[Doc Holliday]

 

[Doc Holliday]

From a few weeks ago, contactor that was stuck closed and causing the compressor to overheat from a few weeks ago.

 

[wreedlbz]

Cap was completely shot, replaced it and so far so good.

 

[JJboy]

Cap was completely shot, replaced it and so far so good.

post # 2 was the first tip to test the capacitor ...... post # 29 coil was cleaned, and installed hard start kit ........ should have tested the capacitor at the beginning of this post. :furious:

 

[wreedlbz]

well it ran for about 30 minutes and cut off again, the compressor and the fan stopped outside. im at a loss now, gonna call the home warranty company. The unit had been off for over 12 hours now so I dont think heat is a issue.

 

[wreedlbz]

post # 2 was the first tip to test the capacitor ...... post # 29 coil was cleaned, and installed hard start kit ........ should have tested the capacitor at the beginning of this post. :furious:

I know but I didnt have the equipment until today. That didnt fix it though. Ran for 30 minutes then the outside unit completely shut off, fan and all. Air handler was still running.

 

[JJboy]

At this point, you need tell us what you did so far to fix this problem.

 

[wreedlbz]

At this point, you need tell us what you did so far to fix this problem.

So far we have, cleaned the inside and outside coil, replaced the cap, and change the filter inside. That is it. We had a hard start kit on it, but that is now removed.

I just installed a cap about 1 hour ago, the whole system ran for 30 minutes and below nice cold air out the vent, then the outside unit shut completely off fan and all. the Air handler was still running. I had the unit off for 12+ hours before this.

 

[JJboy]

1- Post some images of the condenser
2- Visual inspection and voltage drop across the contactor
3- Measure motor fan and compressor amp draw
4- You need to test resistance/short to ground of the compressor windings
5- Leave AC running for 15 minutes and check high and low pressures

Let us know the results of these tests

 

[wreedlbz]

1- Post some images of the condenser
2- Visual inspection and voltage drop across the contactor
3- Measure motor fan and compressor amp draw
4- You need to test resistance/short to ground of the compressor windings
5- Leave AC running for 15 minutes and check high and low pressures

Let us know the results of these tests

I did check the contactor, I had 243V on each side.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I did check the contactor, I had 243V on each side.

You had 243 across two legs at the contactor of 120 which in all actuality were 12? per leg or each side. If you check from one terminal to ground (you can use the ground lug in the condenser) it will show you 12?. From terminal to terminal is 243 which is the total of two individual legs, single phase.

I have a strong hunch that you're going to need a new compressor.

 

[wreedlbz]

You had 243 across two legs at the contactor of 120 which in all actuality were 12? per leg or each side. If you check from one terminal to ground (you can use the ground lug in the condenser) it will show you 12?. From terminal to terminal is 243 which is the total of two individual legs, single phase.

I have a strong hunch that you're going to need a new compressor.

well i just found something new. the fan motor had its own seperate capactior taped in a box on the side of the unit! This thing was exploded! I now have both the compressor and fan hooked to the brand new 60/7.5 cap. Its running strong right now for the moment!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Then that's it, bud. Congratulations!

I was going to also suggest that possibly the breaker was weak..good job!

 

[wreedlbz]

Then that's it, bud. Congratulations!

I was going to also suggest that possibly the breaker was weak..good job!

Does this make sense? If the fan motor was cutting out if would over heat the compressor causing it to shutdown?

I think I had 2 problems. 1 was the cap on the compressor and 2 was the cap on the fan motor. I just didnt find the fan motor cap the first time because it was disguised.

Make sense?

 

[Doc Holliday]

Does this make sense? If the fan motor was cutting out if would over heat the compressor causing it to shutdown?

I think I had 2 problems. 1 was the cap on the compressor and 2 was the cap on the fan motor. I just didnt find the fan motor cap the first time because it was disguised.

Make sense?

It makes sense that if one goes out the other does not work so yes. A condenser contains extremely hot refrigerant in vapor form, from cool low pressure vapor to hot high pressure vapor right through the compressor. The fan draws air through the coils, cooling the hot vapor off enough to condense into a liquid to be shot back up to the evaporator coil to then evaporate and that is the complete cycle so guess what happens when the fan goes out in the condenser? Yup, that vapor isn't cooling off. Combine that with the regular heat of the compressor running and too hot and overheating is inevitable.

You should be good, but I'd really like to know the pressures. Did you get the gauges?

 

[wreedlbz]

It makes sense that if one goes out the other does not work so yes. A condenser contains extremely hot refrigerant in vapor form, from cool low pressure vapor to hot high pressure vapor right through the compressor. The fan draws air through the coils, cooling the hot vapor off enough to condense into a liquid to be shot back up to the evaporator coil to then evaporate and that is the complete cycle so guess what happens when the fan goes out in the condenser? Yup, that vapor isn't cooling off. Combine that with the regular heat of the compressor running and too hot and overheating is inevitable.

You should be good, but I'd really like to know the pressures. Did you get the gauges?

Gauges will be here this evening. It was checked not to long ago and my uncle said it was OK. We will check again though for you.

Thanks!!!

 

[COLDIRON]

Glad to hear the unit is operating fine now. The trouble shooting problem came from Post #1 Op said outdoor fan was blowing cool air. #13 fan running. #25 outside unit making noise giving the impression outside fan running. Good job guys working with blinders on.

 

[wreedlbz]

Glad to hear the unit is operating fine now. The trouble shooting problem came from Post #1 Op said outdoor fan was blowing cool air. #13 fan running. #25 outside unit making noise giving the impression outside fan running. Good job guys working with blinders on.

I am sorry for not being very clear, this is my first home and first AC to really work on. Luckly I can buy parts from Johnstone Supply so this problem only cost me $18. Thats everyone for their patience! I knew I could do it. The 2nd cap did throw a wrench because it was hidden.