DID I EVER TELL YOU I HATE SAND?

The sand is everywhere, and it was a bit hot... but it all worked out
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[@Hopelek]

We get it Anakin Skywalker. You hate sand. :D

[@101johnrobinsotaylor]

I thought he loved sand

[@MegaDysart]

Finally get a day off and im woken up at 4 am because its 85 in my house. So I'm now getting ready to fix my own AC. At least HVACR VIDEOS just dropped a vid 👌🏼makes it a littke more tolerable

[@Bryan-Hensley]

I just ran a call late yesterday where I had to repair the damage a customer did trying to repair it themselves. They actually found the bad part but destroyed much more because they simply didn't tighten up the spade connectors and the wire slid off, and started arcing. Damaged the capacitor and motor. Now instead of paying a total of $110 in the beginning, he's going to be paying $275 to $325 and has to wait until I can get one on Monday..

[@MegaDysart]

@Bryan-Hensley yeah I've had the same thing happen. Someone replaces a condenser fan motor and doesn't zip tie the speed taps and the blades eat them for lunch and now they need a new motor, the breaker is tripped, and they have to wait for me to come fix it. I've seen fried contractors and capacitors from loose spade connectors due to DIY installs. I can't prove it but I think one call I went to, the guy tried to charge an old bryant r22 heat pump with 410a.

[@Bryan-Hensley]

@@MegaDysart I'm working on one now that seems like it's got mixed r22 and r410a. It seems like there's standing liquid in the loop traps and the accumulator when it's running. Superheat is way too hot. I added 2.5 lbs and now the superheat surges, no txv, piston. Those are very hard to diagnose.

[@alimuh007]

8:19 lol "God I hate this place" hilarious!!!! This channel has helped me tremendously throughout my H.V.A.C./R. career, and I thank you for taking extra time to film your troubleshooting process.

[@williambutler7312]

yup he's the man HVAC respect . . .

[@masterdirk101]

I was in an attic for hours there wasn’t an article of clothing that wasn’t completely soaked in sweat, even drinking lots of water I’m still cramping up 12 hours later 😭 listen to you body boys and girls

[@brettbuck7362]

And note that in the desert, you will *not* get soaked with sweat regardless of the temperature - it evaporates as fast as it forms. This keeps you cooler than you would think, it is the basis of "it's a dry heat" saying. So, you can be seemingly OK, until you run out. Then, you can rapidly crash. You have to force yourself to drink fluids periodically whether you think you need it or not, because the usual indicators will not be present.

[@67tr876]

If I were a restaurant owner out there, I would definitely put my equipment in a sealed penthouse or a room with a filter on a big intake duct. It would be cheaper to replace filters.

[@ShaneL295]

Man, that thermal camera is really coming in handy.

[@joeschoebel1458]

As an electrician (who teaches motor control) I appreciate your approach to troubleshooting electrical problems. Keep it up!

[@throttlebottle5906]

zap zap...

[@twt000]

Are they cheaping out on the copper in the contacters? Seems older stuff had/used way more copper.

[@throttlebottle5906]

@@twt000 due to ROHS, they altered contact materials years ago. there used to be cadmium and other bad things used in them, which did make them last longer overall. that said, there's still multiple contact materials compositions, some hold up much longer than others. I also notice that current control systems and thermostats often cycle them at narrower temperature differentials, so total cycle count is way up.

[@_iLLuSiv3_]

It could be fair to say, with that contactor being as bad as it is, it could of single phased that unit.

[@marcusmitchell95695]

Guarantee you that’s exactly what happened. He did the right thing by changing the contactor out and having the electrician come out to change out the breaker.

[@tristanmoos9770]

I don’t know much about HVAC but your videos are appealing to me since I’m someone who like to know how things work. I detail cars in Chicago in the ‘’hot’’ summer 80-90 Degrees. I can’t even imagine working in the temperatures you service equipment in out there where it’s always 100+ degrees on roofs.

[@greendryerlint]

109 at 11 AM.. Whew! Glad I live in a northern climate. And we're still going to be in the high 90s all week. I definitely would have changed that breaker. Glad you advised the customer to do so. If it got so gummed up that it couldn't be reset, I'd be concerned that the next time it trips, that it might lock instead of shutting off, like the infamous FPE breakers from the 1970s. Great video.

