Heat Pump problems
We have a Duo-Therm 60515 heat pump (13,500 BTU) that recently went out of commission on our mh and are evaluating our options. We have a 2007 Newmar with dual heat pumps on the roof plus a furnace below. The heat pumps feed into ducts and we have a 5 button Comfort Control Center for the two zones.
The front unit stopped heating or cooling but the fan just runs. I removed the unit cover and noted a definite click around the compressor area. The tube feeding the reversing valve started to get quite warm so assume the compressor is operating. I can disconnect a lead to the reversing valve solenoid and hear definite clicks. From an internet search I read about using a magnet to see if the reversing valve moved internally and did notice that with the use of a magnet I feel attraction to spots that do seem to move back and forth when I connect and disconnect the solenoid. As mentioned, the tube from the compressor to the reversing valve does get pretty warm to hot, but the three tubes leading back to the compressor, inside and outside coils all feel about the same in temperature.
So based on all this my guess is that the reversing valve, while moving internally, is not fully shifting and thus not sealing the ports properly. Does this sound reasonable and can just the reversing valve be replaced. If so is it worth it?
Camping World seems to be having a sale on new Penquin units for the next couple days. The new units appear to be more efficient and a 651816 (15,000 BTU) runs at less amperage and I assume . The new unit comes with a 12 button Climate Control Centerl which I understand to be much nicer but also understand that would not be compatible with our older bedroom zone so would have to keep the 5 button control and fit a downgrade kit to run the new unit with our 5 button control.
If when the other heat pump goes out and we upgrade that, then maybe we can use the supplied 12 button control if the same 4 wire phone plug is used.
The front unit stopped heating or cooling but the fan just runs. I removed the unit cover and noted a definite click around the compressor area. The tube feeding the reversing valve started to get quite warm so assume the compressor is operating. I can disconnect a lead to the reversing valve solenoid and hear definite clicks. From an internet search I read about using a magnet to see if the reversing valve moved internally and did notice that with the use of a magnet I feel attraction to spots that do seem to move back and forth when I connect and disconnect the solenoid. As mentioned, the tube from the compressor to the reversing valve does get pretty warm to hot, but the three tubes leading back to the compressor, inside and outside coils all feel about the same in temperature.
So based on all this my guess is that the reversing valve, while moving internally, is not fully shifting and thus not sealing the ports properly. Does this sound reasonable and can just the reversing valve be replaced. If so is it worth it?
Camping World seems to be having a sale on new Penquin units for the next couple days. The new units appear to be more efficient and a 651816 (15,000 BTU) runs at less amperage and I assume . The new unit comes with a 12 button Climate Control Centerl which I understand to be much nicer but also understand that would not be compatible with our older bedroom zone so would have to keep the 5 button control and fit a downgrade kit to run the new unit with our 5 button control.
If when the other heat pump goes out and we upgrade that, then maybe we can use the supplied 12 button control if the same 4 wire phone plug is used.
