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View Full Version : Condensing unit trips breaker


cey146
Jul 7, 2010, 12:11 PM
I have an approx. 25 year old Rheem condensing unit. There is no visible markings identifying the Model or serial numbers. On occasion, it trips the breaker at the breaker box. I have replaced the breaker, checked all of my connections, and tested my capacitors(date code 86-44). This is all good. This condition does not happen on every start-up, but is getting more frequent. I have done an amp test at start-up. On the times that it does not trip the breaker, it draws 23 amps. On the times when it trips the breaker, it draws 65-72 amps. Locked rotor current is rated at 73 amps. The unit has a 240 volt,2 pole contactor, w/24volt a.c. coil. I can not read any of the data on the contactor. The fan motor is drawing .9 amps, as is the nameplate rating. Any suggestions that you might give would be appreciated. Please give approx. price of any part that you suggest that I try. Thanks, cey146

hvac1000
Jul 7, 2010, 03:36 PM
The old girl probably could use a hard start kit. As it gets older sometimes they get cranky and need a little boost to start. An after market easy to install unit like a kick start might just work for the situation.