Its always something....AC went out

[toplessHO]

Havent even gotten to the garbage disposal yet,now this.

condenser fan running but compressor isnt.
Might be as simple as a capacitor.
Which brings to mind the question of installing a soft start kit
so that my generator can handle it.
Anyone had luck with these?

 

[MattGarage]

Sound like what we deal with in a motorhome. The redneck alternative to soft start is to start up the fan first then turn on the AC. I've replaced probably 3 to 4 capacitors in my two ACs over the last few years. Never did a soft start though.

 

[larry4406]

Our 9 year old unit capacitor crapped out about 1 month ago. I need to order a spare.

Tech said these typically have a 3-5 year life span and was amazed at 9 year life.

I’ve been toying with hard start kit to allow operation on backup generator.

 

[toplessHO]

Our 9 year old unit capacitor crapped out about 1 month ago. I need to order a spare.

Tech said these typically have a 3-5 year life span and was amazed at 9 year life.

I’ve been toying with hard start kit to allow operation on backup generator.

So this was the compressor cap,not the fan one? Never had one go out let alone
several times/
Look at soft start kits not hard start ones

 

[2Fast]

Have you checked your drain pan, do you have a float switch? A couple of ways to wire up a float switch, one way is to kill power to the compressor. Chance are though it is the cap.

 

[larry4406]

So this was the compressor cap,not the fan one? Never had one go out let alone
several times/
Look at soft start kits not hard start ones

My unit only has one capacitor. Here is the dead unit. +1 on soft start kit.

 

[fitter30]

They make muilti tap capacitors not cheap but can get a neighbor or relative out of trouble for a day or two.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwiYtOmwi6aAAxWozuMHHQ_sBaYYABAMGgJ5bQ&sig=AOD64_0WYw7FflNlgDeH0bvDMxxz2phViQ&ctype=5&ved=2ahUKEwiY6N-wi6aAAxUvlIkEHXckBhgQwg8oAHoECA0QBg&adurl=

 

[toplessHO]

I paid the stupid (or lazy) tax and had a guy come out.
Replace the cap was $200.
I dont feel so bad,my buddy whos system is only 5 yrs old took a hit for $350
for same fix last month.
This is the first time Ive called an AC guy,may buy a spare cap but this one lasted at least 10 yrs.

 

[Reborn]

Capacitors are cheap, and easy to replace. But when your family needs AC in the heat, time is of the essence, and the techs have them in the truck. It's a good idea to keep a spare. I just had a guy come out on my rental - all original unit that is 18 years old. He also told me 4-5 year life span on capacitors and was surprised I had never had a problem with the unit thus far.