Noisy Condenser On Startup, How to quiet it down! EP 43

Рет қаралды 52,903

3 жыл бұрын

Have a brand new Lennox Condenser that is too loud on startup, here's a few tricks I use to quiet it down. Sorry for the delay in posting, its been a crazy summer. Should be back to posting moving forward. Thanks for watching!
Help support the channel. Purchasing tools from my Amazon Store provides a small commission and helps me make more videos like this one.
amazon.com/shop/nighthawkhvac
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram
nighthawkhvac
nighthawk_hvac
Intro and Outro Music
"Alive" by CHOIX
#nighthawkhvac #hvac, #hvaclife, #airconditioning #maintenance, #heating, #cooling #refrigerator, #refrigeration #refrigerationcycle #airflow #refrigerant #techlife #installation, #hvachacks, #tools, #furnace, #tech, #electric, #residential, #commercial, #heat, #comfort, #ac, #hvacservice, #hvactools, #repair#toolreviews #fieldpiece #aircon #packageunit #rheem #condenserfanmotor #sequencerrelay

Пікірлер: 139

@Hummer999xx 7 күн бұрын

I have a new build and the condenser is making a loud thumping noise. The builder and the hvac company couldn’t figure how to resolve. This video makes sense. I will am them about installing the relay. I

@hozerhvac4406 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting fix. Love it. Majority of customer stop complaining after this

@wayneschneyer8699 3 жыл бұрын

I love watching your work. I learned something new as well. Great job. Your one of the technicians I want the newbies to watch and learn from. Keep up this valuable, helpful video training.

@lawrence6115 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, I’ve always used a delay on make relay but this is a great idea. Thanks man I look forward to more of your videos

@stevencarrillo3615 2 жыл бұрын

Liked how you showed everything got connected on the relay it really helps thanks 😊

@seanfinkel9621 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Heading to the AC store now! Your wiring flowed really well.

@michaelcostello6991 3 жыл бұрын

Nice job. Thank you for sharing this information.

@soloch69 Жыл бұрын

Love it thank you for the great and amazing videos 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺keep them coming 👍🏻

@johnsoh8616 3 жыл бұрын

Super tips! Thanks

@raymondhui2598 3 жыл бұрын

Very good idea !

@mattanderson7814 3 жыл бұрын

great video!

@hvacmania8323 Жыл бұрын

That was amazing 🎉thank you I did something similar to a blower motor that would start on cooling mode, but not on heating mode.

@campbellsoup4910 2 жыл бұрын

Great vid with easy to follow instructions. I was thinking about the Micro Air easy-start as well? Gotta do more research and see which is a good diy for me. Thanks 👍🏼

@rickschiaffo618 20 күн бұрын

Thank you

@Bluecollarrebel 3 жыл бұрын

Great Ideaℹ

@Randylazz 3 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome nice work............

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@markdrummond5946 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Wes there is also a Emerson Secure Start Kit that works well with the same issue. Keep the videos coming.

@MariaGonzales-yq7qm 2 жыл бұрын

Micro Air also has a secure start kit

@carlosdominquez1456 3 ай бұрын

Nice Another trick in my Too Box

@rattleheadd23 Жыл бұрын

If it’s just a thump, and not the compressor plates hitting, it’s the fan motor. Change the single pole to a double pole. The fan having a hot leg all the time can cause it to start backwards for a millisecond. Then reverse and that’s the bang. It’s too fast to see. The refrigerant isn’t going to move or do much at all with the fan starting that soon. The reason this has solved your issue is because the compressor isn’t starting at the same time as the fan. This is my experience at least.

@hey_jorge Жыл бұрын

A noticeable difference by switching from the factory sp with a shunt to the double pole. 1 year old lennox quieter on startup now with the 2p contactor. When you said the fan starts backwards for that millisec it clicked in my head thanks

@jasonfischer698 Жыл бұрын

@@hey_jorge what switch did you go with?

@securityguardcommand9792 Ай бұрын

Came here to say the same thing

@geofelen 2 жыл бұрын

I was all excited when I ran across this suggestion. My Lennox CX 14 is also very noisy on start-up. There is a loud buzz/thump sound and my house lights dim. Very noticeable throughout my house. I had my professional heating/air conditioning company install the Packard sequencer. Unfortunately, the same problems exist. No improvement. Just thought I'd mention it for all of the CX 14 owners out there.

@geofelen 2 жыл бұрын

XC 14 that is

@OcRefrig 4 ай бұрын

1) if it has a one pole contactor, replace it with a 2 pole contactor. 2) Also Check any capacitors & make sure they are within 10% of rated value. 3) Also install a Hard Start Kit. 4) Check the voltage at the unit. Make sure voltage is between 208-240 volts.

