A/C out.....

Dale Gribble

Can't starve us out; Can't make us run
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Got home from work this morning to open windows and the sound of floor fans running...A/C took a sh*t.

Outside unit seized up. Turned on the system, flipped the fan blades with screwdriver and it kicked on....capacitor.

Top was bulged. Found a HVAC supply house in Winston that was open. $25 for a new capacitor, installed it and we’re back up and running.
 
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Got home from work this morning to open windows and the sound of floor fans running...A/C took a sh*t.

Outside unit seized up. Turned on the system, flipped the fan blades with screwdriver and it kicked on....capacitor.

Top was bulged. Found a HVAC supply house in Winston that was open. $25 for a new capacitor, installed it and we’re back up and running.
Common for Mexico and Chinese capacitors of today. I’ve seen the heavy old type last 40 years. 90 days to 3 years on current production. They now have a high failure rate in 90 degree plus heat.
 
Start capacitor went out on my neighbors large submersible well pump.
Well guy says it'll be $300 to replace it, and only he can source the parts.
They tell me all this and I say what? Capacitor?
So I go to one of my local supply houses and get a new capacitor. $18.
Pump fires right up and lots 'o water.
So I tell my neighbors it's all good I'm glad to help.
That'll be $300. :D
 
Common for Mexico and Chinese capacitors of today. I’ve seen the heavy old type last 40 years. 90 days to 3 years on current production. They now have a high failure rate in 90 degree plus heat.
Yep. See it in machinery and ckt boards all the time. TVs are the worst!

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This is about the umpteenth reminder I should figure out what size I need and have one on hand...
 
This is about the umpteenth reminder I should figure out what size I need and have one on hand...
Not a bad idea. I kept one on hand for my pool pump, until I recently switched to a variable speed pump.

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Ours is not working today. Only cool air coming out, and no water draining from the unit. Just had the damn thing serviced two months ago. Put a small window unit in the dining room, and a steel high velocity fan in there to move air. Currently 75 degrees, down from almost 80 a couple hours ago.

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This is about the umpteenth reminder I should figure out what size I need and have one on hand...
Absolutely would be a good idea and a huge service call cost reduction especially in the Charlotte market. I keep spare igniters for the furnace, capacitors, toilet flappers and refill valves, and exhaust fan motors. Yes I’m in the business but they are not the same as every unit. When I come home from working on other people’s stuff in the heat I sure don’t want to be without something to repair mine. Twice I have not had a part for mine due to high cost to keep it.
 
Ours is not working today. Only cool air coming out, and no water draining from the unit. Just had the damn thing serviced two months ago. Put a small window unit in the dining room, and a steel high velocity fan in there to move air. Currently 75 degrees, down from almost 80 a couple hours ago.

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1. Is the blower running and air coming out of the floor or ceiling vents.
2. Is the fan outside on top of the unit turning when the thermostat is set below the comfort setting you desire?
3. Do you see any ice on the large copper line going into the unit outside or is it dry or just wet?
 
1. Is the blower running and air coming out of the floor or ceiling vents.

Yes

2. Is the fan outside on top of the unit turning when the thermostat is set below the comfort setting you desire?

Yes

3. Do you see any ice on the large copper line going into the unit outside or is it dry or just wet?

We don't have a copper line outside.



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We have a gas line and power line, that's it.

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Ok then you have both in one package I will assume. That’s a gaspack. Can you tell if the compressor runs? It would be a distinctive sound. If it does not maybe you hear a hum noise at some point and then the hum clicks out after 4 seconds or less.
 
hopefully its a capacitor or something simple , let me know if you need help with it
Thanks man. Our guy will be here in about 20 minutes. I'll update later with what the deal is.

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Absolutely would be a good idea and a huge service call cost reduction especially in the Charlotte market. I keep spare igniters for the furnace, capacitors, toilet flappers and refill valves, and exhaust fan motors. Yes I’m in the business but they are not the same as every unit. When I come home from working on other people’s stuff in the heat I sure don’t want to be without something to repair mine. Twice I have not had a part for mine due to high cost to keep it.
It’s raining right now, so I’ll wait a little while longer. :D

Is the capacitor itself going to be marked? Or will the label somewhere on the unit itself have the info?
 
It’s raining right now, so I’ll wait a little while longer. :D

Is the capacitor itself going to be marked? Or will the label somewhere on the unit itself have the info?
Capacitor is marked with voltage and values such as 5/30uF 370vAC. You may have two instead of a dual for both the fan and compressor.
 
Well, my situation is now total crap. Service guy came out, and this is what I have.
20200704_181553.jpg

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Capacitor is marked with voltage and values such as 5/30uF 370vAC. You may have two instead of a dual for both the fan and compressor.
Both should be on the outside unit? Or is there a capacitor inside? (Don’t think I ever see somebody mention one in the attic portion during this threads)
 
Both should be on the outside unit? Or is there a capacitor inside? (Don’t think I ever see somebody mention one in the attic portion during this threads)
It’s under the electrical cover where boards and relays reside. Usually on side with a couple of screws to remove.
 
Both should be on the outside unit? Or is there a capacitor inside? (Don’t think I ever see somebody mention one in the attic portion during this threads)
Yes there is one on the fan in the inside unit as well
 
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That almost looks like a drilled hole

I've never seen one like that in the many years I worked on them
I know man. The wire that was laying on it has a bare spot under it. Burned right through it I guess.

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That could be fixed fairly easily. "If" the compressor isnt burnt out
Yeah, the price the guy gave me was a little crazy for repair. The repair was close to $400, but the freon was extra crazy price wise.

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Guy didn't happen to have one of these in his tool pouch did he? :/
klein-tools-awls-650dd-64_1000.jpg


That just doesn't look right, even on a low pressure line they bust out, not in.
Never gonna prove it either way though. Depending on the age of the system I'd be tempted to get someone to braze it, pull a vacuum on it and let it sit overnight and make sure there are no leaks, if it holds recharge it. Would be a lot cheaper than replacing it.
 
Guy didn't happen to have one of these in his tool pouch did he? :/
klein-tools-awls-650dd-64_1000.jpg


That just doesn't look right, even on a low pressure line they bust out, not in.
Never gonna prove it either way though. Depending on the age of the system I'd be tempted to get someone to braze it, pull a vacuum on it and let it sit overnight and make sure there are no leaks, if it holds recharge it. Would be a lot cheaper than replacing it.
It was leaking already before he got here. The oil had ran out from the front panel at the bottom. I get the suspicion though.

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Lol, the R22 was $278.00 a pound for the first three pounds, then $92.00 per after.

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Get him to fix the hole and pull a vaccum and I'll come put freon in for 350 total
Thanks bro. I got a guy already lined up that's gonna be here in the morning. Thanks for being willing to help though.

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