System Cuts On and Off Way Too Often

[@deanmartin1966]

I’m guilty of disconnecting a few of those boxes myself. Lol.

[@bill944]

Every chance I get. Always get the customer's approval when I tell them what the problem is and it'll be another service call fee if I have to come back.

[@carrieschuppler9098]

Love your videos. I have been a service tech in northern Wisconsin for 23 years and the stuff you work on is so different due to climate. Watching your videos gives me a chance to see things I never would here in the tundra of Wisconsin.

[@OleRazzleDazzler]

You don’t see ac?

[@walterskelton411]

Use a wago to connect probe to the wire. You can use them over again and it frees up your hands and protects wires from shorting.

[@tronixfix]

There are crocodile clip probes for $7 on amazon

[@dricklorenz9340]

A well deserved thumbs up for getting shocked.

[@beverlyroemer5161]

I live in Arizona and they have a program that can help the electrical grid by raising the AC units one degree

[@MelvinTheGrate]

As soon as you held those probes on with your fingers, I said to myself, "You're gonna get zapped!" The coil on that contactor has quite a lot of inductance, and it will cause a big voltage spike when the circuit is interrupted.

[@liam3284]

24vAC between the fingers can hurt on its own.

[@chrisconklin873]

I thought the same thing and laughed my ass off when it happened.

[@throttlebottle5906]

I was waiting for it too, the back EMF zap! I recall seeing around 130 volt peaks off those contactor coils in past testing.

[@UNUSUALUSERNAME220]

I was wondering, why in the hell is he doing that!? When he kept his finger on the connections and pulled back, he sounded so surprised! That shocked me! No kiddin.

[@gabrielguerro8449]

He discharges capacitors with his fingers according to mickey pipes, so what is he crying about

[@georgeforall]

Oh man. I pulled that off of my unit. I thought I had a bad/dirty contact. but that box was the problem.

[@keepthinking2666]

In the 23 years I've been doing service work I don't think I've ever found one of those curtailment boxes still connected to a air conditioner I mean if I'm paying for the air conditioner I want the air conditioner I shouldn't have to give up being comfortable because of a curtailment because of the power companies being too cheap to fix the lines and grow

[@shawnlindley5840]

Pnm here in new Mexico uses those boxes and those thermostats. People HATE them. I've found them almost puncturing condenser coils and mounted to stucco with no sealant. They just don't care about the damage to your unit or home. They want to control your power, not improve the grid.

[@TheFallenAngel13524]

My area upped the rates then doubled the rates during peak summer times. Shortly after they pushed to let them control your thermostat for a discount off their doubled rates lol

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

3:03 That “no” was subtle but hilarious 😂

[@csimet]

12:04 Around me, they are asking to have access to and control my Nest thermostat. You can opt into the program that allows them to control your house temp at peak times. I will not allow them to do so.

[@theskypals1334]

It also allows the power company to shut off the unit for a short period a couple times a day during times of peak usage the problem is that sometimes , when its hot they will keep shutting it off for short periods all day and it will not keep up i loved removing those boxes also hard on contactors

[@razkev]

I have noticed that alot of your customers have packged units. Don't see many of them in residential in my area. Commercial mostly on roofs.

[@jeffreywhitlatch1409]

Load management can be a real pain in the ass. a long time ago I had load Management on my air conditioner and it was turning on and off every 15 minutes. I called them and got nowhere, so I just unhooked it.

[@troyb9609]

I thank The Box you're referring to is called a on call box they are put in buy the Electric Company so they can cut your compressor off during High demands of electricity so the grid does not go down they offer a discount on your bill for installing the on call box

[@briancarlisi2224]

Lol… a measily 26v can get your attention! Keep up your videos. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@scott_meyer]

Ever touched a phone wire when ring voltage shows up?

[@Techhead777]

@@scott_meyer Yep. Quite a tingle and it wakes you up. Happens so unexpectedly.

