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PARTS OF THE CONDENSING UNIT:

Motor Run Capacitors:

capacitor This is one of those complicated little devices that electrically operates with most of these motors to make it run a lot more efficiently. You will most likely not have the instrument to test it and it is not reasonable here to explain it's makeup and details of function.
If the amperage draw of the motor is high or if the motor runs hot and shuts off after a period of time or if you determine that the bearings are good and not the cause of the overheating, then you might just remove this capacitor and have a dealer test it or buy an exact replacement and test to see if it was the problem. They are fairly inexpensive. Or you may remove the capacitor and have your dealer test it for you before you buy a new one.

  • One thing you can watch for is BULGING of the capacitor when you suspect a motor problem.

    • Look for the capacitor inside the control panel.

      • Someone may have mounted it outside in the weather elsewhere in the unit or attached it to the motor, but this is not a good idea. Capacitors have a lot of voltage on the electrical terminals and moisture from rain or just high levels of condensation or humidify may cause "tracking" of the electricity to the grounded frame of the capacitor. This "tracking", or arcing, will cause many problems for the motor and for the capacitor. Remount it into the control panel, or at the very least, make sure it is mounted with the electrical terminals facing downward to prevent the puddling of water around the terminals.

  • Commonly when capacitors go bad, they will internally overheat and since they are a sealed container, they will burst open. Bulging occurs in its physical shape. You may need to look for yours now to get an idea of the normal shape so you can identify any abnormality in the future. Sometimes the bulging, though, is very apparent. Other types of capacitors discussed in the compressor section will have "blow-out plugs" in them. This is a small soft material to release the internal pressure to prevent bursting or explosion as sometimes the fan motor capacitors do.

  • Capacitors contain oils and other materials that are dangerous to humans and to the ecology. Do not throw them in the regular trash. Place them and your clean-up rags carefully in a plastic bag and take them to a dealer for disposal. The older ones even contain PCB's.

  • Capacitors are rated for voltage and microfarad of capacitance. Yours may be 5MFD/370 to indicate it is 5 microfarad and for 370 volts. It might be two capacitors in one case. So take it to a dealer and let him match it up.


Other Parts Of The Condenser
Blade Assembly Motor Mounting Bracket
Capacitors Contactors Condenser Coils
Line Valves Compressor Feet Compressors



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you solved a problem with the aid of this free site, please email me at jamesnix@longviewweb.com


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