High Voltage Issues Lead to More Problems!

[@1964davidsable]

I'm an electrician and sometimes dive into HVAC. You should consider getting insulated tap connectors. It would have saved you a lot of time instead of using those split bolts. The tap connectors need nothing. Fully insulated. A allen wrench to tighten. It would take 2 min. to make that connection.

[@Garth2011]

Great suggestion...

[@HVACR559]

I prefer using a disconnect to transition from Al to Cu. I also like using "Pennunion IPB-NA4-2S" to splice wire. Expensive but you won't have a fire. Guys try to use a wire nut, but it can be difficult to get a good twist on THHN. - Manufactured from high strength aluminum alloy - Dual rated for aluminum and copper conductors - including fine-stranded, flexible, and extra flexible copper conductors - Suitable for use in panel boards, cable trays, raceways, ducts and troughs -Pre-filled with oxide inhibitor - prevents oxidation, moisture and -contaminants from entering contact area -Pre-insulated at factory with high dielectric strength plastisol

[@bchrisl1491]

Stretch the fill tape to make it conform to the split bolt without voids. Also wrap in a figure 8 pattern alternating with perpendicular wraps of the fill putty tape.

[@JamesAgans]

Really good tip😊

[@mddale]

Just seeing you retrieve that screw using the flashlight magnet was cool. The simple things I never think of. I was impressed by your confidence to close up the cabinet before knowing everything was good. Ha!

[@RefrigerationDevil]

Great repair as usual Curtis! We’ve all been there but I must say all that work wasn’t for nothing because some new tech would now know that if it’s an old unit they would check the Freon and electrical at the same time. I had someone comment on a video @ wwhvac because it was a low voltage situation and he went to check the condenser first, he said that it was unnecessary because it was obviously a blown fuse/bad transformer .but it was an old unit so it was smart because if it was a leak situation he would have to quote for replacement.

[@althompson3332]

You did the right repair. Look on the bright side . You stopped a potential fire hazard. You did the Right thing.

[@throttlebottle5906]

it was already on fire and extinguished itself, the thermostat batteries being dead and leaking were a secondary issue. it was likely powered from 24v common and when the wires burnt it went out, with the batteries for backup having been dead for a long while.

[@barrwall661]

Watching your videos will earn yourself the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in HVAC.

[@TheGuruStud]

certainly better than half of installers/techs lol

[@dock_yard1149]

He doesn’t explain half as well as Lavimoniere in Mass.

[@BigEHead]

Completely agree

[@davefuelling7955]

I"m a retired machine tech, and something similar has happened to me. I spent a couple of hours trying to figure out why part of an edgebander kept blowing fuses and wouldn't work only to find out that the voltage in the building was wrong for that machine, they had 240 volt high leg 3 phase in the building and that one part of that machine had a processor that was rated for 208V single phase. They had to order a step down transformer, once installed, and I had to make sure the high leg didn't feed that processor, they never had a problem with that section again.

[@vinceromano8245]

I am not a hands on hvac guy but I’ve always been fascinated about A/C and refrigeration units and how they work. Watching your methodical approach to problem solving and then taking corrective action is most interesting. Your attention to detail and your expertise is amazing. And that carries over to the spare parts, tools and really great organization of everything in your service vehicle. Thanks for all the hours of really great videos. As a side comment, I thought I was watching a different KZbin channel because I didn’t recognize you without your hat. Thanks again for taking the time to create and post these videos.

[@HVACGUY]

My pleasure

[@denverbraughler3948]

If you stretch the rubber tape as you wrap it, it will draw tightly against the split bolts and adhere to itself.

[@brianouellette6567]

I was going to say the same thing. It adheres better plus you use less of it

[@gregeconomeier1476]

Those folding ladders are handy by they sure are heavy.

[@JamesAgans]

I own one, but I have never used it for that reason. I have a telescoping ladder for stuff like this.

