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Message
re: AC issue- buzzing noise
Posted on 9/16/14 at 7:38 pm to Shexter
Posted on 9/16/14 at 7:38 pm to Shexter
I tried reconnecting the terminals but to no avail, still buzzing.
I'll just call someone first thing in the AM. Let me know the company you used if you want to share. I live in BR.
Family and I will go crash at the Inlaws for the night.
I'll just call someone first thing in the AM. Let me know the company you used if you want to share. I live in BR.
Family and I will go crash at the Inlaws for the night.
1
Posted on 9/16/14 at 7:41 pm to LSUregit
Did u try to manually spin start the blade when u turn your unit on?
Posted on 9/16/14 at 7:45 pm to Modern
I considered it but had minor difficulty so basically said screw it. So I'll call someone tomorrow to take my money. 
Posted on 9/16/14 at 8:01 pm to LSUregit
When fans are going out a lot of times you can get them going a few last Times by hitting the top of the unit(where the fan motor is) with the butt of a screwdriver. I kept mine going for 2 days like this once. If the fan is not coming on it is most likely just your fan motor, cheap fix.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:00 am to LSUregit
quote:
I looked at the capacitor. Did not look like it was bulging.
Capacitors normally fail long before there is any physical sign that they are failing. If one is bulging it is due to some sort of catastrophic event such as a serious power surge of ever a lightning strike. You can Ohm 'em out but that is a pretty technical if you don't have the background for it (or an Ohmmeter). If your condensing unit (outdoor unit) is buzzing it is because the compressor will not start...that doesn't mean the compressor is bad....almost all electric motors of any size need a little extra "umph" to start turning. A capacitor provides that "umph". The capacitor going bad can be a sign that the compressor is getting some age on it but capacitors also go bad for all sorts of reasons....they are easy to replace and do not cost a lot but if you don't have the experience call a technician....and don't immediately accept the fact that your compressor is bad...if they tell you that get a second or even a third opinion. I will just about guarantee you that even if the capacitor failed because the compressor is going out a fresh capacitor will get you through at least another season of heating (if it is a heat pump) or cooling....and should cost less than $100 to have repaired....watch the guy do it and the next time you can do it yourself....but again watch the capacitor...it will knock your dick in the dirt even with the power off....
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:01 am to Shexter
quote:
If you want to try a DIY, turn off the unit, then spray all the contactor terminals with compressed air or contact cleaner.
Many times, dirt or ants get in those connections
This is a good suggestion....for some reason ants love electrical terminations....they can and do frick up shite all the time....
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:03 am to LSUregit
quote:
AC is not kicking on. Just makes a buzzing sound for a few seconds and then stops
Have you checked out Buddy's AC?
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:04 am to LSUregit
Figure out what capacitor it is and figure out how to change it yourself. Otherwise you'll pay some AC a-hole $100 to change a $10 part.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:16 am to QuietTiger
quote:
I'd replace the capacitor first, then get serious.
This
Posted on 9/17/14 at 9:00 am to choupic
quote:
I'd replace the capacitor first, then get serious.
Double this.
Turn the unit on and go to the outside unit. If you still hear the buzzing, take a stick and see if you can "jump" the fan into starting up by giving it a slight push. If this works and the fan starts up, it's your capacitor.
YouTube has videos on how to change this out. It's usually no more than $25. An A/C company will charge you $125 to replace it. It's not that hard to change out yourself.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 9:48 am to LSUregit
quote:LINK
Failure of capacitors and fuses is the most common reason for breakdown of the A/Cs in summer.
When the A/C does not operate, the most likely cause is capacitor failure.
Following is a set of loose guidelines to be followed for detection of shot capacitors and their replacement:
If the A/C is making a humming sound, but the fan is not running, it means the capacitor is blown up. The capacitor stores power and starts the motor that runs the fan by releasing this stored power that provides the initial starting boost
Posted on 9/17/14 at 9:59 am to LSUregit
OP. You in BR?
Posted on 9/17/14 at 10:00 am to BeerMoney
quote:
watch the capacitor...it will knock your dick in the dirt even with the power off....
sounds like the voice of experience
quote:
pay some AC a-hole $100 to change a $10 part.
Why is he an a-hole? He's trying to make a living like everyone else.
What do you think would be a reasonable price to pay to have some one drive to your house in 90 degree heat and change out the part?
$10 part - he marks it up to $15
$85 labor - an hours pay + gas money
It might have only took him 20 minutes to repair it, but he still probably drove 30 minutes between his shop/supply house, customer's house, and then back to the office.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 11:13 am to Shexter
It IS your start capacitor even if it looks ok.
It's a two phase system which means that it needs a bump start. (In three phase systems you don't need this but in a three phase system you can actually run them with a phase dropped out but you can't restart them.)
The hum you hear is the power being applied to the rotor on the compressor motor and it not starting. It's a high amperage situation for a motor and is called "in rush current".
It kicks off because you are tripping the thermal overloads on the motor. Power/Amps=Heat.
Replace the capacitor. Take a picture before you remove any wires to be sure.
Good luck.
If it still doesn't work they sell something called a Booster Capacitor LINK
try that. I know because I have one on my AC.
It's a two phase system which means that it needs a bump start. (In three phase systems you don't need this but in a three phase system you can actually run them with a phase dropped out but you can't restart them.)
The hum you hear is the power being applied to the rotor on the compressor motor and it not starting. It's a high amperage situation for a motor and is called "in rush current".
It kicks off because you are tripping the thermal overloads on the motor. Power/Amps=Heat.
Replace the capacitor. Take a picture before you remove any wires to be sure.
Good luck.
If it still doesn't work they sell something called a Booster Capacitor LINK
try that. I know because I have one on my AC.
This post was edited on 9/17/14 at 11:17 am
Posted on 9/17/14 at 11:28 am to Shexter
quote:
watch the capacitor...it will knock your dick in the dirt even with the power off....
sounds like the voice of experience
ABSOLUTELY!!!! Capacitors will make you wish you'd stayed in school and went into some other line of work!!!! Seriously...you don't want to mess with a capacitor without discharging it....even of it has been disconnected and laying in a bin for months it can still hold a charge.....
Posted on 9/17/14 at 12:02 pm to Jimbeaux
quote:
Capacitor
Those little suckers go out a lot even on newer units for some reason.
This post was edited on 9/17/14 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 9/17/14 at 12:30 pm to LSUregit
Check your breakers and make sure none of them are tripped before you go crazy.
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