Thermostat question

[Scott Douglas]

We have a Honeywell T-stat for controlling our Heat/A/C unit.
We don't usually use the 'programable' feature of it as it's easier for us to just turn it on when we want it and off when we don't.
Lately it's been acting weird as it comes on for about 15 minutes and then shuts off, before it reaches the set temperature. Starts up again and runs....for a while.

I think the lastest power outage may have fried it. Guess I'll break down and call the man to come look at it.

Thanks for listening.

[masraum]

They are really cheap, and pretty easy to install....

[blucille]

have you tried replacing the batteries?

[rockfan4]

Single stage or multi stage furnace?
The 15 minute thing gets me thinking that it is calling for a second stage of heat, and that's not happening. When the furnace shuts down does the thermostat still indicate that it is calling for heat, or no?

Also, how's your filter?

[Scott Douglas]

Batteries are new as of yesterday. Blew it out with canned air too while I was in there.
Don't know if it's a single or multi stage furnace. It's got the A/C system integral to it and is a Carrier unit.
Yes, the thermostat is still calling for heat when it shuts down as it hasn't reached temp in the room according to its readout.
I cleaned the filter a couple weeks ago in anticipation of us using the heat more this winter. It was cleaned for A/C use which lasted until early Nov this year as we had some hot days.
I think the power outage we had recently might have messed with things, either in the t-stat or in the furnace itself.

[Gogar]

Are you using the "hold" button on the front? (I think I have the same one)

[Scott Douglas]

Yes, using the 'hold' button to get 'out' of the program and to raise the temp setting from 68 to 69 because you have to hit the 'up' button at the same time as the 'hold' button to get it to work.

[Scott Douglas]

Here's a really quick pic of it hanging on the wall.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Here's a really quick pic of it hanging on the wall.

Your A/C is working great!


T'stats (electronic) don't last forever. I keep an old merc bulb two stage stat around just incase the White Rogers Big Blue stat packs it in. I am on my second Big Blue in 22 years.

I like this particular stat because it is very configurable in the service menu. Programmable for time.

Emerson has purchased White Rodgers and I believe the thermostats are still available. Not cheap.

[Gogar]

turn switch to HEAT

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Gogar

turn switch to HEAT

YOU FIGURED IT OUT!




















C'mon man.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Gogar

turn switch to HEAT

I didn't want to be a smartazz .... just yet . I've had that model for a few years now ... didn't even know it had batteries....

Saved me from starting a thread eventually

[Gogar]

So fun aside I think you should just go to the Depot and grab a fresh one and see what happens. Take it back if that's not it.

Mine you don't have to 'hold' the hold button, you just click up or down and push hold and there's a "HOLD" indicator in the display. dunno.

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Batteries are new as of yesterday. Blew it out with canned air too while I was in there.
Don't know if it's a single or multi stage furnace. It's got the A/C system integral to it and is a Carrier unit.
Yes, the thermostat is still calling for heat when it shuts down as it hasn't reached temp in the room according to its readout.
I cleaned the filter a couple weeks ago in anticipation of us using the heat more this winter. It was cleaned for A/C use which lasted until early Nov this year as we had some hot days.
I think the power outage we had recently might have messed with things, either in the t-stat or in the furnace itself.

Since you posted a pic of the t-stat, it's only capable of single stage heat. So not that. However, there should be a "Heat On" that shows up on the screen when it calls for heat. If the room is colder than the set point, does the furnace eventually come back on all by itself, or do you have to do something after the 15 minute shutdown?

One thing if there was a power outage and the batteries were suspect - go through the setup again and make sure none of the settings are set weird.

http://www.kele.com/Catalog/22%20Thermostats_Controllers/PDFs/TH4110%20Installation%20Sheet.pdf

Page 8, go into setup and verify. You probably want the default (in bold) for your configuration.

One other thing, when the furnace does its 15 minute shutdown, are there any errors showing on the furnace controller itself? It may or may not have warning lights, and you may need to remove a cover to see them.

[john70t]

Is is plugged in?

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

Since you posted a pic of the t-stat, it's only capable of single stage heat. So not that. However, there should be a "Heat On" that shows up on the screen when it calls for heat. If the room is colder than the set point, does the furnace eventually come back on all by itself, or do you have to do something after the 15 minute shutdown? It will come back on by itself. Initially it'll run @15 minutes, then shut down. Then start up again after 2--3 minutes, as if it's checking the temp of the room, which is usually still lower than the set temp.

One thing if there was a power outage and the batteries were suspect - go through the setup again and make sure none of the settings are set weird.

http://www.kele.com/Catalog/22%20Thermostats_Controllers/PDFs/TH4110%20Installation%20Sheet.pdf

Page 8, go into setup and verify. You probably want the default (in bold) for your configuration. I'll have to go thru that after dinner.

One other thing, when the furnace does its 15 minute shutdown, are there any errors showing on the furnace controller itself? It may or may not have warning lights, and you may need to remove a cover to see them. Our furnace is in the attic so not easily accessed. I doubt my wife will let me try going up there to check it out.

Really appreciate the help and suggestions.

[Arizona_928]

Thermostats are simple stupid to replace. I like the non programmable just because less to go wrong. The 60 dollar home depot honeywell one is pretty slick. Easy diy instructions.
As long as you're not running a two stage pump. All the wires are color coded. Recommend taking picture of the wiring to the back of the original thermostat just in case.


Also might be low on coolant and the evaporator might be frosting over.

[cabmandone]

If you have a voltage meter, put the leads on W and C. You should see 24 volts if the thermostat is calling for heat. If not you'll get no voltage. You want to make sure the call for heat is ending and it's not your furnace cycling off of the limit switch. And easy way to test the thermostat is to put a jumper wire between R & W at the furnace circuit board. If the furnace just keeps running, it's the thermostat. If it cycles off again, it's cycling off limit and you've got some looking to do to figure out why. Typically a dirty air filter but I've seen dirty evaporators cause the problem and a blower wheel that is slipping on the motor shaft too.

[Scott Douglas]

This morning's T-stat adventure is being attacked a little more scientifically thanks to you guys.
Here's a pic of it this morning.

It ran @10 minutes from start up this morning before shutting down. I looked and it had a 'Heat On' showing on the T-stat. It started back up within a minute. Has run about 20 minutes and I took the picture. About a minute after the picture was taken it shut down, still 'Heat On' showing and 3 degrees short of the goal. It started back up within a minute.
I didn't look at the basic setup yet so I still have to do that. Sorry, got lazy after wrestling trying to get the printer going with the switch I bought.
I'd be more motivated to get this straightened out if we didn't have any heat at all. I've called the electrician, hopefully they can work us in sometime today.
The furnace just shut off again as I'm typing. 'Heat On' still showing and we're at temp too. It started up again and I just heard a 'click' from it. 'Heat On' is now off, so I think it's in the cool down phase that it goes thru.
More to come...and thanks to all for helping.

[Scott Douglas]

I know you guys probably think 'Why doesn't he just get a new stat and put it in? It's simple.'

When I was young a cousin of mine went fishing on a private lake in Texas. Story goes that there was some kind of bridge or something that they passed under with the aluminum boat they were in. My cousin, Geoff, reached up to help guide the boat and was electrocuted when he touched the bridge which was steel. Somehow something got mis-wired and the bridge was 'HOT'.
Ever since then I've been very leery of messing with electrical stuff. I just haven't been schooled enough in the 'how to do it right' to trust that I wouldn't end up killing someone.