A little bit of luck, even when things fall apart

GW · 12:01AM

Yesterday‘s job- We pulled a traditional furnace/AC. Installed a new heat pump system.

We tied the new Condensate pump into the existing 3/8 copper that was stubbed into this area, through the slab.

Get the message this morning- water all over the floor. My first thought is the new pump is dead, which would not be the first time.

Upon arrival, the pump is not overflowing

I pull the air filter, the return Plenum is dry as a bone.

I’m starting to scratch my head.

I pour some water into the drain pan and the pump comes on, a puddle starts forming right below me.

It occurred to me, the pH of the furnace’s condensate water ate away at the copper. Everything was fine until we touched it.

I wrapped some elec tape on the affected portion, as a stop gap. It’s a holiday after all. I pour some more water. A new section starts leaking 6” away. Repeat this process again. This time the water is pouring out where the copper enters the concrete. It’s falling apart in my hands.

Getting a new line to the sink where it ultimately drains means crossing through a finished portion of the hallway into the finished bathroom.

Because it’s hot outside, my brain is going slower than average- it occurs to me: No more furnace, no more need to worry about condensate freezing in the winter time. I dig a roll of 3/8 vinyl out of my vehicle and start zip tying, following the new line set.

The inner geek in me popped out, can anybody spot some random act of OCD? it’s extremely minor, but I’m quite sure 99.9% of the technicians out there would not have done this. It’s something that the astute homeowner might even pick up on. You may need to zoom

mattmia2 · 12:27AM

the union between the trap and the coil?

GW · 1:24AM

No we do unions on all the jobs💯

”less technical” than that

Larry Weingarten · 1:59AM

Hmmm, The loop in the vinyl tubing, before the condensate pump? 🤔

Yours, Larry

GW · 2:32AM

no, we generally always give it a loop. But you’re on the right path. More simple, more simple

remember, OCD, there was absolutely nothing functional about this, just aesthetic.

GW · 2:34AM

i’m starting to feel like a ding dong,

what’s black and white?

nobody switches color once they start this process, you just keep going with the color you have

mattmia2 · 2:42AM

you need help

mattmia2 · 2:43AM

it is matching the zip ties to the pipe and the armaflex

mattmia2 · 2:44AM

i might point out that i mostly use all black zip ties because some are explicitly uv resistant and even if they aren't rated that way the pigment makes them more uv resistant.

EBEBRATT-Ed · 3:08AM

@mattmia2

think you may have it.

We were doing an automation job at a school, and a lot of work had to be done off hours as school was in session. I was estimating in the office at that time but when the guys doing the job were getting behind……….I was always the "break glass in case of fire guy".

So, they needed someone to wire the mechanical room during normal hours. I installed a couple of VFDs and removed the old motor starters. Then I rewired the boilers and some other stuff. Then they wanted me to hang an automation panel on the wall and run a bunch of EMT. I told our electrician on the job, "Put a mark on the wall where you want the panel" (because I knew he was OCD). He had other equipment going on the same wall, so I just stood there saying nothing and working on other stuff because I wanted him to make the decision without an influence from me.

Took him 1/2 an hour and much hemming and hawing to make the decision. (which was a 2min decision)

Next day I put the panel up and ran all the EMT. I made it all perfect because I knew what he was like.

I didn't get back there for a few days to pull the wire and terminate and when I got there, I found he took the panel down moved it 4" to the left remounted it and tied the EMT back in.

All because he had in my absence mounted his other equipment and he didn't like the extra 4" space.

hot_rod · 3:44AM

The old furnace was a condensing type dumping combustion condensate down the copper line? No neutralizer?

AC condensate is slightly acidic maybe in the mid 6 ph. It would take quite some time for that water to eat away copper. Exposure to the Co2 in the air would buffer up that condensate

Condensate from condensing equipment can be in the 3 ph range

GW · 4:19AM

yes the zip ties- I changed color. Teensy detail, I realize.

HVACNUT · 11:53AM

Shouldn't the 3/8" on the line set be insulated as well? I've never heard of Custom Comfort, but it looks like an inverter HP.

kcopp · 12:49PM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1899574#Comment_1899574

Custom Comfort is the Granite group Supply house brand.

EdTheHeaterMan · 1:00PM

I didn't think that the change in zip tie color was significant…. That is what I would do! nothing OCD about it. It is as it should be! if PVC pipe ws green, I would have used Red zip ties. You know… Christmas in July and all! 🎄

GW · 3:28PM

Insulation - no, this is known as their “24 Volt” system. The expansion device is indoors.

I believe custom comfort (this is made by Midea btw) has the opposing system, EEV outdoors. But I want get a firm grip on the 24 V system because we install these setups on furnaces here and there.

If the expansion device is outdoors, (let’s think of Mitsubishi), etc., then both lines are insulated.

GW · 3:30PM

Ed I did say quite minor and teensy😄

What percentage of installers would have reached for the opposing color? Extremely few I suspect

EBEBRATT-Ed · 3:59PM

I would reach for whatever color I had in my pocket.

But if used on electrical they must be a "listed zip ty"

a ridiculous new code requirement IMHO.

NEC code is too big the print is too small and getting worse with ridiculous additions.

IMHO

GW · 4:30PM

a listed zip tie———-ok wow

A little bit of luck, even when things fall apart

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