Electric Motor Starting Capicator Question

[Junkman]

I have a early 1970's Marquette (Blackhawk) air conditioning vacuum pump, and the starter capacitor was burned out. A good friend was going to pick one up for me, but he got sick, and never recovered. That was the last time that I saw the capacitor. Is there any way to determine what would be correct to replace it with? I haven't dug the pump out of the garage, since it will be a few months before I will be using it, but I hope to be prepared to know what to be looking for. I don't have the original owners manual, and I believe that the company is long out of business, or has been sold quite a few times in the last 44 years. Thanks for the help...

 

[C96]

A good friend was going to pick one up for me, but he got sick, and never recovered. That was the last time that I saw the capacitor.

Sorry, but I got a little side tracked and concerned for your buddy with that statement. He got sick and never recovered? Does this mean he is terminally ill, or did he die? Either way, very sorry to hear his misfortune.

As far as the capacitor, when you do dig up the pump, take some pictures of the units name plate, the motor name plate specifically if it has one of its own. Post the pics here and I’m sure someone will then be able to help you get it running again.

Again, sorry about your friend.

 

[Junkman]

Yes, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you see life and suffering, he passed away quickly. I was with him on Saturday, and the following Monday, he was admitted into the hospital, diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and in less than a week he had passed away. I am very sad to have lost a very good friend, but thankful that he didn't suffer for months lying in a bed waiting to die. He was a life long smoker, and he died in his 40's.
Thanks for your help, and I will try to dig out the unit as soon as it gets warm enough to work in the garage.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

A rough rule of thumb for start cap sizing is 80 mfd/kilowatt of motor power. So, if you know the motor hp you can do the math...

Tommy