[@Bryan-Hensley]

I'm in the Eastern southern area and we haven't been over 92 in 10 years. It used to be 100 every year when I started my business. We might possibly top 90 this week. But I doubt it, they always forecast a higher temperature than it will be. This cooler weather is killing my summer business..

[@fshn76]

So glad that we don’t have to deal with sand where I live. Stay safe out there Chris.

[@myname7021]

Drinking a lot of water in the heat is good, but it's also important to keep an electrolyte balance. I prefer to eat some salty snacks to keep a balance and only when I feel I'm low on energy then I add a Gatorade.

[@adamdnewman]

electrolyte enhanced water perfect for outdoor work.

[@2xKTfc]

Yep. Know people who got themselves in trouble from too much (plain) water. It sounds harmless but it really ain't good.

[@shifter8207]

Definitely need the breaker panel fillers to close up the gaping hole

[@adamdnewman]

Yep the filler plates and the ko plugs always get neglected. 😢

[@danielelise7348]

Hey mate, I'm a HV electrician in Australia & I can promise you it's the sand that shits the contactors up,when fine sand gets between the contacts it prevents the contacts from closing fully & this creates a high resistance contact. Just on the heat,here in Australia,as you are probably aware,it's the hottest place on earth in Summer,we have places that can get over 50°C, but where I live in Adelaide South Australia,it can easily reach 46°C.Work safe brother.🇦🇺⚡🔌❄️🔥

[@Bjurran]

On this side of the globe we don't bother with making sure the individual contactors or breakers are sealed. We place them in something that is sealed. No sand, no dust, no water or anything can get in there.

[@adamdnewman]

In the race to the bottom both manufacturers and customers have sacrificed quality and reliability for "low cost" (upfront but not long term).

[@FerralVideo]

On the note of the heat, remember that Chris is in the desert, where there isn't any meaningful humidity. Down here in the south, we have monster humidity. You can get into serious trouble as low as 90, because your sweating isn't as effective. Bonus points when working on electrical equipment that you have to make sure not to drip sweat onto your equipment and destroy it....

[@fredflintstone8048]

Contactors wear out even without the sand which will only serve to shorten the life even more. The major problem with contactors is that they are NOT zero crossing devices like a SSR. When they slam on near the top or bottom of the voltage wave they take the brunt of that starting current which is very hard on contacts causing them to burn. Even though the circuit breaker panel is in a water resistant enclosure it's not a fully sealed box which are not the norm for outdoor panels. In order to keep the sand out of the breakers it would be necessary to have a fully sealed box with a gasket on the door. They are not only rare, but much more expensive to buy but would be better in an outdoor area where there's sand blowing in the air.

[@torinbrown8196]

Last month or so ago I was on a job for a 25# washer and smelled burning in the space. Inspection found a 50# clothes dryer contactor frozen in the closed position with the unit in standby, could see the 440v heating elements glowing orange. Not sand caused but think that was from possibly a loose wire connection.

[@44R0Ndin]

Yikes! I guess it makes sense that they use 440v heating elements in those huge clothes dryers, but finding one with the elements stuck on and the fan NOT going? That would send me hurrying to shut off that breaker, I mean I know the dryer is designed to contain high temperatures, but you gotta ask yourself how long is that gonna hold out with no airflow over the energized heating elements, all that heat then has nowhere to go. I hope those heating elements have a thermal overload on them, otherwise that's a failure condition that could easily turn into a building fire.

[@richardbartlett6932]

jeeps, that's pretty hot. we've had those temps here occasionally and its brutal. But the worst I had personally was in Bahrain where it reached 54c 80% RH by 09.00 am we were dying out there.....

[@tam1381]

That's what I call a BIG picture diagnosis and BIG bucks job.

[@gbuss814]

I would have ran a hose on the condenser to help pull down the box. But awesome video!

[@joeshmoe1683]

1 - I imagine that a solid state contactor (ie Triac based) wouldn't have the same issue. HOWEVER the heat sinks required would be large and most likely need a fan and airflow. Now you are back to the same issue. 2 - working outside here in FL during the summer is also bad (95f with 75 to 85% humidity). I was smart enough to drink plenty of water, but next day would have a massive headache due to the loss of electrolytes. I too don't like sugar drinks (like Gatorade). Instead I found tablets that you put in water. I personally like the nuun brand (not affiliated). For me I do 3 bottles of plain water (16oz ea), and then the 4th with a tablet. They are sweet, but no sugar.

