Hi there,
I'm having some issues with my Ecobee4 and my HRV. The wiring setup that I have was working for a couple of months, but then my HRV filters got plugged and the HRV would not turn on. My wife vacuumed out the filters, and since that time the HRV does not shut off unless we unplug it!
Attached is the wiring diagram of the current setup. Note that there is a three-way rocker switch on the HRV itself that controls the modes "Reduced, Stand-by, Normal". It doesn't seem to matter what position these switches are in, the HRV just runs constantly (and the furnace fan along with it).
System Info:
HRV: Fantech VHR150R (https://shop.fantech.net/en-CA/vhr--150r--hrv/p111632)
Furnace: Goodman GMSS920603BN
Thermostat: Ecobee4
Bathroom Fan Switch: Fantech RTS5 Pushbutton Timer (https://shop.fantech.net/en-CA/rts5--pushbutton--timer/p120759)
Have I wired something incorrectly here? This seems to be what the Standard Accessory Control Contact diagram in the HRV manual shows. ???
Any help would be much appreciated!
Does the furnace fan also run when the HRV is running?
You have interlock wiring installed but you would not need this with the Ecobee as it will start the furnace fan when the HRV starts.
Other than that your wiring looks good. That's strange, dirty filters should not prevent the HRV from starting.
To rule out the bathroom timers have you disconnect the wiring from the T terminals on the HRV to see if it stops? Then remove the D terminal wiring and see if the HRV stops. This may point to a bad bathroom timer or an Ecobee problem if it does stop.
It's also possible that rocker switch is bad. I would test it for continuity. I suspect in the "stand by" mode it should read open.
Quote from: Admin on March 30, 2020, 04:22:44 PM
Does the furnace fan also run when the HRV is running?
Yes it does.
Quote from: Admin on March 30, 2020, 04:22:44 PM
You have interlock wiring installed but you would not need this with the Ecobee as it will start the furnace fan when the HRV starts.
Would this interlock cause the problem or is it just extraneous? Originally the home had a Trane thermostat installed which I think required the interlock. I tried not to change too much of the wiring (I deal with commercial lighting control systems, fire alarm systems, and some commercial security systems as a commercial sector apprentice sparky. Not too familiar with furnaces outside of the basics we covered in first year theory!)
Quote from: Admin on March 30, 2020, 04:22:44 PM
Other than that your wiring looks good. That's strange, dirty filters should not prevent the HRV from starting.
I don't know what to say to that. I didn't think it would either, but one day it just stopped running. After my wife vacuumed it out it started again, and now won't stop!
Quote from: Admin on March 30, 2020, 04:22:44 PMTo rule out the bathroom timers have you disconnect the wiring from the T terminals on the HRV to see if it stops? Then remove the D terminal wiring and see if the HRV stops. This may point to a bad bathroom timer or an Ecobee problem if it does stop.
It's also possible that rocker switch is bad. I would test it for continuity. I suspect in the "stand by" mode it should read open.
I will run through these troubleshooting steps and report back! Thanks for the suggestions!
The interlock wiring should not matter but you could remove the NO and C wires from the HRV and furnace.
If the HRV is also causing the furnace fan to run, when the thermostat is not heating or cooling and the thermostat fan switch is set to auto, it's likely getting a signal from the bathroom timers or Ecobee. That or something inside the HRV has failed, control board relay etc... All we can do is troubleshoot by eliminating controls, switches etc... Basically if you disconnect all the control wiring from the HRV and it still runs the problem is likely within the HRV itself.
Is it possible you have the Ecobee HRV setting "dehumidify in winter" enabled? Maybe it's running because it's not reducing the humidity. Does the Ecobee show the ventilator running on the Quick Changes menu?
Well I just disconnected all control wires to the HRV and it's just sitting there running. So as you just said, the problem is likely within the HRV. I also disconnected the rocker switch with no effect. Haven't tested continuity, but I figure that if the three pins are completely disconnected then the HRV should stop which it doesn't.
Time to give Fantech a call I guess and see if they have anything more to suggest. Thank you for your help!