[@luispercy4124]

What a great video 🤣💯 it’s all good 1992!! it’s time! Good job bro

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@jdg27m]

you did right for fixing one problem the electrical then knowing you would have to check the cooling side of thing to make sure it was good to go before leaving that when if thing were good but in this case you found out there no feon in the system you wouldn't had known just by looking. the quote say's "If you're not testing, your guessing" from mike diack. You did good and thanks for the video.

[@renecuevas4128]

Watching this in bed on sunday morning before going to church. Remind me i do da same job monday to f.,,,,for the last 30 yrs. Never get old to do attic work and then find some else.....we svc techs feel ur pain mr Curtis

[@TomLawson05]

Great job Curtis stuff happens to all in this business just another learning experience thanks for the video

[@HVACGUY]

You bet

[@coastalrefrigerationheatin2372]

Great Repair on using the split bolts & rubber tape for electrical. In my area we have to use a fused disconnect for service shut off. Yes that has happened to me not thinking the refrigerant was low all that work feel your pain.

[@robertwood9628]

Crazy job. Must admit I am very impressed with all the tools and supplies you stock in your truck. NICE.

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks 👍

[@jeffbecker9809]

Have to have the right tool for the job Beavis. I like how many different supplies he carries.

[@earlestes8649]

@@jeffbecker9809it’s expensive but in the long term it saves gas and time going to a place to buy things. I stock a lot of electric and plumbing

[@denverbraughler3948]

You needed split bolts listed for Al-Cu usually with a cadmium coated piece separating the two reactive metals. There are other types of connections that keep the metals separated.

[@gor312]

I think that's not really necessary on an indoor connection where it's never going to see moisture, especially if it's covered with Noalox. You need an electrolyte to have electrochemical corrosion.

[@robalexander7348]

That was so unfortunate Curtis, a rather tricky one,we all have our good days and bad days, i'm sure you will be back to finish off this job for the owner 👍 Au

[@HVACGUY]

Hope so!

[@richardthomas9263]

Sadly sometimes you don't find a secondary till you fix a primary problem. In this case, once you saw the condition of the wiring that became the primary focus and I would have done the same. What can I say, sometimes there are just days like that. Thanks for your videos, I find them all educational and even entertaining.

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks for watching

[@jthonn]

Amazing how those things get in that shape. Nice work

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks 👍

[@JimAlderson-cn6ek]

Think I would have installed disconnect and definitely lock and tag breaker wile up there working customers turn things on wile u work on things god bless em and no that's a old air handler new ones all molex plugs good repair and vary sory for the ending that is frustrating but it happens

[@danwittels5542]

That's a real bummer! One tends to attack the problems as you find them. That could have happened to anyone, especially me! I hope you get the change out.

[@scottjones7279]

Never happened to me but it certainly could because I would have done exactly as you did on the diagnosis.

[@chrisnapier5626]

Great job,Curtis!

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks!

[@John-cb6wn]

Excellent work

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@renecuevas4128]

Oops forgot the blessed Transformer......happen to me 1000 times in my hvac life 30 plus

[@topher8634]

That was the reason it burned up-the aluminum wire. It tells you to use copper conductors only. You can run aluminum to a disco then copper to the unit.

[@gor312]

There is nothing magical about a disconnect. If the wires are spliced properly, aluminum will work fine. The problem is that aluminum requires a positive clamping pressure and is very sensitive to poor connections. Things like wire nuts are absolutely hopeless. The split bolt connection will not fail, if anything it's much more solid than the terminals in a disconnect. The trick is that the split bolt a) maintains a strong compression in the joint because the bolt is stretched when it is tightened and b) will not loosen with expansion/contraction cycles. The main problem with anything like wire nuts, screw terminals, etc is that they do not maintain tension, and as the aluminum expands and contracts they will eventually loosen and the connection will burn up.

[@shawnbensinger]

I totally understand we're your coming from ,it happen to me before, that why I tell my guys before anything check refrigerant levels and check everything then give options repairs or replacement..

