This was a service call on a Dining room AC with an Electrical short at a heater limit switch, I also found a bad economizer motor and a bad outdoor air sensor.
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Today we have a package unit, that's not working properly. This is a Linux. I believe it's an 18-ton we'll confirm that in a minute. First thing we do, is we open it up and a circuit bar? We have an error code.

10 error. Code. 10. Right here is 24-volt power loss terminal 835.

So whenever I see anything 24 volts, the first thing I want to do is look at transformers. Okay, this unit has dual transformers with a resettable circuit, breaker, no one's tripped. So we have the trip circuit breaker on the transformer okay, before we do anything, we're gon na go ahead and check to see if anything is, grounded or shorted on the low-voltage side of that transformer, by putting our meter on continuity, turning off power to the air, Conditioner and testing from each leg to ground to see if we have anything that's shorted out before we just try to reset it and or replace the transformer. So I'm gon na get my meter out and we'll start checking things.

Okay, so I turn main power off for a minute just to check to make sure there was no electrical problems that I could see. So I can jiggle some wires around stuff nothing jumped out at me. I turned main power back on we're gon na test three-phase power coming into this guy. We got 3-phase coming into the unit.

I already reset the transformer, but I pulled the to low voltage wires off of the terminal board. That's in the back there, so the low voltage wires are safely secured. You know just kind of tucked up in here, so I can test to see if we've got 24 volts, so the transformer is outputting 24 volts, whether or not there's still a problem with the transformer. We don't know it could trip under a load who knows, but that tells us that right now the Transformers you know best as we can tell is working ok.

So now what I need to figure out is this is transformer T 18. I need to figure out what that controls and I'm going to investigate those components before i hook power up and go any further, maybe I could find a problem with the components that that transformer can controls. So what we will do is I'm going to find I'm going to look at the schematics right here, I'm going to find that transformer on the schematic and see what things that transformer controls and then I'm going to test those components. Okay, so what I found someone over here to my schematic - and I noticed that there's a transformer here and there's a transformer here - my transformers labeled T 18 and the other transformers labeled t1 - so t1 is right here.

T 18 is my transformer there's the circuit breaker on my transformer and here's my line going to my ladder diagram. So what I ended up doing was. I followed my ladder diagram and I circled every point that one that one that one that one that one and that one that my transformer went to a relay or a load, I should say so. Those are all the items that I'm going to the investigating before.

I start resetting that transformer. I like Linux, because they label everything. K1. 49K.
150 k. 14K. 146. K3.

Those are where I'm going to start and then you could follow them across to the other things they go through. So it looks like it goes through pressure controls. Another thing that I notice is up here in the unit that transformer t18 says it goes to the contactors, and this one says it goes to control so and that does kind of make sense, because my loads right here k, 149 k 150. Those are relay coils.

I believe, and then I see pressure controls here, so that makes a lot of sense, so I'm gon na start looking into those items again. This is all before I reset or rehook up that transformer, as I'm going through everything here, like I showed you, I'm just gon na start at the back of my ladder diagram here, we're gon na start at actually we'll start right up here at the front K 149, k 149 is labeled right up in here k: 149. It's the relay for outdoor fan number three. I went ahead and pulled the relay out.

It's an IceCube relay just to investigate it and then we're gon na go through each component. Like I said, they're labeled and we're gon na test the low voltage coils to make sure everything's working properly on them. So at this point, I've gone through and tested all the relays check the resistance values, compare them to each other, made sure that nothing was grounded out. I marked all the relays.

I checked this one, this one, this one, those two up there and now I'm not seeing any problems yet so, in my opinion, I've done everything that I can. I've traced the wires all the way back to this board, don't see any problems. I've investigated everything that I could so at this point. I've got to turn on power and just see what happens, but the important thing is that I took the time to verify that there was nothing obvious that jumped out at me.

This is when you got to have your eyes and ears open right now, because you may only get one chance at this. You may hear you may see. What's going on, you just got to pay attention. I'm gon na turn power on right.

Now we didn't trip right away, so we just want to listen that another error message, number 52 up and we just tripped so whatever is happening - is happening right away. It's interesting that we got another error code 52 limits which open secondary heat limit is open. That's interesting, you know you wouldn't think that anything to do with the gas system would affect us right now, but it's always possible, so we're gon na go ahead and turn that off and go inspect the limit switches to see if we see any shorted out wires On the limit switches, one of the really cool things I like about these older Lennox units is the blower assemblies pull out really easy, so you can access the bearings to grease them and here's all our limit switches right here secondary there's a broken wire. These limit switches, don't look too hot, so I'm gon na fix this wire and then we're going to test it.
I believe that's a ground wire but we'll see and then we'll test everything and see if there's anything else, that's causing a problem. Okay, so I think I found it when I found that wire. That was, that ground wire that pulled off on that limits, which it had rubbed against another wire. It rubbed against this white wire inside there or one of the white wires, and I was getting continuity on this wire before I pulled that blower assembly out once I repaired that ground wire and risa cured it, I'm not getting continuity anymore on that wire now wires.

