Infrared (IR) thermometers make it safe to take surface temperature measurements of items like rotating, hard-to-reach, electrically live, or dangerously hot targets. For preventive maintenance tasks, they cut measurement time to almost zero with the ability to take a surface temperature reading in less than one second.
In this installment of the Btu Buddy series, Bob examines a heat pump system and finds the airflow is low. He discovers that the problem is a dirty coil.
A usable fraction is a fraction you can use to measure with (i.e., 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 inch). You measure with fractions of an inch. However, your calculator works in decimals of an inch.
To ensure maximum TXV performance, here are some tips on bulb mounting/location, brazing, valve orientation, external equalizer use, superheat adjustment, and troubleshooting.
This is the first in a series of advanced basic articles on the refrigeration cycle. All of these articles deal with refrigerant pressures, states, and conditions as applied to a refrigeration system with a refrigerant like R-134a that is not a blend.
To finish the job they were working on last week (see "Btu Buddy 24: Looking At A Heat Pump Drawing A Lot Of Power"), Bob meets Btu Buddy at the jobsite to change the heat pump's four-way valve.
The maintenance requirements of filters, blowers, and motors are well known, but familiarity with energy recovery wheels is not as high. Understanding and implementing maintenance requirements for energy wheels will improve performance, effectiveness, and the life of the wheel.
What should the amperage draw be of a compressor in which the nameplate says the RLA (rated load amperage) is 59.6, but the compressor is only pulling 45 amps? Is there a problem here? Do we need to change the compressor?
A common refrigeration equipment service problem occurs when an evaporator or its drain pan becomes completely engulfed in ice, and the technician needs to de-ice them. Here are ways to de-ice the coil - the right way.