Notgrownup
Well-known member
23 year old 3 ton unit condenser still blows, inside unit still blows. Got a feeling it will be the compressor but will find out tomorrow or Thursday.
A/C just died.
- Thread starter Notgrownup
- Start date
micromind
Well-known member
23 years is quite a run for a single phase compressor.
Usually you can hear the compressor running, not always but usually.
Usually you can hear the compressor running, not always but usually.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Didn’t I say you jinxed it when you talked about it’s age the other day? My package unit died a few years back, so I ordered a Goodman unit online with tailgate delivery and set it myself. I just looked today for curiosity and a 2.5 ton was running about $4-5k you can get warranty if installed professionally and registered. I took it’s life into my own hands. I had a 2.5 split unit installed in a mobile home in Greenville area 3 years ago and it was $4,200 done in half a day.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I’m not gonna attempt that one. I will leave it to a trade to do this one. I will see what my guy says . Might be fixable, who knows. I have a PTAC in my sunroom going and a small window unit and I just went to Lowe’s and bought one of those GE profile saddle style window units. $569. Not cheap but 12 months same as cash helps. Got my central system on fan only for recirculating…
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Test the cap?
And the contactor.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
It’s cool in the house. I’m gonna let my guy check it all out
danski0224
Well-known member
At least you got every penny out of it, and can take your time replacing it...
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
$220 . Capacitor. Damn . I’m buying some lotto tickets tonight
RonnieC
Well-known member
Congrats! Can you return the other unit to Lowe’s?
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I. Am going to keep it for Hurricane prep. I can run that with my generator.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I also have a backup unit set up for that reason along with the fact that we have an English bulldog that can't take the heat. She has a fan in the shop when she does happen to come see what is going on. Sometimes I work with only the door open and no AC if I will be in there only a short time.
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Our capacitor just went on Saturday. Ace Hardware was the only place who had them in stock. Kid at the counter told me at least a dozen people had been there the last 2 days to buy replacement capacitors.
I wasn't sure it was the capacitor but figured $40 was worth the gamble. Ace Hardware told me to return it if it didn't work.
I wasn't sure it was the capacitor but figured $40 was worth the gamble. Ace Hardware told me to return it if it didn't work.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
For a $12 cap. May be worth understanding how to diagnose and replace it yourself
junkyardwarrior
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2014
- Messages
- 176
just did mine. same symptom. I have to replace the cap about once a year so I figured it was the cap. Condenser fan runs fine. Furnace fan runs fine (inside). Compressor not running. Tested the cap, fine. Put a new one on anyway, no go. Did amp draw on the compressor and it's shooting 250A or so, then falls off. Compressor is dead. That was last Wednesday. I called the HVAC people and they verified my findings. It's a 31 year old system (nat gas) and I knew that the evaporator was getting rusty (I clean it onced a year) and I knew that the inducer fan is getting noisy (bearings..). Compressor is about $2500. Then what's the next component to fail? Based on what I could see, probably evap, and they aren't cheap either. I just told them to replace the entire system with a new one. They are here now doing it. $6800 total. I don't have time to do it myself or I would, but honestly I don't feel like doing it anyway--and y'all that are married, you know that if the wife ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. I've been throwing money in the bank every paycheck for this, so it's time. I actually will still have about $3500 left after it's paid for. Over-budgeted I guess but that's better than the other way.
2.5 ton system, 1200' house.
2.5 ton system, 1200' house.
niget2002
Well-known member
This reminds me... I need to go check my shelf. I usually keep a spare, but I think I used it over the winter.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I know. But I’m leaving tomorrow on vacation and I really didn’t have time to so I think for a service call that ain’t that bad. Plus my spare cap was bad anyway so I will order a new one and keep on hand. You’re right though. At least I don’t need a new unit
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Absolutely. In the grand scheme, that price is about as good as I would expect for a service call and cap replacement
JohnX14
Well-known member
$20 part. I changed the one at my parents'n house last week. But $200 for the call isn't out of line. For anyone wanting to keep one on hand, they make an adjustable capacitor. Google AmRad Turbo 200 UIniversal Motor-Run Capacitor. It replaces 2.5 - 67.5 MFD units.
The same time spent running to Lowes and screwing around with a window unit you probably do not need and you would have fixed it for maybe $20, instead of almost $800 for the window unit and the service call, but it is your money and you didn't save any time!
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Whatever. It’s done now and I have a spare unit we can use during power outages. Took me 15 minutes to go to LOWES and pick up dinner at the same time.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
We need to know how much the Lowes trip added to the dinner pickup in order to give you the proper amount of grief.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
No ****. But it was $29. I. Blessed enough that it ain’t gonna break me to save that window unit for a rainy day instead of scrambling before or during a hurricane. It will be right there in the shop waiting to be used or let one of my family members use it if they need it like my 2 generators. I don’t know if y’all have ever tried to buy either on around a hurricane?
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Don't try to deflect! There is ball busting you are owed!
My comment about the cost on the cap wasn't to hassle, it was purely to highlight the opportunity, in case you wanted to dig in. I've written plenty of checks to have other people do stuff that I don't want to or don't have time for. No shade from me!
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I’m fine, I’m medicated as I fell in my shop on my tailbone . now I have big 12” crack in my ***.
OP
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Leaving in the Morning on my Motorcycle for Canada. Trying to get everything done before I go.