- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- 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
re: AC issue. Capacitor likely out
Posted on 7/13/17 at 6:16 pm to puffulufogous
Posted on 7/13/17 at 6:16 pm to puffulufogous
Thread hijack:
Let me preface by saying I had almost no knowledge of AC until this recent issue. I have a 2.5 ton heat pump system that doesn't cool anymore but stays on. Had a guy come out and tell me the coils are leaking in the upstairs part, and the compressor outside wont stay on so he wants to replace the whole thing with a new system. Had a second guy tell me it's an R22 compressor and it isn't working right, so you'd have to replace the whole thing no matter whats going on with the upstairs air handler because you cant buy R22 and the coils wont accept R410 or whatever.
I look at my downstairs unit, and the air handler in the closet says R410, but the outside says R22; and it works fine.
wtf
Let me preface by saying I had almost no knowledge of AC until this recent issue. I have a 2.5 ton heat pump system that doesn't cool anymore but stays on. Had a guy come out and tell me the coils are leaking in the upstairs part, and the compressor outside wont stay on so he wants to replace the whole thing with a new system. Had a second guy tell me it's an R22 compressor and it isn't working right, so you'd have to replace the whole thing no matter whats going on with the upstairs air handler because you cant buy R22 and the coils wont accept R410 or whatever.
I look at my downstairs unit, and the air handler in the closet says R410, but the outside says R22; and it works fine.
wtf
1
Posted on 7/13/17 at 6:32 pm to puffulufogous
quote:
outside unit
Why do people not know what this is called?
Posted on 7/13/17 at 6:39 pm to meeple
quote:
outside unit Why do people not know what this is called?
That matters to you?
Posted on 7/13/17 at 6:50 pm to meeple
Is it called the condenser? Like I said , I have never once dealt with an AC; new home owner.
Posted on 7/13/17 at 7:11 pm to meeple
quote:
quote:
outside unit
Why do people not know what this is called?
he said it was a heat pump, so depending on what cycle its in the outside could be the evaporator
Posted on 7/13/17 at 8:19 pm to brew400
Remember to turn the power off and discharge the capacitor before changing it out.
Posted on 7/13/17 at 8:26 pm to puffulufogous
The capacitor is a lot less expensive and easier to diagnose. There are many videos on YouTube which can walk you through the process to diagnose and repair. The videos will also SHOW you what a bad capacitor looks like.
When my capacitor went bad, the top was barely bulging. I picked up one at a local appliance parts store for about $35 with tax, about double the price over the internet, and the total down time for the repair was only one day.
In the Metairie area, I recall there being an appliance parts store on the I-10 service road at Clearview: river side of I-10, below Clearview.
A prior poster is correct--match the numbers on the side. I suggest after calling to confirm the capacitor is in stock, bring the capacitor with you to verify you are buying the proper replacement.
Edited to correct grammar and spelling--forgot to preview.
When my capacitor went bad, the top was barely bulging. I picked up one at a local appliance parts store for about $35 with tax, about double the price over the internet, and the total down time for the repair was only one day.
In the Metairie area, I recall there being an appliance parts store on the I-10 service road at Clearview: river side of I-10, below Clearview.
A prior poster is correct--match the numbers on the side. I suggest after calling to confirm the capacitor is in stock, bring the capacitor with you to verify you are buying the proper replacement.
Edited to correct grammar and spelling--forgot to preview.
This post was edited on 7/13/17 at 8:29 pm
Posted on 7/13/17 at 8:41 pm to Pendulum
So a condenser can be swapped over to 410a the line set needs to be flushed and the oil in the compressor may need to be changed. Also some evaporator could have expansion valves that can be swapped over between refrigerants.
Also I have seen brand new capacitors that look fine be bad so I usually take the 3 seconds and check it with my fluke before going to get a new one.
Also I have seen brand new capacitors that look fine be bad so I usually take the 3 seconds and check it with my fluke before going to get a new one.
Posted on 7/13/17 at 8:43 pm to puffulufogous
Capacitors puff up when they're bad
Posted on 7/13/17 at 9:03 pm to GregMaddux
Thanks for the replies everyone. It was indeed the cap. The thing was bulging on the top and the connections we're corroded. A guy referred me to a good AC guy who did me a solid and sold me a capacitor right off his truck for $25. It was worth it to have the problem solved in 30 minutes. I knew I could count on the OT.
Posted on 7/14/17 at 11:09 am to puffulufogous
Both of my A/C units are right at 10 years and have had regular mntce and cleaning every 3 years or so. The capacitors on each went out within 2 weeks of each other. I replaced each with similar rated capacitors with different shapes - replacements were a bit thicker. One unit's fan motor went out within 2 weeks of the capacitor change. Fixed that issue myself for price of parts only and my time.
One of my son's 7 year old unit's capacitor failed as well this year. We replaced that and all was well. Tip - clean contactor while in there.
Never saw so many failing capacitors and wonder about why unless they are just crap brands.
One of my son's 7 year old unit's capacitor failed as well this year. We replaced that and all was well. Tip - clean contactor while in there.
Never saw so many failing capacitors and wonder about why unless they are just crap brands.
Page 2 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News