Hi Gary, I know that sound really well. I'm fairly confident that ICM uses a Bidirectional Thyristor (AKA "triac") for speed control on these common PSC motors. That sounded like the thyristor was "half-waving", which means that it's conducting more in one direction of the AC Voltage Waveform than the opposite direction. It's a common failure mode of thyristor circuits. Back in the 90s I had an experimental furnace hopping across the lab when a 1hp blower motor was half-waving like that
Awesome content here. Don’t see much of those controls here in south Alabama but have definitely applied the same principles you have shown here on other parts.
Mr. KIA were you working on a low ambient refrigeration system for a commercial brick and morter? i.e. refrigeration for supermarket, frozen food storage, computer room etc. In your few months in the field opinion of ICM's- Do these ICM controllers really help with dual head control vs ECM motors with flooded condenser method?
This is just straight AC. They do work well in this application yes. In refrigeration with receivers I usually find flood back and condenser fans on full bore. Or one on full bore and the other is cycled on ambient or pressure.
Idk my understanding with the icm controller is when there is a call for cooling the fan is to ramp up to full speed for a second then modulate, for 2 . Reasons 1 start the fan with full voltage should the fan be back spinning on start up and 2 to lubricate the bearing and then modulate
Carrier p.s.c. motors with silver ring pop ring off that jelly grease is hardly in their take zoom spout load up with oil pop caps back on motor is lubricated and spins like the old ones that had oil ports.
I think they should be used with a "ball bearing " motor, B.B.motors cost more,are noisier but put up with running at low speed better, the B.B. lubricates itself better, if it's a critical piece of equipment IE: it runs a lot in cold weather, try to sell the customer a B.B motor
Hi Gary,
I know that sound really well. I'm fairly confident that ICM uses a Bidirectional Thyristor (AKA "triac") for speed control on these common PSC motors. That sounded like the thyristor was "half-waving", which means that it's conducting more in one direction of the AC Voltage Waveform than the opposite direction. It's a common failure mode of thyristor circuits.
Back in the 90s I had an experimental furnace hopping across the lab when a 1hp blower motor was half-waving like that
Interesting stuff Bob, could this be similar to a 3 phase motor that is single phasing, the noise and amp draw is are similar.
It's a real advantage to have identical equipment on thr same roof!
If you're the HVAC know it all, then why does similar equipment on the roof help you? Aren't you the know it all? ;)
Awesome content here. Don’t see much of those controls here in south Alabama but have definitely applied the same principles you have shown here on other parts.
I appreciate that sir!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and teaching wit real scenarios 👌
You're very welcome
Always nice to have identical neighboring equipment, but be careful with that, sometimes you end up with 2 unit not working now.
Nice clamp meter too- I use the same for AC season.
I like it!
Mr. KIA were you working on a low ambient refrigeration system for a commercial brick and morter? i.e. refrigeration for supermarket, frozen food storage, computer room etc. In your few months in the field opinion of ICM's- Do these ICM controllers really help with dual head control vs ECM motors with flooded condenser method?
This is just straight AC. They do work well in this application yes. In refrigeration with receivers I usually find flood back and condenser fans on full bore. Or one on full bore and the other is cycled on ambient or pressure.
thanks for explanation nice troubleshooting man
My pleasure and thank you!
Idk my understanding with the icm controller is when there is a call for cooling the fan is to ramp up to full speed for a second then modulate, for 2 . Reasons 1 start the fan with full voltage should the fan be back spinning on start up and 2 to lubricate the bearing and then modulate
The last two I've installed didn't do that in a low ambient condition and this one here didn't either. I believe that is a sttong thing.
nice video and great hvac tip. thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for watching!
I was thinking when I go get a new motor grab a board lol 😂 that’s a cost but warranty is harsh
Great video and great tip
Thanks for sharing
great troubleshooting
Thank you sir!
What happened to low ambient controls
Like head pressure controls peanut style or ranco controls😞
Thanks for the great content. 👍
My pleasure
💪💪 .brain food .appreciate it Gary, was that an accessory that was added on or that comes with the unit ?
Add on accessory
I’ve never had any luck with those things.
Inverter duty motors. Should have minimums on set points
So when the motor dies change the controls good tip
Or a least have one with you in case
Carrier p.s.c. motors with silver ring pop ring off that jelly grease is hardly in their take zoom spout load up with oil pop caps back on motor is lubricated and spins like the old ones that had oil ports.
I think they should be used with a "ball bearing " motor, B.B.motors cost more,are noisier but put up with running at low speed better, the B.B. lubricates itself better, if it's a critical piece of equipment IE: it runs a lot in cold weather, try to sell the customer a B.B motor