[@throttlebottle5906]

and one little thunder storm, power surge, brownout kills often kills them and other solid state magic devices... because that's often what happens to solid state devices in said conditions, mr. zappy(lightning strike nearby/direct hit) doesn't care about magical protectors and laughs as it blows everything apart. it played whack-a-mole near here the other day, killing a cash register, receipt printer, network switch, office computer cable modem and *solid state* potential start relay on one cooler. being an electronics nerd, I took apart the start relay and found multiple things and a clear arc over spot. it arced and blew fused resistor across to the metal tab of nearby relay, shorted a diode, turned a ceramic capacitor into an low value resistor, had a clear flash over mark at a transistor. all surface mount parts, except the fused resistor. I quit dissecting it at that point.

[@spacehitchhiker4264]

It's coarse, and rough, and it gets everywhere.

[@paulrozinski1488]

This is THE major downfall tho working by yourself. The customer may know that you’re on the roof, but they’re busy too. They’re paying attention to their business so they may forget that you’re up there. Some form of “buddy call” system might work.

[@petersmart1999]

Heat exhaustion then heat stroke! I have had heat stroke 2x . Kinda strange to have cold chills when its 100 . Drink warm water,not cold water,and yes switch it up with sports drinks to replenish electrolytes!

[@adamdnewman]

Or electrolyte enhanced water

[@inothome]

What was the temp on the middle contact? Your scaling was off and you can't just go by what's white. Everything could have been 120f in the sun and that one contact 130f, but there was no temps shown. But, you love to change contactors..... You've changed more contactors than electricians have. And, depending on the breaker, there is a de-rate when ambient goes over 40c (104f). 15A on a 20A breaker is fine, but that 20A breaker at 125f inside the closed box could actually be closer to 17A. They are thermal devices. Unless they are 50c or 60c breakers to start with.

[@robertrousseau3361]

Watch your videos all the time, great job. You take all the problems out of the equation that are suspicious. I don't know how you deal with the heat. Wow! You are truly the sand man.

[@petint]

It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.

[@adamdnewman]

❤ LOL ❤

[@BruisersBeaters]

Not HVAC but related: I purchased a car from southern california a couple months ago. It's beautiful and free of rust. I live in Wisconsin. Every underhood relay didn't work correctly or at all because of sand. Never in my life have I had to fix relays because they got sand in them. We never see that here, relays, contactors and such tend to have quite long lives here.

[@44R0Ndin]

Over here in NY it's the same story with the relays. The wires on the other hand... Well the Statue of Liberty is a very pretty green, but when you see that same shade of green in your wiring harnesses, you've found a fault! Lost count of how many wires I've had where I see "just a streak" of green on the insulation, go cut the wire open, and a cloud of green powder that was formerly the copper that makes the wire do its job poofs out of that wire. JUNK! I have to cut back at least 6 inches further back than the green goes before I trust the wire to be able to start splicing the wire to fix it for the customer, because around my area nobody has enough money to buy a whole new wiring harness, and all the vehicles are old enough that nobody makes new wiring harnesses for them anyways, so splicing is the order of the day. And no I don't use the cheap crimp splices, the ones I use have heat shrink insulation on the outside of them that has the inside of the heat shrink coated in hot melt glue, and the middle of the crimp connector has a little glob of solder in it too just to make sure there's no way in heck that wire connection is any less good than if it was just one piece of wire in the first place. They're more expensive than the "cheap" crimp connectors, sure, but I never get vehicles coming back because I spliced a wire badly if I use the good crimp splices.

[@tbelding]

Sodas, no matter what the type, ARE hydrating. Yes, if you're not used to it, caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, but that actually wears off within 2 weeks. If you HAVE water or , use it, of course, but if what you have is a soda? Drink it. It's better than not drinking because you think you have to have water. As for the 40% humidity? That's what I'm trying to keep my garage _down_ to. Outside is regularly 88-95% this time of year, and right now, in the heat wave with no rain, is 54%. (Houston)

[@zekenzy6486]

Great Video. Thank you for sharing

[@AshDuke20]

Because of your videos, it happened to tell my hvac cousin what I think wrong with our ac unit when it stopped working. He fixed it. Thank you Joe 😊 and you too.

[@41Zman]

You know its going to be a rough day when its already 110 at 11am

[@rf159a]

Chris the only thing that would work in that environment would be explosion proof equipment. The cost alone would make it impossible to have a business there!!!