Going to the coil, but I'm still getting test it yeah, so see no continuity anymore and I was getting continuity. I believe that that ground wire was rubbing up against something it shouldn't be, and it was causing this unit to trip. Now it's important just a minute ago, I said we're gon na listen, we're gon na watch, we're gon na use our eyes and our ears because it tripped. But then I saw another error code error code.

52. Now I really had no, which way to start on this unit. I'd have been tearing apart every single wire to try to find a short, but that error code popped up and it kind of got me thinking and that's what made me look at the limit switch and then I said hey. Maybe I should start there, even though that error code is still on here.

There was obviously something going on with the limit switch, so I started there and I believe I found the short now. I also moved a bunch of wires around, so I'm gon na watch. This unit for a little while to make sure that my short wasn't somewhere else and maybe by moving the wires I just fixed. The short you know like the wires, aren't touching ground anymore.

So that's why I'm gon na watch this unit jiggle a bunch of wires, but at this point I can start this unit up and it stays running and the compressors all come on to so and it's not tripping anymore, so we're gon na watch this unit for A little while, while I'm watching this unit turn on what bugs me is that I see an enthalpy sensor sitting right here and I'm wondering why the heck is there an enthalpy sensor here. So then, again, I'm just watching the unit operate, and I come over here and the enthalpy sensors missing from the economizer damper in here. It should be mounted right in here. This should be plugged in right to that blood.

So that's definitely a problem. Then I got in here to look at this economizer. You guys hear that sound the gears inside the motor of that economizers, not working right. I haven't checked voltage yet, but my economizers fully open and it's not moving and then I went over to the economizer control on the circuit board and turned it, and this thing doesn't open at all.

You can just hear the gears grinding inside there. So they've got a bad economizer motor too. So just because I want to look at the big picture, I put my gauges on all the circuits check out all the pressures and I'm kind of blown away. This units 2003 model - I've serviced it since 2004.
I think - and it really has not much been done - we changed the circuit board on it a couple years back. Refrigeration was it's never been cut in two, it's got perfect charge. I mean, shows you man. I really liked these LGA units, the new units that they're making they're nice, but I don't know man there's something about these - that I really really like the the new ones that have the prodigy board.

I mean the prodigy board. Has its pluses there's things I like about it, but I'm just so used to this: was it an m18 board yeah? I think so. I think it started with m16 and went all the way up to the m18. I think that's what it is, but um yeah.

I really liked this board. It was really easy to work with, but anyways I mean not knocking the prodigy board. The Prodigy ones are nice too they're just a whole new beast to get used to cool thing about the prodigy. Is it's a lot easier to hook? Your computer up to this one, you could do it, but I just find it easier with the prodigy to be able to set parameters and different things, so refrigeration, wise, we're looking good.

All the condenser fan motors are running pressures. Look good, we're gon na order. Some limit switches, you know just like if you've seen any of my other videos when I order limit switches, I order all the limit switches, so there's three limit switches for the gas heat on this guy, I'm going to change them all. At the same time, we're also going to order an economizer motor and we're also going to order an enthalpy sensor for the outdoor air damper, because we can't open the outside air damper at all right now to get any fresh air in the building.

This restaurant doesn't really use the economizer, for you know the economizing function they more or less just use it for minimum outside air. So it's been balanced that way, they don't like the variable outside air damper, opening and closing. So we just need a minimum amount of outside air on this unit. So that's why we got to get that outdoor air damper back on and get the enthalpy sensor back on there.

So that way we can modulate those dampers and get them there fresh air to help balance out the building. I'm finding that as a trend in these restaurants. I don't know if you guys noticed this. Let me know in the comments that we are not putting makeup air units on the roof very much anymore.

For the most part, sometimes you find them, but they're, usually really small, if you do most of the time we're pulling our outside air through the ACS. I understand it's the meet code because they have minimum fresh air coats that they want, basically to vary depending on the amount of people in the building. So a lot of times, they'll use the ACS when they stage up assuming there's more people in the building. I mean there's lots of logic to it.
There's really no great way to perfectly figure out adjusting the outside air dampers. Some people try to use co2 sensors. There's faults in that too, because a lot of times the co2 sensors are located in the wrong spots and they prematurely open and bring a lot of outside air in the building. I tend to find.

