skip to main content

Heating & Air Conditioning

When to change a motor along with a capacitor?

TovinoThomas TovinoThomas

4 years ago

So, I've been called for help by a friend who needed me to check out why his Condensing Unit keep coming on and turning back off. When I get there, I found his fan wasn't spinning. I popped off the door then found a snake fried on top of the condenser. I told my friend he would need a capacitor and a motor. Most the time I went along with service guys in my company, we usually change out both. Well my friend went along and got a "Second Opinion". That guy told him forget buying the motor. -Can someone tell me in what conditions does both need to be changed and when not? I won't leave this post up for more than a week because I know Capacitors is a #1 issue in the HVAC field? I just need some education on this.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

sktn77a
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Can't answer your question specifically, without knowing what makes you think the motor needs replacement? Given the cost of a new capacitor ($10) vs the cost of a new motor ($100+ and not to mention getting that frozen fan blade off!) I would certainly look to replace the capacitor first.
kevinande
4 years ago
Once the cap is replaced assuming it begins to run again, tell your friend to keep a close eye on the fan and make sure it does not shut down mid cycle. As long as the motor spins freely and cycles on and off properly there is really no need to replace it. If it shuts down mid cycle then it is possible it is shutting down on thermal overload and in that case it will need replacing. Motors do go bad, however replacing the cap fixes most issues. I see no need to replace a fully functional unit other than just because.
Related Discussions
HVAC issue - Blower motor / contact
Q
Comments (5)
Interesting response. I didn't think about the burst pipes thing. Thanks for heads up. I didn't think it would get that cold though. I thought it may get down to 50 max outside. Should've checked the forecast anyways though. I don't know what he did, but the heat started working properly after he left. It hadn't gotten over 65 according to the thermostat since I turned the heat up Sunday afternoon. Once he left the temp quickly rose to 75 where I wanted it. I should've known better to inspect the parts he was doing but at that point I was so cold and didn't want to look at what he was doing. He was on his hands and knees in the snow outside. I guess I will wait and see if the blower motor dies. I only started paying attention to the noise so I don't know if it's making a weird noise. Expensive lesson I guess. You're saying the p/n is not for the blower motor? I searched for the part it's giving me blower motors, but with extra letters/numbers. That is kind of odd since on the paperwork he also did put a gibberish serial number for my unit. It's like someone was just doing asdafadfhkaa across the keyboard. Worst case scenario how much am I looking at to replace the unit including labor? Are newer units more energy efficient as well?
...See More
Question about hard-start capacitor
Q
Comments (31)
MR. HAVAC. you must have seen me adjust TX's when i wasn't looking. The beer of choice is CLUB or what ever the customer has on hand. You got the Canadian adjustment right. Actually it is a trick question. All most all commercial refrigeration units use a high - low pressure switch piped into the suction line for the stat. If the unit uses a wall stat it is electrically connected to an electronically controled T.X. valve. This way the A.C. compressor can NEVER start until the pressure is within start limits. Some units also use delay on make timers in combination. Most hard start kits will void compressor warranty. If the compressor can't start under it's own power it is replaced. this is the way we do it. If a customer has thousands of dollors in parishable produce in a cooler that has a questionable compressor or it needs a hard start kit it is automatically replaced, no questions asked. Copeland had a bad run on some of their compressors a few years back and supplied a hard start kit for temp. repairs untill all bad compressors were replaced under warrenty. This was the first time a hard start kit was authorized. told you it was a trick question. Thanks for taking the test. Your results will be mailed to you in 10 working days :)
...See More
How much does capacitor cost?
Q
Comments (124)
Go do a google search for yourself on "capacitor upside down". Maybe you'll learn something. http://www.ronstultz.com/knowledge/Documents/HVAC/HVAC%20-%20How%20to%20Replace%20the%20Run%20Capacitor%20in%20the%20Compressor%20Unit.htm Speaking of "normal"... https://www.doityourself.com/forum/air-conditioning-cooling-systems/496422-capacitor-condenser-unit.html As I said, I got this tip from an old, retired HVAC pro who now runs a business supplying the HVAC industry in Sacramento. Seeing others mention that they found them upside down or asking about it makes me believe there is probably something to it. It's not that they fail if not installed upside down, it's that upside down will lengthen the life, especially in very hot climates like Ca. and Az. Your argument about manufacturers is mute/pointless. They make their product so that it can be installed either way or horizontal. It's up to you which way you think is best. I decided to rely on a retired HVAC pro with many years of experience who supplies the local HVAC industry. I'd bet on that.
...See More
Capacitor help
Q
Comments (10)
This is something i would let a tech handle. The problem is...according to your post.. " I noticed my AC wasn't coming out as cold or blowing as hard. I noticed the fan on the outside unit (the compressor?) wasn't rotating as hard as usual." Two different parts of the a/c system here. The 1st sounds like a blower/evap coil problem. The second deals with the outdoor unit. Granted... if the outside fan is running backwards, it would cool to a point but more than likely get hot, cycle off, then the compressor would shut off due to excessive heat & you would then feel warm air coming outta your vents. I would get a tech to check the entire system to see why you are having low airflow problems...along with why the fan is running backward. Could be a popped run capacitor or even a bad condenser motor. **Either way, call a professional ** Hope this helps
...See More
PRO
Austin Air Companie
4 years ago
Capacitors aren't necessarily #1 issue. They are an issue... but I can't tell you how many times a customer thinks it's one thing and it turns out to be entirely different.

