HVAC Preventative Maintenance

[cmrobertson311]

Shouldn't the hose water be sprayed from the inside out?

[DrZarkloff]

@cmrobertson311 If the coil is really bad then you'll want to hose off the dirtiest side first.

[twittyk78]

i dont know about going into attics everytime

[kentuky07]

thank's sir!

[TheSam201077]

Hi DR Z , it me again , how r u today SIR? my question on PM: when doing amp drawn on motor , coil , comp..... what if the reading is greater than manufacture spec. What I should I look for?

[DrZarkloff]

@TheSam201077 The bearings could be going bad or the windings are ohming to ground.

[TheSam201077]

GOOD VID, DR Z thermo protective = thermo overload?

[TheSam201077]

great vid ,thank you DR . Thermal protection= Thermal overload.?

[uncoverbrother]

"shout out"...boy, hip hop culture is EVERYWHERE!

[daisyanna101]

there is only one t in preventive...please correct this. preventative is used in medical care.

[Dngumm]

I try to stay away from coil cleaners unless you can not get the condenser clean with just water. I have been told that even when you rinse the unit off well, that there will still be some chemical left on the condenser coil and that it will gradually eat the copper away resulting in holes, freon loss, repairs, and more money being paid out to hvac companies.

[darkroses312]

you dont need to wash the inside of the coil because as you go from the outside it is suppose to go all the way thru

[Petroswulf]

Xaves sounds gay!!

[2170509]

In this video you are using Karcher Pump, will you give me its model no.? Because I have karcher pump but its nozzle too thin cause when the water pass through the nozzle it does not get the water spread as your gun so should I change the pump or just nozzle?

[DrZarkloff]

@2170509 I don't have that pump any more.

[ScorpioPooH666]

This is my favoratite of all career's and would love to land a job or get jobs in this field thanks for your tips.

[hvactech1958]

Dr. Z. What is the best coil cleaner to use. I have used some that will take the Teflon off of units.

Thanks

[DrZarkloff]

@hvactech1958 It all depends on how dirty the coil is. I use a no-rinse if the coil is just a little bit dirty and I use an alkaline foamer that has to be rinsed for when the coil has to be nuked.

[jjhitman]

@hvactech1958 The Cheapest! and rinse well!

[Harleydude2]

Why not hose coil cleaner off from the inside out so that you dont push dirt further into the coil????

[DrZarkloff]

@Harleydude2 Many times it's necessary to clear the surface debris from the return side of the coil before pushing the grime back out from the supply side.

[jjhitman]

@Harleydude2 If its full of tree branches yeah. But if its just dirt and dust, spray that shit from the out side! we split two UPS buildings for coil cleaning./ "He" took all his fans off and cleaned from inside. I sprayed all mine from out side. I killed more then half the time on 15 or so units. Mine where just as clean/ If not cleaner...Ive had a lot of people say that.. Its just a waist of time if there is no big debris

[goodlyfe83]

what city do u work in? u close to Tucson, AZ

[DrZarkloff]

@goodlyfe83 I live in the Gainesville, Florida area. I did grow up in Phoenix.

[muhammadaltaf4u]

Hello Sir, I have a problem with my neighbor Refrigerator. the problem is that its Compressor not starting but just heating up , there is no relay and no capacitor in that refrigerator , wires from compressor winding goes to supply. Kindly answer me quickly

[DrZarkloff]

@muhammadaltaf4u It sounds like the compressor needs to be replaced.

[muhammadaltaf4u]

Hello Sir, I have a problem with my neighbor Refrigerator. the problem is that its Compressor not starting but just heating up , there is no relay and no capacitor in that refrigerator , wires from compressor winding goes to supply. Kindly answer me quickly

[HIGHHIPHOPdotCOM]

@muhammadaltaf4u

your probaly better off buying ane fridge

[ICUC007]

ulterior

[tavanhna]

hi jim i am a new technician lots of time i have question on these ac system. can i call you if i have question? i can give you my number.

[DrZarkloff]

@tavanhna You can private message me with your number.

[kolocho7777]

do you have to take out the evap coil when cleaning? or can it be clened as it is attached to the system

[DrZarkloff]

@kolocho7777 It can be cleaned in place as long as you can get to both sides of the coil for cleaning.

[pl33618]

I had some maintenance done this evening and now my air is not cooling! The compressor goes on then shuts off after a few minutes. all the while the air coming out is not cold? Is it because the compressor needs to dry first?

