TRANE-

❑
General RTAA-SB-4
lit
Service Bulletin
..
Library S ervice Literature
Prod uct Sect ion R efrigerat i on
Product Rotary Liqu id Chillers - A/C
Model RTAA
Literature Type G e n era l Service Bu l l et i n
Sequence 4
Date October 1991
File No. SV- RF- RLC - RTAA -SB -4-1091
Supersedes

Subject : Sl ide Valve Operation and Troubleshooti ng

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Introducti on :

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information that i s required to troubleshoot the slide valve operator on
CHHB compressors .

Discussion :

The Air Cooled Series R Chiller (RTAA) i s designed with 2, 3, o r 4 compressors, that include modulating slide valves,
that vary the capacity of the compressor.

The slide valve is operated by a piston/cylinder assembly. The piston/cylinder assembly is powered by oil pressure
that is regulated by two "normally closed" solenoid valves. These valves are called the load and unload solenoid
valves (Note: The load solenoid valve is mounted closest to the compressor motor). The coil on each solenoid
valve is 110 VAC. Reference Figure 1, to view a schematic of the slide valve hydraulic system.
W

Since the Trane Company has a policy of continuous product improvement, it reserves the right to change specifica-
O Ame ric an Standard I nc - 1991
tions and design without notice. The installation and servicing of the equipment referred to in this booklet should be
done by qua7ified, experienced technicians.
F ig ure 1
Typ ical Sli d e Va l ve H ydrau l ic Syste m

To Ff 0171 ^
Compressor Oil
Suction SuppI Y
to

U L
Unlaading L o a aing
Solenoid Vafve So l e n o id V a 1 ve

Stide Valve
Piston
- Slide Valve
Shaf t
Schroder Valve
Piston/Cylinder
Assembly Access
Sl i de Valve
77-P
Load f

I*
Li_/^^1,11 L ^1
Compressor
Rotor

The m icroprocessor controls operate the load and unload solenoid valves, in response to varying demands for
capacity. On an increase demand for capacity, the load soleno id valve is energized (pulsing 110 volts); allowing oil
pressure to enter the piston/cylinder secti on, moving the piston, which moves the slide valve via the slide valve shaft
over the compressor rotors , and loads the compressor.

On a decrease demand for capacity, the unload solenoid val ve is energized (pulsing or constant 1 1 0 VAC, which is
d e pendent on the mode of the microprocessor controls), wh ich relieves the oil pressure that was built up in the
piston/cyli nder section, retracting the piston, which pulls th e slide valve via the sl ide valve shaft away from the rotors,
and unloads the compressor.

On a hold demand for capacity, both the load and unload solenoid valves remain deenergized, which maintains the
positon of the piston and slide valve.

Why Does The Slid e Va l ve Move?

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There are four forces that act upon the slide valve/piston assembly. See Figure 2.

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 Figure 2
Typical Slide Valve / Piston Assembly

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Pisto„

Load F^31

Slid t Valv e Sucti o n

Regulated Pr e ssur e
Pressure
A
FF,`/-/77777 71
Q '1-1-' C '•
Discharge
Pressure
ILLLLLLL .L/_.J

A - Slide Valve-Suction Pressure

B - Slide Valve-Discharge Pressure
C - Piston-Discharge Pressure
D - Piston-Regulated Pressure

0 For example, if the piston or shaft were not attached to the slide valve, the discharge pressure and suction pressure,
present at either end of the slide valve, will force the slide valve over the rotors, and load up the compressor.

However, there is a pi ston connected to a slide valve via a slide valve shaft . The piston provides more surface area,
than the slide valve ends . The discharge pressure and suction pressure present at both ends of the piston , will force
the piston to overcome the slide valve movement in the opposite d i rection , thus , pulling the slide valve away from
the rotors and unload the compressor .

To load and modulate the compressor, oil pressure is added and subtracted via load and unload solenoid valves to
the cylinder side of the piston. This pressure balances the other 3 forces, and allows positioning of the slide valve
over the rotors, to obtain varying degrees of compressor capacity.

Troubleshooting Slide Valve Operation

Oil press u re suppl y to the load solenoid valve is tapped from the bearing and rot or injection oil suppl y l i ne. Due to
pressure drop of the o il cooler, angle valve, oil filter, master solenoid valve, etc., the oil pressure sup ply to the load
soleno id valve will be approximately 20 - 30 PSIG below compressor refrige rant discharge pressure.

