🔋 Capacitor Videos For Further Info: Original Video on Replacing a Capacitor: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-C82HvbvP08E.html How to Replace a Capacitor Full Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9ZGfvC-PMWU.html How to Order The CORRECT Capacitor: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mkqaOfvH4a4.html How to Check Capacitor With Multimeter: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5_0nKm940nA.html How to Replace a Start Capacitor: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hC0nFT1XPcI.html How to Discharge a Capacitor: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-45oZXnClMD0.html How to Combine Capacitors: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qLJOWU33TFo.html What to do if Capacitor is Rusted: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RSIi47uzApI.html How to Install SPP6 Hard Start Kit: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ThBsRFrdNiY.html How to Install 5-2-1 Hard Start Kit: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KRQ3BzJPPn0.html How to Wire A/C Condenser Unit: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KCanZEsLVEI.html
Thank you for this great tutorial. Extra grateful for you Not talking to us like idiots. I ordered the part for my 22 year old Trane X L1200 2.5 ton. Installed easily and perfect function once the AC turned on. $11 beats the Snot out of a service call and a guaranteed hard sell to replace the unit. You Da MAN!!!
Hi Jay---thanks for the details on some things...it removes confusion in a persons mind when you give more of those details. Always good camera work which means a lot to a newbie. My AC has been off for 2 weeks and naturally the last thing that I put in (start relay) kicked it and it's going great. Your comment about flickering lights gave me the clue. I have a light here by the couch that had just started doing that a very few weeks ago. Jesus bless.
Thank you so much! I appreciate how you used your personal data from your business to rank common problems. What do you know? The top problem on your list turned out to be my problem! You saved me not only money, but time, which is crucial in the Deep South of America during July! Thanks again!
Hi Jay, I'm a new subscriber, back on 1998 I took a basic ac course just to learn and work on my own ac units (used to be only two ac companies in Vegas so always hard to get a quick response back than) and I like to thank you for your videos they have been very refreshing and informatives to me! keep up the good job..
The start cap saved me. My old AC system runs and the house reaches temp fine. When the compressor turns off and then gets a cooling request too quickly, that is when the compressor will not start. It needs to rest for 30 minutes (it's old and tired:). When in this state, if I spray water on the coils/fins for a couple of seconds, the compressor wills start right up. I verified that the thermal overload is not open. I never found an exact explanation of this situation, but my guess is high head pressure at this time could be the cause? Cooling the coils with water, reduces the pressure and bingo? Not sure. Anyway, I installed a $50 dollar hard start kit and the problem is resolved, or band-aided. I know that better insulation in my house would delay the new cooling request. I could spend thousands on that, or thousands on new AC, or 50 bucks on HS kit. Anyway, thank you.
A few days have passed since I replaced it and the lights in the house dim for about 1/4 of the time that they used to. The compressor draws a lot less amps at start up now. Have any of you had any similar problems? Were you able to fix it or just let it go? :)
Just got a Lux Kono at Home Depot for half price on clearance, maybe available in other areas. It a top of line wifi with great app and about 30 service menu adj only available on unit like, change over valve type, temp offset, delays....The app has a great setting that will run blower for 6 min/hr to recirc stale air when it's that time of year, geo location and loaded with useful features, I love it, even has a variety of colored face plates as well as a paintable one to match.
I have a very similar AC setup with a hard start installed by the manufacturer American Standard / Trane but its not blowing cold anymore. The lines going into the house are not cold but it seems like the compressor is on but not as loud as it used to be, the Evaporator A coil is very cold in the house so it stays at 22 C when its 27 / 28C outside so I am going to try this hard start 2 wire kit hope it works but it also seems like the blower stays at a low speed and doesn't kick up Thank you, your videos have helped me many many times
Thank you Jay! Explained in such a great and straight forward manner. Saving DIYers and home owners a great deal. With a new Starter Cap, would you also recommend in changing the relays too? I can see my starter is starting to leek and my AC unit doesn't cool anymore but the fan turns on. Would you recommend also changing the run cap when doing a new start cap? I am indebted to you - thanks!
