SSFB Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 My AC has been acting up intermittently the last couple days, buzzing and humming when it tries to kick the fan on, then it gives up. The line going into it has also been cold and wet(not frozen however). This has all happened before but it goes away and then won't happen for quite a while again. I'm trying to sell this place so last thing I want to do is take on a large AC repair bill. Reading online it sounds like the Capacitor could be the culprit and is an easy, cheap replacement. Thoughts? What else should I look at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1jkw Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Capacitor is a good bet, you can add a universal hard start capacitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 1 minute ago, 1jkw said: Capacitor is a good bet, you can add a universal hard start capacitor. Is there a benefit to using a universal hard start capacitor vs. a direct replacement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motonoggin Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 33 minutes ago, SSFB said: Is there a benefit to using a universal hard start capacitor vs. a direct replacement? Not really if it's just a bad capacitor. If the motor is starting to take a shit, it'll help it start better. Will the fan kick on if you help it start by hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold War Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 My FIL. Was having the same problem. Multiple guys out saying he needed a new unit. One guy replaced capacitor and it worked for 30 minutes. An older guy he chose to replace went right to fuse panel. Found wires going in all corroded and barely making contact. Cut em and re installed. Working fine ever since. Just something to look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticCrusher Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Just replaced my 3.5 ton that shit the bed after 20 years. New 4 ton blows cold real cold. No wonder elec bills were so high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 10 minutes ago, motonoggin said: Not really if it's just a bad capacitor. If the motor is starting to take a shit, it'll help it start better. Will the fan kick on if you help it start by hand? No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motonoggin Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 1 minute ago, SSFB said: No. Might be more than a bad capacitor then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sal Rosenberg Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Quit being a stingy jew and call the man !!!!! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 Everything seems in order under the access panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1jkw Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 52 minutes ago, SSFB said: Is there a benefit to using a universal hard start capacitor vs. a direct replacement? Yes, as the name implies, it gives an extra boost to start compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Rigid1 Posted August 16, 2018 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted August 16, 2018 I believe @Woodtick is in the HVAC business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodtick Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) Replace the capacitor if both the fan and the compressor are having a hard time starting. What you have is a dual capacitor, red is the power wire, purple probably the compressor and the yellow to the fan. A hard start cap is just for the compressor. They are used when the compressor is warn mechanically and having a hard time starting. ( starting to lock up) The info on the capacitor you need to replace it is under that band that is holding it. Take off the 5\16 screw and take a pic of the info. Order the exact same one,brand doesn’t mater. It should run about $6. My reply just cost you a 12ver of Cow fuckface. Do you have a meter that can read micro fares? It will look like this on the meter,mF. Edited August 16, 2018 by Woodtick 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 11 minutes ago, Woodtick said: Replace the capacitor if both the fan and the compressor are having a hard time starting. What you have is a dual capacitor, red is the power wire, purple probably the compressor and the yellow to the fan. A hard start cap is just for the compressor. They are used when the compressor is warn mechanically and having a hard time starting. ( starting to lock up) The info on the capacitor you need to replace it is under that band that is holding it. Take off the 5\15 screw and take a pic of the info. Order the exact same one,brand doesn’t mater. It should run about $6. My reply just cost you a 12ver of Cow fuckface. Fancy pants know it all!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 11 minutes ago, Woodtick said: Replace the capacitor if both the fan and the compressor are having a hard time starting. What you have is a dual capacitor, red is the power wire, purple probably the compressor and the yellow to the fan. A hard start cap is just for the compressor. They are used when the compressor is warn mechanically and having a hard time starting. ( starting to lock up) The info on the capacitor you need to replace it is under that band that is holding it. Take off the 5\15 screw and take a pic of the info. Order the exact same one,brand doesn’t mater. It should run about $6. My reply just cost you a 12ver of Cow fuckface. Thanks Tick. That's twice I owe you now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 Just now, Zambroski said: Fancy pants know it all!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodtick Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 After blowing up the pic, yellow is going to the compressor and the purple goes to the fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodtick Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 10 minutes ago, Zambroski said: Fancy pants know it all!!! 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 18 minutes ago, Woodtick said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 2 hours ago, SSFB said: Thanks Tick. That's twice I owe you now. @Woodtick This appears to be the correct part? https://www.amazon.com/PowerWell-Capacitor-TP-CAP-35-Condenser-Conditioner/dp/B01F7P8GJO?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticCrusher Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Just sell the place to Revbeta, he don't need no stinkin AC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anorkist Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 be careful with that cap it can kick your ass if not handled with care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sael Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 6 minutes ago, anorkist said: be careful with that cap it can kick your ass if not handled with care Many years ago there was a capacitor plant in my hometown, it was a big joke for a friend to charge them and bring them home to toss at unsuspecting people. You only caught one once. I had my car searched by the police one night and they found some under the seat. I was very thankful none of them were charged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodtick Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 On 8/16/2018 at 9:10 PM, SSFB said: @Woodtick This appears to be the correct part? https://www.amazon.com/PowerWell-Capacitor-TP-CAP-35-Condenser-Conditioner/dp/B01F7P8GJO?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_12 Seems a bit over priced? That is the part you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 A bad capacitor usually looks either burnt or green with corrosion. An electric motor also has a starting coil that can go and make it not start usually with a bad capacitor it’ll slowly make a few revolutions when engaged but not get going. If the starting coil is fried the fan will wobble back and forth either direction before it gives up capacitor is cheap. Just take it out and get one from an electrical supplier with the same markings on it if it’s the starting coil you’re basically looking at a new motor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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