[@youdontknowme5969]

🎵 Have I told you Lately That I -love you- *_hate sand_* 🎶 🤣

[@bradwilmot5066]

Tell them to put blanks in that panel... the giant-ass hole where a breaker used to be sure isn't helping the sand issue...

[@EnderMalcolm]

I know it's not a perfect thing, but you can actually see the right hand CFM running slower than the left side while the unit is running. Or faster maybe, whatever it is, it's synchronized better with the camera. Out of curiosity, would it be worth moving getting one of those weatherproof cases for the contactor and timeclock? Granted..., that wouldn't let any heat out.

[@twt000]

Ha, in WA State we have moss in the breakers.

[@dashcamandy2242]

Always pay attention to your body in hot environments. Even if you keep fully-hydrated, your brain can literally overheat - and we can't physically feel our brains getting hot, so we need to be on the lookout for "glitching out." If our speech slurs, or we have trouble completing a sentence, or we're getting dizzy, or we STOP sweating, or colors look a little weird, it's IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY to cool off somewhere. I think your tripping breaker was a culmination of several minor niggling problems. Every issue you identified, plus the higher demand on the system, and maybe even a low-voltage condition at one point (causing current to rise) all could have added up to trip that breaker. We don't know the age of the breaker, or how often it's been pushed near the limit, and it was full of fine sand. My Baxter gas oven at work is failing ignition again. It took over three times the regular baking time to cook muffins at 175-176°F, with the control panel indicating the burner was lit but I could clearly see it was not. Took nearly four times as long to bake croissants - over an hour just to get some color, and ten minutes later to get them golden brown. Within minutes of puling them from the oven, they fell flat. The blueberry muffins look like they're topped with darkly-toasted oatmeal - don't ask, I have no idea why. It's not like the oven hasn't been acting up since OCTOBER 2022, ten months after its last rebuild in December 2021, they just don't care. This October will be THREE YEARS without an exhaust fan over the microwave convection oven, one of which has failed twice in one week. Just keep fixing the failed equipment without looking into WHY. Small-picture diagnosis. Oh, and our walk-in's drain line is STILL uphill, and we still have water all over the floor. Renovation pending at the end of July has been pushed back to "Sometime In September." 🤣

[@kenward9968]

Have you ever tried solid-state relays/ contactors? I'm curious about how they would stand up in those conditions

[@HitTheMat]

It's course, and rough, and irritating.

[@TaddyDigest]

Glad to learn this very cool I do not have this problem in Tennessee no sand here

[@rapomnam]

Heat is no joke. Out here in west Texas, we can get up to around 114, typically have at least three months of excessive heat and thankfully tend to have low relative humidities. I own a ranch, so I try to get started as soon as there is enough light to work, and only work outside until noon or so. I do the same at my day job, where I schedule trips onto the roof to happen as early as possible in the morning.

[@alistairmackintosh9412]

When you checked for continuity after turning the breaker off, it's always a good idea to check for voltage at the supply before in case there is some screwed up wiring in the breaker panel. Good work.

[@duramusmosley5530]

I have slowly implementing thermal imaging into my diagnosis and I appreciate you demonstrating effective use of thermal imaging. I've mostly used it to find hot spots, or points of loss on the supply side. I'm going to start using them when checking my contactors and motors as well. Great video, and I appreciate the time you take to show us your approach.

[@dalemarr70]

😆😅🤣😂...Chris. What are you doing with that Bettlejuice , stereo instructions book there??? 🤣🤣. Also, I hoped you cleaned that gunk off the cond. fan motor blades. It really messes with their ability to cut through the air. Not to mention the small amount of imbalance it causes. 🤪😛

[@Silver-Ellipsis]

Your advice for managing your temperature in that withering heat is very sound, always drink lots of water. Another good thing I see you've done, though, is procured for yourself a copy of the Handbook for the Recently Deceased... just in case.