You're welcome! Glad you liked the video! The hard start kit I show in this video comes with a built in relay which means you would simply discard the old relay. If you want to keep the relay component, then this video would be better to follow: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KRQ3BzJPPn0.htmlsi=KDzkMDOZGNJCFAKj Sure! A run capacitor is the most replaced air conditioner part so changing it ahead of time would be good preventative maintenance. I would keep the old one as a back up just in case though if it is still working.
Excellent videos. Saved me an expensive service call. $10 capacitor and repairing broken furnace call wire did the trick. I'm using your affiliate links every chance I get. Thank you
Thank you so much! I was terrified that something very expensive was wrong with my AC and that I'd need a professional to repair it. After seeing your Top 10 video, I checked the capacitor first, and that was it! $43 and we've got cold air again. Thank you!!!!!!
1:24 mosquito. Haha now I see why you were occasionally swapping at something. Nice video! Thank you for posting. I should put one of those into my unit too.. Lights dim a little bit but nothing too exciting
Yeah.. The mosquito and the little flies are all over now, pestering all who venture outdoors :) By the way, if your lights are only slightly dimming, the hard start kit may not make that go away but it will help the compressor at start up.
Great vid, and every vid I've seen of yours has been solid. However, one safety point; if possible always check your meter/tester on a known live circuit.
Love all your videos and I did the Google search and that was pretty cool . Your videos do help alot with work and now with me going back to school thanks so much
last summer I discovered it was a bad capacitor by watching you, the old one had been in at least 12 years exposed to the elements as it stuck through a hole into the area with the fan, I couldn't make out everything on it, but eventually got a new one. It went bad as soon as I started using air this summer. Replaced it and it went bad again in around three weeks. Just replaced it tonight and this time it simply makes a loud buzzing sound fan doesn't kick in. Can you give me any advice? Thank you so much for all of your videos and time
Hmmm.. That doesn't sound very good. Does the fan spin but the compressor only buzzes? Or both fan and compressor are not starting? If both of them are not starting, then I suspect the capacitor was not wired right or the contactor plunger is not pulling in all the way. If the fan spins but the compressor fails to start, then you could try installing a hard start kit to help it start. (I have a video on "how to install a hard start kit" which is similar to this video but there is more details)
Always doesn't hurt to discharge caps, however that is what the 3 watt resistor on the cap is for, it looked like a low value 560 ohm to discharge it slowly for you. How about do a video on the benefits of a start cap booster to revive old compressors.
Thank you for explaining that! I said it that way just in case someone's won't have that resistor. And I think I do explain the cap benefits in my other video: "how to install a hard start kit". Thanks for leaving a comment, as always! :) (It makes the RU-vid algorithm think better of my video, the more comments it gets)
@@publicmail2 Yep! That about summarizes it. It doesn't dramatically affect my "rating" but it does help! Haha but don't strain yourself, you left like 10 comments on this video already. ':)
I love your lesson !!! could you please tell me how to buy the right kind of hard start kit of my ac unit . my current one that I have it on is oem 135-162 mfd 330vac with a separate relay
Great video as with all of them... I want to add this hard start kit but when reading comments on Amazon. This one confused me. I'm not sure why they state that it's "Not Good". "The Supco uses a Positive Temperature Coefficient Relay (as stated on their website) not a Potential Relay. Not Good! Only use Hard Start Kits that use a true Potential Relay. The RectorSeal Kickstart (2 wire) and the 5-2-1 Compressor Saver (3 wire) hard start kits use a Potential Relay. I recommend the Kickstart (it uses 2 wires that connect to the Run Capacitor - HERM and COM). But the Compressor Saver is also good (3 wires with one connecting to the common / ground on the Contactor relay). They both work the same way - the Potential Relay detects the pickup voltage (back EMF). This causes the relay to disconnect the start capacitor when the compressor reaches about 75% speed (usually less than a second). Note: Supco does have hard start kits with a Mechanical Potential Relay (Models 3W1, 3W2, & 3W3) but they are not available on Amazon. see less
Hi Sir. I’m your new subscriber from Saudi Arabia. I used to fix my appliances by DIY process with the help of tutorials as well. Indeed, your video is one of the best tutorials I’ve watched, quite easy to understand. Kindly help me on my query. The compressor of my outdoor unit has a capacitor with 2 posts only and it was severely corroded when I removed it. No dome shape and the UF reading was per the label (39.05 UF) which means the capacitor still good. Since the top portion was corroded, (1) how can I know the post for the “C” and “H”? (2) Is it ok to interchange the connection? Thanks
I wonder if there would be any benefit to installing a hard start capacitor in a 15 year old compressor that works just fine without any start problems. Would it have any effect on the life of the unit?
