Chronic Dirty Filters and ECM Motors Don’t Mix!

[@juancarlostrejo6323]

I love your videos cuz as frustrating you get you keep your composure! Great job.!

[@ronaross1]

Oh my, that was one very dirty filter. Not good idea to breathe that in. Thanks for showing the price, I had no idea that would be that high. Good video.

[@jthonn]

That motor could not have been any closer to that side. I thought you were going to have to pull it out and move the motor in more. Thank goodness it made it, you have better luck than me. Expensive motor indeed. What is the deal with all these people neglecting filters? Nice job Curtis.

[@chuckq54]

It’s probably a good idea to check motor casing length of original vs new so you know where to place the belly band ahead of installation to save you from issues

[@johnd5398]

No one ever thought of this until you typed it. Well done, KZbin Blowhard!

[@robalexander7348]

Well done Curtis, that filter sure was clogged up. Most owners obviously never check them ☹ Au

[@Bob.W.]

Thanks Curtis.

[@HVACGUY]

Anytime.

[@roberts.3712]

Never get that screw out of the A-coil. 😆....great job👍

[@HVACGUY]

Didn’t even try

[@iamnoone.]

Thanks again, Curtis

[@jeepcherokeeguy5742]

Nice job. Those motors are pretty expensive.

[@joemartinez-673]

Thank you 😎 🤟

[@HVACGUY]

No problem 👍

[@hugh007]

About 3 years ago the module went out on my X13, but the module was replaceable. What happened? Didn't even have to pull the whole blower assembly out. Shame to ditch a whole motor for some small part in the module. Great Videos. Thanks from FL

[@stevencossaboon3237]

Nice work Curtis.

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks!

[@gregwarren8583]

Seems most homeowners (and maintenance for rentals) don't even know there is a filter, or where it is located.

[@johnd5398]

You had it easy here. Now show them how to do one on a Goodman where you can't remove the squirrel cage assembly without removing the evaporator coil! 😅🤨

[@kg4muc]

You said the magic words Broad Ocean X13 😅 The price of about any part after COVID is ridiculous.

[@TomLawson05]

Good job Curtis enjoyed the video thanks again

[@HVACGUY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Scott-hb8pu]

Which veto backpack do you have?

[@diesel46809]

Question on the motor, does it do that for every start up by going both ways, or will it program itself and just kick on the way it needs to go after the first couple of cycles. Great video, keep up the great work

[@HVACGUY]

Not every startup. But, I have seen them do it after a power loss.

[@diesel46809]

Awesome thank you, I appreciate the answer. I was just wondering about that.

[@jkmarshall3553]

👍 Nice Fix!

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks! 👍

[@harveystephens6115]

Nice video

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@jimharmon3404]

How does an ECM determine the correct direction of rotation? Does the controller remember it until it loses power then have to learn it again? Is the done by the board in the motor? HVAC mystery!

[@brianleeper5737]

@@jimharmon3404 I believe it spins in both directions and chooses the direction that requires the most torque, which will be the correct direction that moves the most air.

[@jenko701]

How much would it cost to convert to PSC .

[@rj.parker]

The problem with x13 and true variable speed ecms is always the power electronics, not the motor windings or the bearings. The manufacturers are at fault for a poor power electronics design in the module. Which includes Genteq. Same goes for variable speed hvac compressors. We have variable speed compressors and blowers in vehicles that last twenty years in arguably a harsher mobile environment. Granted vehicles don't have electrical surges to contend with but good techs need well installed whole house surge suppressors installed. More recently newer meter housings have surge suppressors built in. Hvac motor manufacturers need to hire some qualified Electrical Engineers and solve the issue.

[@brianleeper5737]

@@rj.parker Vehicles do have voltage surges and dirty power, usually caused by alternator and battery problems. Vehicle electronics are designed to handle these.

