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Started By
Message
AC compressor fails to fire up at times......
Posted on 6/18/22 at 4:10 pm
Posted on 6/18/22 at 4:10 pm
I am told there is a thermistor that does not let the compressor start if the temp is too high. This can be common in older units, I have a 15 yr old carrier, 2.5 ton.
When the sun is off the unit, and I cool it with water on the coils, it fires up....prolly needs to be changed soon.
Comments please.
When the sun is off the unit, and I cool it with water on the coils, it fires up....prolly needs to be changed soon.
Comments please.
8
Posted on 6/18/22 at 4:36 pm to oldskule
skule about to not need my jug of 22
You might be able to run a hose with a mister on the end to get by for now, just a thought
You might be able to run a hose with a mister on the end to get by for now, just a thought
Posted on 6/18/22 at 4:42 pm to Gauxt
Got the low pressure sprinkler on during hot part of day....she is blowing cold now, but from 11-3pm she is stubborn.
Looking at 4-5K to replace, and age is winning here.
Thanks for the note.
Looking at 4-5K to replace, and age is winning here.
Thanks for the note.
Posted on 6/18/22 at 4:56 pm to oldskule
Are your coils and filter clean? Fan spinning properly?
Low freon or bad capacitor can also cause over heating.
Low freon or bad capacitor can also cause over heating.
This post was edited on 6/18/22 at 5:36 pm
Posted on 6/18/22 at 6:06 pm to oldskule
Could very well be a weak and failing capacitor - that would certainly easiest thing to check and cheapest part to replace if it’s weak and about to fail. If you have a multimeter with a microFarad function you can check and change it yourself. How DYI handy are you? Sometimes adding a hard start kit will also assist compressor start up in older units - i put one in my 15 year HVAC a couple years ago.
Your unit might have a high pressure and low pressure switch which can shut the unit down if refrigerant pressures are too high or too low to prevent damage to the compressor. Those switches can go bad, not all HVAC’s have those - mine doesn’t.
Average life of a HVAC in the Deep South is 13 to 15 years so sure it’s probably time for you to be thinking about replacement sooner than later, but I’d bet you have a relatively simple problem that can be fixed with a proper diagnosis.
Your unit might have a high pressure and low pressure switch which can shut the unit down if refrigerant pressures are too high or too low to prevent damage to the compressor. Those switches can go bad, not all HVAC’s have those - mine doesn’t.
Average life of a HVAC in the Deep South is 13 to 15 years so sure it’s probably time for you to be thinking about replacement sooner than later, but I’d bet you have a relatively simple problem that can be fixed with a proper diagnosis.
This post was edited on 6/22/22 at 8:11 am
Posted on 6/18/22 at 6:24 pm to oldskule
quote:
When the sun is off the unit, and I cool it with water on the coils, it fires up.
your coil is dirty and it needs cleaning, may also be low on freon
sometimes you need to call a service man to come out and take care of maintenance before you burn up your compressor, this is one of those times.
Posted on 6/18/22 at 7:33 pm to CrawDude
Crawdude, thanks for the note....I am handy and have changed the capacitor last week. And I cleaned the coils/fins, and added 3 lbs of freon last month....
I will look into the hard start device, and it could be the high/low pressure swithches too. Will have my AC man come look over my shoulder this week, and get a quote for when she dies.
I will look into the hard start device, and it could be the high/low pressure swithches too. Will have my AC man come look over my shoulder this week, and get a quote for when she dies.
Posted on 6/18/22 at 8:00 pm to oldskule
Check the voltage on the unit. Could be a low voltage situation causing the compressor to go out on overload protection. Could also be moisture in the system.
Posted on 6/18/22 at 8:55 pm to oldskule
quote:
And I cleaned the coils/fins, and added 3 lbs of freon last month....
You sure you didn’t add too much Freon?
Posted on 6/18/22 at 9:23 pm to oldskule
CrawDude has proved to be to be the Tigerdroppings AC dude! Listen to his advice!
Posted on 6/18/22 at 10:55 pm to Gauxt
quote:
skule about to not need my jug of 22
i might be very interested in that jug of 22
Posted on 6/18/22 at 11:46 pm to oldskule
quote:
I am told there is a thermistor that does not let the compressor start if the temp is too high. This can be common in older units, I have a 15 yr old carrier, 2.5 ton.
Is it just the compressor that doesn’t start, or both the compressor and fan? If both try replacing the contactor.
