Compressor not staying engaged
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Compressor not staying engaged
Hello. Please watch the video below to see my AC unit. I live in a 30-story highrise. Have always had problems with the AC not cooling but always have been able to fix them by doing the two basic repairs described in the video. I did them recently and it is not working. What I've noticed is that the compressor will (quite weakly) kick on for 30 seconds to a minute and then kick off, after which time the fan runs and the AC doesn't cool. Any idea as to what the problem could be and how much it would run me to get it fixed? Thanks.
https://youtu.be/f2eofKac3h0
https://youtu.be/f2eofKac3h0
#2
Hi, I guess my first question would be why you are doing anything with the system if you are a renter? That tube filled with water probably is the condensate drain, there maybe a float switch in the pan that is not working correctly.
Geo🇺🇸
Geo🇺🇸
#3
Member
Thread Starter
I am an owner. They just sent out an email saying that it is a building wide problem.
Still, I want you to check out this video. There is something building up in the drain pan that seems like it could be a leak, potentially from a radiator. It's most likely not the cause of the current problem. But I would like to get it taken care of now if necessary to avoid any bigger problems down the road.
https://youtu.be/D5AM3ZXqIRQ
Still, I want you to check out this video. There is something building up in the drain pan that seems like it could be a leak, potentially from a radiator. It's most likely not the cause of the current problem. But I would like to get it taken care of now if necessary to avoid any bigger problems down the road.
https://youtu.be/D5AM3ZXqIRQ
#4
Member
Well, it’s not going to run with the loop valves closed. If it’s a building wide issue the tower is probably down.
The drain pan just needs maintenance. It’s part of the PM process the unit needs regularly.
The drain pan just needs maintenance. It’s part of the PM process the unit needs regularly.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
The drain pan just needs maintenance. It’s part of the PM process the unit needs regularly.
What kind of maintenance does it need exactly? Can I just clean that stuff out of there with soap and water or is it more involved? Also, I don't know what "PM process" refers to (personal maintenance). I do what I can to maintain this condo. But I'm still quite the newbie. This site has helped me w/ so many jobs.
What kind of maintenance does it need exactly? Can I just clean that stuff out of there with soap and water or is it more involved? Also, I don't know what "PM process" refers to (personal maintenance). I do what I can to maintain this condo. But I'm still quite the newbie. This site has helped me w/ so many jobs.
#6
Member
Preventative maintenance.
Change the filter, check the coil, flush the drain pan and line, check electrical parts. Your unit requires maintenance to operate beyond the air filter.
The drain pan and line can be flushed out.
Change the filter, check the coil, flush the drain pan and line, check electrical parts. Your unit requires maintenance to operate beyond the air filter.
The drain pan and line can be flushed out.
#7
Hi, that plastic tube looks like it’s pitched the wrong way , follow that tubing and see where it terminates, it should be into the drain pan and possibly a float switch in there, as mentioned why are the ball valves for the loop closed?
Geo 🇺🇸
Geo 🇺🇸
#8
What you have in your apartment is a fan-coil unit. Your coil does need some cleaning for sure, and that condensate looks rusty to me.
When the compressor runs, it creates heat, which is removed through the condenser water loop, and pumped through the cooling tower on the roof, then returned to the compressor to pick up more heat. As Roughneck mentioned, that cooling tower and/or condenser water pump is likely out of service, rendering the building without cooling. Hopefully, they will get that pump & tower operating soon.
Andy
When the compressor runs, it creates heat, which is removed through the condenser water loop, and pumped through the cooling tower on the roof, then returned to the compressor to pick up more heat. As Roughneck mentioned, that cooling tower and/or condenser water pump is likely out of service, rendering the building without cooling. Hopefully, they will get that pump & tower operating soon.
Andy
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Hi, that plastic tube looks like it’s pitched the wrong way , follow that tubing and see where it terminates, it should be into the drain pan and possibly a float switch in there, as mentioned why are the ball valves for the loop closed?
If this doesn't seem responsive to the remarks on here, please forgive me. Again, I am new to this, and a lot of this vocab is over my head.
I can't see where the white tube terminates because it is behind all that other stuff you see. But it has to connect to the drain pan because, when you pour water into the drain pan, it goes down that tube.
I don't know what you mean by "pitched." It always concerned me that it didn't come from a high spot to a lower spot on a slope though. Intuitively, it didn't seem like water would be able to drain. But I vacuum out the water with a wet vac every month, and stick a brush in there to clean whatever goo there may be.
And, yes, the AC is up and running again. It was the building.
P.S. The valves are closed because I had to clean the screen in the Y strainer. So I took the plug out at the bottom of the strainer. You have to close them for that. That is the second "repair" I do every month. You have to do it because debris gets in the screen because so much debris comes down the lines carrying the water.
If this doesn't seem responsive to the remarks on here, please forgive me. Again, I am new to this, and a lot of this vocab is over my head.
I can't see where the white tube terminates because it is behind all that other stuff you see. But it has to connect to the drain pan because, when you pour water into the drain pan, it goes down that tube.
I don't know what you mean by "pitched." It always concerned me that it didn't come from a high spot to a lower spot on a slope though. Intuitively, it didn't seem like water would be able to drain. But I vacuum out the water with a wet vac every month, and stick a brush in there to clean whatever goo there may be.
And, yes, the AC is up and running again. It was the building.
P.S. The valves are closed because I had to clean the screen in the Y strainer. So I took the plug out at the bottom of the strainer. You have to close them for that. That is the second "repair" I do every month. You have to do it because debris gets in the screen because so much debris comes down the lines carrying the water.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
check the coil, flush the drain pan and line
Okay, if I'm reading this right, this is the PM I need to do. Do you guys have a link to a video on Youtube or something for a unit like this? Flushing the drain pan, for instance, may very well be easy, but I don't know what you mean exactly. Likewise, I have no clue as to what "checking the coil" involves.
Thanks again.
Okay, if I'm reading this right, this is the PM I need to do. Do you guys have a link to a video on Youtube or something for a unit like this? Flushing the drain pan, for instance, may very well be easy, but I don't know what you mean exactly. Likewise, I have no clue as to what "checking the coil" involves.
Thanks again.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
One last question. It's about that white tube. If you think it needs to be propped up some, could I put a marshmallow roasting stick or something else with a metal prong standing upright to prop it up?
#12
Member
Do you mean the clear one inside the unit?
Either way you’d need something a little more permanent then that.
The clear one is your trap. That’s why it’s arranged like that.
Either way you’d need something a little more permanent then that.
The clear one is your trap. That’s why it’s arranged like that.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Do you mean the clear one inside the unit?
Either way you’d need something a little more permanent then that.
The clear one is your trap. That’s why it’s arranged like that.
Yes, I'm referring to the clear tube inside of the unit. It is a trap. What purpose does it serve. The water the accumulates in the pan does into that tube. So it is supposed to be positioned that way? Be that as it may, I still have to wet vac it out every month. Otherwise, it would stop working.
Also, I still need instructions on "checking the coil and flushing the pan."
Thank you.
Either way you’d need something a little more permanent then that.
The clear one is your trap. That’s why it’s arranged like that.
Yes, I'm referring to the clear tube inside of the unit. It is a trap. What purpose does it serve. The water the accumulates in the pan does into that tube. So it is supposed to be positioned that way? Be that as it may, I still have to wet vac it out every month. Otherwise, it would stop working.
Also, I still need instructions on "checking the coil and flushing the pan."
Thank you.
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Hello there. Still interested in what "checking the coil and flushing the pan" involves. Also, any info about the proper position of the clear tube inside the unit would be helpful. Thank you.