[baldred66]

I replaced the relay on my unit about 2 weeks ago and now the new one has gone bad. What could be my problem?

[hkstroud]

What does the capacitor have to do with the relay going bad?

[baldred66]

That's my question... can the relay going bad be due to a bad capacitor?. what would cause the relay to go bad?

[baldred66]

What does the capacitor have to do with the relay going bad?

That was my question. Can a bad capacitor cause the relay to go bad or what causes the relay to go bad before I replace it again?

[hkstroud]

Capacitor can't cause relay to go bad.
Cap does things to help or enable motors to run.
Relay uses low voltage from inside unit (hence thermostat) to signal compressor and fan motors to start.

How did you test relay? Fault may be in inside unit or faulty wiring.

A faulty cap can cause motor to not start however. What are symptoms?

[Stratmando]

A Relay can fail if the coil voltage is too high, or the Contacts are overloaded.
Dirty, corroded, or pitted will create a loose connection and generate heat.
Loose connections generate heat.

[baldred66]

Capacitor can't cause relay to go bad.
Cap does things to help or enable motors to run.
Relay uses low voltage from inside unit (hence thermostat) to signal compressor and fan motors to start.

How did you test relay? Fault may be in inside unit or faulty wiring.

A faulty cap can cause motor to not start however. What are symptoms?

The old relay had a metal piece inserted to hold switch down to allow for unit to run. You had to go outside and switch motor off using power box. So I replaced relay along and replaced thermostat. All was working well. Then within 2 weeks, same thing happen, switch in relay went bad. Distributor replaced relay But I don't want to install if something is causing it to go bad. Thanks for any assistance!

[hkstroud]

the old relay had a metal piece inserted to hold switch down to allow for unit to run.

That sounds lik a real jerry rigged solution some one came up with for a temporary solution.
The low voltage from the transformer inside should be energising the coil of the relay and causing the points to close making the high voltage contact to the fan and compressor.

If a new relay failed in that short a period, you should check the output of the transformer. Ensure that the transformer voltage matches the voltage of the relay coil.

[baldred66]

That sounds lik a real jerry rigged solution some one came up with for a temporary solution.
The low voltage from the transformer inside should be energising the coil of the relay and causing the points to close making the high voltage contact to the fan and compressor.

If a new relay failed in that short a period of time, you should check the output of the transformer. Ensure that the transformer voltage matches the voltage of the relay coil.

When you say" transformer inside", inside what are you referring to? May seem like a dumb question, but Im not veiwing a transformer.. Thanks again

[Stratmando]

You say switch in relay went bad, what do you mean? Usually onlt the coil or contacts can fail, The thermostat is the switch(for the contactor).

[baldred66]

You say switch in relay went bad, what do you mean? Usually onlt the coil or contacts can fail, The thermostat is the switch(for the contactor).

By switch, I mean the spring loaded part of relay.