heat pump problems


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Old 11-28-10, 07:20 AM
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heat pump problems

I bought a home and used my heat pump for the first time yesterday, it heated my place up to 68 degrees the temp I set it for. Then last night it only heated it to 61 and would not go higher, the temp outside last night was roughly 28F and there were frozen patterns around the condenser. This is a day and night heat pump, only 3 or 4 years old. On a side note the thermostat for some reason set itself to 62 I set it back up to 68 but the heat did not come on but the fan was still blowing slightly warmer air than what was in the house, I waited 4 hours and no heat, also the fan on the heat pump was running none stop. Can the heat pump be bad and still heat the house 10 degrees warmer than it is outside? Any help to fix this would be appreciated.
 
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Old 11-28-10, 10:25 AM
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I recommend not using a setback setting on your stat in the heating season.
Most thermostat manuals can be found online.

A heat pump should raise the temp 25 to 30 degrees across the indoor unit without electric heat strips. (your low ambient temperature can affect this)

The heat strips should energize and increase this temperature rise when a demand higher than 2 or 3 degrees is present at the thermostat. (this is a little different with some stats)

Setting the stat for emergency heat with a high demand and measuring the temperature rise across the indoor unit, and reading the KW on your heat strips nomenclature can assist in checking strips.

Calling in a pro to check the high voltage heat strips and refrigerant charge is a good option here.
 
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Old 11-28-10, 12:31 PM
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where are these heat strips?
 
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Old 11-28-10, 01:21 PM
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Right now I have the LUX 1500
can this be replaced with the simpler ICM SC2001L Single Stage Heat/Cool/Heat Pump Thermostat?
 
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Old 11-28-10, 03:16 PM
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http://www.icmcontrols.com/downloads...1VL_ag_eng.pdf

You have a multistage heat pump and cannot use the posted simple comfort stat.

The heat strips are in your air handler.

An example of the service side...



Heat strips removed from a unit...



High voltage power is always present at the heat strips unless you turn off a breaker, Be Careful.
 
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Old 11-28-10, 05:44 PM
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It looks like you have a single stage stat now?
What is the make and model of your heat pump?
 
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Old 11-28-10, 05:46 PM
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Can I send you a pic of my heat pump/furnace set up, just to help clarify what I have? For some reason I cannot post it on the forum
 
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Old 11-28-10, 05:48 PM
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Old 11-28-10, 05:54 PM
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I will have the pic up in a few minutes, its a day and night pump, 30 x 30 x 27 high
 
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Old 11-28-10, 06:24 PM
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Adobe keeps crashing when I try to upload to photo bucket, I will try from work tomorrow
 
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Old 11-28-10, 07:09 PM
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Sounds like you are describing a split system heat pump.
Heat strips would be in the air handler, in the house if this is the case. Behind four to six 5/16" screws, in the panel that doesn't have copper pipes through it.
 
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Old 11-29-10, 08:12 AM
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here's the pic, hope it works
[IMG]
Pictures by eddy671 - Photobucket
 
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Old 11-29-10, 03:45 PM
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If you have heat strips, they are here...

 
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Old 11-29-10, 03:52 PM
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Great thanks, and a 2 stage thermostat is what I need?
Thanks for all you help!
 
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Old 11-29-10, 03:57 PM
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We don't konw that you need a 2 stage stat.
Do you have heat strips behind that panel?
 
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Old 11-29-10, 04:12 PM
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I am only out at that house on the weekends due to working in the city, I will have to check this weekend and I will let you know. One other thing, when I was playing around with the stat, I had it set at 68 and switched to the weekend settings and when I switched it back it had set itself back to 62 should it do that when you spin the dial around for different day settings? It makes me think its bad, if not a simpler one would still be better for me.
 
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Old 11-29-10, 04:39 PM
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Sounds like a non-programmable stat would be a good idea.
I recommend a Honeywell.
 
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Old 12-04-10, 10:16 AM
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Here's the pic,

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

So last night it was around 55 here outside and my heater pumped out around 96 degrees. So it is definitely hotter than it was last time. My state set itself back down to 62 again last night you recommend a honey well is there a particular model that you could recommend for my system, something very simple to use would be great.
 
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Old 12-04-10, 01:26 PM
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You only sent the web address for the site, no pictures...try the link yourself for verification
 
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Old 12-04-10, 02:04 PM
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Old 12-07-10, 05:06 PM
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Yes, you have auxillary heat strips, and need a multistage heat pump stat.
 
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Old 12-07-10, 09:30 PM
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Houston204.,

I figure you don't mind moi step in here real quick.,

Now to OP .,

Take a quick look at the thermosat cable or at the thermosat itself and count how many wires you have in there now due with two stage thermosat may need at least 7 conductors instead of 4 or 5 conductor verison.

Merci.
Marc
 
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Old 12-12-10, 12:36 PM
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Here a pic of the wiring behind the stat, please let me know what I should get
Thanks


Pictures by eddy671 - Photobucket
 
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Old 12-12-10, 09:47 PM
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Here the photo what he try to upload .,


http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMG_4123.jpg


The number of conductors I counted is 5

I really doubt that will work with aux heat system it have to be 7 so Houdson can you confirm this one to make sure due I am used to 7 or 9 conductor set up.

Merci.
Marc
 
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Old 12-13-10, 04:46 PM
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I do not see a common wire, so the multistage heat pump stat will need batteries unless you want to pull wire.

White = heat strips
blue = fan
yellow = compressor
Rh & Rc = 24 volt power
brown = reversing valve for cooling

stage 1 heat = red to blue and yellow
2 stages of heat = red to blue, yellow and white
 
 

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