Lennox Heat Pump: HP29
Re: Defrost Problem/Outdoor Coil Frozen
The Lennox HP29 Heat Pump uses a Time & Temperature Defrost Board in combination with a Defrost Thermostat (S6) a Defrost Termination Pressure Switch (S46) and Defrost Relay (K4).
Defrost Initiation
- Power goes through the Normally-Closed S46 pressure switch contacts to the S6 Defrost Thermostat.
- Once the S6 Defrost Stat senses a temperature below 30 deg, its contacts close sending power to the K4 Defrost Relay coil.
- The K4 relay has two sets of N/O contacts. One set of contacts closes to provide defrost initiation to the defrost board "DF" terminals. The other set of N/O contacts close to bypass the S6 Defrost Stat.
Defrost Termination
- The unit will stay in defrost until the S46 Defrost Termination pressure switch contacts open, breaking power to the K4 defrost relay.
Qty |
Possible Causes: |
1 |
Bad S6 Defrost Stat |
1 |
Bad S46 Defrost Termination Switch |
|
Bad K4 Defrost Relay |
|
Bad Defrost Board |
|
Low Refrigerant Charge |
|
Bad Cond Fan Motor / Capacitor |
|
Stuck Reversing Valve |
CHECKOUT:
1. Check Operating Status
- Set the thermostat to call for heat.
- Ensure that the compressor and outdoor fan start and run properly.
2. Check Fan Motor
- With the compressor operating, use a multi-meter to check for 230VAC power between the motor's Black and Orange wires.
- No Power = Bad Defrost Board or In Defrost Mode
- Power but No Operation = Bad Fan Motor or Capacitor
3. Check Refrigerant Charge
Hook-up refrigerant gauges to the pressure ports on the unit.
- Blue ⇒ "True Suction" Low Pressure
- Red ⇒ High Pressure (either refrigerant line)
- Monitor pressures as the system operates.
Normal Pressure Range |
Refrigerant |
0-30 Deg O/D |
30-50 Deg O/D |
R-22 |
- 20-40 Suction
- 150-225 Discharge
|
- 40-75 Suction
- 170-260 Discharge
|
- Low Pressure Issues
- Low Suction + Low Discharge = Low Refrigerant Charge or Bad Expansion Valve
- Try adding refrigerant through the Low Pressure gauge.
- Suction and Discharge Pressures should gradually increase as refrigerant is added.
- If the Discharge Pressure increases but the Suction stays low or drops = Bad Expansion Valve
4. Check Defrost Controls
- Check for 24VAC between "C' and Terminal 9 of K4 Relay.
- No Power = Bad S46 Defrost Termination Pressure Switch
- Power Present ⇒ Continue
- Check for 24VAC across the coil of K4.
5. Check Defrost Board
- Check for 24VAC between "C" and "R" on the defrost board.
- No Power = Mis-wired Low Voltage
- Check for 24VAC between "C" and "Y" on the defrost board.
- No Power = No Call for Heat Pump
- Check for 24VAC between "C" and both "DF" terminals on the defrost board.
- Power on One Terminal Only = Bad K4 Defrost Relay
- Power on Both Terminals = Defrost Ready ⇒ Jump Test pins to see if unit will go into defrost
- No Defrost = Bad Defrost Board