| Posted By |
|
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Midlothian, VA
Posts: 1700
Joined: Jan, 2006
|  online
|
|
 Thread Start First Page
[#1] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 3:57:26 PM |  |  |
|
Here is a label on a Janatrol Condensing unit. When I see two possible multiples of six or twelve, I'm never certain which is the actual BTU info. Is there a rule as to how the numbers are ordered? Is this 2.5 tons or 3 tons? I always assume the first multiple is probably right, so I would guess 2.5 tons. But, if there's a sure-fire trick to this that I've never been taught, I'd sure love to hear of it.
So, once again I tee up a question to learn from the brain trust.
School me!
Thanks in advance.
Click to View
Image Unavailable! Sorry you must be logged in to view images.
Click Here For Free Registration
49.59 KB
|
| "This above all: to thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Sagamore Hills, Ohio
Posts: 2396
Joined: Dec, 2003
|  offline
|
|
AC 101
[#2] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 4:17:01 PM | | |
|
Forgot the picture of the label Mike.
024 means 2 ton, 036 means 3 ton etc. Remember that 12,000 BTUS = 1 ton of cooling. Then again there are times where the model/serial numbers are totally unintelligible (manufactures do have a sense of humor).
|
Terry
http://www.hlis.net
|
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Midlothian, VA
Posts: 1700
Joined: Jan, 2006
| online
|
|
AC 101
[#3] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 4:28:32 PM | | |
|
Yeah, I know that Terry. It's when you have two possible right answers like this one, that throws me. Is it 2.5 tons or 3 tons? It seems, of late, I've had a run of these where you look at it and think, "Well darn! Which is it?" is there some nifty little rule to deciphering one like this?
|
| "This above all: to thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare |
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Lafayette, Louisiana
Posts: 1103
Joined: Nov, 2009
| offline
|
|
AC 101
[#4] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 4:38:56 PM | | |
|
It's a 36,000 btu/hr, 3 ton. The btu/hr is expressed in units of thousands of btu/hr. There is usually a zero to the left of this two digit specification, which is generally in the middle of the model number. In my experience, there is only one brand of condenser unit in which the tonnage cannot be read from the model number: Carrier.
If I see 3036 on a Goodman air handler, I'll take that as meaning that the coil can be fitted with either a 2 1/2 ton or 3 ton piston. But on a condenser unit, if I see 3036, I recognize the 036 as the correct spec of the tonnage.
Do keep in mind that you might see something like 037 (37,000 btu/hr) or 041 (41,000 btu/hr). The 37k is marketed as a 3 ton and the 41K as a 3 1/2 ton. As for Carrier, call their service center.
Marc
|
"If Guam gets too overpopulated, it might tip over."
Congressman Hank Johnson (D) GA |
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Midlothian, VA
Posts: 1700
Joined: Jan, 2006
| online
|
|
AC 101
[#5] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 4:46:30 PM | | |
|
Yup, I know that Marc, Here's my source of confusion: I'm under the impression that 18,000 BTU/hr is 1.5 tons; 30,000BTU/hrs is 2.5 tons; 42,000 BTU/hrs is 3.5 tons.
Just before the "036" is a "30". That's where I get stuck, so if the BTU rating ALWAYS has a "0" before it, I suppose I have my answer.
Is that how to know which multiple to choose - a "0" before?
This was on a 2900 SF home.
|
| "This above all: to thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare |
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Lafayette, Louisiana
Posts: 1103
Joined: Nov, 2009
| offline
|
|
AC 101
[#6] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 4:53:31 PM | | |
|
That's what I do. I never call the manufacturer about it because the dang phone never works, but I've bought hundreds of condenser units and when I look at the model number, that two digit # with the zero before it was the actual tonnage that I specified to the dealer.
Marc
|
"If Guam gets too overpopulated, it might tip over."
Congressman Hank Johnson (D) GA |
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Midlothian, VA
Posts: 1700
Joined: Jan, 2006
| online
|
|
AC 101
[#7] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 4:58:57 PM | | |
|
Cool! That's what I needed to dismiss the "30". That's the nifty trick I needed. Thanks Marc! 
(The really scary part is maybe I knew that once and am going senile...) 
Brace yourself, Chad, memory starts going bit by bit down hill soon after 50... it's a bit freaky...
|
| "This above all: to thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare |
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Lexington, KY
Posts: 1726
Joined: Nov, 2004
| offline
|
|
AC 101
[#8] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 5:02:39 PM | | |
|
The number you aren't considering is the "1." Lately, Janitrol and Goodman are putting the SEER rating in the model number. What you're looking at is a 13 SEER, 3 ton unit.
|
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Midlothian, VA
Posts: 1700
Joined: Jan, 2006
| online
|
|
AC 101
[#9] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 5:12:17 PM | | |
|
Bain! EXCELLENT! Now that's gold! I had no idea. Sweet! I'm pretty good with HVAC (maybe a C+ or a B-), but difinitely no Einstein. I've actually toyed with the idea of going to night school and taking the courses necessary to become a tech, just for the brainfood, not the trade.
Thanks Bain and Marc. Good stuff...
|
| "This above all: to thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare |
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Lexington, KY
Posts: 1726
Joined: Nov, 2004
| offline
|
|
|
|
| |
Active Member
|
Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 634
Joined: Sep, 2002
| offline
|
|
AC 101
[#11] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 5:38:08 PM | | |
|
Well, looking at the minimum circuit amps of only 16.8 and a 20 amp max breaker, I would think it's a 2 1/2 ton unit. Those numbers seem awfully small for a 13 SEER, 3 ton unit.
|
Neal Lewis
www.totalhomeinspectionservices.com |
| |
|
|
| |
Senior Member
|
Lexington, KY
Posts: 1726
Joined: Nov, 2004
| offline
|
|
|
|
| |
Active Member
|
Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 634
Joined: Sep, 2002
| offline
|
|
AC 101
[#13] Posted: Jan 25 2010 - 6:50:09 PM | | |
|
Interesting, the electrical specs in the linked brochure don't match what's printed on the tag.
|
Neal Lewis
www.totalhomeinspectionservices.com |
| |
|
|
| |
Associate Editor - TIJ
|
Rochester, New York
Posts: 3182
Joined: Dec, 2003
| offline
|
|
AC 101
[#14] Posted: Jan 26 2010 - 03:31:39 AM | | |
|
One must consider that as efficiencies creep up, btu's per amp creep creep up as well. The old rules of thumb no longer apply. Neal, I know you know that but it's food for thought for those folks who may have just passed (double entendre' intended) through a HI school. Sometimes the curriculums can be a tad out of date.
|
Chad Fabry
StructureSmart Home Inspection Rochester, NY
www.structuresmart.com
|
| |
|
|
| |
Active Member
|
Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 634
Joined: Sep, 2002
| offline
|
|
AC 101
[#15] Posted: Jan 26 2010 - 04:02:32 AM | | |
|
Well, my own 3 ton 14 SEER unit is rated for a 30 amp max breaker and about a 25 amp minimum ciruit. That Goodman 3 ton 13 SEER is rated for 20 amps. Go figure, I guess mine's not as good as that Goodman.
|
Neal Lewis
www.totalhomeinspectionservices.com |
| |
|
| |
|
|
AC 101
