[jtb587]

I have a Janitrol outdoor unit. Noticed the air coming out of the vents was not blowing but not cool. I went outside, and the condenser fan is not running. I gently prodded it with a stick and it started up and ran, but the air coming out of the vents is still not cooler. My discharge and suction lines both feel room temperature to the touch.

Is it possible I burned up the compressor by running it without the condenser fan?

Research seems to point me to the the capacitor causing everything. How does one check this?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[beenthere]

If you don't have a meter to test the capacitor. Best just to buy a new one and try it.

Its possible the capacitor is too weak to run the compressor also. Or it was off on its thermal overload.

 

[jtb587]

I pulled the cover over the capacitor to have a look at it. It looks fine, but that doesn't mean it is fine.

I am going to let the compressor cool off, then I am going to have someone turn on the AC while I stand out there to see if I can hear the compressor try to kick on.

 

[Tizzer]

Have you done a cap. change out before?

 

[jtb587]

No. Since it is Sunday and tomorrow is a holiday my chances of getting a replacement capacitor in the next few days are slim. I can however buy a multimeter that checks capacitance. Will that be able to tell me if the capacitor is shot?

And I already discharged the capacitor and took it out of the unit. Amazon has replacement capacitors for 17 bucks. The capacitor is marked CBB65B 40/5 microfarads.

 

[Tizzer]

Right beside the 40 and 5 will(might) be a + or - 6%. It might not be 6 but it'll be a number. That's the tolerance. 40 will be the compressor(herm) and 5 will be the Fan.
A meter that reads microfarads(MFD) is easier to use - for me anyway. Touch black lead to common and red lead to Fan and Herm on the cap.

 

[jtb587]

I am checking it now and am not getting a capacitance reading at all. What would the meter read if the capacitor was failed?

 

[beenthere]

What does your meter read/show when the leads aren't on the capacitor. That will be what it shows for an open capacitor.

 

[jtb587]

Swapped out the old capacitor and it fired right up. Thanks for the help.

 

[jtb587]

Ok just got one in the mail. It has 370/440 written on it. Is a dual voltage capacitor common?

 

[supers05]

Ok just got one in the mail. It has 370/440 written on it. Is a dual voltage capacitor common?

It's just rated at the voltages. It can be used on a any motor that has either of the voltages(or lower) beside the cap value on the label.

Cheers!

 

[beenthere]

All 440 volt capacitors have always been dual voltage(440/370). Just now some manufacturers stamp/print it on the capacitor.

 

[jtb587]

Ah. Then I am good to go.