AC went out... Need capacitor... where to buy? Not online...

[BUTCH1]

Thats what i was afraid of.. That photo is my capacitor... Isn't this internet thingy useful....

Yea, mine was a GE cap too, at least it's a cheap, quick fix once you've located a replacement. Guy at parts house told me he sells a ton of 'em this time of year as the heat is really hard on them..

 

[PottedMeat]

Maybe but when mine went it sounded like a shotgun going off, here is a pick http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff296/butch100_2007/?action=view&current=badcap.jpg OP, you gonna have to wait till monday to get one of those, I got mine at a wholesale AC supplier for $8.00, you won't find one at Lowes, Ace, ect., I tried

heh that's the same one i had. except not exploded.

 

[BUTCH1]

You sure it's not a 3 tap capacitor (split value - one for starting and one for running) instead of 3 phase?

All homes are single phase, the extra tap (on mine) was for the split value, I think it was 35/5. Some models might feature a separate run/start capacitor but a lot of them nowadays are the combined unit. OP make sure you get one with the same ratings (usually 440 volt) and the same capacitance as your old one, it's stamped on the side of the cap..

 

[Engineer]

All homes are single phase, the extra tap (on mine) was for the split value, I think it was 35/5. Some models might feature a separate run/start capacitor but a lot of them nowadays are the combined unit. OP make sure you get one with the same ratings (usually 440 volt) and the same capacitance as your old one, it's stamped on the side of the cap..

I know this...that's why I asked the question!

 

[BUTCH1]

I know this...that's why I asked the question!

Why would you ask OP if his was 3 phase if you know homes are all single phase??

 

[Engineer]

Why would you ask OP if his was 3 phase if you know homes are all single phase??

I don't know why i asked a question instead of just pointing it out. Maybe I had a brain fart on the thinking side. Next time I'll respond with a "Hey mother fvcker, it's not 3 phase, it's 3 tap!...get your shit straight, got it?"?!? :awe:

I meant it to "Do you have 3 sets of spades on the capacitor? Is that what you mean when you say 3 phase?"

I've replaced more than one motor / capacitor at my home/place of business on AC units (mostly fan motors) as well as a few industrial single phase fans at the old place of employment (about 75 fans - single phase units).

 

[BUTCH1]

OK then, we all have a brain fart now and again..

 

[Ronstang]

Is it the capacitor for the fan motor or the compressor? Some units have a single dual capacitor that takes care of both. Either way you will need to get one from an HVAC supply store. They are cheap. The last one I bought was around $7 or so. You will likely not find them anywhere else except maybe a REAL old fashioned family owned hardware store.

I do not know where you live but you may have problems even getting the equipment from the supply store. Some will only sell to licensed contractors. For little items like a capacitor they are not always as strict but it depends where you are. If you live up North or on either coast in union lands you will likely have to call a contractor, spend several hundred dollars for five minutes of work and a sub $10 part, and you will be waiting until Monday unless you can find one that does emergency work on the weekends....but expect to pay about double of normal price for the convenience.

 

[bruceb]

That is a combination Start / Run capacitor. 3 terminals, one of which is the Common .. another is the Run cap, the other is the Start cap .. You need to get it an industrial electrical supply house (same places real electricians buy both residential & commericial electrical products) ... be sure AC power is turned off before working on the unit.
Can't see the exact part number or values on your photo.
A close up of the label would help

This link has them: (it does not need to be a GE part .. the values are what is important, terminal type & physical size / mounting)

http://www.justtherightair.com/inde...d=264&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

Just select your values from the drop down box.

 

[BUTCH1]

Is it the capacitor for the fan motor or the compressor? Some units have a single dual capacitor that takes care of both. Either way you will need to get one from an HVAC supply store. They are cheap. The last one I bought was around $7 or so. You will likely not find them anywhere else except maybe a REAL old fashioned family owned hardware store.

I do not know where you live but you may have problems even getting the equipment from the supply store. Some will only sell to licensed contractors. For little items like a capacitor they are not always as strict but it depends where you are. If you live up North or on either coast in union lands you will likely have to call a contractor, spend several hundred dollars for five minutes of work and a sub $10 part, and you will be waiting until Monday unless you can find one that does emergency work on the weekends....but expect to pay about double of normal price for the convenience.

The wholesale parts place I got mine from had a big sign, "wholesale sales only" so I scooted over to Dunkin for a dozen and went in kissing more ass than a toilet seat, it worked!, Donuts, is there anything they can't do??.

 

[Analog]

Like I said, my local contractor's supply house will sell to the public, they have a small cash/carry desk. It may depend on your locality.