Schraeder
The Schraeder valve is mounted on the discharge end of the compressor. See Fi gure 3. Oil press ure at th e
valve is not proportional to the position of th e slide valve, however, the oil pressure will be whatever it takes to hold
position. T h e wiri ng to the microprocessor, from the load and unload solenoid valve coils,
the slide valve at a g iven
jumpered to maintain a constant position of the valves, to prove the operation of the slide valve.
can be removed or
^
 Figure 3
Schraeder Valve Location
on Compressor Discharge End

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Unload Solen o id Val ve Load Solenoid Valve

'q

^..

.^.^-

'

Piston/Cylinder Assembly
Access Schraeder Valve

The following tests assume the electrical circuits to the load/unload solenoid valve coils are correct and operative.
An audible "click" can be heard when the valve is energized, and the magnetism created by an energized coil will
attract the tip of a pocket screwdriver. Insure the valves are electrically correct before proceeding.

Load and Unload Solenoid Valves Checkout

A. Connect a gauge to the piston/cylinder access Schraeder valve and start compressor.

B. Apply constant power to load solenoid valve coil. Leave unload solenoid valve coil attached to microprocessor.
Pressure should rise to within 20-30 PSIG of condenser pressure, provided microprocessor does not energize unload
solenoid valve, due to a limit or temperature control. If pressure fails to rise, suspect one of the following:

1. Clogged oil filter

2. Plugged load solenoid valve
3. Leaking unload solenoid valve (verify there is no signal from controls to be energized).

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 C. Disconnect power from both solenoid valve coils. Pressure should maintain. If pressure drops, suspect a
leaking load solenoid valve.

^ D. Energize unload solenoid valve, until pressure drops to about halfway between suction and condenser pressures,
then insure that power is not applied to both valves. Pressure should maintain. If pressure rises, suspect a lea kin g
load solenoid valve. If pressure drops, suspect a leaking unload solenoid valve.

^ E. Put constant power to unload solenoid valve coil. Disconnect power to load solenoid valve coil. Pressure shoufd
drop to suction pressure, if pressure does not drop, suspect a plugged unload solenoid valve.

If either a leaking load or unload solenoid valve is suspected of a problem, a piece of shimstock can be placed
between the valve and the gasket, sealing off the ports of the valve. This will essentially isolate the valve from the
system, to confirm diagnosis of a leaking solenoid valve.

If either a plugged load or unload solenoid valve is suspected, replacement of valve is required to confirm diagnosis.

Slide Valve Movement

If the load/unload solenoid valves operate properly, but the compressor motor amperage fails to rise, or fall, in
response to commands from the load/unload solenoid valves, the slide valve piston could be hesitant to move. This
usual l y happens when the compressor is first put int o service, and the rings on the piston have not been "broke-in"
yet.

To move slide valve, perform the following sequence:

o 1 - The discharge pressure can be increased to acquire more pressure to move the slide valve. Disconnect wiring
to several condenser fan motor contactor coils, in order to achieve 350-370 PSIG condenser pressure. Typically,
this will provide sufficient power to move a"hesitant" slide valve piston.

2 - If the slide valve is still failing to move, an extra 20-30 PSIG that is lost, via the oil cooler circuit, can be acquired
by deenergizing the load solenoid valve, and temporarily connect a refrigerant service gauge set, between the
compressor refrigerant discharge Schraeder valve and the Schraeder valve for the piston/cylinder assembly. The
valve on the gauge set can be used to simulate the load solenoid valve.

3 - If the slide valve still fails to move, access to the top of the piston can be gained, through the Schraeder valve
piston/cylinder access port, by using the following procedure:

A. Isolate compressor via compressor suction and discharge service valves.

B . Relieve pressure on compressor down to 2 PSIG .

C. Remove complete piston/cylinder access Schraedervalve. (Note: The threads on this valve is sealed with loctite.
Care must be taken to not damage, or break valve off when removing).

D_ Insert a smooth rod (to prevent damage to pipe threads), that has a diameter of no more than 5/16" (i.e.,Philips
screwdriver). If slide valve is in the unloaded positon, insert the rod (approximately 3/4") to make contact with the
piston. Next, push on the piston and the slide valve should move to the loaded position. Table 1 lists the stroke
lengths of the various compressors and slide valves. A slight tap with a hammer may be required to get the piston
moving.

E
Table 1
Slide Valve Stroke Le ngth s
Com ressor
CHH B 070 3 Inches
3.25 Inches •
CHH B 100 3.5 Inches

E. To return the piston to the unloaded position, add pressure to the compressor, via the suction service valve. This
pressure will be on the back side of the piston, thus, causing its movement back to the unloaded position. i

F. Repeat steps D adn E to insure free movement of slide valve/piston assembly.

G. Evacuate any portion of the compressor that non-condensibles may have entered.

H . Open service valves and put compressor back into operation .

JH
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