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Could a frozen HVAC unit burn up a fan motor?

Asked Mar 18, 2011, 05:31 PM — 5 Answers
I have a Lennox hvac unit and this winter, my neighbor noticed that the unit was completely frozen up. I noticed that the fan on top was blowing but it had a roar to it. I called my installer and they stated that it was normal. The next day, the temperature had risen into the
50's and it was still frozen but the fan was not running. They came out and found that someone from their company had installed the last defrost tstat in the wrong position & not calling for defrost. He replaced it and found that the cond. Fan motor & capacitor is not working. They had to replace both. It was under warranty but they are still asking for $375 in labor charges. Would anyone like to comment on why I should have to pay this, when they installed the defrost tstat in the wrong position in the first place, which probably led to the fan and capacitor burning out! Thanks

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Stratmando's Avatar
Stratmando Posts: 10,428, Reputation: 2515
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#2

Mar 18, 2011, 05:46 PM
I am an Electrican/Technician, not an AC guy/girl, I usually see frozeen coils from clogged filter or coils, I could see an extra load on the Motor if the intake is blocked(froze).
Mine has froze before, and usually turn off cool and only have fan going until it defrost, then I check filter and coils.
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doughboyusa's Avatar
doughboyusa Posts: 3, Reputation: 10
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#3

Mar 19, 2011, 05:46 AM
Comment on Stratmando's post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stratmando View Post
I am an Electrican/Technician, not an AC guy/girl, I usually see frozeen coils from clogged filter or coils, I could see an extra load on the Motor if the intake is blocked(froze).
Mine has froze before, and usually turn off cool and only have fan going until it defrost, then I check filter and coils.
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate the response!
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KidChaos's Avatar
KidChaos Posts: 31, Reputation: 10
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#4

Apr 12, 2011, 10:37 AM
You should not pay that! OUTRAGEOUS! A P.S.C. Permanent split capaitor type motor which those are, cannot take being stopped physically while energized, they will over heat and a thermal overload"theoretically" will open and protect the motor from burning up, but if it trips the thermal overload in the motors windngs and cools down, it tries until it heats up again, which isn't long! As its just barely cooled enough to reset, so it will go back and forth until a tech comes or it does fry out, which is entirely possible and highly unlikely to have just coincidently go bad at the same time! I would tell them to take a hike! The warranty is on the manufacturer who did zero wrong! The companys ripping off the manufacturer and trying to do you as well! Nice try! It takes 15 minutes to put a condenser fan motor in , about 6 bolts and 4 wires!
And they cost about 50 bucks or so unless it has integral motor mounts, in which case its a bit more, but $350 to install a condenser fan motor just labor ? That is more than any Doctor, Surgeon, Lawyer etc makes! Its about $1,000 per hour and free parts too! They need to eat the whole job and stop ripping everybody off due to incompetence of their man! I would tell them be thankful the compressors not fried, to tell you the truth, it didn't do it any good either!
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doughboyusa's Avatar
doughboyusa Posts: 3, Reputation: 10
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#5

Apr 12, 2011, 10:56 AM
Comment on KidChaos's post
Quote:
Originally Posted by KidChaos View Post
You should not pay that! OUTRAGEOUS! A P.S.C. Permanent split capaitor type motor which those are, cannot take being stopped physically while energized, they will over heat and a thermal overload"theoretically" will open and protect the motor from burning up, but if it trips the thermal overload in the motors windngs and cools down, it tries until it heats up again, which isn't long! As its just barely cooled enough to reset, so it will go back and forth until a tech comes or it does fry out, which is entirely possible and highly unlikely to have just coincidently go bad at the same time! I would tell them to take a hike! The warranty is on the manufacturer who did zero wrong! The companys ripping off the manufacturer and trying to do you as well! Nice try! It takes 15 minutes to put a condenser fan motor in , about 6 bolts and 4 wires!
And they cost about 50 bucks or so unless it has integral motor mounts, in which case its a bit more, but $350 to install a condenser fan motor just labor ? That is more than any Doctor, Surgeon, Lawyer etc makes! Its about $1,000 per hour and free parts too! They need to eat the whole job and stop ripping everybody off due to incompetence of their man! I would tell them be thankful the compressors not fried, to tell you the truth, it didn't do it any good either!
Thanks to everyone! I had a talk with them and they agreed to throw the bill out!
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thermalmedics's Avatar
thermalmedics Posts: 153, Reputation: 60
Junior Member
  
#6

Jun 30, 2012, 10:39 PM
Props to KidChaos on this one for calling BS on price

Just got the local record broken in PHX - and not on temps

Dual run cap- $325 and bonus I checked it and it was good...

1lb of R22 $160 installed

and the best for last

condenser fan motor $675
yes that is correct -

A/C companies gone crazy out here
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