High liquid press/low amps

Banjo_Jim

3T Kenmore (sears) R410 16 SEER central unit, FL 14A, 5 years old
Pressure and amp numbers from Tech (as I remember). I can take temps with IR gun. Ambient temp 80d-60%; condenser temp 80in/110out, lots of air flow; at condenser high side >500psi-82d, low side 110psi-62d; at evap liquid line 85d (both sides of filter/drier), low side 55d sweating; condenser amps are <6A; return air 75d, supply air 60d

Evap coil replaced 3 months ago due to loss of refrigerant. Worked OK until mid-August when a loss of cooling and end to end frozen suction line was observed. Tech recharged using weight and sub-cooling temps (he said, I don't have gauges) and installed UV indicator before a return trip next week. He is concerned the high head pressure indicated a failing compressor. I maintain a failed compressor cannot cool the house with normal values everywhere except a high head pressure and be failed/failing. Does not make sense. Any ideas? Thanks for reviewing.

Ironman

You need to find a competent tech. That one is clueless.

Banjo_Jim

I agree he is scratching his head, but how about a hint of what you think is going on. Technically.

ChrisJ

How can you work on anything without gauges?!?!

Banjo_Jim

Thanks for that. I am the homeowner trying to resolve the thought the compressor is bad giving you the info I have available.

Banjo_Jim

Ya know, critics are a dime a hundred. Thinkers? Now you got something.

mattmia2

probably isn't charged properly. possibly noncondensables in the system, possibly something clogged from impropper procedures used to cut and reconnect the lineset. find someone who knows what they are doing

mattmia2

oh, also possibly the wrong coil or txv or some sort of indoor airflow issue

Ironman

With almost 50* sub cooling, I'd say it's severely over-charged and/or non-condensibles are in the system.

ChrisJ

Ironman said:

With almost 50* sub cooling, I'd say it's severely over-charged and/or non-condensibles are in the system.

How did he know what the sub cooling was without gauges?

Maybe I misunderstood something when I read the original post?

Ironman

He said high side was 500psi, low side 110psi.
The comment was that the tech had gauges, but not the OP.

SuperTech

I'm thinking it was never evacuated properly or improperly brazed during the coil replacement.  Non condensibles or plugged TXV are causing high head pressure.  I agree that you need a new tech. At least make sure the condenser coil is clean.  It can't be good for the compressor to run under those conditions.  Sounds like another piss poor 

EBEBRATT-Ed

Dump the charge, evacuate and recharge and start over thats the first step

unclejohn

Except of course no one on this site would ever dump the charge. What Ed means is reclaim the refrig. and replace the dryer and pull a deep vacuum and weigh in charge.

Banjo_Jim

unclejohn said:

Except of course no one on this site would ever dump the charge. What Ed means is reclaim the refrig. and replace the dryer and pull a deep vacuum and weigh in charge.

I agree with all who say contaminated refrigerant/non condensables. The position taken by you, Ed and others is what I will bring to my warranty service Tech.

Banjo_Jim

Last question; is there anything in the discussion that would indicate a compressor failure or need to replace the compressor? Based on my available data.

Ironman

No, but you're gonna have one if you don't get a competent tech to correct what's wrong.