The transformer controls the power going to the contactor coil. The capacitors have nothing to do with closing the contactor points. Let a licensed pro - trouble shoot the electrical control circuits! You need to call a licensed HVAC contractor. Link is for Techs' only. ---------- DISCLAIMER: All HVAC work should always be done by a licensed Contractor's licensed Tech! This information is only placed on these pages for your understanding & communication with contractors & techs. This information is for the edification of contractors and techs. I am NOT liable for your decisions, you are liable for what you do! - Darrell - udarrell Here is a link that might be useful: TECH SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART

Also the unit is only three years old, and I have seen pros posting on this site. The warranty says 5 year limited, would the fan motor be covered?

The conductor size is set by 120% of the 40.2 running current. The circuit breaker can be any size up to 60 amps to ensure reliable starting. Hermetic compressors use a similar n method to induction motors for selecting wire size and breaker size. The two are NOT tightly coupled like on general use circuits. Conductor size is based on the running current, while breaker size can be increased to allow for starting current surges. The compressor has its own internal thermal protection to prevent it from overloading the conductors, and all the breaker is doing is providing short circuit protection to eh feeder. The device label should also list LRA (locked Rotor Amps). This current can be used to determine what the voltage drop in the feeder is and make sure it is not excessive. If no LRA is available, compute the voltage drop using the 60 amp maximum size to make sure the voltage at the unit will remain adequate when it tries to start up.

- 1 year warranty on compressor-only option could be a dealbreaker. don't like that. Clarification: If the unit is under warranty, you would get the balance of whatever the manufacturer warranty is. So depending on that, it could even be less than a year. Because this was tied to a new construction unit, it is probably 5 year part only. It's very rare for new construction to register the unit. If you are the second owner it would be 5 year part regardless if it was registered or not. (*these are current rules that may change in the future) -what are the ramifications of mismatched Goodman/non-Goodman? None, provided the person doing the work knows what they are doing. It will not be AHRI certified install, but AHRI numbers only work out by what? --The person doing the work knows what they are doing. If you do an AHRI certified install you will have a matched system if that is your goal, but the cost to do so will cost more. I do it all the time and I live in a hot sticky climate in Katy, Texas. (Ultimately it depends on the goal of the home owner.) If you want a longer lasting solution then replace the whole system... but that is going to cost more. Things like selling the home, wanting to turn it to a rental, longevity of how long you plan to live there all come into play. - Is it unbalanced if condensor is 3-ton and original was 3.5 ton? I believe the 3.5 ton was oversized. 1600 sf ranch. It sounds over sized, but there's more that goes into determining proper sizing than just merely stating square foot numbers. If it really needs 3.5 ton and you put in a 3 ton it won't keep up when you need it most: heat wave. Considering you're in Massachusetts reducing capacity a bit probably won't hurt you any. Provided of course the work is done properly. (<broken record talk, put it on repeat) -I was considering getting 2nd opinion on compressor failure. Not sure its worth the $ and super hard to get service techs. Maybe if I give you a little rundown you can comment on if it sounds like 2nd opinion warranted: ....When we came back to the outside unit, it was super super loud and not its normal sound. He had some gauges hanging off it and I think he said it was overcompressing. He concluded that the compressor malfunctioning burnt out the contact thingie (my word not his!) Does that sound legit? Sounds like a lack of experience or the inability to properly explain things in a non-technical manner so you can understand it. Compressors do not 'over compress' -- technically it's impossible without breaking something then there is -no compression-. You can get a second opinion but if you don't find someone with 'real world' experience you'll probably get sold on something. That's what these kinds of service providers are banking on. I service the Katy, Texas area. ----------- Unfortunately it is the busy season where prices are higher, and the quality of installation drops. I don't have any of those problems... I have time to post here don't I? You mean to tell me you mismatch equipment to fix it and you still don't have any trouble in a hot and sticky climate like Katy, Texas? I post here all summer long, what does that tell you?