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Anonymous Posted on Apr 23, 2010

Compressor shutting down

Just installed a Grunaire GMU243HX ductless heat pump with two air handlers. I had to cut the lines for a neater installation. The system started up and ran for about 10 seconds then shut itself down. Initial start up pressure on the low side was 100 psi. Not knowing what the line pressure should be I assumed that the system was overcharged due to shortening of the freon lines. I bled some charge off of the system but it kept shutting down and restarting every 3 minutes. The indoor unit displays an error code of FC. I have checked the line voltage and it is a little high at 243 volts. The installation says max 220 but usually there is a 10% variance acceptable on line voltage. Obviously, there is a safety shutoff feature that is shutting the system down or the compressor would not kick on. Any help would be appreciated as Grunaire's assistance is still forthcoming.

  • Anonymous Apr 25, 2010

    I failed to mention that the system is R410a. I think that with ambient air at 85 deg, the pressures should be 100-130 low side and 400-430 high side. The unit only has a low side test port. According to the owners manual FC is compressor start failure.

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  • Posted on Jul 26, 2010
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The ONLY CORRECT way to charge a mini or Multi split unit is to WEIGH in the charge.. these units operate with electronic Expansion valves and there is no high side port on purpose..

Grunaire units are precharged for 25 ft of line on each indoor unit... measure your lineset size and subtract 0.7 oz of refrigerant for each foot of 1/4" liquid line less than 25 feet you have on each indoor unit.. the result is your new charge amount...

the base charge can be found on the outdoor unit Label..

an FC error code can occur for many reasons... a bad PFC board.. (this is the board with the MOSFETS thaty actually drives the compressor)..

over charge can be an issue as well due to high standing pressure resulting in the drive not able to overcome the backpressure to start the compressor...

high line voltage will issue error codes as well... 243 seems high but still normal... make sure each of your legs is equal...

-Christopher

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  • Posted on Apr 24, 2010
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FC IS FREON CHARGE, WHAT YOU ARE GETTING IS A HIGH PRESURE CUT OFF  FAILURE. THE LABEL PRESURE IS TEST PRESURE. THE RUN PRESURE ON LOW SIDE IN AC MODE IS ABOUT 65 AT 75 T0 80 DEGREES INSIDE AND ABOUT 200-300 HIGH SIDE AT 75 -85 OUTSIDE TEMP. IN HEAT THE LARGE COPPER LINE BECOMES HIGH SIDE HOT WHEN YOU FEEL IT. IF YOUR FREON IS LOW WILL WILL ALSO GET SHUTDOWN. YOU WILL NEED SET OF FREON GAGES AND CONTACT ME BACK

  • Anonymous Apr 25, 2010

    Seems a little high with temp at 100- 110 you would be red line on hot hot  day. we have those days in high desert . most of my 410a were at 80-90 on cooler days with no humidity. 

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Ductless Split Air Conditioner Review

Ductless split air conditioning units are the very best thing for some situations. Of course they can be installed in the place of most any central air conditioning unit. They also are a very good alternative to window air conditioning units. I will explore the use of these units more closely and look at how they can be used effectively.
One of the many problems encountered by the professional is when they are asked to install central air conditioning in an older home that was never designed with air conditioning as even a possibility. The walls may be very thick stone. Often they have very little or no insulation. The floor structures may be rough cut lumber. The joists spacing may be random. Walls and ceilings are plaster and lathe. Basically everything is stacked against any type of ducted central air conditioning. Many log style homes also are not very easy to get any kind of ducted central air conditioning installed. The open ceilings and the bare log wall design does not allow for any kind of ducting. I'm sure there are other situations. These are the ones that I have come across most frequently.
If you have a home or building that falls into one of these categories you may want to investigate installing a ductless air conditioner. This type of air conditioner can be installed in almost any home or building. The small indoor unit can be attached to the wall with a few screws. Most of the units only require that a three inch hole be bored through the outside wall. In new installations the units can be placed on inside walls with some fore thought and planning. For installation in older homes or homes that are already built you will want to plan the units to be on the outside walls.
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on Dec 04, 2009 • Heating & Cooling
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Need an expert on Grunaire Mini-split systems. Need troubleshooting guidance - compressor will not run -only fan comes on. Get a ''P8'' error. I thought it was due to low refrigerant. I had to install 35...

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