Post edited 12:13 pm – July 23, 2010 by Steve Pooler

Hi Frank~

First I have to ask if you're sure the other units were actually running at the time ?

If you follow the small tubing (1/4″) from where it exits the compressor…You will find that the first item it connects to is the reversing valve at the bottom…That is hot compressed gas…So yes the reversing valve is likely to get hot…The others not is what concerns me…

If you are getting a 16 degree TD, and the suction line (3/8″) back into the compressor is beer can cold without compressor overheating…I would say that unit is fine…

The reversing valve chatter you described was a glitch in some of the older "Original SMX" controls that there was a fix for, and that if I remember correctly, it entailed installing a small resistor at the power board…But that was back in the late 80's & time tends to erase memory when you no longer see a problem often….Most of those controls have been retrofitted by now (too bad because I liked them best) and they no longer offer replacement parts for the original SMX 1…

Steve~

luvnlife said:

Thanks Steve. I put my laser temp gun on the compressor and it is running at 160 degrees vs the other two running at 90-98 degrees. Cooling fine but compressor hot.
Low charge? ….

Yes Very likely not quite enough refrigerant returning to the compressor to cool it…The refrigerant cools the compressor…Seawater only takes the heat out of the refrigerant…

I wouldn't run it until you get a touch of R-22 added (shouldn't take much) overheating a compressor is one of the biggest causes of failure.

Steve~