Replacing an X13 Blower Motor with a PSC Motor

In this video I try to walk you through how I would replace an X13 motor with a PSC motor in an air handler. The X13 has been around for years and some people have had issue with the module going out, experiencing a power surge, etc.
I have not had any "terrible" experiences with these motors or their cousins...the variable speed motors. Some techs that I know don't speak highly of them and have replaced X13's with the good ole PSC motor.
I would encourage you to do some homework and look up Regal Rexnord or Genteq or Regal Beloit on KZbin and watch their videos on the X13's and Variable Speed motors. The made them so why not listen to them on how to identify and troubleshoot them.
00:00 Intro
02:25 Look at Air Handler and X13
05:00 X13 on Table
07:28 PSC Motor in Air Handler
10:56 Wiring and 90340 Relay
14:03 Top View of 90340 and Wiring

[@juliangonzalez3541]

I am julian I am a technician out in the field,I really appreciate you from taking your time teaching all of this,and also putting the time unloading this videos to teach this junior techs how it's done,thank you so much God bless everyone and keep your good work.👍

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks Julian...its all in the pursuit of knowledge. The first thing I remember my first boss saying was "You aren't done when you clock out. You gotta read on your own time too." Stick with it and learn all you can. You will be better for it.

[@user-vb8jl6nf4k]

Thank you so much, perfect explanation and easy to understand. Been looking for this video for a while now it’s clear easy to understand

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks

[@fldave612]

The X13 ECM motor's sole purpose is to allow the HVAC manufacturers meet the increasing SEER rating requirements. The cons of them outweigh the pros of them. They are double and sometime tripple the cost of the PSC motors with a third to a half of the life expectancy of PSC motors, often have very short warranties sometimes as little as 1 year depending on the manufacturer while all the other components in the equipment have 3-5 years. They are very susceptible to moisture, so in climates with high humidity the failure rate is high, Almost all of them are made with substandard quality components made overseas that have low QC standards. As far as the new high SEER ratings, unless the home is very well insulated with R-38 or higher, has duct leakage of under 5%, and has doors and windows of ER 34 or higher, the significantly higher expense of the 15 and 16 SEER units will never be recouped in the energy savings.

[@johnjennings487]

That was a mouthful but it is on point. Thank you sir.

[@fldave612]

@@johnjennings487 You're welcome, I do enjoy these types of discussions and sharing different viewpoints and therories.

[@Jetski270]

1000% agree!!!

[@realSamAndrew]

I feel so honored! Around 12:00, I believe I was the one who commented on DPDT on another video 😁. Thanks for this and all your other lessons 🏆.

[@johnjennings487]

I think you are right! I try to catch myself and get it right the first time because I like trying to do a few videos and help out but I absolutely hate trying to edit them...thanks again for watching.

[@simmonsjr25]

Awesome video. Very good information to know. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks again. It is a fairly simple thing to do if absolutely needed.

[@anvibrimel41]

That was a great explanation thank you very much Sir.

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks.

[@jparson3309]

Great job explaining thank you very much.

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks

[@HeavyBeam]

I have a lot of old and damaged systems and I’ve used a contactor just fine. I wouldn’t put that in someone system or recommend it but it works.

[@johnjennings487]

I wouldn't want to do this either. But you could!!!

[@davidharmon8745]

Good job.i just wished i can remember. When mine goes out

[@Mantenimientoalospanglish9489]

Thanks a lot for ur teachings awesome just awesome!!!

[@johnjennings487]

Glad to hear you like it. Thanks for checking it out.

[@edgar20109]

Thanks for teaching!!!

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks for watching. This video was fun to do but not something needed all the time.

[@scottallen5182]

John , you are a great teacher!

[@johnjennings487]

Thank you. It is tough but I like to try!

[@MrMultitool]

Great video.

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks.

[@biblebloopers946]

To hook up low speed you just connect your low speed to number four on your relay and number five to the load side of the heating contractor. Then you would have low speed during Heating and high speed during cooling but unfortunately you would also have high speed during heating if someone switched it to fan on during heating mode

[@johnjennings487]

We could probably make it work by adding another 90340 relay...just to completely separate the heating and cooling calls but then again...that is why we have circuit boards! Like i said in the video, i would not do this but it is fun to think about how. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@biblebloopers946]

@@johnjennings487 Actually you are 100% correct. I came up with a schematic using a couple different relays where you could have high speed and Cooling and low speed and Heating and low speed also in fan mode. Awesome video. Please keep pushing them out

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks. Electrical circuits can get interesting for sure.

[@realSamAndrew]

@@biblebloopers946 instead of using 4 and 5 on the second relay row, couldn't you just plug the low speed wire directly into the load terminal on the contactor? The NC pole on the relay is essentially a jumper.

[@johnlocklear3583]

Great info 👍🏼 …sometimes you gotta do what you can to satisfy the customer, especially if they can’t afford the original (Thanks)

[@johnjennings487]

Absolutely agree. Who wants to be without a/c? I don't always like it but I try to help people the best I can.

[@nilbertocohen4963]

Excellent explanation, i have a question: how many amps is the heater contactor?

