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View Full Version : How do I know, if I should order a capacitor for fan only or for Fan and compressor


amit0113
Jun 8, 2008, 07:09 PM
I have a 1999 Comfortmaker High Efficiency AC unit.
Model AJ042G1

Mouse has bulit a nest in the connection box of the outside unit.

Some of the low voltage wiring was damaged

I have replace that, so now the unit hums, but the fan is not working,

The fan does not start, the contactor works, I think I can hear the compressor work.

Do you think it is the capacitor that is bad?

If yes,

How do I know, if I should order a single fan only capacitor or a dual fan and compressor capacitor?

Thanks for the time

Sincerely

Credendovidis
Jun 8, 2008, 07:43 PM
I suggest you inspect the wiring once more, first.
The chances that the problem is still there in the wiring is higher than that a capacitor is faulty.

Success

amit0113
Jun 8, 2008, 08:06 PM
I will check the wiring one more time tomorrow,

Thanks for the help

amit0113
Jun 9, 2008, 08:17 AM
I have checked the wiring and looks good.

Any way to see which capacitor I need? It has a scroll compressor.

Thanks

wmproop
Jun 9, 2008, 10:04 AM
Is there nothing written on side of the capicitor?

amit0113
Jun 12, 2008, 02:15 PM
Credendovidis was right,

When I removed the capacitor to see the ratings and specs, I found one more clip broken,

I have fixed that wire and the fan still does not work, the compressor is working.

T-Top
Jun 12, 2008, 05:37 PM
Take the run capacitor to a local hvac company and have them test it. If its bad buy one from them, if not you got to keep digging. If you have a volt meter remove all 3 wires and ohm out the 2 wires that are not going to the capacitor if it reads open you have a bad motor or a broke wire going to the motor.

foreverjames
Jun 13, 2008, 11:01 AM
You could also look at the dual cap and see if the top of the capacitor has bubbled up

azacdoc
Jun 13, 2008, 06:09 PM
Check voltage at the fan motor and see if you're getting power. If you are, you may as well replace both the motor & cap. Makes no sense to replace the cap alone. If the motor hasn't been changed before now, you're due. You can try spinning the motor by hand to see if it starts up. That would tell you if you've got power to it without having to use a meter and would indicate a bad cap but like I said, you may as well change both. The motor windings get damaged quickly with a bad cap.

wmproop
Jun 13, 2008, 06:21 PM
Check voltage at the fan motor and see if you're getting power. If you are, you may as well replace both the motor & cap. Makes no sense to replace the cap alone. If the motor hasn't been changed before now, you're due. You can try spinning the motor by hand to see if it starts up. That would tell you if you've got power to it without having to use a meter and would indicate a bad cap but like I said, you may as well change both. The motor windings get damaged quickly with a bad cap.






Most people don`t have that kind of money to replace something that `s not broke,, if they did they wouldn`t be trying to learn how to fix it themselves,, a working motor is as good as a new motor until it quits working,, then replace it,,
My moto is (IF IT AIN`T BROKE DON`T FIX IT),, maybe that's just me,that's been poor all my life.

azacdoc
Jun 13, 2008, 06:27 PM
How do you know "'s not broke,,,".

Your logic, punctuation and grammar say loads about what you know about heating and cooling. I myself have over 25 years in it. It's not a waste of money, it's the smartest move. If they don't have $100 to buy a motor and cap, perhaps they should live in a rental...

wmproop
Jun 13, 2008, 06:38 PM
Wondering what punctuation and grammar has to do with trying to help a person save a few need dollars,, 25 years,, I was helping people save money and doing for others probably when you was still in diapers,,

azacdoc
Jun 13, 2008, 06:53 PM
You haven't learned to punctuate in all that time?

Lets just have him change the cap and see what happens and if the motor lives.

That should just about prove it one way or another.

T-Top
Jun 13, 2008, 06:55 PM
Not all capacitors will have a bulging top on them when they go bad. Your fan motor can have the true voltage for it to run but with a bad capacitor it will not. A true test is to test the capacitor first or ohm out the wires going to the motor. Save yourself around $200 before you jump out and buy a fan motor and run capacitor, but if you have money to blow the new motor and run capacitor should work. The truth is it makes no sense to replace a new capacitor with out replacing the motor(ITS THE REVERS). Replace the run capacitor every time the motor is changed out. Capacitors are replaced every day with out harm to the motor.

azacdoc
Jun 13, 2008, 07:03 PM
I didn't say that replacing the cap would harm the motor or that all bulge. The smaller caps typically don't where the compressor run caps do. It's that damage done by the bad cap, which alerts the customer to the problem to begin with that harms the windings. It's effected the motor, otherwise it wouldn't overheat and go out on IP. Here in AZ, we find lots of bad caps. Particularly in the last few years. Tons of 'em. We've tried merely replacing them and have found the motor fails after a short period and the customer has to spend more money. Knocking it down to start with, (particularly on a 9 or 10 year old unit), isn't a bad idea. Unless of course they don't mind another breakdown and expense.

T-Top
Jun 13, 2008, 07:21 PM
Remember we are here to help not argue between are selfs.

wmproop
Jun 13, 2008, 08:35 PM
Remember we are here to help not argue between are selfs.


Amen T-top,,