Carrier Cool & Heat 8.81 lbs Charge, comp. not running - fan is running

justplumducky

Carrier Model No: 38YKCO48320
Serial No:3201E02815
Charge: (on data plate): 8.81 lbs.

No other Model No. designations on this cabinet, unless it was under the installer's label?

Condenser Fan running upon my arrival .

Compressor not running apparently (no warm/hot air discharge from condenser fan), upon arrival. Also no comp. buzz sound, like the other condenser unit nearby).

Pulled disconnect, looked inside - compressor very warm.

Condenser is clean. Haven't checked evaporater yet (tomorrow morning).

Only compressor sound is a short-lived groan, then nothing. I have a Bramec Kicker-6 hard start cap (appropriate for this comp. according to the spec's on this hard start unit) if a hard start cap is recommended here? (one wire to Herm, the other to common on the dual run cap?). I could also buy a better one if recommended (hard start cap).

I know how to ohms test the compressor terminals if I need to do that - will anyway for the experience.

Dual run capacitor was replaced last year (60 x 5 x 440volts). Haven't checked it yet - will be checking it tomorrow morning. No swelling or leakage of cap. Looks new - connections & wires good.

240 or better volts on secondary side/load side of contactor (haven't checked its points yet, or voltage at compressor terminals - terminals very clean however

3 wires from cap (1) and contactor (2) (feeding comp.) appear in very good shape, but need to check 'em with meter in the morning. All wire connections in great shape & not loose.

At the bottom on the cabinet where the small line (high side) runs parallel to that side of the cabinet before exiting cabinet, there is a switch of some sort in this line (high pressure switch?) with its two wires not connected to anything - just laying there at the bottom of cabinet.

Thanks so much for any help.

carmon

oh my.. really ...any pictures

justplumducky

Sorry, no pics - just got a new phone and have no way to get the pics online yet. Thx for your response.

beenthere

Try the hard start and see if it runs.

justplumducky

Thank you beenthere for your help once again. You really helped me last time.

If the hard start doesn't help and the ohms check is ok (and no short to comp. case after scratching the paint off), is comp's goose cooked due to internal malfunction, assuming proper voltage at comp. terminals and good contacts in the relay (contactor)?

beenthere

If it doesn't free up, and is drawing LRA it done for.

justplumducky

Ok, one last question please. Is needing a hard start (if it frees up) a possible sign of impending doom for the comp?

turnermech

does that unit hav a thermistor starter. If so remove it before installing the hard start. a thermistor starter is plastic cylinder with wires in the top bottom and side. It will wire into the capaitor and is a starting device. carrier recomend a liq line solinoid valve to be field connected for long line applications not sure if that is what you are seeing.

turnermech

it is not a good sign. But they can run for quite a long time after adding one

justplumducky

Okay, thank you turner~ (about the impending doom question). The thermistor starter device sounds like a "start capacitor" I've been hearing about and they are always or usually black in color I've heard. I'm pretty sure there isn't one, but I'll double check.

justplumducky

Was I right about the hook-up of the two wires (only two) on the hard start? One to common and the other to herm? No polarity necessary, correct?

turnermech

hard start wires as you state. thermistor starters are most of the time blue or yellowish in color

beenthere

Correct.

turnermech

I had another though if what your describing is a liq line solenoid (which I cant say for sure just by your description) carrier would have also recommend a hard start be added if it did not have one from the factory. IIRC long line set would have been anything over 80' total run or 20' lift.

justplumducky

I was going to respond about that - sorry I forgot. Nowhere near 80' run or 20' lift. This unit is one of three or four retail spaces in a very small strip of stores. Condenser units are right out the back door and the air handler is in the utility room which is is pretty close to if not adjacent to the back wall (cond. unit is on the outside of the back wall). Virtually no lift.

Afraid I didn't look closely at that "switch", as I called it. I will tomorrow though and get back. The only thing I can tell you about it at the moment is that those two wires didn't appear to have come loose from anything. They were laying there neatly stretched out in parallel with the liquid line. Thx so much for your help.