There's split opinions about that.. But I do know for sure that the start up amperage is almost cut in half when a hard start kit is installed. I have tested it before. So less stress on the compressor. The first company I worked for, we advertised these hard starts as something that will prolong the life of the unit (and in most cases it does just that). As far as I know, there is no harm in putting one in to unit that doesn't necessarily need it. It may save you a couple bucks on the electric bill too.
@@WordofAdviceTV After looking into information available online, it is recommended that you check out the start/run capacitor first to make sure it is running within specifications. If the start/run is weak or bad, the hard start could damage the compressor and shorten its life.
@@WordofAdviceTV Here is a link to the web page: smwac.net/protecting-your-ac-units-compressor-why-to-get-a-hard-start-kit/ Scroll down to "Be Cautious."
@Johannes Brahms That's a good article! I like how they explained everything. And I think I understand what they are talking about in the "Be Cautious" section but I haven't seen any problems of the sort in the field before so I am thinking it's not a common occurrence. Plus it sounds like the damage is gradual, not overnight. Thank you for sharing! It was a good read :)
Great video. However the documentation for the 521 compressor saver states that "the potential relay should be mounted with the tab up and the capacitor should be mounted with the terminals up." That may be why your 521 failed. I bet it is the same for the 2 wires start kit.
It was like that since 1999.. But generally it is recommended to mount them with the terminals facing up just like you explained, thank you for pointing that out.
Typically a 12 gauge wire will be enough. But most of the time there is no need to replace the wire. It will have enough extra wire so that you can just snip the burnt section off and put on a new connector on the same wire. There is a kit for replacing compressor wires as well: amzn.to/2LD16kK
I have a Trane unit. The circuit breaker keeps tripping because the start capacitor was bad.I replaced the start capacitor 521/U2 and it was fixed. How to know if a start capacitor is good or bad ?Thanks for your informative videos
A lot of times a bad start capacitor will have leakage that you can see. Otherwise the only way to know for sure would be to check it with a multi-meter that can measure over 100 mfd.
Start capacitors have that 2 watt resistor to bleed down any voltage in the capacitor, so unless you ran the unit seconds before you touch the capacitor you should be fine. That hard start kit should not be used if the unit already has its own start relay and start capacitor.
I have a video where I talk about it, it's right here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9ZGfvC-PMWU.html In the first half of the video I talk about the capacitor in the AC condenser unit (may be worth watching the whole thing just for more info) and toward the end of the video I cover the capacitor in the furnace as well.
Hi Jay Awesome video again, I have a quick question? The hard start Kit that you listed SPP6 can it be used in a 2.5 Ton system? looks like have a hard start kit installed but most of the writing is faded and in process of doing preventive maintaince before I rent out my rental unit. Also will change out the capacitor the same time. When the looks of the spec of SPP6 it can be used from a 4000 BTU system and max up to 10 Ton? So it's pretty much universal. Just plug it straight to the capacitor on the Herm side and Common. I Just want to confirm with you.