I don't know if you guys see this, but I tend to find buildings that use demand, control, ventilation using co2 sensors to have a lot of nuisance, complaints in the wintertime about cold air in the building and, typically what I notice is that the restaurants, it's hard To convince them to keep their blower motors running so they tend to put the blowers into auto, which in a restaurant that doesn't work, but they tend to put the blowers into auto. So when they finally get a call for heat it, they get a blast of cold air in the building. I prefer to leave them in the on mode, so that way, you're getting a steady amount of fresh air in the building. So that way the heat can properly regulate and you don't get those high and low temps, but anyways have you guys been seeing that I've been noticing the trend since we've been using demand, control, ventilation of more complaints, and they just never seem to work correctly.

I tend to find the customers are a lot happier when they just have minimum outside air and not a modulating economizer. I think that there's a place for a modulating economizer. I understand the efficiency potential and the energy savings, but I think that we don't have the technology to perfect demand control ventilation. Quite yet, or at least it's not mainstream or cheap enough.

So I think that you know for now we just kind of struggle. I really think that wish. I should say that more customers would like to use economizers most of the time. Restaurants, don't want to fix them, they don't want economizers fixed because to them they just don't understand the savings or they the savings doesn't realized.

You know restaurants tend to not be too focused on electricity bills, at least in my case. They tend to be. No, you know. Basically, they just want their equipment working and they look at the numbers of sales that they sell food.

I don't know if it's a true fact that they don't save as much with the economizers. I kind of wonder if it's more hype than it is actual savings. Anyways, I'm going off on a tangent, we're gon na order. The parts for this unit alright.

So electrical short on the a/c found it to be a low voltage wire problem, one of the heater safety limit switches, a ground wire broke off and rubbed up against the power wire shorted, the transformer out. While I was doing that, I found that the limit switches are actually bad, also found that the economizer motor and the enthalpy sensor about went ahead and put my gauges on the unit went through all stages. Everything refrigerant charge was looking pitching air flow looked decent. Everything else checked out about the unit, so it was just a basic electrical short we're gon na go ahead and order some parts and head on back out there and get those replaced, but for now they're good to go.
Watch the unit for about half hour. 45 minutes operate. Everything was good, alright catch you on the next one.

45 thoughts on “Lennox electrical short”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Kozak says:

    economizers need a bimetalic, non-electrical actuator to open on cool days. i wonder if anyone makes that. Are you in Barrhaven ?

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gabriel 22 says:

    Nice, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim Morris says:

    I really like how the compressors are separate for the coil area. I like Trane units because 70% of the units I work on is Trane. But the Lennox compressor compartments are great!

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars William Rosario says:

    Nice job dude, the economizer would best controller via a a different controller. Mfg will put it in because it would not be competitive withe there competition.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Maurice Upton says:

    One could imagine that as a result this covid epidemic that there would be a priority getting air conditioning systems up and running correctly with fresh air % increased and even cleaning out the ducting and replacing filters etc. Yes?

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars neonhomer says:

    DCV requires more control power than a simple logic board can provide. We do it all the time with Tracer.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars knockitofff says:

    I think a properly installed make up air unit has a modulating gas heater so the cold air influx shouldn't happen if operating properly in the winter Service area Nepean??

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars motazuk says:

    Amazing guy. I'm wondering if fieldset gauges can be used on any vehicle with air conditioning systems. They do have the Schneider valves on both high and low pressure pipes.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Erik Andreassen says:

    love your pen need a link to get one

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ken Smith says:

    When I did HVAC, Lennox was always a good product.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Miguel Rodriguez says:

    Dam!! Man you are a genius

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars pretty cure Forever says:

    What ton is that unit I've never seen four compressors is it like 60ton or something

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Maxi says:

    it is so crazy to see that you amrricans use 208 volts for heavy duty appliances like ac's while over here in europe we have 230 volts in our power outlets…

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars WUZLE says:

    When we first installed the new A/C on top of the control tower here, the first complaint was got was ice cold air when the compressor came on. We ended up having to put a recording digital thermometer in the tower cab and rule that the temperature range was within allowed limits (which it was). After hearing this one, maybe another fix would be to just leave the inside fan on instead of in auto.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steelo D says:

    Another one fixed noice!!!!

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lukas says:

    The trend i have noticed is my boss is penny pinching on the Air filters… My office never had outside dust and pollen in it until we changed the company servicing our Cooling stuff. The new company is cheaper and i suspect they can do it by using crappy parts.

    in our case regulating air is pretty easy, since we have controlled access we know exactly how many people are in what building and can adjust accordingly. And as a second feedback loop we use a multi sensor in every room that gets temp humidity as well as CO2 and i think also O2 in general.
    If you want to be special you can just "request" more airflow via the room climate controller two.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ian C. says:

    Have you serviced another unit this long as well? I wonder if the reason this one is working so well is that you've serviced it for so long.

