Heat Pump issues

[Ben Holland]

Hi all,

I've been around the lab today and the heat pumps seem to just be acting as dumb fans, and it's been getting pretty sweaty.

Am I being daft, or is there an issue with the compressor?

Thanks,

Ben

[Mr E]

Ah ... Long story short, they have a known problem, where the valve that swaps it between heating and cooling gets stuck.

The answer is to get a ladder out, and give the unit on the outside a knock with a screwdriver handle, and it unjams, but it's a bit difficult to describe on email.

Rupert

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[Mark Morris]

If we provide a photo can you point out the target area?

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[di...@rlab.org.uk]

Lawrence thinks it is the circled area, but it would be nice to be sure

[Mr E]

Ah no .. you have to unscrew it's cover, you want the one on the right hand side, looking from the fan point of view - although it's not impossible that tapping there might work.  What you want is the TX valve, which looks kinda like this:

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1_5qRIFXXXXcPXVXXq6xXFXXXt/SANHUA-spent-three-electronic-expansion-valve-Q-series-DPF-Q01-1-3-diameter-1-3mm.jpg_Q90.jpg_.webp

But it has 3 pipes with an actuator coil on top that looks like that... knock somewhat gently on it, just having switched it on.  You'll know when it's moved as there's a pressure of gas sound.  Once it's changed over, it'll run all day.  The usual warnings about playing with things while mains is applied, apply!

Basically that one gets stuck, but sadly there's no spares for the unit.  We were looking at a replacement, but covid kinda happened.  Changing it is also a complete drain of the gas, unsweat it 'n' regas exercise, so non trivial.

Rupert

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[Mark Morris]

Seems to be working this evening.

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