Question about coolant pipes coming out of the outdoor AC unit
#1
06-26-16, 04:33 PM
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Question about coolant pipes coming out of the outdoor AC unit
So I know the large insulated pipe should be cold but how cold? Mine is barely cold and wet and the small one I hear should be hot but isn't really warm or even hot. The problem I am having is that my AC unit just can't keep the house cool. It is blowing out semi-cold air and is a year old unit.
#2
06-26-16, 04:42 PM
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The large insulated pipe should be quite cold (that's why it's insulated). The small pipe shouldn't be hot, but should be warm. Your system may be low on refrigerant, but you would have to have an A/C technician come out to check the system. If the system is only a year old, it may still be covered under warranty. If so, you should contact the dealer that you purchased the system from.
#3
06-26-16, 04:55 PM
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Thank you I will update. Actually it will be even easier for me, I am in an apartment complex(don't know why I said house, but each unit has its own AC System. If its low on refrigerant that's a sign of a leak correct?
#5
06-26-16, 05:00 PM
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Yes, if it's low on refrigerant (just a guess), it means that you have a leak somewhere in the system. The system ideally should never need to have refrigerant added (my system is 24 years old and has had nothing done to it). I'm not saying that your system IS low on refrigerant, just that it's a possibility. A licensed A/C tech will need to connect pressure gauges to the system to determine the refrigerant charge.
#6
06-26-16, 06:28 PM
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The low side ... large suction line ... should be beer can cold. There's some techs out there that fill using the "beer can cold" method. My buddy that use to do be a maintenance guy at an apartment complex said that's how most of the guys there recharge an AC unit.
If it's done right, assuming the leak is fixed, it's best to charge by Subcool/Superheat using gauges, actual line temps and wet/dry bulb temps.
If it's done right, assuming the leak is fixed, it's best to charge by Subcool/Superheat using gauges, actual line temps and wet/dry bulb temps.
#7
06-27-16, 08:42 AM
Crabjoe, You are 100% correct. I used to work in a maintenance group of a 600 units Apartment many many years ago. When we charge the system, most of the time, we just use our hand to feel the large pipe temperature and indoor vent air temperature. That's all.
