Heat Pump Problem

[Rugger]

I just started using my heat pump and am finding that it ices up after about 6 hours of run time. It heats my rig up to the set point (about 68 degrees) with the outside temp of about 40 degrees. The manual says that the unit shuts off for about 4 1/2 minutes and reverses the flow to defrost the outside coils once the outside temp drops below 41 degrees. I hear my unit doing this, but it doesnt seem to run long enough to fully defrost the unit. Once the unit ices up, it severly limits the amount of heat it puts out. I can see the ice on the coils. Im in the desert, so the air is relatively dry. Any suggestions?

[willyd]

Sorry that no one has responded earlier. I just got a new heat pump and the installer said to run on automatic fan AND only the high speed fan if manual setting. He said, by running the unit (either heat pump or ac), it would tend to freeze up. I trust this helps

[Silvertwinkie]

Heat pump is not designed to be very effective in temps below 55 degrees. In OK. it looks like some days get above 55 (not all of them), but at night it appears to not even be close. When it gets below 55 degrees I go to the LP furnace.

FWIW, when using my heat pump or A/C unit, I get little to no freeze up using the A/C in the summer at or above 78 degrees or the heat pump in fall at or above 55 degrees.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Rugger

I just started using my heat pump and am finding that it ices up after about 6 hours of run time. It heats my rig up to the set point (about 68 degrees) with the outside temp of about 40 degrees. The manual says that the unit shuts off for about 4 1/2 minutes and reverses the flow to defrost the outside coils once the outside temp drops below 41 degrees. I hear my unit doing this, but it doesnt seem to run long enough to fully defrost the unit. Once the unit ices up, it severly limits the amount of heat it puts out. I can see the ice on the coils. Im in the desert, so the air is relatively dry. Any suggestions?

Once you have severely iced it up you need to run the AC for a while. If it continues; the freeze senor has fallen off, failed, or the control board has failed. It
Depending on what you have for a thermostat, mine switches over to furnance at 40 degrees.

[tarpon250]

I have a 25' 2008 Safari SE with a heat pump. The heat pump constantly cycles on and off for very short periods of time. Is this normal? It will run for a minute or two and then off for about 5 minute. The outside temp is only 50.