dmccarty
Super Star Member
We had the same thing happen last summer in one of the 100 degree heat waves. VERY relieved when I found out it was just the capacitor.
Later,
Dan
Later,
Dan
Dodged a bullet with our house AC tonight!
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MoKelly
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You win th eprize. But, alas, it was a rhetorical question. So, there really is no prize.:laughing:
MoKelly
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s219
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That's what they told me, 14-15 lbs. I'm afraid I don't know much more than that. It's a fairly big system to cover about 2200 sq. feet.
lakngulf
Veteran Member
Had almost exactly the same thing happen. Came home on Wednesday afternoon, house was 81 degrees, fan was blowing but heat pump was just buzzing. I was afraid the 12 year old unit was shot. Service guy came late afternoon on thursday, suspected the capacitor. Indeed, it had popped its top, little messy, but quick replacement, and back in business (and cool air). He checked the pressure and it was good. Felt like I had dodged a bullet as well. The guy said they replace about 250 capacitors each summer
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s219
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From what I have learned over the years, new capacitors of this type no longer contain PCBs, and this really lowers their life -- even on the shelf. I think they are only good for 10-12 years now. I had one go bad on the air handler blower motor about 2-3 years ago, and it ended up killing the motor too. Luckily it was cooler weather when that failed. I guess if I am smart, I will buy spare capacitors!!
That is not really true. The only advantage that PCBs had was the oil did on burn easily. The switch to mineral oil brought more fire risk, but no loss in performance or life. The poor life issue today is mainly due to chinese manufacturers who reduce costs with cheaper materials and poor quality. The better units today come from Mexico. I think only one brand is US made.
paul
QRTRHRS
Elite Member
We have three (count em'), three units for our house. One for the basement/1st floor, one for the second floor and one for the bonus room. The second floor unit air handler condenser is leaking. Got a price of 2100 so while I entertain some more quotes, we are sleeping in the bonus room.
I saved the last condenser. I can understand paying 75 bucks plus the service call but the last one was over double that. Time to source on online.
I saved the last condenser. I can understand paying 75 bucks plus the service call but the last one was over double that. Time to source on online.
newbury
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That's why I keep an unused small window A/C unit on hand, even though both houses have "good" whole house a/c. If the big unit fails we can just primarily use one small room and let the rest of the house heat up. They are also part of the plan in case the power goes out for a long while and I have to run on generators.
It's better than moving to a hotel for a night.
It's like keeping a spare microwave on hand, sure eases life.
It's better than moving to a hotel for a night.
It's like keeping a spare microwave on hand, sure eases life.
chad22
Veteran Member
Glad it wasn't an expensive repair.
That's a great idea. Never thought about keeping an extra ac on hand. Although I do stock up on extra pvc water pipes and fittings as well as glue. As I've come to find out that most times a pipe breaks in the dead of winter and I can't get to the store because the roads are closed.
Good to keep them on hand. It also saves a trip to the store if I decided to run some extra water line.
Not only do I keep extra plumbing supplies. I keep extra packages of electrical outlets and switches as well as an extra stock of breaker switches just incase they go bad.
I had the main breaker switch fail in my house one night after I shut it off to do some repairs inside said box. I went to turn it back on and inside of the breaker broke. I could hear it snap inside. You could wiggle the handle on the switch back and forth.
I had no money to go buy a new one at the time and I was up salt creek. So I went and took a look at the one in the house that were tearing down. It wasn't the exact same but got it to fit by breaking off some of the plastic from the end where it grabs onto the mounting hook in the box.
And walla I had electricity again.
Chad
That's a great idea. Never thought about keeping an extra ac on hand. Although I do stock up on extra pvc water pipes and fittings as well as glue. As I've come to find out that most times a pipe breaks in the dead of winter and I can't get to the store because the roads are closed.
Good to keep them on hand. It also saves a trip to the store if I decided to run some extra water line.
Not only do I keep extra plumbing supplies. I keep extra packages of electrical outlets and switches as well as an extra stock of breaker switches just incase they go bad.
I had the main breaker switch fail in my house one night after I shut it off to do some repairs inside said box. I went to turn it back on and inside of the breaker broke. I could hear it snap inside. You could wiggle the handle on the switch back and forth.
I had no money to go buy a new one at the time and I was up salt creek. So I went and took a look at the one in the house that were tearing down. It wasn't the exact same but got it to fit by breaking off some of the plastic from the end where it grabs onto the mounting hook in the box.
And walla I had electricity again.
Chad