Why do the lights dim at all when the condenser is on its own circuit? I've noticed mine dimming through the house more often, and our condenser is suspiciously not working anymore. Can't tell if it's the start capacitor or run capacitor as the fan does not run, but buzzes/hums as it tries to start (I read this indicates the run capacitor, not the start?). Multimeter test on run capacitor reveals it's dead, but I'm not sure what to test for or what settings on my multimeter to use to test the start capacitor to make sure it's functioning well.
I opened my unit today and there are two capacitors same style but the one under has a resistor on it? This unit is a crane 1988 did they use to just make the starter capacitor with regular ones? It's a 15 uf 440 vacs. The one above it is 20 uf 440 and there Is one wire connecting them
Thanks for your time making videos, very helpful . But can't seem to solve our problem. Have a usual condition. We have new fan motor and capacitor. Have changed out contractor. We have verified power throughout unit. Yet when we push the contractor, neither the fan nor the compressor motor start. We have verified wiring etc. Any ideas? Thanks,
Well that's odd... So you verified power with a multi-meter? You for sure have 240v at the contactor on one side and the other side once the plunger is pushed in? If there is no action at all from the fan motor or the compressor when the contactor plunger is pushed in, then something has to be either wired wrong or the unit is not getting power. Other then that I don't know why else it would do that. I would need to do some troubleshooting of my own to figure that one out. Is there a fan delay board in the condenser unit? That may be defective..
@@WordofAdviceTV Thanks for thoughts. Yea we have power on both side of the contactor. I am going to change fuses on the breaker box next to unit. I have heard you can have voltage but no real power if fuse bad. I do not know about a fan delay board, my neighbors unit. But the fact we push the contactor in manually it should take that out of circuit. Thanks, will let you know outcome.
@@larrygawne3529 Yeah, sorry. I am not sure what else I can suggest without being there. About the fan delay board though (not all units have one), usually it is wired to the "outlet" of the contactor so pushing the plunger in would not bypass it.
@@WordofAdviceTV Thought I would bring you up to date. Continued to check system out. Starting seeing a loss of voltage intermittently. Long story short, AC has separate meter and circuit breaker box in the house. Had 240 in inbound side and only 185 on outbound of breaker. Popped breaker out to find the finger that snaps into the breaker eroded away. Passings some voltage but no current. Have electrician coming to pull meter and replace box in house. Thanks for your help
@@larrygawne3529 Oh wow! That one is an odd duck. But I'm glad to hear you were able to find the problem! Thank you for coming back with an update! Hope you can get it fixed soon.
If my ac unit doesn’t turn on unless I spin the fan, is it the start capacitor? I know my dual capacitor is bad so I’ll get that replaced but I’m curious if the start is bad as well
The SPP6 hard start kit is for 1.5 - 5 ton residential units. That covers pretty much all of them unless it's a very very small house or a very big house. If you are getting a 5-2-1 start capacitor and relay, those are usually either 1-3 ton or 3-5 ton, so you do want to pick the right one if you are going that route. I have links in the description of this video.
Will a new capacitor have enough stored energy to start the compressor or do u need to let the capacitor charge with power on but tstat off? How long does it take to charge the cap enough to use the AC?
Hello there, I am trying to replace my start capacitor. Question #1, my old capacitor has a resistor on it, and not on the new one that I bought, do I have to have a resistor on my new one? Question #2, they have a orange and a red wire connected to this old capacitor, how to you tell which way to reconnect to the new one being the new one does not have any label on it. Thank you so much for your time!
If you bought a hard start kit, those don't have resistors on them and that's okay. And it does not matter which wire goes to which terminal on the start capacitor.
@@WordofAdviceTV thank you so much for your quick reply! I just received a regular start capacitor through your Amazon link today, open up the package, and first thing I did was put my MFD meter on to check the number, It turns out that it keeps on showing either all zeroes or OL, and though I got something defensive, or it was made on Fridays. But I went ahead and install it anyway, it turns out that my AC system now is running perfectly fine. I wonder why?