[@waynepetre5098]

Before wire nutting, I always twist wires together first, for a good connection

[@Garth2011]

I've seen so darn many "methods" to twist wire connections that are "approved". Some say no just twist the wire nut and they will form. Some say twist them first then the nut. Some say twist them with pliers first trim excess wire then wire nut then black tape...May as well use butt connectors !

[@MAGAMAN]

There is no need to twist wires before you put a wire nut on. The wire nut will twist the wires for you if done right. Twist until the wires start to twist together on the outside of the wire nut, then give each wire a yank. If they don't come out, it is in there secure.

[@Garth2011]

@@MAGAMAN Like I said, everyone has their opinion. I have seen electricians who conflict with each other on that subject.

[@randallgoldapp9510]

Something like that has happened to me. I worked for hours on an industrial laser that wouldn't start up until I found an emergency stop had been pushed in.

[@sziltner]

Enjoy your rain. I live in Southern California and we haven't had a drop of rain since March 24th.

[@josephdiaz5493]

yes, it happen to me on different problem and after I finish the first problem that I see at the and no Freon. LOL sorry but it happen. thanks for sharing those experience.

[@dashcamandy2242]

6:42 - Oh, my! That's some crispy wiring! 38:03 - No matter how much sugar you pour on it, the unit's junk. Sure, you COULD fix it (and I'm a proponent of repair-rather-than-replace), but this time it's really not worth it. Thirty-plus years is a good run. You found an important potential fire hazard that needed to be corrected, whether or not you could restore the AC. You potentially saved lives and personal property, so while you may feel like you wasted your time in the attic, I'd say you DIDN'T waste time at all. And, as you explained in the outro, if they "need" the emergency heat, you've safely restored that function. Hope you get the change-out!

[@harrydickson4575]

Great video 👍👍

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@HRG-r2m]

Great video as always. Couple of things you might want to know. I am a licensed electrician and work for an HVAC shop. The brass split bolts arent rated or UL listed for aluminum wire, you need to use the plated ( silver colored) ones with the separator bar that isolates the copper from the aluminum. Also, I believe that a split bolt is not UL listed for more than 1 run wire and a tap wire ( I could be wrong on this). "polaris" tap with 3 ports makes this work so much faster and easier. Just thoughts from an electrician. I will admit on a couple of the dog HVAC calls I get , I wish I had a video of them to share with you...... Chicago area here, and you dont want to know how many expired field mice I have had to extract, and repair the damages wiring they left before karma got them!

[@stevencossaboon3237]

Nice work Curtis. Man,that place was a mess.

[@richardyates1033]

You probably should have installed a disconnect on that aluminum wire. Then copper from the disconnect to the air handler wires. No more Al/Cu connection.

[@HVACGUY]

If I get the install, I will

[@richardyates1033]

@@HVACGUY have you considered getting one of those magnetic dishes for the screws that you remove? They're cheap at Harbor Freight.

[@jkmarshall3553]

@@richardyates1033 Your suggestion comes up in every other video. LOL! He does have them (seen them in use in other videos), just doesn't use them all that much. BTW, I have 4 of those dishes. Use them all the time.

[@thekinginthenorth989]

​@jkmarshall3553 some of my coworkers call them doggy bowls 😂😂

[@jkmarshall3553]

@@thekinginthenorth989 Ha ha!!!

[@bluesteel48]

67 degrees in the morning!?!?!? Where I live when it’s 67 outside we open the windows and enjoy the fresh air.

[@topher8634]

In the southeast, it can be 67 degrees but 80 percent humidity. So if you open up to the outside it makes the house feel clammy.

[@davidskaggs9914]

I believe it required a disconnect up in the attic but doesn't matter since you can add that in your quote. No one can argue replacing a 32 year old system

[@Garth2011]

For sure or at least a light switch and J box.

[@MAGAMAN]

@@Garth2011 I ran a 50 foot construction light line in my attic. I just plug in an extension cord every time I have to go up there and I have light through the whole attic. I am also not violating any electrical codes by installing lines without a permit.

