Subcooling is way high -- Need Advice!

Ethereal

The temp. for into the 70s today so I thought that I would check the charge on my heat pump with TXV. I found that subcooling was much higher than it should be at around 40! Here are my measurements, in cooling mode:

IDWB - 57
ODDB - 70

Low side pressure - 103.2psi
High side pressure - 380psi
Low side temp - 53.1
High side temp. - 70.5

My calculation for SC is ~112 - 70.5 = 41.5

If anything I am pretty sure that I am low on refrig., having just installed this system with a 25ft lineset, and it comes charged for a 15ft lineset (my LL is 5/16 as oppose to 3/8" though).

I have a troubleshooting chart for this, but can anyone suggest where I might start here? I have my fan speed set to 840cfm and this is a 2 ton system. The air is cool coming out of the registers, and I have noticed that the suction line going into the air handler is cold while the LL as it exits the air handler is just about ambient temperature.

Marty S.

Was that in cooling mode? If so it looks like you have air in the system taking up coil space. TXV not operating correctly will also stack up refrigerant in the outdoor coil. Check superheat to see if the txv is working.

Ethereal

Thanks, how did you come to that conclusion? (trying to learn something here)

I put the system in vacuum before releasing the refrig, and it held at 1100 microns, so I'm pretty sure I didn't have a leak. Is there any other way about could have gotten in the system? If not, I'm thinking that air is not the problem (hoping).

Doc Holliday

If you use too big of a vacuum pump it can freeze moisture in the line set. As for air, well, you need to go to 500 microns. It's not supposed to raise back past 1000 microns after the line set has stabilized in vacuum. Then you know you don't have a leak.


I prefer nitrogen to test for leaks, though.

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Thanks.

beenthere

Doubt its low on charge. looks more like over charged, and low indoor air flow if those readings are in cooling mode.

Ethereal

The readings are in cooling mode. The air handler has an LED indicator for estimated CFM that I can look at to verify airflow.

One thing that I noticed is that the suction line at the inlet to the air handler is cold, and the LL is lukewarm. The system does blow cold air and there is some heat transfer going on in the evaporator coil.

Now, I can try evacuating some refer to the proper subcooling but I will have to purchase that equipment, so I'd like to try any troubleshooting steps that I can before I go down that road. I'll come up with a list of what I think I should check and post it here in a bit.

hvaclover

Old wives tale doc.

Too much thermal mass to draw heat from for the moisture to freeze.

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Just slow, not stupid.

Ethereal

I was just re-thinking the procedure I used to check subcooling and realized that I connected my gauges to the service valves. Should I have connected to pressure taps or would the difference be negligible? I know there is a low side pressure tap near the suction valve but is there a high side pressure tap?

After doing some reading, I'm gathering the following:
- High superheat and high subcooling can indicate too little refer in the suction side and too much in the high side. This is most likely caused by a restriction?, so should I look for a temperature differential at some point? If so, the only restriction I can think of off hand would have to be in the air handler, since I do see a differential between the suction and LL in the air handler. Could the improper restriction there point to a malfunctioning TXV?
- High superheat and high subcooling could also indicate excessive loading of the evaporator coil. I will try lowering the CFM and re-checking the subcooling. It is currently at 840CFM, I will go -10% to 756CFM and note the difference.


Ok so here is my plan of attack:

Test for excessive loading of the evaporator coil
I will try lowering the CFM and re-checking the subcooling. It is currently at 840CFM, I will go -10% to 756CFM and note the difference.

Check for air or non-condensables in the system:
If non-condensables are suspected, shut down the system and allow the pressures to equalize. Wait at least 15 minutes. Compare the pressure to the temperature of the coldest coil since this is where most of the refrigerant will be. If the pressure indicates a higher temperature than that of the coil temperature, non-condensables are present. Non-condensables are removed from the system by first removing the refrigerant charge, replacing and/or installing liquid line drier, evacuating and recharging.

Test the TXV:
1. Remove the remote bulb of the expansion valve from the suction line.
2. Start the system and cool the bulb in a container of ice water, closing the valve. As you cool the bulb, the suction pressure should fall and the suction temperature will rise.
3. Next warm the bulb in your hand. As you warm the bulb, the suction pressure should rise and the suction temperature will fall.
4. If a temperature or pressure change is noticed, the expansion valve is operating. If no change is noticed, the valve is restricted, the power element is faulty, or the equalizer tube is plugged.

Marty, now that I have done some reading I understand what you were telling me about the TXV causing refer to stack up. What is the mothodology for checking a TXV using superheat?

NiNe O

Bull, I've had soaked chiller barrels. Putting pumps on to draw out moisture. The moisture would freeze and slow down the evacuation process dramatically. I'd have to pressurize with nitrogen to thaw and go at it again. The best insulator in the world is a vacuum.

Ethereal

I pulled vaccum 3 times, purging with nitrogen between pulls, with a low-end pump and Schroeder valves in. I think I avoided freezing moisture!

NiNe O

Bull, I've had soaked chiller barrels. Putting pumps on to draw out moisture. The moisture would freeze and slow down the evacuation process dramatically. I'd have to pressurize with nitrogen to thaw and go at it again. The best insulator in the world is a vacuum.

Ethereal

Reading my product documentation, this AHU has a non-adjustable TXV. Just thought that was interesting.

NiNe O

Still should check it, debris can free up and get stuck in it.

NiNe O

Handling refrigerator without being certified could cause problems

hvac5646

I'll take this one for Uncle....
You sure about that?

After all, we are talking resi, not industrial or heavy commercial where a 20 cfm vac pump would be used.

Beenthere, you are agreeing with the gent from Howell..care to lay down some empirical data to prove your point.

Speak now or forever hold your peace.