220 outlet

[basshnter1]

my moms heat pump went out this week.
we have decided to temporarily install a window unit in the kitchen
window where there was one before the heat pump was installed.
there is no voltage on the 220 outlet.
I checked the breakers and there isnt one labled window ac anymore
like I remember but all the breakers are on.
there are no extra spaces in the box to add a breaker and all are being used.
I removed the panel cover(I didnt touch anything inside!) and saw one
red and one black wire just hanging there not connected to anything.
Could this be to the 220 outlet.
The heat pump was added years after the house was built so is it
possible the heat pump contactor used the old window ac breaker to
supply the heat pump because there was no space in the panel?
Is there a safe way for me to check continuity from the red&black wire
s in the panel to the 220 outlet.
thanks in advance. rick

[handyandy]

Sounds to me like that is exactly what happened, he used the 220 volt for the heat pump. You should be able check the line with a continuity tester, as long as the continuity tester has a way to send current.

[basshnter1]

I turned off main power to panel (checked with voltmeter).I removed the two wires from the
220 breaker labeled, heat pump ac compressor and wired up my black&
red wires in the panel and the window unit fired right up.
The breaker I used was the one previously used for this 220 outlet.
thanks for this board, rick.

[handyandy]

Glad you got it worked out. Now you can help us with your experiences. Welcome to the forum!