[@jaygosch8705]

It's surprising that the unit lost freon at the same time the wires burned up. I can't believe there was no terminal block and the transformer was just sitting loose in the bottom of the air handler.

[@steveurbach3093]

There was an old one on the top. I love finding sloppy job sites. It suggests the quality of the work that had been done.

[@joecooksey4331]

Hells bell.... I'm glad i waited until the end!

[@emoneyblue]

Woo Saaa take a moment ... You did a great job! If I ever run into a similar condition i know what to do first so thank you.

[@edwardmissouri2216]

Wow, I have experienced a couple burnouts in my house due to improperly wired aluminum. One time, the furnace quit, and upon opening the junction box on the side of the furnace, the power wire had melted the wire nut, and it rolled out onto the floor. I have a house from the 70's, full of aluminum wiring. When done right, it's okay. I would rather have copper for sure, but I was young, and didn't check to see what kind of wiring I had when I bought the house. It was a unincorporated area at the time, so no city inspection. Now, that wiring wouldn't fly the way it was. The problem with that aluminum is the expansion and contraction, and the oxidation. I went through the house and installed ALUMICONNS at all the connections. Those are the only approved connectors for joining aluminum and copper now, I believe. Sure a good thing those wires were enclosed in a metal case.

[@Bill_CBR]

Great job and I did wait for the result. I hope you get the replacement job.

[@kurisu9103]

I love your videos thank you never stop posting❤

[@cleansebob1]

What a bummer!

[@rickr6908]

It was a really good try. Sorry it didn't work out on this trip. You do such great work, hang in there. Give Reily a pet for me. 😊

[@robertkoontz7865]

Tip; Use your Kleins as an anvil by grabbing the wire with the Kleins/Pliers and pry off the insulation with your wire strippers. Especially if you have oily or slippery hands.

[@chrisblock8646]

I love watching hvac guys doing electrical work.😂😂😂😂😂

[@GoatzombieBubba]

67 degrees is shut off the HVAC and open the windows up temp.

[@mcroley591]

We’re in the South and it’s humid.

[@KenKen-ui4ny]

@@mcroley591 I'm in northwest Georgia. September is usually when the humidly starts tapering off a little here. There was already a couple of days, where we just had the windows open.

[@scottjones7279]

Not telling you how to do it but telling you how I do it. After installing the split bolt I make a couple of turns of 88 on the insulation then rotate the 88 180⁰ and wrap the connection good then rotate the 88 another 180⁰ and make a couple of wraps on the other side of the split bolt. Then i tape it good with the splicing rubber then a topcoat of 88 in the normal manner. If someone needs to get into that connection the 88 that was wrapped sticky side up will not be in the connection and a single slice with the knife will remove the complete insulated cover.

[@dblungm]

Oops guess I should have listened to you and watch til the end 😂

[@edwardmissouri2216]

Pine needles and vines everywhere you go! There really wasn't a reason to check the freon first. The good news is that you discovered a dangerous situation in that attic. Hope you get the installation job after all that. Of course, you will have to undo all that rubber and electrical tape!!! 😁

[@denverbraughler3948]

@@edwardmissouri2216 : A few cuts with a utility knife frees the split bolts. The rubber peels away.

[@E85_STI]

Hello so what Milwaukee impact do you use? I like how it slips the clutch after the screws for the blower door are in.

[@HVACGUY]

M12 regular impact

[@gingyberrie]

🤔 i was asking my phone “why aren’t ya checking things over before you reinstall the blower planel”? ….

[@bigscout1584]

If it was me up there I would put in a disconnect on the outside of the unit up there

[@nicolasmuniz9452]

For a moment I thought I was hearing John Israels breathing while in attic. I always prefer split bolt connectors vs big blue wire nuts.

[@whatdoyouthinktodd]

More rain. Now we know most men probably 95% of us. Are not made of sugar. My mom used to say you won't melt. Most likely the water will turn in the steam. Sometimes I wonder what she meant by that and then I remember who I am. 😂 Stupid hot in Grand Rapids Michigan 86° today 9/14/2024. Regular temperatures in September are normally around 75°

[@OnusBones]

Hmmm, 1992 is rather old to be worth a leak search, repair, and all new refrigerant (probably R22). After all that work, I really hope you get the changeout.

