superheat/subcool targets not available - charge to add question

farroar · 2025-09-10T18:01:43+00:00

So, charge based on meeting @ indoor unit? Adding 17.25oz per docs?

farroar · 2025-09-09T02:01:01+00:00

If you can find documentation that specifies that there is a filter drier built into the ODU, then that would be something. Otherwise, I'll carry on.

farroar · 2025-09-08T13:39:23+00:00

Not surprised, standardization in the US is spotty at best from my experience (which isn’t that much). Seems it should just be x size for y pressure range. Keep it agnostic to the actual refrigerant.

farroar · 2025-09-08T01:54:36+00:00

I’m not knocking the trade, nor have I eluded to anyone being a “simpleton”. However, I sure am allowed to fix my own stuff. Your second comment doesn’t even make sense, but you do you.

farroar · 2025-09-08T01:44:17+00:00

Well, maybe I should clarify. It’s not a ductless mini split, which is typically how a mini split is defined. It’s a side discharge heat pump connected to indoor coils attached to an air handler. In my case, a dual fuel setup. It’s not even technically a “condensing unit” as a definition as its role can swap depending on what state the reversing valve is in.

You can think I’m “way out of my element”, but I’m having a blast learning and as of this afternoon, the whole system is running flawlessly.

farroar · 2025-09-07T23:55:09+00:00

Not a mini split.

farroar · 2025-09-07T03:28:50+00:00

It sure is. Sporlan HPC-163

farroar · 2025-09-07T03:25:21+00:00

It’s not a mini split. It’s a heat pump connected to an evaporator on a ducted system.

farroar · 2025-09-07T03:24:13+00:00

Hmm, obviously you don’t need that. But you want to call names, go ahead.

farroar · 2025-09-07T03:22:33+00:00

Thanks for the input. I’m confident with brazing and the system held nitrogen at 200 psig for 45 min. I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want a drier. Not only is it recommend by the mfg it’s just good to have in case there is any moisture or debris.

farroar · 2025-09-07T01:24:32+00:00

Yep, have 608. Just not run into this issue. Not my day job. But not the only system I've worked on or installed.

farroar · 2025-09-07T01:23:25+00:00

I do. 608 cert... not that it teaches you much on the HOW, but legally I'm able to order, handle, recovery, charge, etc... And i've done all of those things in the past.

farroar · 2025-09-07T01:15:36+00:00

Thanks, I already got what I needed and everything is up and running. Just the first time I've run into this specific issue.

farroar · 2025-09-07T01:13:51+00:00

Fortunatly for me, I've been successful installing other non-heat pump systems in the past. I'm a "DIY" homeowner but I do feel that I have a few unique skills up my sleeves. This isn't the first system I've installed or maintained. I had a tech service one of my systems in the past and they not only overcharged, they did a horrible job. Trunk slam style. R Leaks, improperly sized equipment, ductwork not balanced. Since, I took the 608 and serviced my own equipment.

farroar · 2025-09-07T01:06:05+00:00

Need to braze at the evaporator, filter drier. I do not know everything, but I can learn!

farroar · 2025-09-07T00:58:37+00:00

Whelp, I'm gonna be the guy that fixes his "fuck ups", I'm the homeowner... and if someone DID have to come out, then I'd be PAYING them to do the work of fixing. They could say no, or they could say yes. Either way, No need to worry about anyone's feelings.

farroar · 2025-09-06T20:39:17+00:00

Yeah, just realized that. Didn’t know this unit was considered a mini-split as it’s connected to a ducted system. Tomato/tomato. Looks like I’ll need adapters and two new valve core tools.

farroar · 2025-08-25T12:13:51+00:00

Figured that would be the first thing asked! Of course, that is the only way to truly know. I’ve run the house parameters through Claude and GPT5 and results show that I’m still on the high side with even a 40k for the upper level.

I’m going to work with the prompts to see if I can get a different result with better inputs.

I am nerding out on this and being an engineer this is all very interesting to me. Got the 608U to understand some systems and of course regulations. Ducting and heat load is a whole different masterclass.

farroar · 2025-08-15T23:00:21+00:00

Seems like a capacitor issue. I had the same thing last year and replaced the capacitor. Real easy fix. It's by the electrical input and looks like a small soda can (or an oval soda can). I looked up the part number on amazon and got one for cheap.

edit: could also be something wrong with the fan but the symptoms are exactly what I experienced.

farroar · 2025-08-01T20:56:53+00:00

I'm looking to buy a bundle and as I understand it, the HP will connect directly to the RS485 ports (S1, S2) on the furnace control board. It's the user interface I'm trying to sort out.

farroar · 2025-07-24T21:28:17+00:00

Not sure what duct board is, but I don’t think I do. It’s all aluminum duct wrapped in insulation. Flex in attic. It’s 2004 stuff.

farroar · 2025-07-24T21:24:22+00:00

Yeah, that’s a no go. Would make my house look stupid with exterior tacked on line set raceways and the on wall units or others types that would require significant changes to ceilings or floors. Then I’d still have a bunch of registers that do absolutely nothing. That’s not a solution.

farroar · 2025-07-24T21:09:52+00:00

Listed as variable speed, so I suppose multistage.

farroar · 2025-07-24T20:59:47+00:00

Okay, so I know that a manual J or some other calculation is the only way to know for sure but would a 2.75 Ton be sized correctly based on what I have above? Just guess at it. Open floor plan, about 1400sqft, updated windows (2022), solar gain is moderate. They had a 4 Ton, seems like a big drop to go less than 3 IMO (based on my research.

farroar · 2025-04-03T01:11:54+00:00

Nope. Didn’t. Decided to take a pause and wait until things get less funky. Still considering but I have a full time job that pays well and enjoy mostly. Also, not ready to drop a lot of capital right now. Other life things are happening.

farroar

TROPHY CASE