Run capacitors on air conditioner condenser - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: OMyMyOHellYes
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 03:58:18 pm
content: Hot spell here. Of course, that's when things on the A/C decide to die. Original OEM 60/5 440V dual was replaced somewhere around 5 years back with whatever the tech had on his truck - Packard (which I am inferring is not a great name) made in China.Run capacitor dead on fan side - reads 25 nF and out of spec on herm side 49 uF. Lots and lots of cheap no name Chinese made capacitors in local appliance stores and online. Got one of the cheap Chinese ones at a local electronics store to get the unit up and running with the intention to replace with better quality. But I am wondering - are there good names vs brands to avoid out there.OMyMyOHellYes

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:11:04 pm
content: Not really, just buy 3 of whatever one you decide to get and place in the bottom of the box as spare parts.

author: OMyMyOHellYes
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:21:56 pm
content: I got a chuckle out of that. I guess a true but sad commentary on the world we live in now....OMyMyOHellYes

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 04:43:34 pm
content: Yes, I keep a box of them at work as spares for when they pop. They typically will last a year or so then self heal to nothing. Regard it as a wear part, like the filters, that need regular replacement and checking.

author: OMyMyOHellYes
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 05:58:53 pm
content: Where are PCBs when you need them?OmyMyOHellYes

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2017, 06:39:22 pm
content: In the 3 capacitors that are as old as I am, sitting in a box. Still as close to the original value as when they were made by Arctrol when the Beatles were a hip new band.

author: hermit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2017, 12:31:34 pm
content: The local heating air conditioning places where I live all refuse to sell to the public now. When I was still working appliance repair I had one place that would sell to me because I repaired some of the small window units they sold. Even then it was only one guy that I dealt with when I was doing the repairs.I don't know where you live but the idea of keeping a few spares is good because the shops in your area could cut off retail tomorrow if they wanted to. When my son had furnace problems he was forced to go to the internet and wait for delivery.

author: rustybronco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2017, 05:19:33 pm
content: Ebay should have a relatively good supply of NOS non-chinesium caps. The MARS branded ones pop up fairly often.

author: OMyMyOHellYes
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 02, 2017, 10:28:10 am
content: Thanks for the input. Got and installed a US mfg. MARS cap and got its brother from another mother - a Mexican made MARS - online for on deck....All other things the same, I would rather pay a $15 premium on a $15 part for domestically made item. Hopefully it will last at least twice as long, but if not, I am still OK with paying a bit more.OMyMyOHellYes