[DrZarkloff]

@pl33618 It sounds like the compressor is shutting off on either a low pressure or high pressure switch.

[thereceman]

when checking amp draw on indoor fan motor is it best to put on your clamp and put the doors back on. i went to johnstone and got the same meter you use

[DrZarkloff]

@thereceman You really should put the door back on to know what the amp draw is under full load. Make sure that you have a clean air filter first to be sure to get an accurate reading.

[tranwatson]

Dr.ZARKLOFF! how can i check to known the compressor is good? check it as fan motor...! single phase compr. thank you for your helps, have a good day!

[DrZarkloff]

@tranwatson I have a video about ohming out compressors.

[rafaeldelaflor]

Personally what would you do if my dog got out of control and wouldnt calm down during a service call? Can you use a vacuum pump? Is that where chiahuas come from?

[seancoons]

You washed the evaporator coil with water. How can you do that without removing it ?

[DrZarkloff]

It can be done as long as you have easy access to both sides of the coil.

[99pete]

I cleaned the evaporating coil and drain, I'm having a condensation problem on the ductwork and plenem. any suggestions?

[DrZarkloff]

You might want to check for air leaks in your duct.

[SoloTech09]

I'am thinking of doing some side jobs and I'am wondering to do Preventative Maintenance and Duct Repair on a residence do I have to work under someone's contractor liscense? I'am Universally Certified.

[DrZarkloff]

Yes. To legally work on HVAC equipment in the State of Florida, you must have a HVAC contractors license or work for a licensee. I don't know what the laws are like where you live. You might be able to get a licensee to be your qualifier.

[rbu2m]

Is it illegal working on your own AC at home in Florida? I guess the good old day are gone for DIY. Anyway, I enjoy learning from your video. Thanks for sharing your expertise to us viewers.

[DrZarkloff]

You can work on your own system as long as you have an EPA card or as long as you don't have to work on the refrigeration circuit.

[scoutmom381]

Thank you for your response a few days ago. Our a/c guy came out and I think he had mistakenly let out some freon. He was great, put more freon in and cleaned the coils. WELL... I had a friend come over and he wanted to check the freon. When he unscrewed the cap, cloudy misty stuff came out until he hooked his gauges. NOW... my a/c isn't working again and is freezing up. Was this supposed to happen and am I now low on Freon again?

[DrZarkloff]

You should use low loss fittings on the hoses so that you won't lose so much gas each time you hook up your gauges. Yes, you're probably low again.

[altopascio65]

how do I connect 2 different capacitor instead of a dual capacitor? thank you in advance

[DrZarkloff]

That would require a video to show you the right way.

[klabkebash]

You're suppose to wash the coil from the inside out. He's doing it wrong, now he's just pushing all the dirt inside the unit.

[jdr5501]

Low refrigerant charge equals low subcooling which causes the pipe to be warm. The more freon in the system the more it can be cooled which causes the liquid line to be cooler than when there is less freon.  Remember more freon in the system equals higher subcooling, less freon equals lower subcooling which in turn is a warmer liquid line.

[jdr5501]

You should check blower motor amps with panel on to achieve true reading, otherwise amp draw will be higher than normal with panel off.

[Suiscycho]

Checking the current draw on all loads is a very good point. Should you really replace contactors? What about when you work at apartment communities where there are tons of them to be replaced? That can be quite costly.

[DrZarkloff]

The cost of a contactor should be considered in the budget.

[tstatech]

Replace it if the contacts look pitted. Use an inspection mirror while the contactor is off and the contacts are open. Carry a small philips to take those pescky covers of some of those oem contactors.

Remember to allways to replace it with the same type and current rating. Pay attention to if it is a single or double. If you have to use a DP to replace a single SP bridge the the side that isn't a contact. It is there to feed one the Strt & Run windings to act as an internal crank case heater

[richgriffin77]

Thank you Dr! I love your vids. It's also a good idea to come along behind the techs doing these steps to pick up the rubbish they overlook or leave behind in the units. If you ever wanna move to O'ahu, you've always got a PM contract at my facility!

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for the offer. I always have to be sure the filter techs refastened the screws on the panel doors. They seem to have a problem with that.

[srtwq09]

yeah this wat keeps us busy during slow times is mantiance contracts really keeps the the shop in year round work.

[DrZarkloff]

A good maintenance contract can sell itself. Thanks for watching.

[0917caicas]

when u are in a service call , but you are 3 or 4 behind , u dont have the time to do all the bullshit they teach u at school , the only way u will learn its in the field . is that right Mr Z?

