Hi all, I have this RHEEM RAMC-036JAZ AC unit, the heater part of the system works flawlessly. But on AC side about one out of 5 times it is started it starts up, fan starts spinning then within a minute it stops and the little red button has to be pressed on the unit to start it back up. Once its started back up, even though it goes through cycles (AC off/on etc), it never fails again, until the unit has been off for a while (1+ days).

Filters are cleaned every 3 to 6 months. The radiator box around the fan is clean (I hose it down a few times a year to get dirt out).

Its been like that for at least 7 years. We've sort of learned to deal with it. Always check to make sure its spinning after turning on AC. But id like to fix it if possible. Is there maybe a notorious issue that fits this description?

1) Only happens on startup after day+ off time (and doesnt happen every time, maybe 1 out of 5 times)
2) Once started, keeps working perfectly
3) Heater portion has no issues at all

Ive not had anyone look at the unit since its a minor inconvenience to go out there and press the button.

 

Not sure what red button you are referring to.
Please explain it's location in detail or post a picture.
How to insert pictures.

 

Not my photo (too dark outside right now), but looks just like this - https://i.imgur.com/Dv74W4H.png

 

HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE CONTROLS (HPC OR LPC)
These controls keep the compressor from operating in pressure ranges which can cause
damage to the compressor. Both controls are in the low voltage control circuit.
High pressure control (HPC) is a manual reset which opens near 610 PSIG.
Do not reset arbitrarily without first determining what caused it to trip.

Causes of high head pressure

• Overcharging of the refrigerant in the system.
• Operating the system at high range than the specified limit.
• Malfunctioning of the condenser fan motor.
• The system is charged with the impurities of non condensing gases.
• The condenser coil is not cleaned well.
• Refrigeration device plugged.

If your sure the outside condenser is clean.... you need to have the charge checked.
It may be overcharged.

 

Is this something I can check myself? I am handy (work with electronics) or does it require special tools? The AC at this point is 18 years old, and has been doing this for at least the last 7 or 8 years. Sometimes we go weeks or months without it happening, sometimes it happens every day. Other than this one issue no complaints at all, cools just fine. And like I said, once you reset it, it never fails during the cycles, only when its been off for a while (day+)

Anything I can check myself before I call in a dude and give him a wad of cash?

 

Hi, are the condenser coils clean and not restricted in anyway?
Geo🇺🇸

 

A trip on an extremely hot day could be normal.

Since it's a pressure related issue.... the charge needs to be checked.
Even if you had your own gauges you'd need to know what you are looking at.

 

Yeah condenser coils are clean. I hose them down a few times a year.

I know its a closed system. But is "any" leak at all expected? In other words, if it was overcharged 8 years ago, how likely that it would still be overcharged 8 years later?

 

A leak is not expected. My Rheem system is somewhere over 30 years old.
The charge has never been touched.

 

How does the button work? Does it cut power to electronics and then restores it (thereby resetting it?) Or is it more sophisticated than that. Maybe I should take it apart and make sure there isnt a loose connection?

Would it trip if grounding is messed up? Possible to do a test for this by adding a grounding wire to known good ground?

 

The switch is non serviceable and cannot be opened. It is screwed into the high pressure line from the compressor. The system charge would need to be removed before that switch could be replaced.

It is extremely rare they go bad. If it was shorting to ground more than likely it would blow the low voltage system fuse. The switch opens the 24v to the contactor.

Resettable high pressure switch

 

I was asking about ground for the whole AC unit not the switch itself. Any chance the AC is not properly grounded?

Basically want to eliminate everything else if possible other than it being overfilled.

 

The condenser does not require ground to operate.

For the most part...... no equipment should require ground to operate.
The ground is strictly for safety in case of a short.