My crash kit of AC parts saved my butt today . Unit wasn't cooling . Everything pointed to a possible bad capacitor . I keep a spare . Replaced the cap and I'm back in business . I just ordered an exact replacement from Amazon to restock .
. $15.31 . I can only imagine what a Saturday call out would have cost plus the part . Probably in the neighborhood of 350 - 400 bucks .
I just saved a weekend call out for AC repair ...
- Thread starter nomas
- Start date
dnewton3
Staff member
Yup. I keep spares as well. And yes, you saved yourself a lot of money.
I had the exact same thing last Summer. Called the AC company to schedule, researched online, discovered how to run the diagnostic at the control board, cancelled with the hvac company, ordered the capacitor and we were back in business after installation. Doesn't it feel great!
It was a pretty easy diagnosis when the capacitor on ours went bad. It was all puffed up when I removed the cover.
Keep one for the blower motor in the air handler too. That capacitor went out and stopped the system but good thing I knew that if the blower doesn't run first the unit won't run and since I didn't hear that turn on I started there and checked it with my multimeter. An Ace far away had it but better than waiting and paying 500 bucks.
DO NOT touch the contacts or you likely will get shocked.
Short it out with a plastic handle screwdriver.
I fixed a neighbor's air-compressor when the capacitor went bad.
He was going to put it to the curb.
A 'new' capacitor cost him $25.00
Other items that have capacitors -
* Refrigerator
* Furnace
* Drill-press
Capacitors store electricity and give the motor a boost when starting.
They can slowly weaken, so it's good to check them with a multimeter.
A weaker capacitor will make the motor work harder while starting.
It's good to check them as regular PM work.
Short it out with a plastic handle screwdriver.
I fixed a neighbor's air-compressor when the capacitor went bad.
He was going to put it to the curb.
A 'new' capacitor cost him $25.00
Other items that have capacitors -
* Refrigerator
* Furnace
* Drill-press
Capacitors store electricity and give the motor a boost when starting.
They can slowly weaken, so it's good to check them with a multimeter.
A weaker capacitor will make the motor work harder while starting.
It's good to check them as regular PM work.
Last edited:
I think this is great advice, I keep both spare capacitors and contactors also on hand. Great things to have on hand when needed.
I always thought that capacitors wete alot like batteries in the sense that it isn't good to keep them around just in case.
I have a spare in the garage for primary residence. Beach house is a three year old Bryant. I'm going to research which one it takes. Thanks for the reminder.
DIYing things around the house always feels good because you save a bunch of money. And since 2020 you save a ton.
I don't keep spare caps or contactors around because I have spare window units that I can use. Last one I had to replace was a contactor that ants got into messed up the contacts on. Actually I bypassed the contactor for several hours a day for a couple of days while I waited for a new contactor (~$9) off Amazon.
I only have the 5 and 7.5s in my 2 systems but I keep spares on hand. The AmRad brand seems to do well for me and they are american made.
Well , now you know better . My spare was 3 years old at least .
