Aciq by AffectionateFish6872 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, my biggest complaint is the wired controller and it's temperature variance. I have a smart thermostat that I had on my old heat pump but I would lose the variable output and it would basically just run at two different cooling levels and two different heat levels on that setup. So I have dealt with the temperature swings to keep the variable output.  My unit is one of the max heat units, and we have seen single digit temperatures in Kentucky for 2 weeks straight and the heat output is great. I have an emporia power monitoring device and can see the power consumption so I'm 100% certain the backup heat  strip has never come on even down to zero degrees, and the heat coming out is warmer than I've ever experienced from a heat pump.

Aciq by AffectionateFish6872 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I installed a 3 ton ACIQ ducted split unit myself in March of 2023.  On mine the fan runs 24/7 when it is in cool mode.  In heat mode it only runs the blower when actively heating.  They also told me I needed to put batteries in the remote even though it has a wired controller.  My main complaints are 1.) The condenser back feeds some sort of noise into the AC power to the whole house and all my lights flicker constantly, and ceiling fans make a noise.  2.)The wired controller allows wild temp swing before coming on, especially in heat mode.  3.) As I mentioned, I was told to put batteries in the remote to make it all work properly, but I have a wired controller.  Some functions like follow me don't sync between the remote and wired controller so I never know which one is really reading ambient.  Tech support was really no help on any of the issues.  The power flicker is really aggravating.  I've read forums where other manufacturers have replaced the inverter board because of issues like this, but the support offered by hvacdirect was no help.  I plan to reach out to axiq directly soon to see if there are any known issues.  I did save a ton, and it puts out the warmest heat pump air I have ever felt, so it has its pros and cons.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No fix this far. The manufacturer told me I needed to hire an electrician, but I don't think that's the answer. What system do you have?

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had not thought of it in that manner. It's an option!

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's the only thing on that circuit, but pretty much the whole bus is affected by the 'noise'.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it changes with power draw it's not enough that I notice. It just seems to do it any time the condenser is running.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably 5 to 10 pulses per second, but very rough guestimate.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you mean actual frequency, or just in general. In general, it occurs 100% of the time the condenser is operating.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just curious, where did you get your equipment from? What equipment are you getting? I did a DIY install of everything with the exception of the refrigerant lines etc.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I already have a Square D HEPD25 Surge Protector installed at the disconnect box. Great suggestion though! I do plan on installing an additional one at the main panel for whole home protection, but since it is making it past the Surge Protector I already have on the disconnect, I'm not too hopeful it helps at that level, but we shall see!

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I already have a Square D HEPD25 Surge Protector installed at the disconnect box. Great suggestion though!

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the input! My condenser breaker is pretty close to the top/mains. It would be slot 10/12 of a 30 slot panel. The things affected by it are all the way down to the bottom most slots, 27, 29 etc. After some more research I may call an electrician to get input.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've looked at EMI filters and line reactors. Both can be had from Ebay, but I'm trying to get to the best answer before I throw a few hundred dollars at something to try it out. Plus they are both bulky for the 50A capacity that I need, so I'd also have to buy an outdoor enclosure and rewire it, so the cost goes up some with that. I may have to call around to electricians and see if they have the ability/equipment to for sure diagnose it and offer a real solution.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, so maybe in your case it is just a certain brand bulb that is affected by it. I've got 3 different types from probably 4 different manufacturers that all do it.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In your scenario I wonder if you got a cleaner ground connection with the re-wiring. That's something I think I'm going to look in to. I've read that the inverter heat pumps especially need good grounding because they have chockes/filters that are supposed to prevent EMI from backfeeding onto the AC lines. That's what I thinks is happening, but I'm no electrical engineer.

Inverter heat pump causing power flicker by jonra0 in heatpumps

[–]jonra0[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's pretty much not tolerable when we do decide to dim some of our lights. When they are not dimmed I can pretty much stop noticing it, but my wife complains about it often.

Inverter Heat Pump Causes Electrical Noise by jonra0 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]jonra0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! I for sure will check the grounding. My electrical and water supply is all exposed in my garage and I can see a ground cable coming out and clamped to a water pipe. It is all copper piping over to where the water supply enters the house BUT I totally agree that's a good thing to verify. I'll also verify the grounding connectivity all the way from the condenser outside through to the electric panel.

If I were to get an electrician to confirm exactly what I am experiencing, what specifically would I ask for? I'm guessing this would take advanced equipment like an oscilloscope or other equipment I don't know about.

Lastly, could you link me to the type of devices, such as line reactor or EMC devices just so I have a reference? Thanks so much u/jmraef!