 

[Ronstang]

The wholesale parts place I got mine from had a big sign, "wholesale sales only" so I scooted over to Dunkin for a dozen and went in kissing more ass than a toilet seat, it worked!, Donuts, is there anything they can't do??.

I have never had problems buying items at the wholesale supply stores either but I don't buy stuff that really requires a license anyway. They will likely sell small items and tools to anyone with money. It just depends on where you are located. One of my good buddies owns his own HVAC company so if I run into trouble getting anything I just buy it on his account. Sometimes it is who you know.

 

[IamDavid]

You're right about being 3cap, not phase. I'm not an expert by no means.. I ordered one from here in the Dallas/ Fort Worth are from a online site that has pick up.... Of course it didn't tell me til after i paid that I can't pick it up till Monday. lol, oh well...

 

[Ronstang]

You're right about being 3cap, not phase. I'm not an expert by no means.. I ordered one from here in the Dallas/ Fort Worth are from a online site that has pick up.... Of course it didn't tell me til after i paid that I can't pick it up till Monday. lol, oh well...

Crap, if I had known you were in TX and you posted first thing this morning I would have had one waiting for you at a supply store. My buddy has a license in TX and a phone call to one of the chain supply stores would have solved your problem, but they all close at noon or 1 on Saturday. Him and I were cruising around in one of his classic cars at noon today.

 

[IamDavid]

Crap, if I had known you were in TX and you posted first thing this morning I would have had one waiting for you at a supply store. My buddy has a license in TX and a phone call to one of the chain supply stores would have solved your problem, but they all close at noon or 1 on Saturday. Him and I were cruising around in one of his classic cars at noon today.

That sucks. Thanks anyway though.. I called everywherearound here with no luck..

 

[BUTCH1]

I have never had problems buying items at the wholesale supply stores either but I don't buy stuff that really requires a license anyway. They will likely sell small items and tools to anyone with money. It just depends on where you are located. One of my good buddies owns his own HVAC company so if I run into trouble getting anything I just buy it on his account. Sometimes it is who you know.

I just figured the free donuts would be an ice breaker, they might have sold it to me anyway but it was Saturday at 11:00, it was get it there or nothing, still $7.85 for the cap and $6 for a box 'o donuts is cheap for an AC repair!..

 

[Gibson486]

3 phase capacitor? You are not going to find that at radioshack....

3 phase capacitors are used for voltage correction on distribution systems or voltage correction on the receiving end of the distribution. It's not really used in microelectronics.

 

[Engineer]

3 phase capacitor? You are not going to find that at radioshack....

3 phase capacitors are used for voltage correction on distribution systems or voltage correction on the receiving end of the distribution. It's not really used in microelectronics.

It's not a 3 phase capacitor, it's a split capacitor (3 tap on top). Used in many HVAC units for fans/blowers/etc.

 

[Gibson486]

It's not a 3 phase capacitor, it's a split capacitor (3 tap on top). Used in many HVAC units for fans/blowers/etc.

You are still not going to find that at radioshack.

 

[BUTCH1]

You're right about being 3cap, not phase. I'm not an expert by no means.. I ordered one from here in the Dallas/ Fort Worth are from a online site that has pick up.... Of course it didn't tell me til after i paid that I can't pick it up till Monday. lol, oh well...

Just be careful when you swap it out, one leg has way more capacitance than the other, might want to make a small diagram before you disconnect it, I was lucky, my unit had a wiring diagram right inside the cover..

 

[BUTCH1]

Capacitor replacement was a practice of the past, but you will not find a mechanic that replace just the capacitor nowadays due to insurance & warranty issues.

What are you talking about? these get changed all the time by HVAC repair, "insurance and warranty issues"??, huh?..

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I need a part for my HVAC and have no idea where to get it.. Its a capacitor which seems pretty common.... Home Depot and Lowes don't carry them... Where in the word would I fnd one??? I hate the thought of waiting till next week....

Have you tried to Google the part number?

 

[BUTCH1]

Electrician doesn't replace capacitor, it is the job of an instrumentation mechanic or an electronic technician.

HVAC mechanic/plumber/gas fitter can have a cross over electrical certification that allows them to work on low voltage appliances of less than 600V. And a good HVAC mechanic are well verse enough to work on electronic circuitry.


PS. I'm not an electrician, however I possess a cross over electrical cert and I got 100% on the Red Seal Cert Exam thank you.

All HVAC repair persons are able to work on electrical problems, since it's powered by 220V AC, they pretty much have to. I doubt most HVAC folks would be comfortable working on a big screen TV either.

 

[DIY2012]

I know its an old thread, but was able to find one at a store called Tribles..you can find their locations online..but only in the DC/MD/VA area..they will sell to anybody...unlike most of the wholesalers.

 

[CPA]

dammit, I've been necro'd