How to Convert a System with an ECM Blower Motor to a PSC Blower Motor EP119
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- On this call the ECM blower motor had failed and it was going to take a week to get to the customer. Temperatures this week were in the single digits and they just couldn't go a week with no heat. As this is a heat pump. So I decided to install a PSC universal blower motor to get them heat until the OEM ECM blower motor arrived. Here is how to do it. Hope this helps you. Thanks for watching.
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Nighthawk, great emergency fix. Keep the videos coming.
I am so thankful you put a good summary in that you are doing a temporary fix so they have heat during a cold snap. I cannot stand the technicians that do not carry rescue motors on their vans or trucks and replace an X13 with a PSC and never come back to fix it correctly. I would fire a technician that would leave it like that.. Great job, btw!
What if the customer wants it like that permanently? For example if they are tired of paying the huge cost of ecm motors, or if they went through 3 of them in 2 years and want something that just works? There are quite a few very accomplished techs on here who do this as a retrofit on purpose.
@@realSamAndrew First off, in my entire career I have never seen any ECM motor go bad three times at all let alone in two years. ECM blowers are not that expensive in most cases, it is the insane markup and labor these companies put on the repair. A Rescue motor or an Evergreen are both readily available and on my shelf in the both work vans. If the customer was technically proficient and specifically asked me for that retrofit, then of course I would do that but would explain the complications, especially if they have a communicating furnace and thermostat with multiple stages. I don’t change very many ECM blowers or axial fans. I use high flow filter systems to keep the ESP down and I keep both coils clean. Every one of my installed systems come with a service contract to come twice a year to replace the 5” filter, clean the coils, check pressures, and do a complete health check. Each new referral or client I try to get on the same plan. Just like the human body, see your doctor a couple times a year to check everything out. But again, if the client asked me to do so, I would. If it an actual X13 ECM, I will replace it with the newer upgraded replacements. With my systems having a 10-12 year warranty, I have been fortunate. The out of warranty units, I give the options to the client. But my prices are not “big name huge HVAC” pricing either. I am never the cheapest but I don’t charge $400 for a blown capacitor replacement either. I also do not sell single stage systems with PSC blowers from the factory. You are just asking for trouble and they are far less efficient.
@@Balticblue93 some of these motors, especially the oem ones can cost close to or over 1000. I don't know the stats, but just from watching lots of HVAC calls on here, the modules fail quite regularly. Even if it's a power surge, so not directly the mfg fault, it's still a lot riding on a plastic circuit board with delicate components. One weak capacitor or glitchy chip shuts it down, and you cannot do an in place circuit component repair like you can just swap a run capacitor. Everyone's situation is different, but I compare it to installing hand crank windows on a 1994 Cadillac if they wanted 2 grand for a motor or wiring harness that was only available from the dealer. Cheers.
They make a conversation board to convert a ECM to a PSC. If this was a permanent repair I’d probably install the conversion board.
@@realSamAndrew I am still going to have to disagree with you on this. I replace the modules on a somewhat regular basis but not as much on systems I have sold. Brand of system and high static pressures play a big role in the life of a motor. And I don’t know where you are shopping, but I have never in my entire career seen any ECM motor cost anywhere near $1000 wholesale. You would you a rescue motor or an Evergreen motor. I check all my clients capacitors and wash out their condenser with foaming cleaner and water for best airflow. If I do need to replace the capacitor, they are usually older systems that haven’t been maintained regularly. But I use Amrad or at least a high quality capacitor. I don’t think your analogy of putting in roll down windows in an old Cadillac. That isn’t remotely close to the scenario. If a part cost $1000, I would discuss with the customer how I can put in a rescue motor or Evergreen. I would also present them with three new quotes for good, better and best for furnace replacement. I would include upgraded 4”-5” filtration box, humidifier and new Ecobee Premium thermostat unless they already had s high end thermostat like a Carrier Infinity or Honeywell. But all systems get humidifiers included because Denver is actually more arid than Phoenix. We run them all year. It is far healthier to have a humidity levels to be between 40%-60%, for health and your home.
You bring up the modules going bad and we are talking about a broad range of ECM motors. I know exactly how the circuitry works as an Electrical engineer by degree, but own my own HVAC business.
Thermodynamics, psychometrics, electrical, and HVAC equipment are my life. I have studied excessively why things fail in the field. A very large percentage is improper maintenance or being used outside best practices. Systems improperly installed or improperly sized because a correct Manual J was not done. Three examples (filter replacement and maintenance not done every 6 months, too small of a system that is being overworked, system way oversized for supply and return ducts, this alone will stress an older ECM motor to the point of failure because of sky high static pressure. The newer true VS ECM motors are not made that way any longer and will last much longer and are stronger.
So if you think all the labor of putting in roll down windows in a Cadillac is the same as putting in a $200 EZ Rescue motor, then by all means. Buy your $75 fan, relay, and capacitor and convert your customers system into 20 year old technology because you don’t know what is best for the client.
Leave the PSC motor in there and be worry free.
That works great if you have an air handler. But with a gas furnace you need that blower on delay to cool down the heat exchanger. Although I think HVAC guy showed how to hook it up for a gas furnace. Great video. Thanks for sharing
You can use a time sequencer relay if your in a tight spot. Just got to get the timing right.
@@NighthawkHVAC True, didn't think about that.
Good thing I'm going to college for HVACR right now. Otherwise, I'd say I didn't learn a goddamn thing. 🤷🏻♂️
Relays and even fan timers are being phased out this is going to get more and difficult to do. Blame the government on that.
Good job. A well trained monkey can replace parts but a true technician can find a work around if it's possible.