[@joshuabest100]

It's not the 26 volts that gets you it's the voltage spike from the coil

[@scott_meyer]

@@joshuabest100 Back EMF. When you remove the 26 volts, the coil can produce a higher voltage as the magnetic filed collapses.

[@walterskelton411]

Ever had your phone ring just as you touched a bare wire 😆 🤣 😂

[@thesilentonevictor]

Great tech work

[@Brad.W]

I have decided after watching most of your videos that Ruud systems are garbage. Also in my area its called the DLCP (Direct Load Control Program). My power company come out and installed an Emerson smart thermostat about this time last year everyday between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. it raises my thermostats temp by 4°. it precools my temps down 6° below the set point first so I've learned before it does it to drop the temperature four degrees so it gets it back up to the temperature I like during their control session..

[@Ricky32908]

I disconnected every one of those I could every chance I got! Gotta be over 50 at this point. I HATE THEM, they cause sooo many call backs, haven’t had a call back in years from those since I started throwing them in the TRASH

[@hinspect]

Thanks for another great video Probably doesn't have anything to do with that system but twice I have seen supply wires get hot because of high (startup) current on the compressor because of the capacitor out of tolerance or bad, the compressors sounded funny too and it solved the problem(s) I'm glad they don't have those power boxes where we live or a goofy thermostat 🙂 people have enough troubles!

[@aaronclark1599]

Nice job man.

[@Silky_boi]

Need to get some multimeter alligator clips 🐊⚡️🌝

[@rolytech212]

Thank God I was wearing sunglasses if not it would’ve been hard to watch the video 😎

[@troyb9609]

Just wait until everybody has electric cars and they're all plugged them in at 4:00 to charge or grid is not going to handle it

[@jeffsmith846]

Oklahoma gas and electric installed those back in the early 1980s to help during hot afternoons. If I recall correctly they would cycle the condenser off for a period of time if the temp was above 95 degrees.

[@TheFoxygrandpa69]

Great video man. I would of had to throw some bleeps in there. Always cool calm and collected. I can't stand those boxes. Like you said the stat has a time delay.

[@r.n.6515]

Okay, I'm not a ac guy but after watching a number of your videos, and reading a bunch of comments, one thing sticks out to me. A number of comments people have written in and suggesting you not hold your multimeter probes to wires using your fingers. Seen it written a number of times but apparently you haven't accepted their advice.

[@ua7pyro591]

Lol he will learn, eventually

[@pomonabill220]

From the lack of replies from him, I don't think he reads the comments. Kinda sad that he doesn't get involved with his viewers, but he sure likes to get the views!

[@johngodley7477]

Great tool bag

[@frankroper3274]

I use to carry what I called a clicker in my shirt pocket. I would wave it around in the panel to see if any voltage was present. The reason is some units may have more than one power supply so just because you have the breaker off don't assume the power is off until you check it!

[@jkmarshall3553]

His multimeter should have that feature which is called NCV.

[@drwhoeric]

Is that device actually part of the Air Conditioner Cycling program where you get a reduction on your bill if you sign up for their program. This is to help reduce demand on the grid. Program options to turn off a certain number of hours a day during peak demand and when grid is at risk of being overloaded.

[@brysonmorehead1585]

Where did you get that tablet holder in your work van from?

[@stephenbierlein2517]

Those boxes are supposed to save you money. It cycles unit in the primary load time. Load demand type system. Controlled by electric co.

[@scott_meyer]

They work fine until they go haywire.

[@picklerix6162]

The electric company didn’t install these for the customer’s benefit.

[@scott_meyer]

@@picklerix6162 So preventing rolling blackouts isn't a customer benefit?

[@picklerix6162]

@@scott_meyer - I am just saying that the power company doesn’t want to invest in another power plant. I volunteered for this program myself but I removed the box when I installed new HVAC equipment.

