Turn off A/C during storm

[fabriziojoe]

Hello!
I have a habit of turning off my A/C systems when there is a lightning storm approaching. I have 3 RC2000 Thermostats connected to an Omni Pro II and would like to somehow automate this process. Is there such a device to detect or “see†lightning? I would even shut down the units in a rainstorm so possibly some type of rain sensor. I have wanted to install some type of weather station that would integrate to the Omni. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Joe

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

http://www.hobby-boards.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=1550

 

[pete_c]

I use the HB lightning sensor and built sensor assembly as described on the HB web site. Its been working for a few years now. I mounted it outside but was told it could be mounted in the attic and would work the same way.

I use HS/mcsTemperature for the lightning graphs and rates.

 

[Sandpiper]

Hello!
I have a habit of turning off my A/C systems when there is a lightning storm approaching. .....I would even shut down the units in a rainstorm so possibly some type of rain sensor........

Just curious....why do you do that?

 

[fabriziojoe]

Hello!
I have a habit of turning off my A/C systems when there is a lightning storm approaching. .....I would even shut down the units in a rainstorm so possibly some type of rain sensor........

Just curious....why do you do that?

My A/C guy tells me that the compressors are magnets for lightning strikes.

 

[pete_c]

My AC compressors (old house 30 years), FL 10 years, IL 10 years have always been on during thunderstorms and have never suffered from lightning strikes (that I could tell). The FL AC compressor is mounted high (6 feet) on a cement structure with masonry walls adjacent to the house. All the other AC compressors are sitting on cement pads adjacent to the house.

 

[Kevin L]

I live in SW Florida and at this time of year, lightning storms happen every day or two. My three compressors are on a 3-foot high concrete pad attached to the house, and I never turn them off because of lightning.



I'm an insurance agent, and I can't remember the last claim I had because lightning hit a compressor. We do have plenty of claims because @#$&(@! thieves steal the copper tubing, causing thousands in damage so they can score $50 from the scrap yard.

HTH,

Kevin

 

[fabriziojoe]

I live in SW Florida and at this time of year, lightning storms happen every day or two. My three compressors are on a 3-foot high concrete pad attached to the house, and I never turn them off because of lightning.

View attachment 3434

I'm an insurance agent, and I can't remember the last claim I had because lightning hit a compressor. We do have plenty of claims because @#$&(@! thieves steal the copper tubing, causing thousands in damage so they can score $50 from the scrap yard.

HTH,

Kevin

So is there any validity in turning off the ac compressors or is the hvac guy blowing smoke?

Thanks for the pic-nice pool plumbing!

 

[Kevin L]

Thanks.

I don't know if he's blowing smoke. He may have seen some damage from lightning. Though I don't know if it has anything to do with whether it's running at the time or not. I've never heard of doing this, and don't recall of any claims because of being hit by lightning while running.

 

[WayneW]

So is there any validity in turning off the ac compressors or is the hvac guy blowing smoke?

I have not heard of this exact practice before, so I don't know if it has any merit.
I do know that lightning and power issues (like brown-outs, black-outs, voltage sags, not just lightning size spikes) go hand-in-hand. I have heard from many sources that compressors (HVAC, refer, freezer, etc) do not like to be started/re-started with a full load (ie a pressurized system), especially when running on a reduced voltage. Many modern thermostats include a delay to prevent the compressor from cycling too often or attempting to start immediately after power is restored. So preventing this issue may have been your tech's ultimate goal?

 

[Kevin L]

I agree, Wayne. Starting and stopping a compressor often is not good. Like you said, many modern systems have controls for preventing this, restricting restart until it's safe for the compressor.

 

[apostolakisl]

No doubt that a lightening strike to an electric line can cause a surge and surges are pretty much bad for everything. If you wanted to be very cautious you might consider a relay on the whole house that shuts off the electricity to everything during lightening storms. Trouble is, that would be very anoying. It might be more realistic to put a surge supressor on your whole house instead. That is what I did.

Of course a direct strike could blow the thing up regardless, although an AC unit is kind of in its own Faraday cage and might do OK.

 

[nick_l]

Tens of millions of compressors in the United states: hundreds of thousands on roof tops (many 50+ stories in the air). Personally, I've never heard of this, so I'm thinking it might be an old installer's tale. There is merit to the short cycling argument, however. You should check to make sure your system offers protection from short cycling.

 

[dave w]

Hello!
I have a habit of turning off my A/C systems when there is a lightning storm approaching. .....I would even shut down the units in a rainstorm so possibly some type of rain sensor........

Just curious....why do you do that?

My A/C guy tells me that the compressors are magnets for lightning strikes.

Don't know about lightning stikes, but storm induced brown-outs are really hard on compressors.