[@johnjennings487]

I think it was just a standard 2 pole, 24v coil, 30 amp.

[@Mantenimientoalospanglish9489]

Is there any way you could make videos wiring a Heat sequencer and explaining functionality

[@johnjennings487]

I did one a while back where I completely re-wired an air handler for a heat pump unit that had electric heat strips. It is a little long but the link is kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2Spk4WCYrONi9k Thanks for leaving a comment. If you do look at that particular one let me know what you think.

[@ozziewelcome5612]

Good 👍 👍

[@johnjennings487]

Thank you.

[@lahoucinelamlih3214]

Can you use a contactor instead of a relay?

[@johnjennings487]

It may be a little over-kill but sure! Switch is a switch (as long as it can handle the amps of course). May have a little noise with it but should function the same as a relay. Just be mindful of exactly how you wire it up if you use both sides of the contactor and if there are extra speed wires don't put them together or on the same connection as the speed you are using!

[@biblebloopers946]

So you going to have high speed for both Cooling and heating?

[@johnjennings487]

Yes. I modeled this wiring after an air handler with a fan board that only uses one speed for both heating and cooling. It is typical in a goodman unit with a psc motor.

[@kevintran5234]

what happen when heatpump and electric heat call at the same time?

[@johnjennings487]

It doesn't matter if it is a PSC motor with only one speed used. If you had a a relay that did separated NO and NC switches then you could power 2 speeds depending on electric heat or heat pump. Then it could be determined by whether or not the "G" circuit was energized.

[@ddcws1]

Went to a call and ecm/x13 style motor is bad. No warranty left and it pretty expensive to replace. Unit currently has 3 low voltage speed taps being used cool, heat, fan, which connect to IFC board. Can you still convert to psc?

[@johnjennings487]

You can but just keep in mind that you lose the efficiency/design that the manufacturer had for the unit.The idea is that it would go back to being a standard wired thermostat and relay to control a single speed PSC motor. (or a single speed at a time on a PSC motor)

[@ddcws1]

@@johnjennings487 Yeah just felt bad leaving them without cooling and would like to offer more options. I would definitely explain that efficiency loss. Just didn’t know with it currently having 3 speeds how that would work. Thanks for the prompt response!

[@johnjennings487]

I was eating popsicles on the front porch! I don't remember if I said it in the video or not but my coworker had to replace his X13 2 or 3 times in both of his air handlers. He wasn't happy to rewire it for a PSC but he was tired of the cost and aggravation. Now he just has a 'G' circuit controlling that 90340 relay coil. Same speed no matter the call on the thermostat. Works just fine!

[@ddcws1]

@@johnjennings487 Have another question?Had an RTU unit yesterday that had a failed ecm/x13 motor. High voltage to motor 208 Checked low Voltage to motor and only had 22. Transformer set at 230. Switched to 208 checked low V and had 25 now but motor still wouldn’t engage. My question is could the incorrect low voltage caused that motor to fail? I ohm’d the windings out and had 3.4 on 2 out of the 3 legs but one 1.8 on the one leg. Unit installed 2016/2017 and has been running like that 5-6 years.

[@ddcws1]

@@johnjennings487 if G circuit only controls fan speed wouldn’t you have to make sure thermostat controls heat instead of IFC board. I know with cooling Y and G are calling but with gas heat usually board activates G call not stat.

[@OnePointLander]

Is that motor a 208/230 motor?

[@johnjennings487]

Yes. Those were both 208/230 motors.

[@davidharmon8745]

I am really disappointed with this change.because the price for this x13 motor is way overpriced.

[@drg424]

A x13 motor, is a unreliable motor ,ask any contractor out there,I would be all in if they had the reliability, a psc will last 10 years and over, u do good if u get 5years out of a x13.x13 imo a piece of junk, forget the correct info on ductwork incorrect,(which is correct) but the psc will take more abuse from the idiots that will not design the correct ductwork.ive did this many times with a relay .simple and will last .end of story.

[@johnjennings487]

Definitely prefer the PSC. When my wife and I bought our house a few years ago I was relieved to know that my unit had a simple PSC in it. Otherwise I was gonna rip it out the first sign of problems.

[@jerrywilhelm2634]

Not a good idea, you are going to shorten the life of your heating elements, you need an off delay for cool down

[@johnjennings487]

I can agree that OEM parts replacements are best and first choice. This was just a "you can do it if you understand" situation. But my Trane unit on my house has a PSC motor and simple relay with 10Kw heat strips...no issues for years.

[@fredost1504]

Customers HATE X13 motors because theyre MANY times more expensive than a PSC motor, and their lead time is months. Only the Govt could create a boondoggle so FUBAR.

[@johnjennings487]

This is true. But what customer knows that when they buy a system? Probably not many understand until it breaks! My boss changed his X13 out 3 times then finally gutted it to put in a PSC motor. No problem since...

[@ronaldvieira3028]

Talk toooo much

[@johnjennings487]

That's the same thing my wife tells me...

[@panchobarajas3008]

Good 👍

[@johnjennings487]

Thanks for checking it out. It isn't ideal but is fairly simple to understand.