@972958 4 ай бұрын

@@OcRefrigquestion what would be the difference in installing a 2 pole vs a 1 pole?

@alanrwelch 2 жыл бұрын

Good video-- me and my neighbor may try it.

@bigdaddy4975 2 жыл бұрын

Nice trick

@TheJoefussGarage 6 ай бұрын

That sequencer's contacts, are not rated for the locked rotor amperage, of even smallest tonnage XC14-018 (1 1/2) ton model's compressor. Start up noise, can be caused by many different things, Most commonly, it's the compressor itself. Soft start accessories work quite well, at curing the harsh start up knock noise, a common Copeland scroll compressor noise problem, known to most major HVAC MFR's. Micostart, and Copeland's Soft start accessories, work great fir this, though are quite expensive...

@edgarmartinez5461 3 жыл бұрын

Nice

@carlossaenz4075 Ай бұрын

I was just thinking about putting the sequencer but I really did not know how too !!! This video was good but we need more detail on the ( step by step ) !!!!

@scottmaasmedia 3 жыл бұрын

Great video thank you Wes thank you! Had the same unit installed in January and the AC just started kicking on with that loud surge noise. I'm surprised Lennox doesn't automatically do this across the board on all their units. It seems like a common problem. I'll pass this on to my HVAC guy.

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

Glad to I could help. Thanks for the sub!

@mikeswink1031 3 жыл бұрын

I sent this video to my HVAC installer to see if he agrees . My unit does this very same loud startup . Had the hard start kit installed with no improvement.

@hvacmania8323 Жыл бұрын

@@mikeswink1031 so … Is it fixed ??

@mikeswink1031 Жыл бұрын

@@hvacmania8323 Not totally . Still loud at start up , but not as loud as it was initially . One clunk when it kicks in . But does run quieter during operation

@OcRefrig 2 ай бұрын

Great video ! i don't like running the compressor load thru the heat sequencer. run the compressor contactor coil thru the heat sequencer. better way. no load. also - you could upgrade contactor to solid state contactor. no noise.

@bryansimon4072 2 жыл бұрын

Slick

@bennettmorrison7406 2 жыл бұрын

I have a Bryant 3.5 ton system that has always been loud and wakes the neighbor. Will this do the same thing as a soft start kit? Is the principle the exact same but at a fraction of the cost? if so which do you recommend? Fantastic video!

@ImNotMC 3 жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I need, just had a new Lennox unit installed this spring and start-up is so violent. Had the installer come back out to check and he just told me it's normal which is true, I wanted a solution. Thanks for the vid!

@mikeswink1031 3 жыл бұрын

I had a new Daikin unit installed , and mine is doing this also . My installer told me the same thing , a normal startup . But initially it was super quiet . But when it is loud enough to wake my wife and I up from our sleep , then I think it is way too loud ,

@ImNotMC 2 жыл бұрын

@@mikeswink1031 Did you ever solve your issue? I had my installer come out two more times for different reasons and asked about my unit and they too said it was normal and nothing could be done. Wonder if doing something would void it's warranty? I'm out on my deck at the moment (1am) and wow, does my unit echo throughout my neighborhood!

@mikeswink1031 2 жыл бұрын

@@ImNotMC Had a start capacitor installed . Still get that initial loud startup , but not quite as bad . Unit then is pretty quiet . Does not wake us up like initially . Can have normal conversations, even at compressor startup .

@ImNotMC 2 жыл бұрын

@@mikeswink1031 Thanks!!

@joeortiz4401 2 жыл бұрын

What's the update on this?? This is genius!! I've never heard anybody talk about this.

@mr.fixdaplate 3 жыл бұрын

Very clean work ###LETS EAT

@sergiohernandez4163 10 ай бұрын

New on here it would of been nice to see the video before and after. We have somr american standard gas package unit which has that loud bang when starting and shutting down. Can't figure out how to quite it down

@markmurrell2462 Жыл бұрын

I would have liked to hear the before noisy to understand the benefit of the change.

@bill944 2 жыл бұрын

Nice fix. The only problem I see is that those vibration isolation pads will be gone in no time since the inner material is cork. They should be completely synthetic.

@valeriexoxo Жыл бұрын

I would have started the unit after installing the pads to see if they were even necessary. Both issues could be causing the noise but seems that wasn’t tested.