[@scott_meyer]

@@picklerix6162 They do when necessary. If they can manage demand, it delays the need. It takes years to design and bring a power plant online. The have to forecast (guess) what the power demand will be in the future. It's also cheaper to buy someone else's exceess power on the spot market.

[@hvactech77]

I never heard of the time delay for the reason of the boxes. I heard it’s due to low voltage on the power grid. At a certain voltage they drop out when for example everyone is using major appliances and A/C. You get a deal on ur electric when u get one of these. However you also get ur a/c turned off during high demand which can get you hot obviously. Really you have no control over its on and off. I also have removed some of these with the customer knowing ofcourse.

[@canadianized]

I used to work for Comverge - it's what got me started in the HVAC trade. Let me be the first to say that I absolutely hate that company and the program! Corporate lied to us about how those boxes work, to start with. Part of my job was to gather stats from those things, and when I started doing the math myself, I found out just exactly how wrong all the literature was. Then, they have this nasty habit of reactivating everyone who opted out of the program in the following year, without telling them. We caught them doing this repeatedly due to one of my coworkers having one on his house that he didn't want active. Corporate wanted to argue that they got his consent... with him right there on the conference call. The program is so poorly run, that in the majority of the time I worked for them, if you asked me, any other tech, or even the managers if we'd be on that program if we could, we'd laugh and tell you "hell no!" It didn't help that my state had the worst incentives I'd heard of for that program. Thankfully it kinda flopped in TX because the utility utilizing it had 2 competitors that people would switch to when fed up with that device. Areas that are under a utility monopoly get screwed. After I left, they got bought out by Itron, who had no experience with demand limiting programs prior to acquiring Comverge, which just continued the red flags. I tell everyone to make sure that they get those boxes removed. Not deactivated, but physically removed, because of the shady and dishonest practices of that company. Good riddance to them. Everyone at my current workplace has heard me rant against those things.

[@petmogulsupplies6631]

so the electric company box was jumped out and the contactor was changed?

[@Wolfhound.]

why did the contactor need changed ?

[@donaldpainter956]

That's what I use my clip leads for so I don't have to stand there holding test leads waiting for it to act up

[@jkmarshall3553]

Good idea.

[@jasontaylor9871]

I have a few of those boxes if anyone needs one Around here they actually say on the box that it is illegal to remove them but I haven't been arrested yet

[@toolemanful]

Did u have to disconnect the consumer box

[@blindbyjoy3095]

Thanks for doing these videos!

[@beerbrewer7372]

Why replace the contactor? It was operating as it should in response to the call for cooling...wasn't it?

[@jamminwrenches860]

The burn marks around the contacts indicate the contactor is nearing the end of it's life. Keep the customers happy and keep that hard earned reputation.

[@stevendegreef93]

It nearly burned up due to cycling too much too often (excessive heat showing), you don't want to come back 3 days later to a malcontent customer. You touch it, you own it.

[@beerbrewer7372]

Thanks for your answers! I learned something!

[@Hvac-dude]

Amazing job 😊😊😊😊

[@josejulian5116]

From the time I saw the name of the video I thought it was going to be a nest thermostat

[@jpcallan97225]

You never explain (1) Why the electric utility's control was cycling the call for cooling off/on every couple of minutes (this increased stress on the grid); (2) Was there a rub-through or short in the electric utility's control wiring that put 100 volts on the tstat Y wire, or what caused the spike?

[@joehead1294]

Probably a coil magnetic field breaking down when the current was interrupted.

[@samizdat113]

Can't tell you how many of those things I've bypassed.

[@jenko701]

I’ve had people say you can’t get shocked by 24 volts , right.

[@d3adp94]

Feels like a bee sting. You’ll be alright

[@jthonn]

You nailed it again, nice job. I will never allow the power co. to control my thermostat, ever.

[@moonlightacmaintenance3232]

So is it killing control voltage or line voltage essentially killing power to the transformer?

