compressor start cap blew

[gregs]

One of the outdoor units that got flooded also got knocked off of its pad (hold down cables rusted in half) and was laying on its side. I uprighted it back in place and it sat overnight. Next day I got started on washing and cleaning everything with clean water and drying things out. I had shut the power off before the hurricane so there was no voltage to the units. One unit had an issue with the outdoor fan motor running only for a few minutes. I was able to disassemble it and get it cleaned and dried out and that solved the problem.

The other unit that was on its side also started and ran but for about on 30-60 seconds before the start cap for the compressor smoked and blew. The fan motor was running and the compressor sounded like it was running but was louder. I ordered a couple of new start caps and a new potential relay (I did open and dry out the original). I thought that the oil in the compressor should have leveled back out by letting it set overnight. I checked the line set and couldnt find any kinks. Maybe the cap had gotten water logged? Any other ideas? Trying to get both back online to help dehumidify the house.

 

[The Cobbler]

Maybe the cap had gotten water logged? Any other ideas?

I wonder if it still had residual voltage that shorted it when it got wet?

 

[gregs]

I wonder if it still had residual voltage that shorted it when it got wet?

It has a bleed resistor

 

[fitter30]

Start cap are not water proof. Contactors need to be replaced if they get wet Even if there dried out they rust a hum loudly. Did u pull the terminal cover off checked the wiring? Fan motor won't live for long. Ohm out the compressor the three terminals the two lower readings should add up to the highest reading.

 

[gregs]

Start cap are not water proof. Contactors need to be replaced if they get wet Even if there dried out they rust a hum loudly. Did u pull the terminal cover off checked the wiring? Fan motor won't live for long. Ohm out the compressor the three terminals the two lower readings should add up to the highest reading.

I pulled all the connectors I could and blew them out. Some stuff got rinsed out with WD-40. I was guessing the cap got waterlogged. Its the kind with the plastic body and the star clip holding the inside together.

The one fan motor I dried out will probably need bearings at some point but right now just concentrating on drying out the house. The other fan motor is a generic replacement.

 

[gregs]

I got a couple of new caps (1 for spare) and a new potential relay. Measured the coil on the old relay and it was open. I had opened it up and dried it out before I tried to start it originally, but I am guessing there was moisture still in the coil windings or it just was a coincidence. But that solved the problem and it starts and runs.

But the fan motor froze up after sitting all weak. So I removed it and disassembled it and found it full of moisture. It is a cheap replacement and only has bushings, not bearings which I guess is good in this case. Blew everything out and then put it in my easy bake oven (cardboard box with small heater) and let it bake awhile. Lubed everything up and put it back together and it fired up and ran.

So now I have both units back on to help dehumidify the house. I am sure something will eventually fail from being flooded, but for now its good to have them going and will cross that bridge when I come to it as I have other priorities to manage.