@kantiusaify 2 жыл бұрын

Would be nice to see a small connection diagram for inserting this sequencer relay with the 5-2-1 hard start kit. Don't want to see sparks and smoke !! Thanks

@Anna-lc4no 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video. I have a Lennox 1 years old, when the using in the winter it makes a loud thumping noise when it starts up. And it goes on for a long period of time even when it meets the temperature in the condo. Then it will go off for like a minute and turn back on again even when it meets the temperature . Is it normal for a heat pump to go on and off to keep the heat in the condo?

@audiobrad99 22 күн бұрын

Interesting, but wish you had recorded the "before" sound.

@alanrwelch 2 жыл бұрын

Concern/Question: Concerned about the start capacitor operation with the delay. In your unit, you have a hard start capacitor switched in with the delay that will provide the start capacitor function to the delayed compressor. If one does not have that, shouldn't we switch the large capacitor (by the contactor) similarly (like you did with the hard start capacitor and the delay-- Specifically, the purple line? But doing that, drops that start up capacitor for the fan. Hmmm... thinking one needs the hard start kit to ensure both the fan and compressor has a startup capacitor. Right? Appreciate your video's and help!

@flamitaz 2 жыл бұрын

What did it sound like before? I just got $15k worth of stuff installed, basically new everything, and i don't know what anew condenser/compressor is supposed to sound like. It makes a high pitch metallic sound on start-up, like dropping a spoon or a fork on tile, then it does the obligatory "know it's working" hum, but with a little faint metallic rattle. When the installers first turned the until on, after installing it, i heard and I thought "man that's awesome! So quiet!". Only lasted, till they were done.

@mannymixxx 2 жыл бұрын

Can you do a video on how to install 521 hard start with heat sequencer together.

@danieljoubert9938 3 жыл бұрын

Great video and idea. I searched a lot of videos and this one .. Sounds .. Promissing. My Next door neightbor ha a noisy 72 db at start York 4Tun pump used for cooling his house. It goes at 47 db after a minute running but scares us at start. Its 15yr old Would the sequencer help? Same model of sequencer of your video? Thanks.. would be nice if you would show the decibel change in your video. Great work..

@papitosabe 2 жыл бұрын

How do you measure that sound?

@anthonyfabiano4827 3 жыл бұрын

Great video...can you recommend sound proofing material for setting up a frame around an HVAC unit and also if a Brinmar Sound Blanket on the compressor is a good idea?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

Covering the condenser unit is not a good idea. The unit has to breathe. As for the compressor blankets. They do reduce the compressor operating sound. Usually around 2-4 db.

@anthonyfabiano4827 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Thank You!

@danielzertuche9893 Жыл бұрын

Great 👍 tip , I understand you can only use this for new installment when it makes noise only & I understand is it only good for Lennox or could you use it on other brands as an alternative?

@NighthawkHVAC Жыл бұрын

I mostly used this method with new Lennox units. I’ve tied it with one new Goodman unit and didn’t have any complaints after the fact.

@justinsmith4157 2 жыл бұрын

I have a brand new carrier unit. Will this work with my carrier? Thanks for a very informative video!!

@NighthawkHVAC 2 жыл бұрын

Yes. This should work on all brands.

@justinsmith4157 2 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Thank you much!

@mannymixxx 2 жыл бұрын

Do you have the heat sequencer and a hard start kit install on this unit?

@royromano9792 Жыл бұрын

Isolation pads, sequencer, and a SOFT START KIT. But yeah, interesting.

@OnePointLander 2 жыл бұрын

Good stuff. Curious, can you delay the fan instead of the compressor?

@NighthawkHVAC 2 жыл бұрын

Yup.

@vitalie787 Жыл бұрын

If not taken care of(if the issue is not fixed)...can this damage the compressor or the whole system?

@972958 4 ай бұрын

So instead of having the Hardstart common hooked up to the capacitor common you moved it to the sequencer instead right?

@mattluongo7763 3 жыл бұрын

Really good idea man. I mean even try this on some repeat offenders we have that keep calling back. My only concern is the durability of those sequencer as well as their load rating, especially LRA. I'm thinking it'll be fine for smaller tonnage compressors but I'd be weary for any compressor 3ton or larger.

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

They are rated for 40A for electric strips. They should be good.

@mattluongo7763 3 жыл бұрын

I agree they can carry the load once the motor is running but I checked the LRA spec on the mars website and they are only rated for 30LRA on startup. Even my 2ton compressor pulls 60 which is twice what their spec. I put one on my own unit to experiment before I start using them on customers units. Again thanks for the idea.