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. Many of the air conditioners that I service are old and neglected. I usually replace the contactors whenever I have to replace the compressor or if the contacts look burnt.

[tiagobaracho]

Hi doc.. its me againg..

whats the best way to use Armaflex ? should we put inside one Armaflex the liquid and suction copper tubes or we should have one armaflex for each line ? or even one line out, ?

Thanks

[DrZarkloff]

Armaflex should be used on the suction line only. However, if it's a mini split then you'd put the armaflex on both refrigerant lines, as there is no exposed liquid line.

[BlobbyBowdenGeezer]

Hello my viewers.

[DrZarkloff]

LOL

[Aquasepian]

My company charges 109. We supply the filter ,2 inch and under,, spa201 & 4 inches for 35 and have got into the habit of cutting the condensation line (then clamp tube) when possible to clear the elbow,,is that called the sump Drz????

[DrZarkloff]

Sorry. I'm not sure what you mean. A sump is usually a hole in the ground where a pump is located.

[janito25]

hi Dc Z , I have a question...how much you charged for this PM job in AC systems...or how much is the standard rate out there ??? thank you for you time!!!

[DrZarkloff]

I'm not really familiar with the going rate. I work for the school board. I've heard that it usually between $75 and $100.

[DrZarkloff]

You'll never get all of the grease and grime from out of the coil unless you attack it from both the inside and the outside.

[kalliyann234]

post more video on de commission units please...???

[csj84jeremy]

Dr Z, what is the chemical you used in the video to clean the condensing coils?

[DrZarkloff]

I use Alka Foam.

[DrZarkloff]

The liquid line could be warm if it's hot outside or if the condensing coil is dirty.

[DrZarkloff]

The power head, that's the round disk shaped part on the top of the TXV, is filled with a refrigerant that's different from the refrigerant in the a/c system. The bulb that is attached to the TXV by way of a small copper tube senses the suction line temperature and adjusts the temperature accordingly. Check out my Thermal Expansion Valves video.

[DrZarkloff]

The thermal expansion valve is not a fixed orifice like the piston and the capillary tubes. It uses the suction line temperature to regulate the amount of refrigerant into the evaporator. If your system is way under charged, there will be gaps in the line where there is no liquid refrigerant. The TXV will automatically further open the orifice until it finds liquid. Then it will readjust the orifice once it does find liquid. Thus, it's hunting for the correct adjustment.

[DrZarkloff]

If the system is doesn't have enough refrigerant then the expansion valve will hunt back and forth. It is still possible for the evaporator to freeze even with an expansion valve.

[DrZarkloff]

The metering system as in the capillary tubes, piston or thermal expansion valve restrict the flow of refrigerant, hence reducing the pressure. The refrigerant evaporates when the pressure is lowered. If the refrigerant evaporates too fast because of a lack of there of, the condensate will freeze on the coil because the evaporative temperature will be lower than 32 degrees F. High temperature applications such as air conditioning calls for an evaporator temperature of 40 degrees F.

[towbinJosh]

I see you have a Fieldpiece Meter. Do you like them?

[DrZarkloff]

Most definitely.

[DrZarkloff]

Lock Rotor means pretty much what it says. The motor is seized up and unable to turn because of some sort of snag. All you hear is a hum until the motor overheats and shuts down on thermal protection.

[DrZarkloff]

RLA (Rated Load Amps), FLA (Full Load Amps) mainly for fan motors, LRA (Lock Rotor Amps)

[DrZarkloff]

PMs are important with commercial and residential accounts. I guess the homeowner isn't always willing to fork out money to have their a/c checked out throughly. Thanks for the interest in my video.

[DrZarkloff]

Actually, I'm unclear as to what you mean by minerals and pieces of old water pipe. If you're referring to particles that come in city water, the answer is no.

[sjstrekdon5]

Are the UV lights for killing pathogens? Great video!

[DrZarkloff]

UV lights kill germs, fungus, molds and other airborne funky stuff.

[kxmode]

new fave! very informative. thanks jim. btw is that coil cleaner eco friendly?

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks and yes

[Xaves511]

Great video, Jim. I'm not just saying that because I was in it :)

[DrZarkloff]

Thank you

[mechanicwarrior20]

Another Great Vid by Dr.Zarkloff :)

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks

[mybigbearron]

Thanks for including me in this!

[DrZarkloff]

Thank you.