[@WaveDudeTX]

The debris in The emergency pan will make it useless when the time comes

[@antoniosagamuccio7370]

I would have been wondering, after the meltdown in the air handler, why the breaker did not trip.

[@AllTattedUp13]

Because it didn't short out on anything, the wires simply just got nuked and lost the connection.

[@corruptedbrain6]

place your company stickers on every unit for advertising so customers will remember you like for future PMs or service calls :))

[@bonexsher]

I always install a disconnect box when they don’t have one 😊

[@OGHVAC]

Curtis don't feel too bad about the flat system and not going to the heat pump condensing unit first. The fried wiring in that AH was very obvious and I would have repaired that condition right away as you did. That flat system is always a secondary repair in my opinion. As old as that system is, it will continue to present issues. Quoting a replacement system would be my recommendation. Great job with the wiring repair just the same.

[@1975original]

wish we could get some of that rain in Texas.

[@MAGAMAN]

We have had a decent amount this year compared to the last several years. We could still use more though.

[@roymg]

Mixing alum with copper is not good. Will cause heating at connectors.

[@KenKen-ui4ny]

I don't agree using it to power an electric furnace directly, like in this case. When it gets too cold enough for the heat pump to keep up, and the heating coils come on. There going to be more current getting pulled though that initially uncompatible connection.

[@roymg]

@@KenKen-ui4ny My first house was all wired with aluminum wire. I was constantly going to connections to retighten them because heat would build up. I figured one day the house would burn down. All, I assume, was done by code. It was a spec house built by a sorry contractor, and I sold it to get the hell out of there. Later I heard that all of those houses in that subdivision had to have all of that alum wire replaced with copper. I can understand using alum on the main feeders to the house but nowhere else

[@DavidJohnson-yd2jw]

When you replace the system, remember to install a disconnect, a light in the attic, and a GFIG receptacle. Now, after all that, before getting started, pull down the steps, making the attic unit accessible.

[@JimAlderson-cn6ek]

Lovely my sentiment precisely 😮

[@davidsharkey3483]

If the manufacturer wasn’t so cheap they could give you a terminal block ,

[@Paul-IE-Repairs]

good old aluminum wire to copper without the noalox or listed wire nut

[@andreeriner811]

Brother, lol, it’s happened to ALL of us. What a drag. See I’m like you, I probably would not have e thought to check the Freon either you see a mess like they had in that air handler you just assumed that’s the issue. Man, I feel your pain, been there done that one.

[@andreeriner811]

And what really sucks about that how do you charge somebody any money everybody I know it’s different, but I can’t do it. If I go and I leave them in the same state they was in before I got there. I just can’t bring myself to charge them money. All you can hope for is they’ll opt to put a new unit in and at least you’ll make a little money off of that

[@harveystephens6115]

Part of the job. Customer lucky it didn’t smoke house

[@rcf8367]

Why not grab the acid tester nitrogen bottle & do a quick leak check?, may be something simple to braze since it was flat. If it’s a burnout you’ll know what to tell the customer or landlord. Not surprised to see 2 or 3 issues with a poorly maintained system!

[@renecuevas4128]

Miami s advice gas up and go till it goes down again then we ll install new system. My 2 cents

[@jamesballard2335]

I have an idea for you to try with your twist caps, ball up the end a Little so the wires will connect. And one more thing, you need to wear a mask when you go up into these attics, cause there are little particles of insulation getting into your lungs. I just noticed how you're breathing sounds bad.

[@MAGAMAN]

no

[@jimwhite9483]

I still don't understand why manufacturers build a "premium" product and then want you to wire nut the high voltage connections.

[@TheGuruStud]

Gree has terminals. It's pretty nice. But they're also not dumb units.