In order to know when to change a motor or not to, it would require you to know what makes a motor work to begin with. In some cases it's not always a given type thing.

If you need education in things HVAC, it would be best if you looked for a trade school in your area and go to school for it. Just trying to pick up tidbits here and there isn't recommended by any stretch of the imagination.

I have an AOS degree in HVAC. Which is far and above what most 'techs' get these days. If you want knowledge, that's the better way to get it. --- because then you're learning from someone who actually knows something.

There's this myth on the internet, that because all this info is available on the internet that it's all true, all the time. I don't know maybe Al Gore said it?

I service the Katy, Texas area.

Related Stories

LIFE How to Get Along With the Neighbors — and Live Happier at Home

By Laura Gaskill

Everyone wins when neighbors treat one another with kindness, consideration and respect

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Big Changes for an Empty Nester

By Becky Harris

The Florida designer loves her new walkable lifestyle in a bay-view apartment where she hosts large family gatherings

KITCHEN DESIGN 7 Tricky Questions to Ask When Planning Your New Kitchen

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Addressing these details will ensure a smoother project with personalized style

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

KITCHEN ISLANDS 10 Decisions to Make When Planning a Kitchen Island

By LWK London Kitchens

An island can serve many purposes. Here’s what to consider for one that works best for you

GARAGES We Can Dream: How to Design a Gracious Motor Court

These outdoor rooms can be both grand and charming. Here are the key elements to consider if you are building one

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

TASTEMAKERS New Series to Give a Glimpse of Life ‘Unplugged’

By Stacy Briscoe

See what happens when city dwellers relocate to off-the-grid homes in a new show premiering July 29. Tell us: Could you pack up urban life?

LIFE Condo, Co-op, Townhouse, TIC — What's the Difference?

By Laura Gaskill

Learn the details about housing alternatives so you can make a smart choice when buying a home

SMALL HOMES Can You Live a Full Life in 220 Square Feet?

Adjusting mind-sets along with furniture may be the key to happiness for tiny-home dwellers

Sponsored

More Discussions

Mount range hood to wall or ceiling?

19

Installing a powder room on main floor with hydronic radiant heat theo

3

A/c making humming sound

4

Replace rusted swamp cooler panels with aluminum sheeting?

2

is this leak due to condensation?

17