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Johnn Bonillajyo says:

    You are a top tier tech. Thanks for sharing your thought process when troubleshooting HVAC systems. You truly are a role model on how technicians should think. Please do continue to make more useful technical videos. Technicians like me are surely benefiting from them!

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars v65sabreking says:

    awesome video as always .. thank you for all the info you give .. i watch all them even if i know what is going on im a heating and cooling guy and love your videos on freezers and coolers

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BillyN44 says:

    Lennox schematics!!!! 🤮🤢

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MaintenanceDogHouse24/7 says:

    I love these types of issues! Favorite to troubleshoot great job sharing the knowledge!

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ronald Zeigler says:

    Most make up air has NO BELT Service area Ottawa??

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MJ says:

    Thanks for posting. I am wondering, what is the brand of the wireless pressure guages? Service area Orleans??

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shack says:

    I hate shorts, but not as much anymore. Another great video Are you in Kanata ?

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jim Damiani says:

    I follow several hvac guys and you are by far the best! You explain every detail so well. Well done and thankyou!

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Greatest Ever says:

    Do you have a video explaining the schematics diagram?

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Crazy Dan says:

    If you've been servicing that unit since 2004 why don't u know why enthalpy control in was tossed into controls compartment

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jaymes Rod says:

    Dang! I got called to one of these like 6 months ago and i swear the exact same problem. The green wire broke the exact same. Error code 10 and 52.

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Zach Mudd says:

    I work for Lennox nas and your videos are extremely helpful. TY!

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars abolish federal reserve says:

    That is a nice unit! I felt intimidating when I saw the unit but when you started to troubleshoot it I felt that it was easy !! And I thought that the green wire you disconnected but it make sense that it was touching a power cable. Great video thank you!

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Red Angry Bird says:

    I now give the video a like even before I watch it, because I know it will be a good video. Cheers.

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gerardo Hernandez says:

    I really enjoy the videos on your channel, I’m going to start my HVAC training at a trade school in a month and these videos are very easy to follow! Would you have any advice for someone that’s about to get into the trade? Keep up the great content !

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars HrdWorkin says:

    Excellent work and trouble shooting. Controlling makeup air has never been convenient, consistent or reliable. It appears the makeup air controllers on AC units have too many moving parts which tend to lock up or stick. By the time you notice there is a problem, replacement is the only course of action….which gets to be very expensive. ADA had a controller in the 80's with outdoor/indoor pressure sensors but were impacted by wind gusts and blockages. Hopefully technology will solve eventually. Thanks for the great videos

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Clifton Winkler says:

    great video will recommend

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bill Noller says:

    I had the same problem on the same Lennox unit in Connecticut. That transformer on mine was due to a bad contactor. Also changed the economizer…(was $750 shipped from Los Vegas). Lol Are you in Ottawa ?

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Arnold says:

    We have a few really large McQuay RTU's where I work & I get intimidated by them sometimes because there are so many wires & other controls on them. It can be overwhelming on how to tackle these units or sometimes where to even start! It was good to see this video & pick up some tips. Our McQuay's even have a liquid line solenoid & pump down like a refrigeration unit when the temp control is satisfied. Great video & I hope to see more on troubleshooting big AC units.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars slamdvw says:

    The middle phase on that compressor contactor you were playing with don't look very healthy…

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TheLOD2010 says:

    28VAC on a 24VAC transformer in unloaded condition is just normal so far. It is like a generator, the voltage drops with load. And if the transformer only powers relais and coils, it is not that important to have fixed 24V. In case clean 24VAC would be needed, the manufacturer has integrated a voltageregulator. So fare an other great video with a lot to learn Service area Kanata??

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars E S says:

    Thanks for the videos man. Keep them coming 💪

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bruni Auto says:

    I can't stand when people draw on schematics. Good videos though!

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Jones says:

    Most of the restaurants in my area are going to conditioned air MUAs when the old ones are replaced.

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steve Wright says:

    It's very easy to dislodge a fault so it can't be found.

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Weeks says:

    Good troubleshooting electrically. Noticed that the gas line is piped wrong. The dripleg

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric K says:

    You’re bad ass when it comes to HVAC. I definitely enjoy your videos. Tell your company I said you deserve a raise!!

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Costello says:

    Is there any video that explains the functions of the electronic control boards ( i think i saw 3 of them ). Also a video that goes over the wiring diagram in detail. Thanks Michael

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