We have an older 10 ton chiller mounted on our roof that has been working decently for the past 5 years. We recently replaced the compressor (not cheap) and upgraded to a new refrigerant - R407A. Now, it seems that when the temperatures get below 10F it gets a little testy.
Basically, if the compressor is working, it will continue to operate to lower temperatures, but once the glycol gets to the set temp and it shuts off, it won't come back on. The local tech indicated that "it wasn't designed for this temp" and he said that if we insulate it, it may help keep the internal temps warmer and help it continue to run when the outside temps are a little colder.
So... we insulated it and put a heat tape around compressor. Last night it worked till about -10 F outside temp which is good, but once shut off, wouldn't come back on till it reached 10F outside temp. When it wouldn't re-start, I felt the compressor and it was still warm, so it apparently isn't the temperature of the compressor that is causing the issue. Should we be insulating the R407A reservoir as well? Is there anything else that we can do to keep this running at lower temps? We are getting some pretty cold weather here in NY and I can't have my chiller shut down every night.
Any advice from refrigeration gurus would be greatly appreciated.
Thx.
Tom
Basically, if the compressor is working, it will continue to operate to lower temperatures, but once the glycol gets to the set temp and it shuts off, it won't come back on. The local tech indicated that "it wasn't designed for this temp" and he said that if we insulate it, it may help keep the internal temps warmer and help it continue to run when the outside temps are a little colder.
So... we insulated it and put a heat tape around compressor. Last night it worked till about -10 F outside temp which is good, but once shut off, wouldn't come back on till it reached 10F outside temp. When it wouldn't re-start, I felt the compressor and it was still warm, so it apparently isn't the temperature of the compressor that is causing the issue. Should we be insulating the R407A reservoir as well? Is there anything else that we can do to keep this running at lower temps? We are getting some pretty cold weather here in NY and I can't have my chiller shut down every night.
Any advice from refrigeration gurus would be greatly appreciated.
Thx.
Tom
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