Anyone have a clue why my A/C will not cool?

[k0ua]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

Just an update guys...company that installed the A/C unit was here earlier today, there was a bad capacitor in the outdoor unit, they charged me $140 for a half hour drive to get here, 30 minutes on site, and the bill included the cost of the replacement capacitor. I thought that an absolute bargain as most places will charge you $100 just to show up. I have done business with the company since 1993, small family owned business and they are reliable and dead honest.

run capacitor on mine gave up saturday morning. 178 dollars which included the Saturday charge. It was bulged out like a hot dog left too long on the grill I don't know why I didn't tear into it myself.. just old age and lazyness I guess But I probably would not have been able to find the parts on Saturday anyway.. And I did not know for sure what was wrong with it. So I called the guy... he looked very hot and tired, I offered him some cold water and extra money just for himself as he is just an employee but he would not take it. Anyway got me going in minutes. but it was 4:30 before he could get to us..

James K0UA

 

[murphy1244]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

So the fan on the condensor was not turning. How did you get water from the evaporater???? Can't be.

 

[JDgreen227]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

So the fan on the condensor was not turning. How did you get water from the evaporater???? Can't be.

?????? I have no idea what your post refers to as I said nowhere that the fan on the condensor was not turning at least in my situation.

 

[murphy1244]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

?????? I have no idea what your post refers to as I said nowhere that the fan on the condensor was not turning at least in my situation.

You said water was coming from your drain line.Maybe I missed something?

 

[dmccarty]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

Just an update guys...company that installed the A/C unit was here earlier today, there was a bad capacitor in the outdoor unit, they charged me $140 for a half hour drive to get here, 30 minutes on site, and the bill included the cost of the replacement capacitor. I thought that an absolute bargain as most places will charge you $100 just to show up. I have done business with the company since 1993, small family owned business and they are reliable and dead honest.

Our HVAC stopped working last summer during one of the heat waves where the stayed over 100 for a week or so.

Turned out the problem was a capacitor and I think the bill was around 125-150. The capacitor was $100ish so it was a very fair price for the service call.

Late last week when the heat hit I was thinking about the capacitor. I had meant to order another capacitor to keep on the shelf but never did. Course this was the first time I have ever had a capacitor fail on the HVAC so maybe it will be the last.

Later,
Dan

 

[tallyho8]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

I owned an air conditioner repair company for 38 years. My favorite repair job was changing capacitors because it was the easiest repair and had a very high markup on parts. A capacitor that sells for $100 retail usually costs less than $20 wholesale.

 

[k0ua]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

I owned an air conditioner repair company for 38 years. My favorite repair job was changing capacitors because it was the easiest repair and had a very high markup on parts. A capacitor that sells for $100 retail usually costs less than $20 wholesale.

Yep, mine was a dual. 370 volt like these:

Capacitors - Motor Supplies - Grainger Industrial Supply

 

[JDgreen227]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

I owned an air conditioner repair company for 38 years. My favorite repair job was changing capacitors because it was the easiest repair and had a very high markup on parts. A capacitor that sells for $100 retail usually costs less than $20 wholesale.

WOW...I guess I should feel lucky my service guy only charged me $45...thanks much for your very informational post !!!

 

[kenmac]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

. A capacitor that sells for $100 retail usually costs less than $20 wholesale.

Yep, some parts are not that expensive. It's the knowledge, license , insurance, etc,etc, that cost

 

[JDgreen227]

Re: Anyone have a clue my my A/C will not cool?

Yep, some parts are not that expensive. It's the knowledge, license , insurance, etc,etc, that cost

The 3/4 ton cargo van my service guy was driving probably cost his employer $35,000 to buy and stock with tools and parts and materials and they have six of them. Two hundred thousand bucks just to provide a fleet for his employees and he has to have a shop, clerical staff, pay his techs wages and fringes and hopefully eke out a profit. I really admire people who go into business for themselves, more so in this day and age....and especially in MICHIGAN.