heat pump not working

[swamprat69]

With the air partially bypassed around the evaporator coil, you will have inadeqate airflow causing the txv to throttle refrigerant flow into the evaporator coil and lowering capacity.

 

[VAwaterboy]

Looked at your set up and if that is the way you are running it when checking operating parameters the set up is faulty. If you are running it with the cover part way off you are bypassing air around the heater evaporator coil ( the part that wraps around the outside of the heater ) and you will not get any relevant readings.

Wow, it never occurred to me that having those pieces of plastic off would make a difference! Thank you!! I will put them back in place and see what happens. I am brand new to heat pumps.

 

[VAwaterboy]

I am new to heat pumps, and didn't realize that removing the covers would hava any effect. As I said in my first post, I did get this running briefly when I bypassed the old thermostat and I think the covers were in the same position -- but I will try re-attaching them and see what happens. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[VAwaterboy]

I replaced the cover panels and let it run for a few minutes: still no difference in temperature between the water coming in from the pool and the water leaving the heater.

 

[swamprat69]

There should be a greater temp difference between the ambient ( outside air ) and the discharge air temp out the top of the heater than before. Where and how are you measuring the water temps and what are you using to measure? What is the rated capacity of the heat pump? At what water level of the pool is the sump pump ( stratification? ) and what is the rated flow rate for the pipe size that you are using? Would also need to know all heater operating parameters Eg: system refrigerant, ambient (outside air temp), discharge air temp, suction pressure, liquid line pressure, suction line temp (to calculate superheat), liquid line temp (to calculate subcooling), compressor "RLA" listed amp draw, actual compressor amp draw when running. With that information I might be able to tell what is going on with the system. Any idea on how old the heater is?