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  1. #1
    Ron Bishop's Avatar
    Ron Bishop Guest

    Default 3 minute delay for condenser to respond

    Hey guys...During my AC test of a 1.5 year old HVAC system, it took 3 minutes for the condenser to respond to the thermostat. Outside temp was 56 degrees. Was wondering if anyone might be able to explain this 3 minute delay???

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Pleasant Hill, Iowa
    Posts
    145

    Default Re: 3 minute delay for condenser to respond

    First of all, I don't start A/C condensers below 60 degrees unless there is a crank case heater on the compressor but that is another discussion. Many condensors have an anti-recycle timer (delay on start) in case of a power outage or lightening strike, so you do not short cycle the compressor. It is a safety to protect the compressor. This is a normal situation not an issue. I used to set my timers at 5 minutes to allow the refirgerant to equalize before start up.

    Dan Hagman ACI
    ProSite Home Inspections
    Des Moines, Iowa

  3. #3
    Ron Bishop's Avatar
    Ron Bishop Guest

    Default Re: 3 minute delay for condenser to respond

    thank you!!!


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    michigan
    Posts
    421

    Default Re: 3 minute delay for condenser to respond

    As an E contractor, I used to install delays when I installed auto-backup gensets for obvious reasons.
    Help, freekin spel ck doesn't work and I don't want anyofU's to know i cant spel


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Western Montana
    Posts
    261

    Default Re: 3 minute delay for condenser to respond

    It has been a while, and I do not recall the brand of the system. But I do remember running into a air source heat pump system that had a delay of about that long before startup. There happened to be a knowledable HVAC contractor at the house that day, and he explained that this particular model ran a circulation pump briefly before actually starting the condensor motor, and this particular brand took longer than most other brands. This time interval could also be adjusted. It had to do with preventing freeze up in case the system was kicking into heat mode on a cold day. Notice that I said this was a heat pump, not a standard heating & cooling system.


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