The UNICO System AirCon in UK

[KenWild]

5 Years ago I bought a house in Norfolk that has a UNICO System AirCon/Heating Blower installed when it was built 15 years ago.
Four weeks ago it stopped working. The fault has been traced to the Blower Motor (actually the Control Module attached to it), but I am having a nightmare trying to obtain a replacement!
The replacement is a UNICO A01018-G21 Motor Kit for the EC 4860 1HP motor, and is advertised on the UNICO US website for $1,088.82 or just over £800. However they refuse to deal outside the US and Canada, whilst UNICO UK took 10 days to refer my request to one of their dealers, who eventually quoted me £2,204.88 including £690 shipping!!

With the help of Google AI, I eventually managed to replace the NTC Thermistor in the control module - but that has not solved the problem - still the motor runs slowly but won't accelerate to required speed when the thermostat calls it to.

It seems ridiculous that I cannot simply order it on the US website and arrange collection and shipping via DHL or FedEx. Is there anyone who has experience of The Unico System here and can advise how I can actually obtain the replacement motor?

 

[trojanhawrs]

Take it to an electronics repair specialist?

 

[KenWild]

Have done so, but the PCB within the module is effectively inaccessible as the whole assembly is sunk within a grey compound. He was just about able to confirm that the thermistor looked o/c but said he couldn't risk trying to replace it - but that I might want to try. I did, successfully, but that didn't solve the problem, so something else in the module looks to have gone - but nothing else in the module can possibly be replaced, even if the failed component could be identified.
Hence I need to obtain a replacement motor/module unit.

 

[jj4091]

I presume you have tried this to no avail

Google Search

 

[KenWild]

Thanks, but my Blower is an M4860BL1-EC3 which uses an ECM and a (Green Series) SMART control board, whereas the video refers just to the ST motors. When trouble-shooting the issue initially I connected the ECM Config 4.6 app and carried out tests with the assistance of a very helpful guy from UNICO UK - that's what enabled us to confirm that the source of the problem is the ECM Motor assembly.

You'll see that Google states:-
Replacement & Upgrades

• Kits: Match the tonnage (e.g., 1-1.5 ton, 2-3 ton, up to 5 ton) when replacing parts; upgrade kits include the motor, matching blower wheel, and SCB

which is true.... in the United States, but they won't let me order on their website and UNICO UK want me to pay 3 times as much!!

 

[denso13]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/257651983015

 

[denso13]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/257624623157

 

[KenWild]

At first I was suspicious of any link with no description and such a random comment, but when I realised it was an item on eBay Australia I pursued it. However, the Australian site won't actually let me buy it and when I paste the reference into the UK site, that doesn't return it!!
Researching on Google eventuelly came up with the following:-
"The combination of the checkout button crashing on eBay Australia, the "No Exact Matches Found" error on eBay UK, and the high likelihood of an incompatible 60Hz electrical frequency means you should avoid purchasing this specific unit. [1]
Because the seller has restricted international shipping for this item number, you will not be able to complete the checkout process using a UK shipping address without getting blocked."

But thanks for trying anyway.

 

[KenWild]

After confirming that, as an ECM, the motor is effectively universal, with Google's help I eventually managed to place the order - Thanks again for your help.