Condenser Stopped Working.

[Chuckster in NJ]

My AC stopped working so I decided to see what was going on so I started troubleshooting the system and narrowed it down to the outside unit. I opened up the relay compartment and discovered a mouse nest BUT when I looked above the relay I found a snake laying across the capacitor and he was cooked.
I had to remove the nest along with the remains of the snake...... Nasty mess.

I put gutter screen around all possible entry areas so hopefully no mice or snakes will get in. Mice are a serious problem living in the woods so be proactive and try to prevent mouse damage.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Poor guy. I hope it was quick.

Tommy

 

[Jim greengo]

My AC stopped working so I decided to see what was going on so I started troubleshooting the system and narrowed it down to the outside unit. I opened up the relay compartment and discovered a mouse nest BUT when I looked above the relay I found a snake laying across the capacitor and he was cooked.
I had to remove the nest along with the remains of the snake...... Nasty mess.

I put gutter screen around all possible entry areas so hopefully no mice or snakes will get in. Mice are a serious problem living in the woods so be proactive and try to prevent mouse damage.

Probably shorted the cap,its a common problem around here.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

The body was laying directly across the three terminals of the capacitor so death was most likely very quick because the snakes body was destroyed and totally burned up.

 

[nadogail]

Did you replace the capacitor after cleaning out the remains of the snake and other critters?

 

[SALIV8]

Wow. Never seen anything like that.

 

[3baygarage]

Dang, that's rough. I thought it was bad finding a sun roasted frog every now and then. They get stuck in the grille.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

The clean up was a "little rough" because the snakes body basically exploded.
I did NOT replace the cap at this time because it cleaned up pretty well after I removed it.......I always keep two spare capacitors and relays on hand along with a extra set of Trane boards for the air handlers.