AC Acting Up!

No, not on my Rpod AC unit, but I have replaced motor start caps.  I've used Digikey transformers, diodes, LEDs, switches etc on electronics repairs and building projects.  Im not a electronics specialist but am retired Navy and Ma Bell electronic tech who has forgotten more than I remember, LOL.  I have an old Digikey paper catalog I can loan you that will have numbers, which normally dont change on electronic components.  Epting Distributors in North Charleston might be able to cross reference your cap.  I have found that on some days they are willing to help with your project and other days, well, they may be having a bad day. 

i think that sounds like a plan.  Lucky it happened now and not mid summer. Keep us posted.

The caps should be labelled with their capacitance and voltage ratings, or you could get hold of the schematic. Any cap with the same specs would work fine as long as it fit physically.

I'm still assuming you're talking about the fan start cap not the compressor. If you were wanting the compressor start cap I'd suggest getting an Easystart instead which replaces the start cap and greatly reduces (by 3x or more) the compressor start current. Even a 2kw genny can start the a/c with an Easystart installed.

No, there are only one start cap. I had to check the schematic. The run cap is connected to both the fan motor and the compressor, the start cap is only connected to the comp.

What confuses me is why you think your start cap is bad? I thought it was your fan motor, not your compressor, which is having trouble. If it's the fan motor then changing the start capacitor should not have any effect. So back to my original question: does your compressor turn on and run ok (evaporator gets cold).

Here is a link to a wiring diagram This is from the Easystart manual so it also shows how that is connected replacing the compressor start cap. If you are indeed having trouble with that cap starting the comp then rather than spend $80 on a new start cap I'd consider biting the bullet and getting an Easystart It's expensive but it does a great job cutting the start current of the a/c down to sobethg reasonable for either a small generator or a 20 amp receptacle.




. wiring diag

offgrid, you said this...If it's just the fan/can motor then it is probably worth just replacing that, but does the compressor start up and the evaporator (inside coil) get cold? I mean really get cold, not just blow some cool air.

Thd fan is working, and the compressor starts for a minute and cuts off, a little cold air for a minute, so the answer is no...

I had the start cap replaced. And the evaporator coils cleaned. Right now its just blowing air but not cold.