Water cooler repair / heat pump learning exercise - Page 2

NiHaoMike · 11-22-13, 04:07 PM

Since both seem to draw about the same with the compressor on, maybe both are in fact working? (A unit that is low on charge would draw less than expected.) Maybe the "broken" unit just has a marginal start circuit?

Daox · 11-22-13, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC_Hacker

Daox,

Your header said, "Water cooler repair / heat pump learning exercise".

Are you just trying to fix the unit(s), or are you trying to establish a basis of success that can lead on to more adventurous hacks?

The coolers are essentially junk at this point. If I can get them working, great. If I tinker around and learn some stuff thats even better. The objective is to fix if possible, and learn during the process. I don't have any future projects in mind, but its also easier to think of projects once you know what things (including yourself) are capable of .

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiHaoMike

Since both seem to draw about the same with the compressor on, maybe both are in fact working? (A unit that is low on charge would draw less than expected.) Maybe the "broken" unit just has a marginal start circuit?

It is possible. I'll be testing them hopefully tonight and we'll see if they can chill some water.

Daox · 11-23-13, 04:41 PM

Last night I tested the Primo cooler. The refrigeration unit does work on that cooler, but the heat is not working. I'll need to figure that one out. I imagine this should be a pretty simple fix.

The Crystal Mountain cooler had some issues... I must have been a bit rough on it when moving and toying with it so far. I put water in it and it started leaking... So, now I need to fix that before I do any more testing.

Daox · 11-23-13, 06:59 PM

I got the Crystal Mountain cooler fixed and plugged it back in. It does seem like the evaporator is getting cold, but I am also hearing a hissing sound from it. I can't identify exactly where it is, and there doesn't seem to be any oil anywhere.

NiHaoMike · 11-23-13, 07:05 PM

That might be normal. The fact that it does cool means that a leak is unlikely, since a unit that small doesn't have much charge to begin with.

Daox · 11-26-13, 11:05 AM

Well, I had the Crystal Mountain cooler plugged in all day yesterday and when I came home there was a little chunk of ice floating in the water. I think its working just fine. I'm not sure what the problem was before, but its working now.

Is there normal causes of intermittent problems?

NiHaoMike · 11-26-13, 11:34 AM

Check for a marginal start cap or sticking start relay. Could also be bad contacts in the thermostat.

11-22-13, 04:07 PM	#11
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	Since both seem to draw about the same with the compressor on, maybe both are in fact working? (A unit that is low on charge would draw less than expected.) Maybe the "broken" unit just has a marginal start circuit? __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...

11-23-13, 04:41 PM	#13
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Last night I tested the Primo cooler. The refrigeration unit does work on that cooler, but the heat is not working. I'll need to figure that one out. I imagine this should be a pretty simple fix. The Crystal Mountain cooler had some issues... I must have been a bit rough on it when moving and toying with it so far. I put water in it and it started leaking... So, now I need to fix that before I do any more testing. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-23-13, 06:59 PM	#14
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I got the Crystal Mountain cooler fixed and plugged it back in. It does seem like the evaporator is getting cold, but I am also hearing a hissing sound from it. I can't identify exactly where it is, and there doesn't seem to be any oil anywhere. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 11-23-13 at 07:04 PM..

11-23-13, 07:05 PM	#15
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	That might be normal. The fact that it does cool means that a leak is unlikely, since a unit that small doesn't have much charge to begin with. __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...

11-26-13, 11:05 AM	#16
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Well, I had the Crystal Mountain cooler plugged in all day yesterday and when I came home there was a little chunk of ice floating in the water. I think its working just fine. I'm not sure what the problem was before, but its working now. Is there normal causes of intermittent problems? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-26-13, 11:34 AM	#17
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	Check for a marginal start cap or sticking start relay. Could also be bad contacts in the thermostat. __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...