Recommended HVAC capacitor brand?

[JMJNet]

All those capacitor are good. I have used AmRad, it fails after 2 years, called them and they sent me a replacement.
IIRC, they have 5 years warranty.

Another important thing is the maintenance.
It is like cars, the condenser coil needs regular wash, regular filter change and condensate drain maintenance.
They will help with capacitor, contactor and fan motor to last longer and besides makes the AC cools better.
Checking capacitance with cheap meter from Amazon can help diagnose weak/bad capacitor.

 

[dishdude]

I had a USA made Mars cap last 4 years, I'm 3 years into a Titan Pro. This fall I'll replace it proactively and keep the old one as a spare. The caps are subjected to the worst possible heat here in Phoenix and don't last long.

 

[CDX825]

Amrad or BMI. Both American made.

Rheem/Ruud used to come from the factory with Amrad caps. Ive taken out many rheem/ruud furnaces and ACs that still had the factory Amrad caps in them that still tested fine after over 20 years of use.

 

[CDX825]

I bought a made in USA Amrad from Amazon. Lasted one year just like all the junk ones.

Probably a counterfeit like most of the other stuff sold by scamazon. Amrad has a 5 year warranty btw.

 

[Lubener]

Does anyone have a brand that they recommend for HVAC capacitors? Something that you tossed in your outdoor unit and ran for the life of the unit, or at least a very log time?

I'd like to buy a replacement for when I need it. I have the tools to test them and the electrical knowledge to be safe about it.

I have had a habit of changing out both the capacitor and contactor every five years. Get on this routine and it's unlikely you will have a failure with any brand you use.

 

[tblt44]

I bought a titan hd as a back up for my trane

 

[Leo99]

That's really surprising...the AmRad cap in my Trane unit was installed in 2010 and still running fine today.

They don't last like they used to. My in-laws just had to get theirs replaced this year. Been there a long time.

Probably a counterfeit like most of the other stuff sold by scamazon. Amrad has a 5 year warranty btw.

That's possible. I should buy a couple from a local store next time one goes out.

 

[DCDG]

They don't last like they used to. My in-laws just had to get theirs replaced this year. Been there a long time.

That's possible. I should buy a couple from a local store next time one goes out.

Good to also note if anyone has a multi meter that could check capacitance do so when you get replacement caps. I’ve had and seen DOA caps

 

[Brons2]

Don't forget a spare power contactor, make sure you have the right amp rating or higher. Also the correct coil voltage and correct current AC or DC.

That's a good point, I've had to replace a contactor in the past on a unit that was pretty new, talking early 2000s here and the house was built in 1999. The insects got into it and fried the spring mechanism, it wouldn't "suck in" per se so the unit never came on when commanded by the thermostat. New set of contactors and everything was back to normal.

 

[Brons2]

Checking capacitance with cheap meter from Amazon can help diagnose weak/bad capacitor.

I have an expensive multimeter for checking capacitor microfarads that I bought locally. AC units are expensive. It's worth it to have a quality tool. It's still cheaper than a single service visit to have an AC tech replace your capacitor.

Now that I have it, I use it for other things that I might otherwise use a cheap one for. A quality tool will give you years of satisfaction.

 

[DCDG]

The advice to have a spare capacitor and contactor on hand seems like good advice. I had to replace the cap in my condenser unit 2 years ago this July, on a very hot Saturday. Fortunately, I found a local hardware store that stocks capacitors, and was able to get the unit up and running.

Following the advice on brands, I was looking at AmRad caps, and noticed the CPT version, to protect from hard start damage. How do I know if my condenser unit is a hard start unit?

the cap with the CPT isn't shown in this vid, but this here is a Goodman with a hard start kit installed.

 

[BHopkins]

The capacitor that I installed 2 years ago is a Jard. A local HVAC contractor worked with a local hardware store to stock them, and if I recall correctly he specifically asked them to carry Jard. From what I gather, they are made by Mars?

If I'm going to get a spare to have on hand, is the locally available Jard a good choice? Or should I get one of the others mentioned here?

Also, what brands of contactors are recommended? The Siemens that is in my condenser unit is obsolete.

the cap with the CPT isn't shown in this vid, but this here is a Goodman with a hard start kit installed.

Thank you. This video helped me identify what the hard start kit looks like, and verify that my Goodman condenser unit does not have hard start.

 

[Imp4]

This post is timely. Our forecast for the week looks pretty hot, so I washed out the coils on our outdoor unit on Saturday. It is now 23 years old, and the cap is original. It made me think I really should have a spare on hand!

Fewer things make you out to be a hero more than fixing the AC on a hot day!!!

 

[DCDG]

The capacitor that I installed 2 years ago is a Jard. A local HVAC contractor worked with a local hardware store to stock them, and if I recall correctly he specifically asked them to carry Jard. From what I gather, they are made by Mars?

If I'm going to get a spare to have on hand, is the locally available Jard a good choice? Or should I get one of the others mentioned here?

Also, what brands of contactors are recommended? The Siemens that is in my condenser unit is obsolete.


Thank you. This video helped me identify what the hard start kit looks like, and verify that my Goodman condenser unit does not have hard start.

JARD is most likely the manufacturer with MARS branding but both are reputable brands in the HVAC trade.