[@kat2641]

Well?? As far as the unit? Their is not much you Can do as to the condenser fan motors sand is sand an it’s going to get in.. but as to the electrical? While it is not cost efficient $$ The outside panel box an the contactor box can be changed to a airtight box.. sometimes referred to as a explosion proof box… all that I have ran into have a rubber seal on the door/cover/lid that basically keeps what in ? In and what’s outside ? On the outside…Does this solve the problem?? NO but it does eliminate ((one ))part of the problem.. 🤷🏻‍♂️. I run into a similar issue with fine grinding, dust, in industrial applications. It’s just 1 less headache to worry about.. But?? I would of been found DOA on that roof in that high heat ❤

[@DelticEngine]

My body has problems with temperature regulation and I suffer at much lower temperatures. Other that drinking water, I carry a water sprayer with me to spray my clothes for evaporative cooling which works very well for me. I'm glad you ran over the unit with a thermal imaging camera. I'm wondering if that contactor that was replaced was causing a phase to intermittently drop either entirely or enough to cause a current increase on other phases that caused the breaker to trip or a thermal overload condition. Regarding longevity, have you considered mounting contactors and control gear in sealed enclosures as an alternative to a sealed contactor? It could work out a lot more cost-effective in a number of ways. For example, a company called Delvalle here in Europe makes an electrical enclosure for extreme temperature conditions (-60 to +250 deg C). They call it the 'Tardigrado Series'. There is a company called Polycase in the US makes weatherproof and watertight enclosures, including ones that are NEMA-rated.

[@throttlebottle5906]

very likely the contactor was the issue, at some point it surely dropped a phase on pull in arcing and poof went the breaker from the single phase. it's also likely the condenser fans didn't run when that happened or low voltage/slow trying to be the compressor return path for the dropped leg. I'm assuming they're single phase and wired off the left two contacts which are also the most cooked. probably caused by back EMF from them arc flashing on break and higher peaks on pull-in. ahh the joys of electrical 🥳🤯

[@Bryan-Hensley]

We are going to do good to top 90 this summer. We used to top 100 every year when I started this company in 2001, but we've just barely topped 90 in the past 10 years. It hurts my summer business. I drink Powerade with the vit Bs

[@d3xbot]

Video title: "DID I EVER TELL YOU I HATE SAND?" me: "It's coarse and gets everywhere"

[@mxslick50]

I am pretty sure you can't get them anymore, but there used to be sealed mercury contactors that were of a reasonable size and cost, would last forever, but of course the environuts had them banned. As for the trip, as another comment said, that high resistance center pole of the contactor was single-phasing the compressor and creating the high current draw.

[@adamdnewman]

Yep all the effective products seam to get banned lead?

[@44R0Ndin]

@@adamdnewman The military at least still gets to use tin-lead solder for electronics, so at least they know what's up.

[@jangoofy]

While contactors might not have an affordable alternatives to the sand issue, how about better enclosures of everything ?

[@adamdnewman]

Neither manufacturers or customers will prieceve a value to the added cost. 😂

[@jangoofy]

@@adamdnewman I get what you are saying, but saving a service-call each year + parts (granted, not expensive) vs. a one-time installation of a tight enclosure should pay off, if not, service calls and the cost of the disruption (spoiled food?) is too cheep :) As always, I guess it is different budgets.

[@adamdnewman]

@@jangoofy Many of the locations on Chris's videos are restaurants and restaurants absolutely go for the cheapest option, like no pms. What you are say is logical but many restaurants look at upfront cost not long-term money savings.

[@andrewedis9907]

There's a fair amount of sugar in gateraid, slightly less than a soda but still high.

[@mattluongo7763]

Damn man we charge $200-$400 hundred for a 2pole contactor here in NC depending on what company you work for.

[@Malandrin]

a bit funny that the thermometer in the cooler is still in its original packaging and not even screwed or hung in place properly 🤣🤣

[@DerSchrottBastler]

do you know these cheap massage guns? for around 20 bucks? you should get one, it releases sand like a charm, used one in a similar situation and a collegue told me to use one. my first thought was: what the heck? but you should give it a try.

[@Lobo204RHF]

OK Anakin.

[@MariosACandRefrigeration]

good morning Chris,that compressor is 10.9 amps ,it might be a bit overcharged,those compressors start making noise when they are dying,would recommend a copland compressor,it is hard to find TP.thanks for sharing.

[@Ed_Stuckey]

Is that Simpson over in the corner a 260 or a 270?

[@HVACRVIDEOS]

260... that was my dads

[@spykillergames8402]

if that condensor ever got replaced it might need to be oversized to handle the HOT

[@lapub.]

