Just fixed my A/C!

[CDX825]

Do the capacitors age with sitting on shelf or only in use?

Only in use.

 

[AZjeff]

I can't tell you the feeling when I plugged the disconnect in and it fired right to life!

Same feeling I had when I replaced the HVAC control board for $110 instead of the $550 the shop wanted. A mix of satisfaction of a DIY git er done fix and sticking it to the man a little.

Well done.

 

[brianl703]

Awesome fix. I'm assuming you purchased the correct capacitor? When I worked maintenance I was starting to learn a little bit about A/C and there is a range and something else to look at farads If I remember correctly.

mF and voltage rating. Supposedly using a higher voltage rating than the original capacitor will make it last longer, but they are physically larger so you may need to make up a larger bracket.

 

[JimPghPA]

Store spare capacitors in a cool environment if you can. Parts degrade and age less if kept in a cool environment during storage. I would not freeze them because that may actually degrade them more but I would go for a cool environment. Even though they do get exposed to freezing temperatures sometimes outside.