Troubleshooting an automatic zone damper might be quite challenging even for an experienced DIYer, so attempt that only if you are confident in your skills.
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To troubleshoot a Honeywell zone damper, you should inspect the element for rust and dirt; apply 24V to make sure that the motor is working, and then ensure that the spring is able to return the damper to its normal position. You might have to adjust the damper’s position.
How to Troubleshoot a Honeywell Zone Damper?
- Visually inspect the damper and ensure that there is no dirt or rust around the element.
- Apply 24V to the damper’s terminals. Make sure that the motor powers to the open or closed position (if that didn’t happen, then the motor had gone bad).
- Ensure that when the power is removed, the spring returns to its initial position. If your damper is over 8 years of age, then the chances of the spring going bad would drastically increase.
- If your damper is not fully opening or closing, then try adjusting the lower and upper lever to the extreme position.
- A screw that was installed in the wrong place might prevent the damper from functioning correctly. So, you might want to inspect that as well.
Read: Why HVAC Zone Damper Not Working? Troubleshooting Guide
Honeywell M847D-Zone Troubleshooting
All the steps mentioned above can also be applied to the M847D. This two-position damper has an electrical rating of 24VAC and features a spring-return damper actuator.
There are a few things that you should bear in mind if you have an M847D:
- Don’t rotate the actuator by turning the damper shaft when it’s connected to the actuator (you can damage the gear train)
- Make sure that the lower lever is positioned to the extreme left (this allows the element to fully open when power is not applied)
- The upper lever should be positioned to the extreme right
- Do not remove the wing nut
How Do I Know If My Honeywell Damper Is Open?
You can visually inspect the damper or remove it from the housing to check if it’s open or not.
If you don’t want to do that, then simply turn your HVAC systems and open up the registers in all of the zones. Check the airflow – if the air is properly flowing, then the damper is open.
Read: Does HVAC Zoning Really Save Money?
How to Manually Open Honeywell Zone Damper?
The majority of Honeywell dampers are automatic. Some motors have a manual release button that you can push and turn the shaft by hand.
If you need to keep the damper open, you can also consider temporarily removing the element.
How Do I Adjust My Honeywell Damper?
Not only manual dampers need to be adjusted. You can also change the position of an automatic damper if you want the component to be more open or closed.
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- Loosen the lock-nuts and move the sliding arms, so that they start pointing north.
- Tighten the screws back.
- Turn off the HVAC system and make it call for full cooling.
- Loosen the east-most arm. Set it in the south direction.
- In heating mode, you would have to adjust the other arm.
How Do You Adjust a Honeywell Bypass Damper?
A bypass damper or the static pressure regulating damper is used to relieve excess pressure when some of the zone dampers are used.
The damper’s CPRD has a factory setting that makes it open at a certain pressure. If your system has to deal with higher static pressure, then you can adjust the regulator’s settings.
Read: What Are Zoned HVAC Systems?
How to Install Honeywell Zone Damper
If you’re not an experienced technician, then it is generally recommended to allow a professional to install an automatic damper.
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and disconnect the power supply before beginning the installation. Don’t forget to double-check that the new component is suitable for your system and test the product operation after you finish.
Read: Why Dual Zone AC Not Working In One Zone? Troubleshooting Guide
How Do You Wire a Honeywell Zone Damper?
Read all the instructions before installing the damper.
You would have to connect the motor to the zone control panel. Connect the motor terminals to the panel’s corresponding terminals (they should all be labeled).
You can wire multiple dampers to one zone, but only if you do that in parallel.
Read: Does HVAC Zoning Really Save Money?
FAQs
How Do I Troubleshoot My Honeywell Thermostat ?
In the majority of cases, if you’re experiencing an issue with your zoned HVAC system, it’s the thermostat’s fault. As dampers are controlled by the thermostats, you should always start your troubleshooting from the latter.
- If the thermostat is battery-operated, put in fresh ones
- Check the circuit breaker
- Make sure that the date and time are set correctly
- Double-check the settings (the mode, the set temperature, etc.)
- Make sure that the wires are connected to the right terminals and that they are not damaged
- If there are any error codes displayed on the thermostat, consult the user’s manual
How Does a Honeywell Zone System Work?
In a zoned HVAC system, every zone is controlled with its own thermostat, so only certain segments of the building get heated or cooled. This, in its turn, allows the homeowner to achieve significant energy savings and increase the house’s overall comfort levels.
Dampers are the elements that turn an ordinary HVAC system into one with zones. The dampers open and close based on the demands of the thermostats.
For example, the dampers to the zones that are not calling for heating and cooling will remain closed, while those supplying air to the calling zone will open.
What Does Honeywell Damper Actuator Do?
Actuators are the elements that control motorized dampers. Once the actuator receives a low-voltage signal, it places the damper at any point between fully closed and fully open.
Without these elements, the automatic dampers wouldn’t be able to function at all.
How Do I Know If My Damper Is Not Working?
If a zone is calling for heated or cooled air, but there is no air coming from the vents, then a faulty damper might be to blame.
How Do You Troubleshoot Damper Actuator?
Only attempt troubleshooting the actuator if you feel comfortable working with the wiring.
If your damper is accessible, you might not have to take it out at all. However, if the element is located somewhere in the ductwork, the chances are high that you would have to cut in the ducts and get the component out.
Make sure that there is no dirt or physical obstructions that are preventing the damper from operating correctly. Inspect the component – ensure that it’s in good condition and double-check the wiring.
Use a multimeter – if the device does not show around 24V, then the damper actuator has gone bad.
Are Zone Damper Normally Closed?
There are different types of zone dampers. Some of them are normally closed, while others are normally open with power off.
Once power gets applied to the damper, it will either open or close. As soon as the power is removed a spring will bring the damper back to its normal position.
How Do You Troubleshoot a Zone Board?
Before troubleshooting the zone board, make sure that the rest of the equipment is working properly. Issues with the actual zone board are relatively rare.
With the help of a voltmeter, you would have to make sure that there is panel input control voltage and the PC board’s internal voltage supply.