You're wrong ! If you put a bigger capacitor, you will change the phase and current in the motor, it will increase the bill and may also burn the motor. The thing to do is to use a better quality cap, that's all ! As all theses things are well engineered, you have to choose the "best fit" one. Caps of the same value are build to survive a time at a temp like 20000 hours @ 75°C. Take one 1000 hours @ 75°C an put it in a 24/7 ventilation, it will last 1000/24 = 41 days this look like such a "crap cap". But if you build a small lawnmower with this "crap cap" ie , it's use 2 hour a week 6 month a year = 1000/(2*4*6)=20.8 YEARS , look like it will outlast the other parts, so in the first case, the crap is not the cap but the designer. Unfortunately, if someone sold the "crap cap" for $10 the only thing these big compagnies remember is the cost, so if you came with a $100 20.000h cap that will last 20 time more for 10 time the cost, you'll still be 10 time the cost. and more, you will miss the 20 time replacement fee !

[@yachthvac469]

He said Condenser, not capacitor.

[@velcroman98]

WHat if you took common sized motors, like those fan motors, and took them in to have them rewound and upgraded brushes. You'd have a better than new motor you could sell with better confidence. I put more faith in a properly rewound motor with upgraded brushes and a brand new Chinese motor every single day. No problem with the Chinese, but they manufacturing super-high volume to be done and cheap as possible.

[@jayjudd6518]

❤Ho Lee Chit that’s hot. 😮 I wouldn’t last long at all to old. 😊😢

[@robertrousseau3361]

Look forward to the autopsy at the end also.

[@colinstu]

0:15 lol @ thermometer still in original packaging, edit 13:50 I wonder if it being surrounded in plastic with its own thin layer of insulating air is also causing that thermometer to take longer to come to true temp. But yeah the one you have is gonna read it way quicker.

[@jendak7921]

Instruction were clear. Hang up thermometer. There were nothing about unpacking.

[@kingb468]

I have a quick question. When testing Amp draw on those condenser fan motors .44 is pretty close to .49 on a start up 10:30am at 107 degrees. Wouldn't you think after a few hours of running let's say 4pm at 118 degrees those motor would over amp?

[@HVACRVIDEOS]

Yeah they run on the edge for sure... but so do the factory ones...

[@OverthePantsClayHJ]

Is there a reason the HVAC industry doesn't have solid state relays as an option for these desert locations? I know they cost $300-500 but industrial automation uses high current SSRs all of the time. It is cheaper than a walk in freezer full of meat and cheaper than sand single phasing and killing a compressor for your three phase applications.

[@norcal715]

110°F in the shade at 10-11am. Goitta love the Inland Empire in the summertime. At least its a "dry" heat with low humidity. EDIT: You are right, anything over about 30% humidity in that area is high. Thank you Chris!

[@glennschlorf1285]

Never....you've never told us you hate sand never every other week

[@adamdnewman]

Chris ❤ sand LOL

[@ToxicwasteProductions]

Have you looked into 12v controlled repays? I know there is some fairly decent ones for automotive use that handle high current. Should be able to switch mains also just that the control voltage needs to be lower so you don't fry the coil. 🤔 Just an idea. Might be dumb but just putting it out there. Also seen some circuits where they have small like 5/24v relays controlling big chungus contactors. To give the step up ;)

[@michael931]

I never heard of MARS contactors before.

[@JVBKing]

I feel like it should be code for outdoor equipment to be IP6X rated in areas that get a lot of sand

[@adamdnewman]

Manufacturers will not spend the cash and customers absolutely will not

[@JVBKing]

@@adamdnewman Too true. Nobody wants to fork out extra money to save in the long term, even if it costs them twice as much in callouts and repairs. I mean half of the videos on this channel are just customers skipping maintenance and repairs on equipment held together with duct tape and wishes.

[@josephconway1968]

Having the thermal imaging camera seems like a really nice tool to have in your arsenal. If you don't have one, and you're a lesser experienced technician, and you checked all the voltages like you did. What else can you check to determine, I'm changing the contactor. Is it the fact like you explained that contactors are relatively cheap enough? You obviously have the experience which you can confidently change it. What would you recommend for a newer guy? Once again, GREAT video! I think for me, the consistency you show in your approach to troubleshooting, is what I appreciate the most! I've been out of the trade for a while and Ive learned more from you than anyone I worked for or with. You always say in your closing words how much you appreciate the support. I hope you know (and I think you do) how much YOU are appreciated. When you stop making videos (and you inevitably will) KZbin will feel that loss for a long time! Peace Bro!✌🏻😀😎

