Air conditioning question - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Clk Man · #16 07-31-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

There should be a plate on the side of the AC unit saying how much juice it draws. Is there a fuse on the box by the unit outside?

If the 60A doesn't trip when the unit starts up when it's hot, I'd think you're golden.

-J

There is a fuse box by the outside unit. I will go check the plate on the unit and report back.

The Clk Man · #17 07-31-2011, 04:42 PM

The outside unit says 30. So I guess I am golden like my buddy said. It's a cool day in Clkman land.

mgburg · #18 07-31-2011, 04:49 PM

When you saw the spark in the old breaker, that's the point where your problem was most likely going to be.

Check with the people that installed the AC unit and MAKE SURE that the breaker you bought is the right one for that job.

Most likely, THEY saw an "80" already there and figured it was good enough to handle the load, never taking into account that age and wear will surely rear its ugly heads at the least convenient time for you...down the the road.

Just check to be sure EVERYTHING in that circuit is still functional and won't take the place down or burn the place up...

The Clk Man · #19 07-31-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgburg

When you saw the spark in the old breaker, that's the point where your problem was most likely going to be.

Check with the people that installed the AC unit and MAKE SURE that the breaker you bought is the right one for that job.

Most likely, THEY saw an "80" already there and figured it was good enough to handle the load, never taking into account that age and wear will surely rear its ugly heads at the least convenient time for you...down the the road.

Just check to be sure EVERYTHING in that circuit is still functional and won't take the place down or burn the place up...

One of my Printing customers is an Electrician I will ask him tomorrow.

as far as I know, the outside AC unit is the only thing on that breaker.

dannym · #20 08-02-2011, 03:20 PM

You shouldn't go over 80% of the listed breaker capacity. For a 60 amp breaker you don't want to draw more than 48 amps.
If it says 30 on the outside panel then you should be OK. You read the FLA rating right?

Also make sure the total draw on the breaker doesn't include the inside fan unit. If it does then you have to add the fan rating to the total amp draw.

Always use FLA (Full Load Amp) rating.

Danny

panZZer · #21 08-02-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

The AC went out today so I checked everything out, and when I checked the breaker, it wouldn't turn on or off, it sorta wobbled. Is the breaker bad?

Yuur CLK has a breaker

??

The Clk Man · #22 08-02-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Yuur CLK has a breaker

??

Maybe?

The Clk Man · #23 08-02-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannym

You shouldn't go over 80% of the listed breaker capacity. For a 60 amp breaker you don't want to draw more than 48 amps.
If it says 30 on the outside panel then you should be OK. You read the FLA rating right?

Also make sure the total draw on the breaker doesn't include the inside fan unit. If it does then you have to add the fan rating to the total amp draw.

Always use FLA (Full Load Amp) rating.

Danny

The inside fan is on a separate breaker.

dannym · #24 08-03-2011, 08:45 AM

Sweet!
In that case your better off with the 60 amp breaker.
The 80 amp breaker that was in there was too big.

Danny

The Clk Man · #25 08-03-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannym

Sweet!
In that case your better off with the 60 amp breaker.
The 80 amp breaker that was in there was too big.

Danny

Do you think it was an 80 amp because the old unit was a heat pump?

compu_85 · #26 08-03-2011, 11:21 AM

It's possible. I would think the cooling power of both units would be about the same... but modern systems do get more cooling per watt.

-J

dannym · #27 08-03-2011, 01:51 PM

Your new unit is a heat pump too. It just doesn't have the switch over valve to pump the heat inside instead of outside.
Either way the system can't go over the rated capacity of the compressor.

The age and SEER rating of the old unit would make a difference too. Either way if the old unit needed a 80 amp circuit and the new one only needs a 60 amp then your doing OK.

Danny

The Clk Man · #28 08-03-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannym

Your new unit is a heat pump too. It just doesn't have the switch over valve to pump the heat inside instead of outside.
Either way the system can't go over the rated capacity of the compressor.

The age and SEER rating of the old unit would make a difference too. Either way if the old unit needed a 80 amp circuit and the new one only needs a 60 amp then your doing OK.

Danny

Can the new unit be made into a heat pump cheaply?

compu_85 · #29 08-03-2011, 07:11 PM

No.