Help purchasing a spare A/C capacitor?

[Dud]

I currently have a Carrier system installed in my house (Florida). The system was installed in 2010 and, for the most part, has been running fine ... and i wish to keep it that way. I am trying to be proactive by purchasing a spare cap for it. The problem is that a few years ago the originally installed startup cap failed. A repairman came to the house and diagnosed the problem as the cap. Unfortunately, he did not have the same form-factor cap on his truck so he (apparently) replaced the original cylindrical cap with a "box" type one, and just left it on a shelf inside the heat pump.

I wish to purchase an original form-factor cylindrical cap as a spare just in case this one fails. After turning off the unit I opened the side panel and noted all the tech info off the current cap:

Heat pump: Carrier model 25HBC5
45/5 micro f =/- 6%
CBB65-V
440VAC 50/60 Hz, 10000 AFC
Characteristic E -40C to 70C


I have done a bit of research and found many replacement dual-run caps at 45/5, 440VAC but the prices are all over the place. Some run $6 while others about $40. Request recommendations to guide me towards the best value in a spare cap.

Your recommendations are appreciated. Thank you ...

 

[Cahark]

Had to replace mine last week. Mine was a 30/3. This replacement brand worked great.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Z...+capacitor&dpPl=1&dpID=51FyUjqVn-L&ref=plSrch




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pattenp]

A good quality cap should be $15 to $20. Get a Carrier P291-4554RS.

 

[DCarr2]

Just out of curiousity but where are these located?

 

[rlitman]

...I have done a bit of research and found many replacement dual-run caps at 45/5, 440VAC but the prices are all over the place. Some run $6 while others about $40...

It's an AC cap. They're all made using metallized mylar film, and they're all pretty much the same. $6 is a really good price. $12 is more like what I'd expect. $40 is what you'd expect for the low end markup from an appliance parts store that has their customers by the throat on a hot summer day.

FWIW, these caps are pretty sensitive to surges. A whole house SPD on the main panel has the potential to extend their life if you're experiencing early failures. They're also sensitive to heat. A 10 degree C increase in running temperature will half their lifetime. So strapping them to a hot compressor may actually be worse than letting them sit on a cool shelf.

A good quality cap should be $15 to $20. Get a Carrier P291-4554RS.

Carrier doesn't make caps. Anything with their name on it, you're paying a markup for the privilege of them rebranding it.

 

[Dud]

Thank you for all of your responses. They were very informative and much appreciated ...

 

[Trey T]

Get Amrad brand because they're American made. Also, if you're maintaining more than one AC unit, get these two universal cap:

For blower fan: Amrad Turbo 200 mini
For condensor fan/compresso: Amrad Turbo 200x

I stock various capacitor for my two homes with China made ones. If I had known about the Amrad universal capacitors, I would not have stock bunch of capacitors. The universal one allow you to run your equipment temporarily until you can order quality ones from online. My three suppliers around here does not stock Amrad brand.

 

[My Old Tools]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G0PWJ7K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Git]

I am not an electrician nor a HVAC guy

With that being said, when I had to replace my capacitor in out Carrier AC, I found an exact replacement on Amazon - a 'GE Genteq'.

I think the important part is the "45/5" which means it is a dual capacitor. (45 is for compressor motor and the 5 is for the fan motor) Also, the voltage will be either 370v or 440v. (you can use a 440 on a 370 system, but not the other way around)

So basically any 370v 45/5 should work for you (please correct me if I am wrong). It helps if it is the same diameter in size, but it is not critical

So here is a GE Genteq on Amazon for $11 with 277 reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZY66QZ5/?tag=atomicindus08-20