[@HVACRVIDEOS]

I will discuss this on my livestream this evening 7/24/23 @ 5:PM (pacific) come over and check it out kzbin.infovuts2K8DmCM

[@raydoactive]

“…And the sight glass is clear!” 🫡

[@TheRealDuck_guy]

Was this the same condensing unit that had rocks bouncing around inside the compressor

[@HVACRVIDEOS]

Yes it was

[@muadeeb]

Look into replacing the entire junction box in the outdoor unit with a nema 3 enclosure. Not 3r, just 3. Will require some fab work for knockouts, but supposed to be dust resistant

[@adamdnewman]

Customers will say nope too expensive.

[@justbeingreal5839]

When will we get a visual on the new Appion cct14 flow control valves. I'm trying to find I good option to pull a fast vacuum on these core max fittings. I usually braze in new access port stems to pull a fast vaccum. Will these flow valves be the answer for fast vaccum???

[@gregmercil3968]

I was working out in the city of Placentia on Friday, upper 90s with something like 45% humidity. I was hanging on pretty well until about 3pm, started feeling lethargic. By 4pm I was feeling a little woozy and by 4:30pm I was completely jelly brained. So I know exactly what you mean by that term. It wasn’t until earlier this morning when reorganizing my work truck (Sunday) is when I realized I left my tool bag at the job site on Friday. It’s likely still sitting on the ground behind the bushes where I lowered it down from the roof (I hope). I remember feeling sick from the heat when I lowered it down just before 5. All I could think about was getting off that miserable roof, refilling my waters, and getting into the air conditioned truck to do my paperwork. I was so loopy that I forgot my own damn tool bag. I just hope it’s still there when I go back there tomorrow to get it tomorrow!

[@landonferguson7282]

Maybe in places like that, you can swap the contactors for more dust resistant ones.

[@xboxlive6]

Makes the insurance company happier too.

[@anotherhuman8211]

IF they were made. There are a lot of products in Southern AZ and SE California where it was designed in a non hot and/or temperate place where it works well in those places. But, not here. Heat is commonly an issue. Pool pump motors in Phx die pretty quickly because they...overheat. Or even X-Mas lights. They are rated as outdoors but are not waterproof at all. It just so happens that there is a rainy season in the winter in AZ. You can guess how dark most yards comically get after a shower. Imo, that is why I would want more local companies to make basic, common products like motors, contacts, etc. where problems specific to a place can be addressed.

[@wnchstr156]

My wife is a nurse and I am an HVAC Tech that works on restaurants also. She told me to start drinking Pedialite when it gets over 100 degrees on these roofs. It's been a game changer. I believe she said it has more Magnesium and protein. She also got me the Mission brand cooling towels. I thought they were all the same but they are not. The Mission brand towels seem to work much better. I am thinking about getting me one of the hats also.

[@bentlikeitsmaker]

Why not use a dust rated enclosure

[@gabesreef]

My troubleshooting has changed so much ever since I purchased an ir camera. Seeing those hot areas really help locate issues quickly

[@2xKTfc]

An IR camera might not tell you that everything's fine, but it can show you things that are wrong real quick.

[@maracservices]

Thanks for another great video mate

[@TrystyKat]

Are IP ratings not a thing in North America? IEC 60529?

[@Mike-ub1tc]

What happened to that magnet shade cover you had think last year.

[@HVACRVIDEOS]

They dont last, I will discuss this on my livestream this evening 7/24/23 @ 5:PM (pacific) come over and check it out kzbin.infovuts2K8DmCM

[@12...]

god, over 110°?? i start sweating at like 75.. i don't understand why they build cities in areas that are practically unfit for human life

[@jasonjohnsonHVAC]

I wonder what temp the wiring is rated for 90°C, 75°C ? The breaker tripping can be attributed to high ambient and the sand. It causes the bi metallic to heat up and flex...causing a trip. Heat is the enemy of electricity. When in high ambient conditions, according to the NEC you have to derate the ampacity that the conductor can accommodate. The amount of wires in the raceway also derates wiring ampacity.

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

I certainly find it easier to mow my yard at 4pm (92F at 45% humidity) than 9am (78F at 85% humidity)... until August when there is no reprieve from the high afternoon humidity. Worst was my trip to Indonesia, where the humidity was so high, that the moisture wicking microfiber (Columbia PFG) couldn't wick, and it was like wearing a non-breathable plastic sandwich baggie filling the inside with sweat. Definitely listen when they say to pack natural fibers / cotton.

