Megabite's 180 Reef - Round 2

[MegabiteOG]

I had to replace my condenser fan last year. The replacement uses a different capacitor so now my compressor has a $6 cap and my fan has a $12 cap. So much nicer than the $60 combo capacitor it originally had.

My AC also has a seperate cap for fan and compressor. However, HD only had the dual cap so it was $45. Still, much cheaper than having a tech come by. Now to enjoy the AC again.

Living in Arizona and here in Georgia I understand the 2 extremes of heat hell. One dry and one wet. Both suck.

 

[Reefering1]

 

[tbrown]

Living in Arizona and here in Georgia and understand the 2 extremes of heat hell. One dry and one wet. Both suck.

Except it's monsoon season out here so it's hot and humid. Maybe not 80% humidity but 50% at 112° is quite uncomfortable.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Except it's monsoon season out here so it's hot and humid. Maybe not 80% humidity but 50% at 112° is quite uncomfortable.

And it’s been a pretty wet monsoon season if I’m not mistaken.

M I S E R A B L E !!!

 

[MegabiteOG]

Could be start cap, if you have a meter that measures micro farads you could check it. Should have the capacitance and tolerance on the sticker. You can check the compressor windings by stripping the electrical connections from the front and measuring resistance across them. R&S should equal the sum of the ohms measured across the other 2 pairs. Unless it is lock rotor'd, then youd measure amperage. It will be a large number for about a second then the overload will kill it, that or the breaker. Could be the overload too, or any of a large (like 4) number of things. That sucks though man and I'm hoping for an easy fix!

By the way, I do have a meter and checked this morning. It was dead as a door nail. Nothing coming through it and cap was bloated on top unless it’s supposed to be like that.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Nope, not supposed to be bloated.

 

[tbrown]

By the way, I do have a meter and checked this morning. It was dead as a door nail. Nothing coming through it and cap was bloated on top unless it’s supposed to be like that.

Nope. Popped top is highly indicative of a dead cap.

 

[tbrown]

By the way, I do have a meter and checked this morning. It was dead as a door nail. Nothing coming through it and cap was bloated on top unless it’s supposed to be like that.

If you can, flip that bad boy on its side to keep moisture from pooling on the top and rusting.

 

[MegabiteOG]

If you can, flip that bad boy on its side to keep moisture from pooling on the top and rusting.

I just looked up if physical orientation mattered and seems it negligible assuming the info is correct. I may need to flip that sucker on its side as you suggested.

Physical Mounting Orientation

• • Upright is best: Mounting the capacitor vertically with terminals pointing up keeps internal cooling oil properly distributed over the core.
  • Side or upside down: Mounting horizontally or upside down still functions, but can reduce internal heat transfer and slightly shorten the lifespan of the component.

 

[tbrown]

I just looked up if physical orientation mattered and seems it negligible assuming the info is correct. I may need to flip that sucker on its side as you suggested.

Physical Mounting Orientation

• • Upright is best: Mounting the capacitor vertically with terminals pointing up keeps internal cooling oil properly distributed over the core.
  • Side or upside down: Mounting horizontally or upside down still functions, but can reduce internal heat transfer and slightly shorten the lifespan of the component.

Interesting... Mine is factory mounted on the side.

At least I'm fairly certain it is...

 

[tbrown]

Mine also is in the "cold side" of the AC unit though so cooling may not be as necessary.

 

[Red_Beard]

By the way, I do have a meter and checked this morning. It was dead as a door nail. Nothing coming through it and cap was bloated on top unless it’s supposed to be like that.

Yep, bloated cap is a bad cap. Ive seen a couple that actually exploded before too, kinda cool, like a party popper streamer filled with goo.

Glad thats all it was, that is definitely the easiest fix!

 

[Red_Beard]

I just looked up if physical orientation mattered and seems it negligible assuming the info is correct. I may need to flip that sucker on its side as you suggested.

Physical Mounting Orientation

• • Upright is best: Mounting the capacitor vertically with terminals pointing up keeps internal cooling oil properly distributed over the core.
  • Side or upside down: Mounting horizontally or upside down still functions, but can reduce internal heat transfer and slightly shorten the lifespan of the component.

Those tall ones are really hard to fit sideways, you dont gain much from it. The little bit of rust on it isnt going to hurt it.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Well, replaced my capacitor and it's running perfectly. Thanks for the advice and nudge all!

Very happy the problem was the capacitor and it was readily available at HD.

It bothers me to do this but I have to agree with Isaac. I wouldn't mount the new horizontally.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Well, replaced my capacitor and it's running perfectly. Thanks for the advice and nudge all!

Caps only last about 5-7 years. It is a good idea to keep a spare on hand!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Yep, bloated cap is a bad cap. Ive seen a couple that actually exploded before too, kinda cool, like a party popper streamer filled with goo.

Glad thats all it was, that is definitely the easiest fix!

Where is the best place locally to source a cap? I need a spare one!

 

[MegabiteOG]

Caps only last about 5-7 years. It is a good idea to keep a spare on hand!

Agreed. I have spares for both AC units now.

 

[tbrown]

Where is the best place locally to source a cap? I need a spare one!

Ace Hardware/True Value seem to have a good selection but if you have time to wait Amazon has a bunch to choose from. I had to order my pool pump capacitor from Amazon and it was very nicely priced. Same brands as the hardware stores but bigger selection of sizes.

 

[Reefering1]

Ace Hardware/True Value seem to have a good selection but if you have time to wait Amazon has a bunch to choose from. I had to order my pool pump capacitor from Amazon and it was very nicely priced. Same brands as the hardware stores but bigger selection of sizes.

And you don't have to go anywher to get them. My capacitors came from Amazon.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Ace Hardware/True Value seem to have a good selection but if you have time to wait Amazon has a bunch to choose from. I had to order my pool pump capacitor from Amazon and it was very nicely priced. Same brands as the hardware stores but bigger selection of sizes.

I went to HD to get one right away as they had what I needed in stock and bought my spares through Amazon. Like you said, very nicely priced.