Posted on 6/19/22 at 9:10 am to CrawDude
Crawdude, any particular hard start kit you prefer?
Posted on 6/19/22 at 10:03 am to Howyouluhdat
quote:
Crawdude, any particular hard start kit you prefer?
I installed a USA made AmRad TES5 hard start capacitor where the potential relay is built into the casing and not external - they are $90 on Amazon. I’d probably avoid the cheaper Chinese made 5-2-1 hard start kits.
Very easy to DYI install if you are comfortable with that - if you can change a capacitor you can definitely do this. Videos on how to install on the AmRad web site, no doubt other videos on YouTube as well. Instructions that come with the hard start capacitor are also very clear.
LINK
Posted on 6/19/22 at 1:39 pm to CrawDude
quote:
I’d probably avoid the cheaper Chinese made 5-2-1 hard start kits.
Dammit I have one of these that I haven’t installed. What’s the life of them. I’ll make sure to order an Amrad though
Posted on 6/19/22 at 1:58 pm to Howyouluhdat
quote:
Dammit I have one of these that I haven’t installed. What’s the life of them. I’ll make sure to order an Amrad though
Well to be honest I installed a 5-2-1 hard start before I installed the AmRad hard start. The 5-2-1 lasted about 6 months and died - I don’t know why - maybe I just got a lemon. But since you have it, go ahead and install it. I haven’t read much where others have had issues with them.
Posted on 6/19/22 at 2:27 pm to EA6B
quote:
Is it just the compressor that doesn’t start, or both the compressor and fan? If both try replacing the contactor.
The compressor and outside fan do not kick on as required.
It seems when the outside temp starts to cool in the afternoon, it will operate properly. And seems to run fine during the night.
Also, it does not seem to struggle starting, and runs super smooth and quiet when ON. I have had older comporessors in the past buck trying to start, and run louder as they age, not this one.
I changed the capacitor last week, and checked the freon level as well. Logic tells me it is temp and/or pressure swhitch related....
Can the contactor behave wrong intermittently?
Thanks for the note.
This post was edited on 6/19/22 at 4:51 pm
Posted on 6/19/22 at 2:47 pm to CrawDude
quote:
Well to be honest I installed a 5-2-1 hard start before I installed the AmRad hard start. The 5-2-1 lasted about 6 months and died - I don’t know why - maybe I just got a lemon. But since you have it, go ahead and install it. I haven’t read much where others have had issues with them.
Thanks for the info
Posted on 6/19/22 at 3:29 pm to oldskule
quote:
changed the capacitor last week, and checked the freon level as well. Logic tells me it is temp and/or pressure swhitch related.... Can the contractor behave wrong intermittently?
You seem handy. The contactor has a little button you can push in with a screw driver or a pencil. It may have a little cap on top of the button that you have to remove first (mine does). Can you push in the button when the thermostat is calling for cooling but the compressor and fan is not working to see if the compressor and fan both kick on when you push the button in? Of course pull your main HVAC disconnect before removing the cap on the contactor if it has one. While you are at it, check all your electrical connections while the disconnect is removed to see that screws and wires are tight.
There are ants, lizards etc that can get inside the contactor causing it to not to operate properly. As temperature changes cause metal to expand and contract it could potentially cause the contactor to operate intermittently.
Interestingly problem - I’m going to be curious as to what the problem and fix is.
Posted on 6/19/22 at 4:49 pm to CrawDude
Thanks Dude...She fired up at 3:30 this afternoon, seems to be when the sun is off the condenser unit outside...it is really strange.
I will try the trip button prolly tomorrow....gonna let her run on Fathers Day.
Again, the compressor runs super quiet and starts smooth, and cools really well, when she decides to run.....and the thermostat is brand new as well, forgot to tell you that.
Something is not allowing the compressor/fan to engage...I will figure it out. Most AC people tell me the compressor is bad, I dont believe that, at least for now.
Stay tuned, I will post ina few days and give you an update.
I will try the trip button prolly tomorrow....gonna let her run on Fathers Day.
Again, the compressor runs super quiet and starts smooth, and cools really well, when she decides to run.....and the thermostat is brand new as well, forgot to tell you that.
Something is not allowing the compressor/fan to engage...I will figure it out. Most AC people tell me the compressor is bad, I dont believe that, at least for now.
Stay tuned, I will post ina few days and give you an update.
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