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A2L sensor

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GW
GW Member Posts: 5,197
IMG_4591.jpeg IMG_4580.jpeg

has anyone had the pleasure of installing this yet? Wiring diagram is a lackluster.

we’ve had a couple dead ACs and updated them to R454B. popped in new TXVs although I understand the existing 410 TXV would work just fine

Gary Wilson
Wilson Services, Inc
Northampton, MA
gary@wilsonph.com

Comments

  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 5,197

    The last one we did (this pic) was at a 6-year-old home, built by a “premium” home builder. The ac that died- was never registered. I gave the homeowner a price to change out the compressor, and to replace the entire outdoor unit. They chose the latter. We go to change the TXV and to our surprise, the original TXV bulb was zip tied to the U bends on the coil. The original installers never touched the bulb to fasten it in its proper position.

    This home had two 2 ton ac systems. Zillow has it at 3668. The first floor- I’m guessing 50% larger than the second floor. Beth floors had the exact same system. After confirming with ADP that I could drop the AC down to 1.5 tons (the model said 2436), that’s exactly what I did. It ran like a top, 11.4 WB split

    yes I dropped the cfm down

    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
    bburdChrisJ
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,523
    edited 1:47AM

    given my experience with electronic refrigerant detectors there isn't enough refrigerant in a residential system to ever set one of those off.

    GW
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,523

    what is the "cc" output?

    you have to put 1/4" qc connectors on all your field wiring or get screw terminals that push on to 1/4" qc connectors?

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,523

    Probably flooded and slugged the compressor with the bulb not in the right spot. Cooled really good for a short time.

    GW
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 4,216

    So when all the refrigerant leaks out it returns the system back to normal operation… Great !!!

    image.png image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    GW
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 5,197

    all of the black wires are factory installed- just a buncha wire nut connections on the other side. Probably 18 or 20” of length.


    CC is the “compressor”, it took me 30 or 40 minutes to unravel the mystery with my multimeter (kinda slow I know- my left brain was fighting my right brain)


    apparently, if there’s an alarm, the outdoor unit gets disabled and the fan gets enabled

    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,298
    edited 11:47AM

    I find it amazing that you can run LP and NG lies all over the house but install a few lbs. of a A2l refrigerant and you need to monitor it! A2L's do not burn without a flame to exinite them and go out when that flame is extinguished.

    Unfortunately, the law is the law. These sensors are now required with the new refrigerants.

    EBEBRATT-Ed
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,532

    And have kitchen stoves that have no safeties at all on them, you can have a burner go out and just keep feeding fuel……

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,982

    I haven't used that specific brand, it's a little frustrating seeing that diagram…. The Allied Air brands had an external retrofit RDS controller but it just has full thermostat connections on each side of it (in from stat, out to furnace, 4 wire connections for communicating systems as an option) hardest part is setting the dip switch correctly for 1 sensor…. 410a TXV probably works OK but keep in mind there is refrigerant in that sensing bulb that matches the rated refrigerant of the TXV so it will react slightly differently than a TXV that matches the refrigerant in the system.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,298

    Like my 1948 Chambers Stove. Still need to manually light the oven.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,532
    edited 12:13PM

    Very off subject, but how does the thermostat work on an oven like that? Just high/low for the burner rather than on/off?

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,298

    Modulates. The flame drops very low.

    With 1" of asbestos in the wall the outside only gets warm even after several hours.

    ChrisJ
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,523
    edited 2:10PM

    are those asbestos? even back then most appliances used high temp fberglass.

    for some reason ranges, cooktops, and ovens were allowed to have wild pilots long after other appliances had to be total shutoff.

    then my grandma had a hamilton dryer from the 50's that for unknown reasons shut off the pilot whenever the power went out.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,532

    Does it seem like guys are finally getting an understanding of TXVs or are there still a ton out there that don't know what to do with them?

    It seemed like 10 years ago an awful lot didn't understand them and pretty much hated them and claimed they were unnecessary.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,982

    I think most understand how to use them but don't understand what they are actually doing. They are also possibly the most incorrectly diagnosed failure, it's a meme on FB/reddit . picture of a smashed condenser "must be the TXV" etc

    ChrisJ
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,523

    the installer that installed my furnace and ac 25 years ago made some disparaging comment about them when the one he installed appeared to be clogged. he replaced it. i think what actually happened was that some combination of opening the service valves too fast and possibly transporting the condenser in some weird position caused a slug of oil to get propelled through the liquid line and stop at the txv. i think it would have been fine if he just let it sit over night.

    he also charged it to the check chart on the condenser instead of measuring subcooling.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,532

    I only get to do this once in a while and usually check the book to make sure I'm right, but I believe you're supposed to open the suction valve first so any oil that gets sucked out will just be pulled right back into the compressor.

    But I also think you're right, if it had some time it'd work it's way back.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.