Why does the run capacitor keep going out on my a/c - heatpump?

Question

My AC keeps blowing the run motor capacitor. I have replaced it 3 times now in the last month. Anyone have any advice on this? I live in Orlando where we do have many storms, lightning, etc. The system is older, not sure how old. I had a repair guy come out and he replaced this, the motor fan and the contactor. After that it blew the capacitor and I called him back. He came and replaced it but was making like there was now a leak with the freon and the filter. I didn't have him do anything with this and discovered that he was full of it. In any case it was a good 9 months ago that the capacitor blew, until recently, now I went myself and bought the capacitor and put it in. But it has blown again and I am putting in the 3rd now. Any ideas as to what could cause this? I did find something about adjusting the thermostat two much or often and the fact that it should be turned to the off position before making the adjustment. ??? I am at a loss. Help....

Answer 1

You may have a compressor that is grounded.

Don't call a electrician, call a qualified A/C repairman.

They can check the windings and also if the cause is from acid in the system.

You wont get that with an electrician.

I don't mean to disrespect electricians but this is some thing the A/C technician will be capable of diagnosing no matter what the problem is.

An electrician may be able to tell you what the problem is but may not be able to tell what the cause is from.

When you call them make sure you tell them what you have been experiencing and I am sure they will send a qualified tech out.

Talk to the service manager or owner.

Answer 2

Check the wiring.It's wired wrong.It will run for a time when wired wrong.

Answer 3

Call a qualified professional electrician. Not the guy you had last time. The capacitor in the motor is a "start" capacitor that should be removed from the circuit when the motor is running.   I suspect the system had some repairs made by a unqualified person.  Call a union shop.

Answer 4

cheap capacitor? wrong capacitor?wire from capacitor getting grounded or to motor ?motor wired wrong ? check these items

Answer 5

HAVE YOU HAD THE COILS CLEANED?

ARE YOU REPLACING IT W/RHE SAME

MFD DOES IT HAVE 2 LEGS OR 3 LEGS

1HERM,1COMMAN,1FAN, IHAVE STEPPED UP THE MFD AND HAD NO PROBLEMS,YOU CAN GO UP BUT NOT DOWN IN MFD,CK YOUR AIR RETURN

MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE A  RESTRICTION AND OVER WORKING THE COMPRESSOR,MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD CONNECTION ON THE CAP LUGS. MAKE SURE YOUR COND. FAN IS PULLING THE CORRECT RPM'S,CK FOR A KINK IN THE REFRIGERANT LINES. HAVE SOMEONE TO CK THE  AMP DRAW ON THE COMP. ARE YOU PRONE T POWER SURGE IN YOUR AREA?AND ADJUSTING YOUR THERM. TO MUCH CAN HARM YOUR COMPRESSOR,NO,DO NOT TURN IT OFF TO ADJ. IT,IF YOU ADJ IT ALOT IN SHORT TIME IT WILL SEND YOUR COMP. INTO THERMAL OVERLOAD AND CAN TAKE ALONG TOME FOR IY TO RESET ITSELF,ITS BEST TO SET IT AND LEAVE IT ALONE. LOOK ON COND.UNIT THERE SHOULD BE A ALUM.TAG ON IT,TELLING YOU THE VITAL INFO ABOUT IT. WISH I WAS THERE I REALLY LIKE SOLVING YJESE KIND OF PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE T MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE JUST TRYING TO GET YOUR MONEY W/O FIXING YOUR PROBLEM..