- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Central AC help needed
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:36 pm
Had to replace the motor on the condenser unit outside for my central AC.
Everything was going good until the drop light I was using fell off its hook and hit the top of the condenser contactor and the unit shut off. (The metal cage of the light hit the contactor) I went inside and reset all of the breakers and turned the central air off in the house. Waited about 10 minutes and then turned the breakers back on and went inside and turned the central air back on. Now the unit won't kick back on at all.
Did I just short the contactor out and need to replace it? Or possibly something worse?
The unit is an older Rheem RAKA-042JAZ unit.
Everything was going good until the drop light I was using fell off its hook and hit the top of the condenser contactor and the unit shut off. (The metal cage of the light hit the contactor) I went inside and reset all of the breakers and turned the central air off in the house. Waited about 10 minutes and then turned the breakers back on and went inside and turned the central air back on. Now the unit won't kick back on at all.
Did I just short the contactor out and need to replace it? Or possibly something worse?
The unit is an older Rheem RAKA-042JAZ unit.
2
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:42 pm to BayouBengal51
It's possible. I would also check your fuses in the air handler in the attic.
Here is how you can check your contactor to see if it is getting proper voltage, if you have a multimeter
LINK
Here is how you can check your contactor to see if it is getting proper voltage, if you have a multimeter
LINK
Posted on 11/25/25 at 8:51 pm to Taffeta
Thank you, i'll check the contactor. Just went upstairs and checked the panel on the air handler, found a little 3 amp blade fuse that looks like it has popped.
Naturally I have every type of use known to man in my shop right other than a simple blade fuse
Naturally I have every type of use known to man in my shop right other than a simple blade fuse
Posted on 11/25/25 at 9:17 pm to Taffeta
Taffeta,
You sir are a saint!
Dug around in my old pick up truck and found a old 3 pack of blade fuses, one was 5 amp. Plugged it into the board on the air handler where the blown 3 amp was, and the AC came to life. Going to get the proper amp fuse tomorrow.
May many beautiful, big bosomed women throw themselves at you sir! And Happy Thanksgiving!
You sir are a saint!
Dug around in my old pick up truck and found a old 3 pack of blade fuses, one was 5 amp. Plugged it into the board on the air handler where the blown 3 amp was, and the AC came to life. Going to get the proper amp fuse tomorrow.
May many beautiful, big bosomed women throw themselves at you sir! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted on 11/26/25 at 1:51 am to BayouBengal51
quote:
found a little 3 amp blade fuse that looks like it has popped.
Naturally I have every type of use known to man in my shop right other than a simple blade fuse
Been there done that. I now keep a box of the 3 amps in the air handler closet next to the extra contactor and capacitor.
Posted on 11/26/25 at 6:23 am to BayouBengal51
Shorts almost always damage things upstream, not downstream.
Contractor is easy to troubleshoot, just hold it closed manually and see if compressor unit turns on.
I’d suspect low voltage controls if nothing is turning on. If you see burn marks on your light, then it may be that fuse right by the outdoor unit but that probably won’t stop the indoor unit from turning on.
Is your thermostat getting its 24v power or does it take batteries?
Edit.. oops missed solved part. Congrats.
Contractor is easy to troubleshoot, just hold it closed manually and see if compressor unit turns on.
I’d suspect low voltage controls if nothing is turning on. If you see burn marks on your light, then it may be that fuse right by the outdoor unit but that probably won’t stop the indoor unit from turning on.
Is your thermostat getting its 24v power or does it take batteries?
Edit.. oops missed solved part. Congrats.
This post was edited on 11/26/25 at 6:26 am
Posted on 11/26/25 at 3:37 pm to BayouBengal51
Nice work!
I’m no pro, but I’ve been there before ha
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m no pro, but I’ve been there before ha
Happy Thanksgiving!
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News