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Started By
Message
AC capacitor replacement
Posted on 7/27/21 at 11:53 am
Posted on 7/27/21 at 11:53 am
Don’t post much at all but read daily. Thanks to all that talk about having an extra capacitor on hand.
Right before going to bed last night and my wife tells me that the ac is blowing hot in our room. Being 9 at night, it was a little late to start pulling the ac apart. Slept in 80 degree room last night.
Took today off from work, pulled the panel on the outside unit and found the capacitor. Rusted and original to the unit, 2004. Googled the capacity and found out Ace Hardware carried them.
Took old one out put new one in and noticed that the fan was running backwards. After reading the wiring diagram I noticed that I had the Herm and Common wires backwards. Switched them and fan started spinning the right way. Cool air is now flowing and wife is happier. The old one was so rusted I couldn’t read the top where it showed the labels.
Going to order a spare for that unit and one for the other unit. Where do you all order your spare ones from? Amazon? The one from Ace is made in China so would prefer and made in US one. Thanks.
Right before going to bed last night and my wife tells me that the ac is blowing hot in our room. Being 9 at night, it was a little late to start pulling the ac apart. Slept in 80 degree room last night.
Took today off from work, pulled the panel on the outside unit and found the capacitor. Rusted and original to the unit, 2004. Googled the capacity and found out Ace Hardware carried them.
Took old one out put new one in and noticed that the fan was running backwards. After reading the wiring diagram I noticed that I had the Herm and Common wires backwards. Switched them and fan started spinning the right way. Cool air is now flowing and wife is happier. The old one was so rusted I couldn’t read the top where it showed the labels.
Going to order a spare for that unit and one for the other unit. Where do you all order your spare ones from? Amazon? The one from Ace is made in China so would prefer and made in US one. Thanks.
6
Posted on 7/27/21 at 12:44 pm to Iknownothing
Good job.
I use AmRad ordered from Amazon. Made in FL, 5 year warranty from manufacturer.
Always good to take a photo of the wiring connections before replacing.
I use AmRad ordered from Amazon. Made in FL, 5 year warranty from manufacturer.
Always good to take a photo of the wiring connections before replacing.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 1:26 pm to CrawDude
^^^ What CrawDude sez.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 1:45 pm to Iknownothing
Nice work man! Cool air is better than 80 degree air 
Posted on 7/27/21 at 2:09 pm to Iknownothing
Which ACE had them?
I hate when they are so rusty you can't read the H,F,C on them.
I hate when they are so rusty you can't read the H,F,C on them.
This post was edited on 7/27/21 at 2:13 pm
Posted on 7/27/21 at 2:25 pm to ItzMe1972
Here's another tip - find the manual(s) for your HVAC unit. File away p/n's for the key parts likely to fail. We all know the fan/compressor capacitor has a finite life, but so do the condenser fan motor, blower motor and control board.
I learned this the hard way. Don't be me.
I learned this the hard way. Don't be me.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 2:33 pm to Unobtanium
DIY replaced capacitor and compressor fan motor a few weeks ago on my outside unit. All in I think I was about $140 and saved myself probably 4 or $500.
I was hesitant at first, but it was pretty damn easy.
I was hesitant at first, but it was pretty damn easy.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 3:22 pm to Iknownothing
I've bought from Grainger (Chinese) because they were the only place I could get what I needed in a reasonable amount of time. If you can't find what you need, try them.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 3:44 pm to CrawDude
quote:
I use AmRad ordered from Amazon. Made in FL, 5 year warranty from manufacturer.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 3:53 pm to PapaPogey
How do you diagnose a capacitor being bad? I know the air not blowing cold could be a few things. I've honestly never had a capacitor go bad in any of my homes but i see on TD alot of people having problems with them.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 5:28 pm to WigSplitta22
quote:
How do you diagnose a capacitor being bad?
A bad capacitor will usually have a bulging top. Check the web for photos or you tube for videos of examples.
If you can't determine if the capacitor bad, replace it and see if the AC starts working. Replacing the capacitor is a simple task.
The capacitor is a common reason for the AC to not blow cold air--they fail. They don't fail often but you remember when the AC is out and the house is hot.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 6:18 pm to Alleman
quote:
bad capacitor will usually have a bulging top. Check the web for photos or you tube for videos of examples. If you can't determine if the capacitor bad, replace it and see if the AC starts working. Replacing the capacitor is a simple task. The capacitor is a common reason for the AC to not blow cold air--they fail. They don't fail often but you remember when the AC is out and the house is hot.
Numerous YouTube videos by HVAC techs on how check a capacitor, very easy, and a aside from the bulging top giveaway, you would need a multimeter with a capacitance/MFD function - not all meters have this function. Here’s one to get you started - this guy is a HVAC tech. LINK
Another tip, the 2 factors that kill capacitors more than anything is heat and voltage surges. Can’t do anything about heat, but one can add a surge protector to the HVAC outside disconnect to protect the electrical components within the outdoor condensing unit.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 6:34 pm to ItzMe1972
quote:
Which ACE had them? I hate when they are so rusty you can't read the H,F,C on them
I’m in Cypress / Tomball area. They were in the cabinet with all the electrical breakers.
This one was pretty bad. It was actually from 2008 and not 2004 like I thought.
Last night when I walked out to the outside unit, the fan was blowing but the compressor wasn’t on. We just moved into this house and have the home warranty but figured a $20 try is better than $150 for some crappy hvac tech that the warranty people will send.
Posted on 7/27/21 at 8:12 pm to CrawDude
quote:
you would need a multimeter with a capacitance/MFD function - not all meters have this function.
I absolutely agree. I didn't mention the multi-meter route because if he knew how to use one, he probably would know how to test the capacitor.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 12:37 pm to Iknownothing
While you're at it, order a spare relay/ contactor.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:26 pm to Iknownothing
Just got off the roof from doing mine. The capacitor was the culprit, but even after replacing it the fan was still running 150+ so I just replaced it as well figuring the fan could have caused the capacitor issue.
Have to give credit to my smart thermostat for helping me find the problem before it became horribly bad. Don't have the chart from before Thursday, but you can see the usuage shot up. Realized Saturday morning. Replaced the capacitor Monday afternoon and everything was much better. Used the circulating fan for moving window units on the days between.
Have to give credit to my smart thermostat for helping me find the problem before it became horribly bad. Don't have the chart from before Thursday, but you can see the usuage shot up. Realized Saturday morning. Replaced the capacitor Monday afternoon and everything was much better. Used the circulating fan for moving window units on the days between.
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