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  1. #1
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    No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil



    Greetings all:

    I've been a silent reader of this forum for quite some time now, so I wanted to start by saying thanks to all the contributors. I hope I chose the right forum in stead of troubleshooting, because this system is "practically" working, but maybe not technically

    I have a brand new system of a Copeland condensing unit, 1/2 HP running two banks of evaporators in a prep table. There are three evaps per bank, each bank is controlled with a remote temp control and liquid line solenoid and cycles on low pressure

    The condenser sets beneath the table, in the kitchen with ambient temperatures from 70-85F. The coil is about 6" from the inside wall of the table so it has 6" of clearance in front of the coil, three feet to the left, and six feet to the right. I did a smoke test to visualize the air flow across the coil and it seems to be fine as far as pulling fresh air across the coil. At first I thought I would have to cut an airway in front of the coil, and this is still an option

    When charging the system, I was unable to ever get any subcooling of the refrigerant. For example, my saturation temp would be say 103F, and the refrigerant coming out of the coil was 104-105, so it wasn't even condensing. Barring the air flow issue I couldn't think of another reason this could happen.

    R404a
    1/2 HP
    1/2" suction lines
    3/8" liquid
    Two dryers, two sight glasses after the two liquid line solenoids.
    Left bank is 3 evaporator coils with two fans each
    Right bank is 3 evaporators with two fans each.
    Unit is cooling, but I don't want compressor issues
    Amp draw is ok
    At install, proper refrigeration practices were followed, so go easy on me

    Thanks in advance
    David Abram
    7 years experience, no formal training



  2. #2
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    Re: No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil

    First question would be, is there enough refrigerant in the system? With low condenser Subcooling then it's a possibility that the system is short.
    More information is required otherwise we can only guess.

    For a start, can you provide these figures?

    Air on/off evaporator
    Air on/off condenser
    Saturated suction temperature
    Saturated condensing temperature
    Superheat?
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

    Marc

  3. #3
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    Re: No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil

    Accurate instruments also make a difference to determining whats going on as well.
    If not most of the results mean nothing!

  4. #4
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    Re: No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil

    If its a standard condensing unit with receiver directly after condenser feeding txv valves then you wont read any subcooling on account of the saturated condition in the receiver. Your thermometer is possibly reading out as if it was not condensing it also would not be refrigerating.For compressor life cool air is king so best option would be to move the condensing unit outdoors.Is this a standard unit as most integral cabinets have their units under them but their condensers and fans are sized and set up for indoor life.

  5. #5
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    Re: No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil

    Is the unit equipped with a headmaster control? Perhaps you are bypassing the condenser completely and just need to add more gas.

    See attached for more information.
    Attached Files Attached Files

  6. #6
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    Re: No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil

    Without pressures etc as marc has requested we know very little.
    If its not condensing it would not refrigerate, either cut out on HP, go out on overload or blow up.

  7. #7
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    Re: No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil

    Thanks for all the replies thus far. I'll check back in on this equipment after the weekend and answer all of the questions you all brought up. I could answer them now but I'd rather get confirmed numbers to avoid speculation

  8. #8
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    Re: No condensing of refrigerant in condenser coil

    All so subcooling and super heat are only valid once at a stable opperating temp, other wise you're chasing a white rabbit on meth! (little guy going to be fast!)

    is there a sight glass on the system?
    Now in Redvers Sask.

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