[@davidhazas7162]

It just kills low voltage.

[@scott_meyer]

This is the old method of demand management. There is a better way. Where I live the power company will give you a wireless Smart thermostat no strings attached simply for the power savings that programmable thermostats provide. You have the option of signing up for the thermostat program, you get a power credit in return. It doesn't shut off power, but shifts and spreads out the peak demand in the afternoon. Say they expect the demand to reach the supply limit between 4 and 6. What they do is turn your thermostat down 5 degrees at 1 so your house can cool down, then at 4 they turn the temp back up to your set point. typically a home warms up at around one degree per hour, so your system wouldn't come back on until after the peak demand is over. They do send a notification to your phone that an event will occur, and you do have the option of opting out . Best of both worlds. Demand management and consumer still has control.

[@DEW409]

And if the utility had adequate capacity, and were not over relying on weak, worthless wind and solar, none of these problems would exist at all. They never did until democrats started messing with the power system.

[@samizdat113]

Saves you money by never letting your system satisfy.

[@henrykiser8880]

I thought you were losing power from the thermostat.

[@timgraham7851]

I have a programmable thermostat that the electric company can change. I am notified prior to the event based on forecast and is limited to six events per year. In exchange, I get a $50 credit on my bill each year.

[@realSamAndrew]

Can somebody explain what the true cause was? Is it only the box? Is the box defective? Did he bypass the box to clear the issue? Was the contactor replacement just an extra insurance step or was that part of the problem?

[@davidhazas7162]

The box was acting up and he bypassed it. And that fixed the problem. The contactor probably just looked bad or something.

[@David-yy7lb]

I had my moms device deactivated because of short cycles, the nerve of power companies installing that device on your a/c...I bet the utility company doesn't have one on their business

[@scott_meyer]

You have to sign up for it. There's usually a bill credit you get for being part of the program.

[@kennylavay8492]

@@scott_meyer sign up for it then disconnect it.

[@stephwaylonwells3218]

👍

[@tedhicks5431]

They say if you let them install you'll get better price on kilowatt i could be wrong

[@scott_meyer]

Most give you a monthly creit.

[@Spikemonkey80]

I remember when they first started putting those damned things on years ago. We had people, mostly elderly, who were saying they didn't have air in the dead of summer. We got to them and had no idea what they were. Problem was, most of the people who had them didn't know what they were either! They just were told let us put this in and you'll get some money off your bill. Now I tell everyone that I go to that had one to tell them to take it off. They newest thing is, you buy a smart tstat and they can control it through that if it connects to wifi. You have to sign up but it still BS. Upgrade your infrastructure, not put elderly and young people at risk!!

[@scott_meyer]

The smart thermostats don't turn off the AC. They pre cool the house before the expected peak demand. If they expect peak from 4 to 6, at 1 they lower your setting to 68. A 4 they set it back to your setting. By the time your house warms back up to your set point, peak demand is over.

[@KenKen-ui4ny]

Subsidiary solar panels are probably a better way of going about saving money on cooling cost, which are becoming popular. Your still using power from the big grid. But you also will be using in tandem power generated from a solar panel on top the roof or on a tripod outside. That energy created can also be sold back to the power company, for the amount you use from the grid. Plus you would also still have power which is stored in the system, in case of a power outage.

[@Spikemonkey80]

@@scott_meyer it's still an excuse for them to not upgrade the infrastructure. 2020's people running on 1950's grids are unacceptable. Plus around here dominion has us paying for their solar farms!

[@scott_meyer]

@@KenKen-ui4ny Home Solar is perfect for offsetting peak demand. Solar panels output is greatest during the time of day that AC demand is highest There are a number of power companies looking at using big box store and warehouse roofs to install city and suburban Solar farms

[@KenKen-ui4ny]

@@scott_meyer More nuclear power has been a big investment to Georgia power besides Natural gas and solar recently. And if we follow France's lead on recycling and reusing the fuel rods. We would not need to use special radioactive waste landfills, like the one in Yucca Nevada as much anymore.