[@mainj54]

Those 9721 motors are rated for 40C ambient. Maximum ambient temperature 104F. They are designed as evaporator fan motor replacements. With 140 deg. F air over they will fail prematurely.

[@PapasDino]

Sunday morning with coffee and Chris and a good story, thanks!

[@stephenvale2624]

Single phasing could have happened with the contactor, but also could have happened with the sand filled breaker. Single phasing while running could have current overloaded everything up to the compressor coils, and if the breaker is damaged, it could have allowed higher than rated currents. If it was me i would replace the breaker as well. If possible replace the whole crappy breaker box with a more dust resistant model. You might add a FLIR check of the breaker box to your checklists. USE THE FORCE CHRIS! Edit: Just heard you say the customer being advised to replace breakers. About 35 years ago I was hired to help install a 5 meter microwave dish on a tar and gravel roof. Lasted all of two afternoon hours in North Texas summer heat. Then had to go inside for over an hour to recover. Don't know how you survive your job in the summer. From an engineers standpoint I can see where sand in a circuit breaker could block air circulation, possibly causing the temperature of the bimetal spring to rise, resulting in a false trip due to overheating...just a thought. This led me to my suggestion of thermal imaging the breakers as well as contactors. Sorry for the long winded comment...

[@andrewt9204]

I live in MN and it gets hot here and the humidity makes it even harder to cool. 90 in July here can be brutal. In Arizona that's a beautiful day. But over 100F, it doesn't matter, it's just plain hot. I worked in AZ and CA on RTU's for a couple spring/summers. Yeah, it was crazy hot sometimes, and I learned to get a hat with a neck covering and went down and sat in the store every hour or so and refilled my little water bottle. Really tanked my efficiency but I didn't want to die up there. That's crazy you have to replace CU fan motors so often. Ours get some corrosion from the rain/humidity but they still seem to last several years.

[@Transit_Biker]

Almost seems like the breaker box could do with its own enclosure. I have seen them on rooftops in grit/sandy areas and in hurricane prone ares to help keep debris out.

[@ddanielmiester]

Most breakers are rated at 40c. At 110f in the shade you are already exceeding that threshold by 3c It's is even hotter in that enclosure especially with other loads being served. The compressor was peaking at 16a, plus another amp from fans, 17a could easily be within the derating curve of that breaker in 4pm heat on a roof. It just popped because it thought it was seeing an overload. Obviously a problem for an electrician, but it might be worth refiguring the wire and circuit protection based on a higher ambient temp. A roof in the desert is not an appropriate place for a breaker panel, tbh. Fused disconnects make much more sense in that environment.

[@Theoldchum]

Looks like a good candidate for a CPR valve with those high ambients that cause a problem with high startup current under load. If the condensing unit isn't designed for high ambient service (and let's face it, there's no rating for ridiculously high like your conditions) in the field modifications are sometimes necessary. Remember, over the years, just like everything else, equipment isn't built as stout as it was 30 or more years ago.

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

What you describe as "Jelly Brain" sounds a lot like the first stages of Heat Exhaustion... And that is just one very short step away from Heat Stroke and a trip to the Emergency Room... You were wise to get off the roof and start drinking more water than you normally do...

[@HockeyTownHooligan5]

I don’t know how you work in those conditions. I work in Michigan, humid in the summer but we’re only hitting into the 90’s in the peak of the summer. No sand, everything lasts pretty long.

[@madeofscars9355]

Where I live in summer we often hit 45°c in the workshop at work with 70%+ humidity and it absolutely takes it out of you the heat index with 45°c factoring in the humidity feels like 100°c ( 211°f). I don't deal well with heat on a good day due to a chronic pain disorder but the heat literally makes you feel nauseated and short of breath. Stay safe mate! it's not worth killing yourself with hyperthermia trying to fix some piece of junk equipment.

[@achannelwithnopurpose1977]

With a combination of the faulty breaker and worn out contractor as evidence, I think the reason the compressor sounded rough and had high current was mainly because it was getting really dirty power for a while. Bad power kills motor windings and shorts/grounds compressors. The compressor clearly sounded worn out. Plus the high heat and head pressure didn’t make it any easier.