@jericosha2842 2 жыл бұрын

Compressor will usually pull more than or at LRA at start up (can be checked with inrush feature on certain meters). Dunno if that quick rush would matter or not. It obviously doesn't trip breakers lol

@adamcraig1568 Жыл бұрын

Good comment and good answers👀 sounds like it’s worth going this route

@mattluongo7763 Жыл бұрын

@@adamcraig1568 I lefta sequencer on my unit for about 8 months with no issues

@gleno1 3 жыл бұрын

Would it be better to delay the fan instead of the compressor, the fan starting current is far less and would be much easier on the contact points.

@pedrocastano6410 2 жыл бұрын

For one,, that's not a sequencer, that's a fan control for a goodman air handler, Why use a fan control on a compressor which draws higher amps than the condenser fan at start up, I wonder whats going to happen to the fan control after a few days of usage

@robertcherry4971 4 ай бұрын

Incorrect that is a sequencer. Do you not understand what a sequencer is? Or a TDR ?

@Eric-xb4zm 3 жыл бұрын

So this is a heat sequencer relay from a furnace right? If I install a sequencer do you think I still need a hard start kit? Thanks for the awesome video, I moved into a brand new house in February and it has a Lennox condenser that’s also annoyingly loud on startup.

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

It’s a heat sequencer from an electric furnace. The hard start kit just helps the compressor start up smoothly. Honestly all systems should have them. Adds life to the compressor.

@Eric-xb4zm 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Thanks for your reply. I just put the hard start kit on and it definitely helped. I still want to install the sequencer but I accidentally bought a heat sequencer instead of a fan sequencer. The only difference is the start time, question being: can you think of any reason it would be bad to have a start delay of 30-90 seconds rather than 1-30 other than wasting some energy?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

It shouldn’t hurt anything but will delay your cooling and be a bit of a waste of energy. Thanks for watching.

@Eric-xb4zm 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Sounds good. I just put the sequencer in and it’s working nicely but I think I’ll switch to a shorter delay just to save energy and keep this one as a spare if it goes out. Thanks again for the great videos!

@ritasnell1631 Жыл бұрын

Ok, I get the time delay on start 10 to 15 seconds but these relays time delay break/off, allowing the compressor keep on running for an extra 10 to 15 seconds without the condenser fan operating.

@grounded-b937 3 жыл бұрын

What are the contacts on that sequencer relay rated at? How long will they last breaking that compressor current?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

The relay is rated for 40A. These relays are usually used for electric heat strips. As far as how long will they last. As long as any relay. I can’t be sure. Thanks so much for your comments. I really appreciate your feedback.

@davelindsley9838 3 жыл бұрын

Can you recall what hard start and what's brand name you used please what do you recommend for the wires to use connected. The Delay switch automotive ones AutoZone or I need to go home depot and get it from the electrical department rated for 24 volts and where would I find those rubber footings appreciate the help if you could thank you

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

All the parts can be found at your local HVAC supply house. As for this mod I’d highly recommend having a professional HVAC technician perform the work for you. If the wrong components or if said components are incorrectly connected. They can cause major damage the unit or cause injury or death.

@marioramirez6741 3 жыл бұрын

Hire a professional, cheap ass.

@djambrogi8662 3 жыл бұрын

I have a brand new goodman ac unit that is loud on the start up & shut down. The installer said this is normal. Will this help the noise on the shut down also?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

Only startup.

@mikeswink1031 3 жыл бұрын

My new Daikin has a very loud startup, I sent this video to him . He told me that a noisy startup is normal , but if it wakes my wife and I from our sleep I think that is tooo noisy to be normal . The initial first two weeks it had a quiet startup

@skyscraper37 Жыл бұрын

What brand model is the sequencer relay

@jemilsense3972 3 жыл бұрын

What will happen in the Winter when the heater is on, and the compressor goes in to defrost. Will the fan come on when the hot refrigerant is going back into the coils to defrost the ice? Will the sequencer harm the unit in the winter when its cold during the mode?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

There is no defrost cycle on this unit. It’s just an AC. So it will be fine. Thanks for watching.

@jemilsense3972 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC I have a heat pump though-- will the sequencer affect the the defrost cycle?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

It won’t as long as the compressor doesn’t cycle off. If it keeps running it should be fine. This will only delay start the compressor when cycling on from an off state.

@jemilsense3972 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Thank you so much for your insight on this.

@miked6632 2 жыл бұрын

I doubt your locked rotor amp rating for the sequencer is sufficient for the compressor inductive load.

@Jeremywalsh7 3 жыл бұрын

What is that relay I need to buy? Lol my Lennox is loud AF on start up

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

One switch sequencer relay.

