| Author | Message | ||
     Not_purple_s2 |
I know it's way off topic but after a few years here I sense the majority of BadWeb'ers are Do-It-Yourself'ers. Last night my AC froze up and after several hours had not even thawed out enough to get airfow through the vents. I then noticed that the Compressor was still on even though the system was switched off at the thermostat. A quick online search lead me to suspect the contactor. I checked and it was indeed stuck in the on position. Also when I opened up the compressor panel I found that the smaller of the two capacitors had come apart. It looked like it had been that way for quite some time. The system is working; the compressor fan is running and the air is blowing cool inside. So I guess the fan motor is pulling enough power to start without the capacitor. The electric meter spins real fast for about a second when the system starts, then slows back down. Anyway, it's saturday so I can't get the parts. I looked online to find the parts and prices to get some idea what this was gonna cost me. I soon found an 330VAC 189-127UF 50/60Hz capacitor (same specs and temp rating as the one I need) for $20 from grainger. I then looked for a single pole 24VAC 50/60hz contactor and found one for $27 on Amazon of all places. Then I had an idea. Maybe I could get the parts from a AC repair service. Most of them work weekends. So I called one local repair service but they wouldn't sell me the parts direct but could come out and fix it. They said it would be about $350-400 for parts and $78+time for labor. Am I missing something? I'm gonna wait through the weekend and keep the AC under manual control so I can keep an eye on the compressor. I'll call the AC supply stores Monday to make sure I get the exact right parts that I need. I'm curious to see what the actual cost will be. Any HVAC experts out there got some advice? | ||
| Coolice |
I can help later, dinner time......... | ||
| Ezblast |
If the motor is real old, replace the motor as well - 89.00 (plus Capacitor - 5.00 - shipping 8.00). Just went through all this, haven't had to bother with this since the Navy tried to get me to re-up with a HVAC C school, however, a newly bought 1979 house has brought back that education with a vengeance - lol - am waiting for a new fan propeller as I type - check for no leaks first in system, then go and replace the motor, capacitor, and fan propeller - if you can't get the old one off, mine had rusted into place and though the set screw was off, and the hub compressed - it still wouldn't budge - rusted good even with the best solvents used. So a new fan propeller goes with the new capacitor and new motor - everything should be good then, if there are no leaks. EZ | ||
| Diablobrian |
It sounds like it's icing up not because of a low charge, but because the air handler fan inside is still under thermostatic control even though the compressor is not. As a former HVAC tech I can certainly tell you that a lot of these outfits do really take advantage of the customers who need service after hours. I've quit more than one such employer who engaged in such practices. SInce you have a good line on the parts and a solid knowledge of how to make the repair yourself I'd say go for it. As a side note the law has recently changed in regards to buying refrigerants, you can no longer buy refrigerant (aside from 134a) without at least a class 2 license. Class 1 (small appliances) license will no longer do the trick. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
I have not turned on my A/C yet.........I'm still shivering from last Winter...... | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Well grand total of $33 and 15min and the AC is running strong. I still can't believe that the repair guy told be it'd cost $400+ to fix. The hardest part was finding a dealer that had the parts and would sell them to me. |
