[do-it-yourself]

I'm trying to replace the blower motor in my A/C unit. The A/C end had 3 wires connected, Black (hi speed), Red (lo speed) which were directly connected to the black and red motor wires. There is a white wire which was attached to a capacitor. On the motor end, there is a brown wire attached to the opposite side of the capacitor and a white wire attached to the same side of the capacitor as the white wire coming from the A/C unit. The new motor has 2 brown wires, one solid, one brown/white, the same black and red for the speed and a white common wire. I think I got the red, black, and brown wires connected properly, but not sure where the brown/white wire and the common white wire should connect. There are connectors on the brown wires to connect to the capacitor but no connector on the white wire. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[micromind]

If there are 3 wires coming from somewhere in the A/C unit (black, red, and white), these connect to the new motor, match colors. The two brown wires go to the capacitor. It doesn't matter which one goes to which terminal. Just put one of them on one terminal and the other one on the other terminal. There will be only one wire on each capacitor terminal of the new motor.

If the motor is energized, wait a couple of minutes before you touch the capacitor terminals. They hold a charge for a while.

If you're using the old capacitor, make sure it's the proper rating. The µf is the most important. It should be within 10% of what is stated on the motor nameplate. The voltage rating of the capacitor must be equal or greater than what's stated on the nameplate.

I usually recommend a new capacitor with a new motor, they're about $10 or so, and if the old one was bad, it'll damage the new motor eventually.

Rob

 

[do-it-yourself]

Thanks for the reply. I happened to get a return call from an A/C co. I had talked to earlier in the week and he told me to do exactly what you did. I got it wired correctly and it's working great. I don't know why the original installer had the white wires going to the capacitor unless it's because there was only 1 brown wire on the old motor. It lasted 23 years so I guess I can't complain.

 

[do-it-yourself]

One more thing, I notice you're from Fernley. Been through there several times while fishing at Pyramid. Love the whole Reno area!

 

[micromind]

A lot of the older blower motors had the neutral wire connected to one of the capacitor wires. The newer ones, being more efficient, bring both capacitor leads out separately.

Yes, Pyramid is a great fishing lake. You have to be careful though, thunderstorms can appear out of nowhere. Every year a couple of boats capsize there.

Trophy fish though!