an unusual A/C service call

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)

You just never know what gremlins have infested equipment or the electronics to cause problems. Ace trouble-shooter Barney called me to say "You really need to come see this one!"



My mother's previous home where we'd installed a floor-mounted mini-split long ago while her mother lived there to provide comfort in her final years. It too died and was replaced by this newer inverter model. At one time, there had been a hydronic rad in this spot (no fears lads - hydronics still rule in this log-cabin-turned-home where I grew up).



FYI: our previous penetration for wiring, freon lines, and condensate drain remains sealed tightly. These unfortunate creatures evidently followed the old hydronic line holes in the floor.

Ross_7

I'm with you on this one, Dave

We were on a call for a unit ventilator a few years ago in a study room on the Second Floor, of  one of the dorms on campus. We were looking at the damper, and there was a dead garter snake in the bottom of the cabinet. We about jumped out of our own skin. The strange things you run into in the field!

Ross

Ross_7

oops

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)

Marlin Perkins

Our ace trouble-shooter's new name(G).

Jack

over the last few years

my customers have lost three just like that. The problem with a snake in this case...I think... is they get hit with the voltage and start rolling and keep moving even when they have given it up. It's that cold blooded thing. One snake will blow every board in the unit as it rolls. That is conjecture on my part and I'd like your opinion on this. It is one of the main reasons I strongly push contractors to use the wall mounted Airtec brackets. It keeps the unit off the ground and allows better drainage in the heating/defrost cycle. As well, I can't see using a ground mount condenser pad as all the homeowner does is blow grass clippings and dirt from the leaf blower into their really neat high efficiency heat pump.

I was at a job in Natick, MA last year where, when I walked around the end of the house, the ground seemed to be moving. There were hundreds of garter snakes in the grass and in the bushes. The homeowner loved it. I was seriously creeped out. The condensing unit ended up having to be replaced.

Please let me know how the repair goes. How far did you have to take the component replacement? Thanks! BTW, how was lunch?;)

Steamhead

Baaaaaabyyyyyy Snaaaaaakes................

that Frank Zappa song popped into my brain when I saw those pics......



;-)

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)

Garter snake den

I'm with them on that being way cool. We have a garter snake den in the hill just outside our master bathroom window and each spring it's a treat to see that writhing massive ball emerge. For a day or three they'll hang around & then disperse. I often see the brood in our flower beds.



This was the indoor unit - a floor console 18RULX model. (I like those wall brackets too for the outdoor units.) Both boards were fried - one by each of the snakes. Next day air delivery for yesterday AM and it was up & running mid-morning. Good thing cause they are getting married (as we speak) and the reception is at the home & it's 98.2F - in the shade - and they set up a large tent in the yard. Their parents already told them they're going to be indoors & I suspect the party will move indoors quickly once the guests realize there's A/C to be had(G). (Central for the majority of the 1st floor with the inverter serving just the living & dining rooms.) Just got done stringing twinkle lights around the pond for their viewing pleasure tonight & it's hot, hot, hot out there!



Lois & I had our wedding reception there more than a few years ago. Ours was planned for outdoors too, but a torential rain - rather than heat - moved us all indoors.



No lunch yet! With the heat wave, it's been all hands on deck these past few weeks with little time for fun. Just landed a second large PHVAC job, so also looking to hire - again. Soon as things settle down a bit, I'll pony up for whatever they desire regarding that debt!