BARD condensing unit

Posted by on August 13, 2007, 11:47 pm

> I have a Bard 48F001 (it's old) outside AC condensing unit.
> When I replaced the fan motor I installed it so that air is drawn thru the
> coils and blows out the back toward the house.
> When I did it that way, the ac didn't cool well.
> So I called an outfit who came out and ultimately and changed motor
> direction so the fan blew THROUGH the coils into the yard....and everything
> has been fine for 2 1/2 years.
> Here's the question....
> does anyone know WHICH WAY the blades should push air?
> Has anyone EVER SEEN a condensing unit that blow air through the coils
> rather than suck the air through?
> THANKS.

I installed a new Bard unit for a customer last year and
that unit drew air in from the sides and blew it through
the condenser coil away from the AC. If you think about
it, that's the only way that makes sense. The other AC
units that blow through the condenser coil are the roof
top camper/RV air conditioners that have the white sloped
front covers. With sensitive enough instrumentation one
could possibly measure the added thrust to the Winnebago.
An afterburner would be a nice touch for passing those 18
wheelers.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

Posted by Michael on August 14, 2007, 8:21 am

Thnks guys

Had a reply from Bill at Bard who confirmed that indeed, it's a "blow
through coil" system, taking air from the back, cross the motor and pushing
out through the coils.

I spent all afternoon telling my HVAC "expert" that -- who was obviously
annoyed everytime I brought it up. They wanted to install a new unit for
1877.00 (which hopefully I won't have to do).

Fact remains though, I cool for about 5 minutes and that's it. Everything
checks out -- freon is good.

Question --

Can a compressor be borderline and show these symptoms?

I thought today I would put the motor back to CCW where it belongs and run a
water hose over the compressor to see if it helps? good - bad idea?

Heat exchanger is fine the pressure is where it supposed to be. ??

Posted by Moe Jones on August 14, 2007, 8:40 am

Michael wrote:

> I thought today I would put the motor back to CCW where it belongs
> and run a water hose over the compressor to see if it helps? good -
> bad idea?
> Heat exchanger is fine the pressure is where it supposed to be. ??

Do Not run water over your compressor while there is power to the
compressor. You can easily short out the compressor and if anyone is close
to the unit, they can be hurt.

If you have to run water over the compressor you have a major problem.

When you say heat exchange are you talking condensing unit?

Some of the older condensing units used R-12 or R-22, do you know which
refrigerant it is using?

It really sounds that your HVAC people are right in wanting to replace the
unit.

--
Moe Jones
HVAC Service Technician
Energy Equalizers Inc.
Houston, Texas
www.EnergyEqualizers.com

Posted by on August 14, 2007, 9:30 am

> Fact remains though, I cool for about 5 minutes and that's it. Everything
> checks out -- freon is good.

"Cools for 5 minutes"... what's that mean?
The complete system shuts down?
Just the condensing unit stops running?
Just the compressor stops running?
System continues to run with no cooling?

"Refrigerant is good"?
How do you/they know?
Has anything ever been done to the refrigerant circuit?

This unit had a new motor installed (running backwards), then you called a
company and they corrected that issue. It's been running fine for 2 1/2
years.

Now what's going on with the unit, that made you question it's operation?
You never said in your original post that you were having problems with it.
Just that you wanted to know which way the airflow was supposed to flow.

Paul Harvey, TELL US "THE REST OF THE STORY"!!!!!
Cause, if everything checks out, you wouldn't be here.

> Can a compressor be borderline and show these symptoms?

What symptoms, you haven't give enough information about your problem to
even make a wild ass guess.

> I thought today I would put the motor back to CCW where it belongs and run

> water hose over the compressor to see if it helps? good - bad idea?

The airflow needs to be corrected!!!!!!
Then and ONLY then, will ANYONE be able to further diagnose your unit.
The compressor doesn't require water or airflow for cooling purposes. It's
cooled by the returning refrigerant.

> Heat exchanger is fine the pressure is where it supposed to be. ??

"Heat exchanger"?
Evaporator (inside coil)?
Condenser (outside coil)?

Pressures?
Refrigerant pressures?
If so, how do you/they know?
What's the superheat?
What's the subcooling?
How many amps is the compressor pulling?
What's the RLA for the compressor?

These are just some of the items that your servicing dealer should be
obtaining to correctly diagnose your unit.

But first, we need to know the complete story, Clyde.

Posted by Michael on August 14, 2007, 10:06 am

The motor ran the wrong direction for about 30 minutes when it was first
installed 2 years ago.

It HAS been running the right direction.

I only asked because the first thing the HVAC guy said yeaterday when he
came out that the motor needed reversing.

HE WAS WRONG....end of story.

I have other issues with it but I'll get to the bottom of it.

End of story.

Why is that an HVAC "expert" (who got me for 300 bucks) is not familiar with
the "blow through" coil design?

Albeit, they are not commonplace, BUT --

"a fair question".

and a pisser, I might add.

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BARD condensing unit - Page 9