@llandy123 Жыл бұрын

This might be a dumb question but my air conditioner is about 17 years old now and it makes a *lot* of noise from that box outside. It sometimes wakes me up at night it's so loud now. It works fine inside though, I still get really cold air from it. Should I get a new one or is there something I can do like this for the old one that will quiet it down?

@NighthawkHVAC Жыл бұрын

It depends on what’s actually making the noise. Sometimes tightening all the screws will quiet it down. As it could just be the panels vibrating. If it’s the compressor making the noise adding an additive like subco or AC renew will sometimes quiet it down. I’d suggest contacting your local HVAC company to identify the issue. As the additives will need to be added by a licensed HVAC technician. Hope this helps. Good luck!

@llandy123 Жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Thanks, I'll call one up. BTW, when it comes time to replace the air conditioner, what should I look for in an HVAC company? I'd definitely use you guys if you were in the Phoenix area.

@donnierobertson3088 3 жыл бұрын

@kevinweiner7123 3 жыл бұрын

I know this is called a heat sequencer, but I have a Goodman cooling only unit. Can this still work for that?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

Yes you can. It’s just a way to delay the compressor startup.

@kevinweiner7123 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC sweet. Thanks!

@SuperCano1997 3 ай бұрын

What is the part number on the sequencer?

@patriciasantacroce8792 3 жыл бұрын

We had a new Lennox Merit 13ACX installed back in 2018. I complained about this same problem. The repair person said he tightened the fan blades and that should fix the problem but it didn't . So what gives? Is he just being lazy ?

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

Tightening the fan blades won’t do anything. If that’s loose the blade would simply fall off. However there is a black plastic ring which Lennox calls the orifice ring. If this is loose it can cause noise. Tightening that will stop said noise. As far as him being lazy or not. I couldn’t tell you. Finding a solution for this problem is not known by everyone. Your tech may have just not been aware of the solution in this video. Took me a while to come up with this solution.

@patriciasantacroce8792 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC . Thanks for your reply . They are due here for a 2nd yearly maintenance this month. I"ll mention it to him.

@edmonsonelectric9138 2 жыл бұрын

Would a time delay for compressor, work the same?

@NighthawkHVAC 2 жыл бұрын

Yes. It would have to be a high voltage time delay switch. Or you could use a 2nd contractor with a low voltage time delay.

@VinceMiller-gh7kr 2 ай бұрын

Do you have a part number to the sequencer?

@NighthawkHVAC 2 ай бұрын

Packard HS33247

@joehead1294 3 жыл бұрын

Use care in modifying customers equipment. You could have a problem down the road and it's not worth it.

@johnguerrero4305 3 жыл бұрын

I remember a time when the big three: (Carrier, Lennox, and Trane) made units that you didn’t have to rig up in order to make them quieter!!! They were incredibly overpriced but you didn’t have to do this! Today they’re still overpriced and shake, rattle and roll just like Goodman! Damn shame! Thanks for the post

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

Seriously.

@johnguerrero4305 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Seriously what? You don’t call what you just did rigging up? Did you consult with Lennox before adding the stack relay? If so, is the compressor warranty still in effect with the changes? The 521 is approved and recommended by most manufacturers but the additional items you’ve introduced to this new unit, may be questionable. So, yes. Seriously!

@NighthawkHVAC 3 жыл бұрын

I was agreeing with you. Bad context. Sorry.

@johnguerrero4305 3 жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC oh!!! My mistake! 35 years in the HVAC field and sometimes I suffer from brain freeze!! Keep up the good work!

@testtesting2868 2 жыл бұрын

This is good... but a start up before the repair would have been helpful.

@virginiafraguio5859 Жыл бұрын

Iam a homeowner. My new Goodman condenser unit (3 ton, 14 seer) is loud (thump) on startup plus compressor is louder (running on high pitch all the time, not only on startup) than my 22 year old Amana. Its been a month and neither installer nor Goodman have given me any solution, and I am very disappointed and annoyed by now. Inside the house its annoying when it starts and runs! Help Please!

@NighthawkHVAC Жыл бұрын

I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately without being onsite I would not be able to diagnose this. It the unit is new I’d suggest to have the installer replace the unit under warranty if they can’t figure it out.

@virginiafraguio5859 Жыл бұрын

@@NighthawkHVAC Yes, I understand. I have not been able to convince them to just replace unit somehow...they say it is all normal... Im struggling to make my case heart and resolved. I am hiring another installed (paid) to come give me a diagnosis to see their opinion. Thank you so much!