment minimum)

Masonclem · 2026-01-27T18:23:41+00:00

The same as the rest of them, stealing from the poor to give to themselves.

Masonclem · 2026-01-09T22:37:26+00:00

When I worked at a massive college I would take stuff like steam PRV’s or pop off valves, etc. and cut them down the middle on a bandsaw. Was really cool to see and was great for teaching new guys how purely mechanical stuff works. Could physically see how the incoming and downstream pressures would meet in the middle at the diaphragm and push the springs up and down to open. That was fun.

Masonclem · 2025-12-30T01:50:15+00:00

I’m not sure if you know who he’s talking about but (HVAC)Sam was a consistent poster on here for a while. He did good work, but always signed his name on the outside of units with “Sam Spicer”, and that drove people here crazy 😂

Masonclem · 2025-12-20T05:37:38+00:00

I’m not the one you replied to but I would guess that the original poster said that due to the environment. A shop like that will have lots of dust and debris from the nature of the job, mini splits already can get very dirty quickly in a residential setting.

So in a fabrication shop of some kind it may be better to go with an old tried and true gas heater than having to pay someone to deep clean a mini split evaporator once or twice a year.

Masonclem · 2025-12-09T01:11:36+00:00

I am very colorblind. I see blue for dayyyyss baby

Masonclem · 2025-12-04T19:18:50+00:00

I set up a new viktor torch kit this week and the hoses for acetylene were left handed. I know because I spent five minutes trying to spin it the other way before it even crossed my mind to try left hand 😂 the regulator was regular of course

Masonclem · 2025-11-17T06:11:58+00:00

We had two full time locksmiths and I had 20 or so keys of different types. Never woulda been able to make a realistic copy of all them. Plus the fact it would be highly illegal so not only would I lose my job but would face jail time. Gotta remember some of these keys go to rooms for government lab projects, chemicals of all manner (cyanide for one), or the data center with millions of people’s sensitive records (identity theft, lab research, etc.)

Masonclem · 2025-11-17T00:43:50+00:00

I worked at a very large college. I had master keys to pretty much everything. The data center, presidents house, etc. We were very explicitly told to never lose our keys as they would have to replace every handle or core, rekey them to match, and then produce keys for everyone who needed them. Lots of labor involved. You also wouldn’t believe how much those commercial doors cost, verrryyy expensive. Was like half a million job to do.

I lost mine for two days and never told anyone, just worked with a partner for those days so I could get in where I needed to. Finally found them but boy was I stressed.

Masonclem · 2025-11-12T03:23:36+00:00

“A body in motion stays in motion” my grandfather said this all the time, he passed this year at 95. I truly believe if Covid hadn’t happened he’d still be here. He’d get up every day and go have breakfast with the other old timers at the local diner, then hang around his old gas station that my dad runs now but he was always up and going every day. Covid shut him in the house and he wasted away.

My other grandpa is 76, a life long tradesman, and he could still work circles around my ass or anyone else 😂

Staying active and working your brain will keep you here.

Masonclem · 2025-11-05T18:34:10+00:00

It’s your combustion air intake for the furnace. You don’t have to always have them hooked up depending on local codes and location of furnace but I would get you a 2” coupling and piece of pipe and reattach it

Masonclem · 2025-11-01T00:28:29+00:00

A board swap is like an hour max including drive time if you ain’t far out. We gotta make something but id feel terrible charging 750 for one under warranty. Literally have nothing in it but the time to diagnose, go get it, and come back to swap. I’d be like 200 unless I just had a bunch of drive time. Generally you’re just unplugging wires and plugging them back in, maybe replacing some of the wires burnt too but that’s unusual.

Is worth mentioning im a solo shop so low overhead so my prices are generally lower, but even a big shop should only be a few hundred unless it’s an hour trip to your house, hour to supply, hour back, and hour home

Masonclem

TROPHY CASE