AC glitches

[fruitcakesa]

Usually when I run the AC, it starts up and is putting out cold air quickly.
I put it on recirc and the little green lighted button illuminates.
Lately, when I push the recirc button, it does not light up immediately and the AC seems to have much less force and cooling.
After a while, some minutes later, the green light comes on and force and cooling go back to normal.
Any ideas what might cause this?

 

[radios1]

a clog in either the condenser or evaporator could do that.. also, the Freon levels should be checked by a pro if it continues to act abnormal after the condenser and evaporator have been cleaned.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I am ignorant mostly about ac operation; a clog, meaning a blockage in coolant flow in a line or air flow through or something else?

 

[kthompson]

air flow most likely is what he is talking about. There will be an evaporator coil near the radiator and probably air filters in the cab under the eaves. Check manual for location. Be careful blowing out the coil, pressure washer or high air pressure can damage the fins in them, cutting off air flow. On the coil I like water hose with no nozzle. Volume does great.

 

[LouNY]

The issue you are having is only with the re-circulation button correct?
In most systems all that does is shift the air flow from outside air possibly blended with recirculated air to strictly recirculated.
I would not expect that to have any effect on the condenser or evaporator.
You might want to check your cab air filter to see if it is restricted.
I would guess that it is using a small servo motor to adjust the vanes for the airflow there could be some debris in the ducts also.

 

[radios1]

I am ignorant mostly about ac operation; a clog, meaning a blockage in coolant flow in a line or air flow through or something else?

AIRFLOW through the fins..

 

[fruitcakesa]

Thanks for all the feedback, I will have to do some eyeballing of the system and report back.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Cleaned all the screens and radiators with air from the backsides, nothing really built up or blocking however.
Did the same with the cabin filters also not too bad.
I don't know where to start with the recirc button as my electrical knowledge is also limited.
Looked under the seat thru the access panel but could not figure out what to check or even what I was looking at. Pretty cramped and dark under there.
Probably have to pull the seat to get a good look at it.

 

[Tx Jim]

Did you clean both inside & outside filters?

Good AC operation on farm equipment is very dependent on "very clean" condenser,radiator,evaporater & cab filters. If all of the items mentioned are clean of dist & chaff then next thing to check is AC system pressures. After pressures have been checked if AC still isn't operating correctly then I'd suggest to check electrical components

 

[fruitcakesa]

All filters and screens are clean.

 

[radios1]

All filters and screens are clean.

does this problem ONLY happen when in recirculate mode. or any mode?..

 

[ultrarunner]

I've had too many calls to the leased space areas of the hospital complaining of lack of cooling...

Almost always someone has monkeyed with the thermostat with the idea to make more cold air...

The result is ice forms inside the package units obstructing air flow... doesn't take that much if conditions are right... anything 68 or less depending on humidity overtime can freeze the coils...

I've found 60 and even 55 setpoints thinking cooling would be quicker...

 

[fruitcakesa]

It is inconsistent. After cleaning everything, I went for a spin and tried the AC with no recirc. It cooled but it seemed with low force.
I then pushed the recirc button; it initially did not illuminate but did a moment later and the AC immediately began blowing with greater force:confused3:

 

[Texasmark]

air flow most likely is what he is talking about. There will be an evaporator coil near the radiator and probably air filters in the cab under the eaves. Check manual for location. Be careful blowing out the coil, pressure washer or high air pressure can damage the fins in them, cutting off air flow. On the coil I like water hose with no nozzle. Volume does great.

My Branson recommends 30 psig max.

 

[radios1]

I've had too many calls to the leased space areas of the hospital complaining of lack of cooling...

Almost always someone has monkeyed with the thermostat with the idea to make more cold air...

The result is ice forms inside the package units obstructing air flow... doesn't take that much if conditions are right... anything 68 or less depending on humidity overtime can freeze the coils...

I've found 60 and even 55 setpoints thinking cooling would be quicker...

vehicles, and the better AC's in homes use a TXV, which prevents freezing by opening up, and allowing more freon to pass, making the evaporator warmer.. it's the cheaper units that use a capillary tube, which can't adjust for temperature that have problems..

 

[ultrarunner]

vehicles, and the better AC's in homes use a TXV, which prevents freezing by opening up, and allowing more freon to pass, making the evaporator warmer.. it's the cheaper units that use a capillary tube, which can't adjust for temperature that have problems..

Mostly have Carrier Package Units... 18 plus a built up unit and 5 York Heat Pumps and 1 Daiken.

The Conventional Carriers and York Heat Pumps are all subject to icing based on Thermostat settings... The Yorks are 2016.

Only time I've experienced icing with Mobil Air were old ANC cars with desert only settings that were turned on in the SF Bay Area...

 

[Tinhack]

Cleaned all the screens and radiators with air from the backsides, nothing really built up or blocking however.
Did the same with the cabin filters also not too bad.
I don't know where to start with the recirc button as my electrical knowledge is also limited.
Looked under the seat thru the access panel but could not figure out what to check or even what I was looking at. Pretty cramped and dark under there.
Probably have to pull the seat to get a good look at it.

Take it to a dealer and have the AC serviced. Your testament to experience will only get you in deeper and perhaps a costly mistake. Low refrigerant can cause the expansion valve to delay or not work. It can also cause the AC compressor not to run or run intermittently. Either or both of those will cause loss of cooling even though the fan still works. I would only use "Recirc" on very humid days or very-very hot days.

 

[Tinhack]

It is inconsistent. After cleaning everything, I went for a spin and tried the AC with no recirc. It cooled but it seemed with low force.
I then pushed the recirc button; it initially did not illuminate but did a moment later and the AC immediately began blowing with greater force:confused3:

Ops, I guess I didn't read far enough. That's a cab intake air restriction. But some lower "force" will be noticed if the AC has cab filters. That is normal. When Recirc is on, No/little outside or fresh air is used so there's nothing to filter. The fan is just recirculating inside air so there will be more force from the fan.

 

[Popgadget]

Because the green light in the button does not come on, I would guess that it is an issue with the switch itself. Because you state that the cooling is normal when the light is on, you can rule out the compressor, condenser and evaporator. They all work fine, this is just a control issue.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Because the green light in the button does not come on, I would guess that it is an issue with the switch itself. Because you state that the cooling is normal when the light is on, you can rule out the compressor, condenser and evaporator. They all work fine, this is just a control issue.

I have not looked at the controls as my electrical knowledge is limited.
Would the actual switch be in the controls in the cab or would the button activate a switch located elsewhere on the machine?