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any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 5:06 pm
by Tsakali
k so I'm trying to troubleshoot the outside AC unit (compressor?), and i think the issue is a bad capacitor (oval cap. )...problem is, there are 3 capacitors in this setup (possibly rigged in that way, I have no clue) and i think I have identified the one that's bad. problem is, the fucking thing is so old I can't even read the cap's technical specs, so i don't know what to replace it with. I know that the physical size of it is of some help, but that won't really be a good enough indication would it?
any easy tips on how to figure this out? could this cap be tested to find out the specs? I think it's a bad one so that might not work as intended.
here is the fan motor on that unit if that helps.

Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 5:35 pm
by Nightshade

Good luck!
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 5:37 pm
by HM-PuFFNSTuFF
yes that helps, thanks
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 5:57 pm
by Tsakali
it would if you knew anything about it... that's the motor info, that the capacitor is connected to.
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 5:57 pm
by SoM
buy a new unit
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 5:58 pm
by HM-PuFFNSTuFF
Tsakali wrote:it would if you knew anything about it... that's the motor info, that the capacitor is connected to.
have you tried fixing the problem?
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:04 pm
by Tsakali
yes
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:13 pm
by Theftbot
Ever try googling the service manual for the unit?
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:14 pm
by seremtan
ever try asking for advice on a videogame forum?
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:15 pm
by HM-PuFFNSTuFF
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:16 pm
by Tsakali
Theftbot wrote:Ever try googling the service manual for the unit?
can't get the unit model number cause the label has completely faded. So all I know is the motor and the compressor model and info.

Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:17 pm
by obsidian
I suggest you consult with a Professor of Exterior Air Conditioning Unit Fan Motor Capacitor Studies. He'll probably have just the part you are looking for in his back pocket.
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:18 pm
by Tsakali
HM-PuFFNSTuFF wrote:http://www.google.ca/search?q=part+number+51-21276-02&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
(you're welcome)
google it is.....
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:26 pm
by 4days
just googled words from this topic and apparently you also need to know if the compressor is 'reciprocating' or 'scroll' if you're going to work it out from the motor specs.
is there not a manufacturer's mark or model number on the unit anywhere at all (possibly inside an inspection hatch/plate if not on the outside)?
if they look like the same type, are there markings on the other capacitors? there's something at the base of the one you've photographed - you might be able to get the entire string by looking at the others or googling what you can read with 'hvac capacitor'.
since the print is worn off anyway, you could try running something greasy or a sharpie over where it was to see if it makes the ghost of the print easier to see.
i don't think you're even trying.
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:30 pm
by Tsakali
valiant effort mate! I just figured out the local morons that "service" this type of ac and called them, so I think I got the info I need on the capacitor. I might still do what you said with that cap just for fun
thread delivers!
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:32 pm
by plained
cheers to the old one for providing awesome performance all these years!
i bet the new one wont last 1/2 as long lol
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:33 pm
by xer0s
You called a professional. Nice work. How did the thread deliver?
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:38 pm
by Tsakali
plained wrote:cheers to the old one for providing awesome performance all these years!
i bet the new one wont last 1/2 as long lol
it wont but I don't care. it's the unit at my parents house, so if they can hold off for a few more years, why pay for a new one? besides it's just the unit that cools the garage room ( and a bathroom and a bar area ) so they hardly use it.
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:38 pm
by Tsakali
xer0s wrote:You called a professional. Nice work. How did the thread deliver?

Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:53 pm
by Tsakali
obsidian wrote:I suggest you consult with a Professor of Exterior Air Conditioning Unit Fan Motor Capacitor Studies. He'll probably have just the part you are looking for in his back pocket.
lol it sure felt that way there for a while.
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:57 pm
by Captain
Great thread, would lol again.
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:25 pm
by plained
Tsakali wrote:plained wrote:cheers to the old one for providing awesome performance all these years!
i bet the new one wont last 1/2 as long lol
it wont but I don't care. it's the unit at my parents house, so if they can hold off for a few more years, why pay for a new one? besides it's just the unit that cools the garage room ( and a bathroom and a bar area ) so they hardly use it.
that cap i mean ey
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:31 pm
by Nightshade

Tsuckali's completely retarded

Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 7:41 pm
by Doombrain
I threw one of those away, just now.
Re: any HVAC monkeys in the house?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:30 pm
by Tsakali
Nightshade wrote:
Tsuckali's completely retarded

3 rounds homo?