[@wayneguy6043]

How about addressing that condensate line……

[@abcdefghi2175]

I THOUGHT I SAW A SNAKE 🐍 BY THE SIDE OF THE PANEL BY THE HOUSE IT WAS SAYING DONT TREAD ON ME 🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍 😮🐍

[@Bub61fd]

Don’t need any coffee now/ nice wake me up!

[@bobbywenger5595]

👍👍

[@dmdixon7256]

I hate load controls. Nothing but problems.

[@CharlesLease-ei1ee]

I’ve had those and I just bypass them

[@varandavakian]

عالی بود ولی نور آفتاب عظیت میکرد نمیزاشت خوب بینم

[@HVACGUY]

Sorry about that.

[@varandavakian]

@@HVACGUY 😍😍😍😍

[@biblebloopers946]

What exactly is that electrical box for and what is it actually called?

[@scott_meyer]

It's for managing peak demand. If the power company thinks they won't have enough power to meet afternoon peak demand, the can turn off AC units for an hour or two. The other option they have is rolling blackouts. Or buying power on the spot market if any is available and it's very expensive.

[@biblebloopers946]

@@scott_meyer so what are those electrical boxes called?

[@bstevens9831]

@@biblebloopers946 Load controllers. They've been around for decades. As another poster mentioned, many utiltilies have gone to the smart thermostat that can be controlled remotely and allows customer control when needed.

[@donrummerfield2903]

Turn up your Calum

[@jake-ps3bq]

The electric company's around here want the home owner to sign up where they can shutdown the electric to the A/C and water heater so that a high energy user can get all they want for 25 percent less than I pay for the same amount. I say screw them. I can see a power station that is just 30 years old. They shut it down 2 months ago for good.

[@scott_meyer]

So you'd rather have rolling blackouts and have all of the power shut off?

[@GoatzombieBubba]

@@scott_meyer If the grid can't handle air conditioners...imagine a few million electric vehicles plugged into the grid total chaos, grid needs to be upgraded.

[@scott_meyer]

@@GoatzombieBubba True it will, however, consider most electric cars will be charged at home in the evening after peak demand. Also after a short period of time a car stops drawing power after the charge is complete, AC runs as long as it's above the set point in the building ALL DAY. Where I live the power company will give you a wireless Smart thermostat no strings attached simply for the power savings that programmable thermostats provide. You have the option of signing up for the thermostat program, you get a power credit in return. It doesn't shut off power, but shifts and spreads out the peak demand in the afternoon. Say they expect the demand to reach the supply limit between 4 and 6. What they do is turn your thermostat down 5 degrees at 1 so your house can cool down, then at 4 they turn the temp back up to your set point. typically a home warms up at around one degree per hour, so your system wouldn't come back on until after the peak demand is over. They do send a notification to your phone that an event will occur, and you do have the option of opting out . Best of both worlds.

[@2nickles647]

Imagine your politician actually supporting your power needs instead of bowing down to Solar or wind power bullshyt. Before the brown outs. You had all the power you need from coal.

[@scott_meyer]

@@2nickles647 So, brown outs didn't exist before wind and solar energy? That's a new unfounded claim.

[@timmalan3741]

I have disconnected many of those. Thus brings up a touchy fact. So them boxes are Installed by the electric company because they say on very hot days there is to much demand for electricity. Those boxes supposedly allows them to keep up with the demand and allows them to shut the a.c. off for minutes. Well... can you emagine what Brandon's charging stations will do? Will There be a law where everyone will have these and be at mercy of Brandon's government shutting air conditioners off so electric cars can charge? Btw. Ones around here in Indiana have a red or green light in box indicating if a.c. is shut off by box or not.

[@razkev]

This is a havc channel. Can't you keep political garbage quiet for awhile?