Capacitors for electric motors?

[whejdak]

You would have thought that this was a simple solution.
I have a 5hp motor on a compressor with the capacitors missing (two).
One is a start and one is a run. Since they are missing, how do I know where to locate each
left side or right side with the shaft facing the other way.
I don't want to take the motor apart but if i have to then I will.

 

[seber]

Take the end plate off and work the inertia switch. With a VOM on the leads the start capacitor leads will be switching.

 

[dogdog]

^^^
yea post #2.
assuming that you have one of those motor with a centrifugal switch and not one of those split phase capacitors.

The start capacitor will be in series with the centrifugal switch... and a L1 or L2
The Run Capacitor will be in parallel with the "centrifugal switch and the start cap" and a L1 or L2.

 

[whejdak]

Thanks I'll try that