[@lewisgant8234]

When ever we run across one of them motor brackets it gets tossed and replaced with a one piece bracket

[@frankm7707]

The Carrier OEM is easy $400 these days.

[@scotts4125]

The OEM Carrier Broad Oceans are more than the X-13's.

[@brianleeper5737]

Someone makes a board to replace those with a regular PSC motor, if you want to be really cheap.

[@jkmarshall3553]

QuikSwap X3?

[@brianleeper5737]

@@jkmarshall3553 That's the one.

[@iraregister7589]

Definitely don’t need a board to convert it to a PSC, just need a relay (or contactor) with a 24v coil, (if you want to be really cheap 😂), but you need to watch HVACGuy’s video on rewiring an air handler if you want the fan to run with only a “W” call (emergency heat)

[@brianleeper5737]

@@iraregister7589 Whatever you do you need to make sure it won't energize more than one of the taps on the PSC motor at a time, if more than one of them is energized, well, the motor isn't designed for that and can run slowly, will almost definitely overheat, and can even spin backwards.

[@raygunsforronnie847]

As I'm not in the HVAC trade, what is the common mark up on parts, and is there a premium for van stock vs pick it up at the distributor?

[@sziltner]

Too lazy or cheap to replace the filter, so pay the penalty! 👍🏻

[@john7017]

Manufactures should rivet the 3 legs to the belly band so when replacing the motor the legs hang in there...Make it so much easier.

[@chuckq54]

Bingo! 🏆

[@SkulkersSkulkers]

Why don't people change their furnace filters???

[@OnusBones]

Why the switch to ECM motors? How much more efficient could they possibly be, to warrant all the trouble people have with them? I find it hard to believe they save enough energy to be worth their added cost, both new and as replacements.

[@brianleeper5737]

One reason is that they can offer a single air handler that can accommodate a 2 through 5 ton condensing unit. One of the Trane air handlers has something like 12 selectable speeds, 2 through 5 ton with low/medium/high for each one. It can also run the fan at a very low speed for ventilation, as might be needed with a fresh air intake.

[@TheOnespeedbiker]

When properly maintained, ECM motors are more efficient (run on DC) use less power (command a higher SEER) and last longer, though it may take several years of use to offset the higher cost. The problem is, they last longer and are more efficient when they run at lower speeds, rather than a PSC which often run at one speed regardless of the call and consumes a lot more power as they are AC. This becomes an issue as ECM motors are not as robust as AC motors when running at high speeds, and it is especially a problem with dirty or restrictive (HIPPA) filters, which will cause them to burn out prematurely. Since Curtis deals with a lot of low cost rentals, where filter changing is not a priority, ECM motors end up being a high failure item.

[@snidelywhiplash8923]

They're considerably more efficient.

[@brianleeper5737]

@ Would be nice if ECM motors could detect that they are operating at a higher speed to maintain airflow and turn on an idiot light that says CHANGE AIR FILTER

[@patrickinottawa27]

The puppy was just doing it's job, and could probably smell Riley.

[@walterskelton411]

It's safer to apply the ground meter probe first. That way if you accidentally touch the othe probe, you won't get shocked. Obviously remove the live first also.

[@jasonmonday6565]

Hey Curtis, what's happening in your neighborhood for this Tuesday afternoon???

[@PlymouthVT]

I change my ac filters every 2 months. I also tape them into the register. Most metal register receivers are a very loose and sloppy fit to the filter. When the filter gets a little clogged the unfiltered air will just sneak around the loose edge of the poor fitting filter and then contaminate the air handler coils. Especially if the air handler blower motor is set to a higher speed. I use stage tape bought on amazon and tape in my filters edge airtight. Last time I replaced my adj speed blower motor in the handler 4 years ago the motor was $150. The fact that he saw how nasty the filter was and didn't take the bottom cover off to look at the coils is really shitty service. There going to be clogged to hell. Everything is open no ladder no attic and you still wouldn't do it. Super easy to clean. Total hack.