Hey Spelunkerd! Those are bad technicians. Any technician should understand that by doing that he is setting the next guy up to potentially getting electrocuted... Evil human beings I suppose, that's definitely not common practice.
I would hope that if a disconnect was bypassed, it was because there was a problem with it, but still, it should be fixed/replaced!! Anyway, that's why I always also turn off the AC & furnace breakers at the panel inside the house, & also set the thermostat to off. Then always check for voltage with a meter. A guy I work with got shocked because the disconnect near the AC unit outside was not the disconnect for that unit! There was another disconnect farther away that he did not see! Both disconnects should have be labeled & were not!!! No excuse for that!
Was trying it my self got to change out the capacitors and couldn't find the wrong item....call a havac cost me 350 for a new and install starter capacitor
thanks for this video, my capacitor has two ports common and herm, does anyone know what if I mess around the order, put two wires at wrong place, what could happen ? or it is fine , thanks
@@stevereject thanks for ur reply, i already plugged it in 3 months ago, now ac have been running for 1.5 month now, is that mean my guess which ports was right , since it is working now ?
Let me ask you something, my unit is doing the same thing, but, it’s not tripping right off, the unit stays on 3-4 hrs before it trips, what you think it is, I also checked all wires, don’t know what to do!!
When you say it trips off, do you mean that the circuit breaker is tripping? You said you checked all the wires but I just want to confirm.. The common places for loose/burnt/broken wires is at the compressor pins, in the disconnect, and in the circuit breaker from the AC. Also, if you haven't washed down the condenser coil yet, I would do that even if it looks clean. Other then that I don't have any ideas either.. It's possible that the power is fluctuating from the electric company which may cause higher amp draw too..
Yes, the circuit breaker, went back and checked the wire connection from the thermostat to the unit, one of wire was lose on it, I rewire it and also wash the unit coils off, it seems to be working good now!!!! Thank you for your help
HI there, I have two AC units for my house. Ordered two run capacitors and two start capacitors. when I received the shipment from Amazon, I tested all of them with my brand new digital multimeter set to check mfd. The RUN capacitors are well within the range of 45 MFD, which is good. BUT both START capacitors are tested and not reading at 135-162 MFD, meter reading either all zeros or OL. So I though both START capacitors came in defected, and went ahead and ordered two more START capacitors from different company and different brand. When I received them, I ran the same test with my multimeter, it reads the same thing with all zeros or OL, it is driving me crazy and don't know why?????? Please help!!!!!!
Hey Tommy! I am thinking that either your multi-meter cannot handle large capacitors or you are not leaving your leads on the capacitor long enough. I would read the manual that came with the meter and see up to what capacitance the meter can measure. Also, those start capacitors take considerably longer to charge up from the meter. Make sure your leads are firmly on the start capacitor terminals and leave them on there for a minute or so.
Yes, you are right, after reading the manual of this multi-meter, it would measure only up to 100 mfd. Let me get a better one and will see what happen then, thank you so much again for all your time. You are the best!!! @@WordofAdviceTV
It's possible but unlikely. This video might help you figure out what's causing it to trip: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-G1EBHrOgs-Q.html
Why in the world would you install a "Hard Start Kit" when you only needed to replace the OEM capacitor? I gave a thumbs up but this method makes zero sense. If you need this kit at all you need some other type of service period. Allot more time and detail is required for this operation for those that might attempt this but have little background. This video was more for the expert then the people that really attend your channel.. Capacitors are no joke; they can cause serious injury or death. Please revise this video.
Hey Curiosity! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I didn't realize it was advanced.. (easy, common task for me) I guess I may have gotten a little complacent. But as long as the power is off and they discharge any potential stored up charge, there will be no harm done. And I am thinking most homeowners won't know what a start capacitor is in the first place. Thank you for stressing safety!