[@kens.3729]

HVAC can be very complicated but that’s NO excuse for the HVAC Hacks out there that Can’t do the Simplest of Fixes without Screwing Up. Keep Up Strong Efforts. 👍

[@redneckways1617]

We’ve ALL done that at one time or another

[@jaygunter3828]

I think that could happen to anyone. I imagine according to the resident it was working fine before, so who would have thought the freon would be gone.

[@rockychristakes951]

I always wondered what that rubber tape was for

[@woodystokes1543]

Nice work man seen that several times. Also do yourself a favor and check out king combo ladder.

[@Qualityservicesbcs]

That wall looks like the compressor blew the charge out .

[@Merlyn4011]

We all have those days simple fix snowballs into a major job :( Hang in there

[@pilotboba]

When using wire nuts, the instructions say to twist until the wires outside of the nut are twisted a few twists. This ensures an electrical and mechanical connection. If you do it this way, you don't see wires poping out of nuts like that. I never seem to see that on A/C videos. Is that because it is low voltage? Why don't you twist until the insulated wire has a few twists as well?

[@eduardoflores2510]

Yes number of times

[@owenaero]

i feel your pain Curtis. did you find the cause that burned up the wires ? and it would of been nice to have a disconnect up there

[@OcRefrig]

i'll bet u don't make that mistake again ! 😂 note to self --- check that everything else works before making a big repair.

[@Garth2011]

I'd think any HVAC would have focused on the burned wiring simply because of the symptoms and it was obvious nothing was going to work without those repaired. Did the circuit breaker trip stopping the wire short? For a 1992 HVAC system they originally had a heat pump set up? I'd think if the attic unit is 1992...best to replace it all, a new thermostat, disconnect or a switch in attic, line set and condenser. Won't be long and they'll be calling for a blower motor or something else on that 32+ year old. I thought the diagnosis went reasonable, anyone could have thought to check pressures but not likely without a working electrical system for the thermostat and blower.

[@ranger178]

wow that is some big aluminum wire just to run the air handler does it have a lot of heating strips in it making the amps high or something?

[@HVACGUY]

Yes

[@bluesteel48]

Never fast forward. I try to determine what the problem is and see how many times I’m right. I guess it most of the time lately. But not this time. 😕

[@scottjones7279]

No fast forwarding for me as usual I am watching the complete video

[@jeremyg8568]

I have van envy my friend 🤣

[@dblungm]

Kind of surprised you didn’t throw a disconnect on that air handler?

[@HVACGUY]

I will if I get install

[@johntilson2535]

Some days you're the dog, other days you're the tree...🐕🌳🤷‍♂

[@joebullwinkle5099]

One thing I did miss in your presentation is what caused the wiring to burn out like that in the air handler? And then wouldn’t that require Searching out the fault?

[@HVACGUY]

Wire nuts and aluminum and copper together.

[@billkunert7281]

Nice work but have you consideed wrapping the rubber tape with cloth tape(we called it friction tape)? It won't get gummy in the heat like plastic tape.

[@HVACGUY]

Never used it

[@tc7922]

Argh….she be outta gas.. hopefully the change out is forth coming… here is to a disconnect in the attic..got to love the hatch 12’ off the deck for access…let’s put it mmmm yeah, mmm the air handler ..right here so no one looks at it for 32 years… Good stuff brother

[@BWIL2515]

It seemed like you just wasn't into it this video you sound tired man a long weekend might do ya good Curtis and yeah if you see burned up wires that's what you do frustrating we've all been there anyways thanks for sharing

[@bobgallo3775]

We have all been there, Curtis

[@jimramsey3279]

Don't understand why wires don't go to contactor then use clip terminals for distribution.

[@JMHVAC502]

4th quarter at the UK and UG game... Hope my cats win 😂😂

[@HVACGUY]

It was way too close

[@JMHVAC502]

@HVACGUY Kinda surprised it was that close. My dad texted me and said "I'll take Kentucky if you give me 57 points" Both of us die hard Kentucky fans 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️