Heat pump never turns on, handler blows continuous with no heat except with AUX heat
10 year old Rheem air handler RHBA-21J8MFCA, 1/3HP, 2.8A.
New WeSt Columbia, SC 29170, Model 2HP13L48P-1B, HCFC-22, 4TON.
Installed new out of box iN July and AC working splendidly but start-up is "violent" and loud. Installer says I need some sort of "start-up kit". I put off as had planned major re-model. Weather changes and units sit unused for couple weeks. Cold spell hits and unit heats well, but again "violent" and loud on start-up, and then again every couple minutes so I use it very sparingly. Weather gets mild and again unit sits unused for couple weeks. Weather's forcasted to change so I get installer out, and with nothing more than observation, testing from the thermostat, and tracing wires he gets:
1. heat on AUX, but outside unit never starts, even on AC
2. Low Pressure Switch Fault, which Homeowners Manual indicates as (Optional)
Installer/repairman now says color coding all wrong on thermostat, and the TB strip removed from the air handler because that installer wanted to be the only person that could service that unit (I think I smell BS now). He leaves saying to call him when I get a wiring schematic. Lo n behold schematic's right there on the cover (definitely BS I smell).
Now the weather changes (it was still quite mild when he was here which was more of his BS) and now I get no heat even on AUX, and very lo heat on EMER.
I've been telecom technician for 28 years, so I start tracing wires and everything is connected, but W1 at the heat pump and other end connected to the PURPLE wire on the handler (per notes on schematic at http://www.kwikpro.com/Documents%5C9...1779-08-06.pdf for "TYPICAL "(-)BHA INDOOR UNIT" for the purple "THIS WIRE IS USED TO TURN ON STRIP HEAT DURING DEFRoST. OMIT CONNECTION FOR MOST ECONOMICAL OPERTION". I call the guy and ask "did you disc W1?"His answer is no, he didn't touch anything.
I pour over this for days and finally I connect W1 at the pump, remove W1 from the purple connection at the handler, and reconnect it at the to air handle blue/white and black/white which is connected to thermostat W1.
My condition now with overcast skies and 43F is with heat on, thermostat lo, i get green/red flashing LEDs at the pump. Per the manual this "Normal operation/power to control"
Increasing thermostat slowly eventually turns handler blower motor on, pump never starts and has flashing red, which is the "Low pressure switch fault (optional)", and no heat. The blower seems as it would run like this continuously if I don't finally turn the thermostat back down, which turns blower off and flashing red/green LEDs.
Without turning the thermostat down, but continuing slightly higher I get AUX indicator, warm air, flashing red LED, and pump never starts.
Unit will heat to temp and extinguish AUX indicator, blow recycled air till it starts to cool, and flashing red LED. Again, unless I lower the thermostat it seems it would blow continuously. All the while the pump never runs.
Am I connected properly now and have low freon due the previous incorrect wiring, or am I just in a big mess now? Please help before I end up spending a lot more money.
