[salem1912]

Any HVAC guys know if the capacitor I got to replace mine is the right one? All # are the same :370vac 50/60Hz 10000AFC Except old one has 12.5uf and the new one is 5uf they look the same other than the new one is a shorter. BTW it's hot as he** up in the attic. Also I ck with a volt meter before I disconnected it,if there was voltage there how would I disapate it?

[Willshire]

Dissipate with a 100 ohm resistor. 12.5 microfarad cap should not hold much seems relatively small hold it with pliers cuz it will get hot. If your capacitor you are removing is a 12.5uF, you really should replace with the same as it is designed to store a charge and discharge as required if you use a 5uf instead of a 12.5uf it will not discharge the required voltage or current required by the circuit. Been a long time since electronics class!

[chrisp]

No farads have to be the same , touch the 2 wires together to dissipate any current , usually once failed there is little to none .

[george kujanski]

Those are AC capacitors; the capacitance value needs to be the same and is determined by the motor/compressor.

George

[salem1912]

Ordered the same one should be here tomorrow. I am replacing the blower motor so I thought might as well replace the capacitor,guy I work with said I should have just tried the capacitor first. If I hit the wheel with a stick it started to spin. But it's about 190* up there and I not going back up in the attic this summer! Thanks for the reply.

[fiedlerh]

Just make sure the power is shut off.
On an alternating current system the cap won't likely store a charge. The run cap would discharge though the windings.
If unsure, you can always discharge the start cap by closing the centrifugal switch, if it is accessible.
If you test with an LCR meter, you must discharge them because LCR meters don't play nice with even slightly charged caps.
Hot attic work: Start early, drink a jug of ice water, and work fast.

[chrisp]

Originally Posted by salem1912

Ordered the same one should be here tomorrow. I am replacing the blower motor so I thought might as well replace the capacitor,guy I work with said I should have just tried the capacitor first. If I hit the wheel with a stick it started to spin. But it's about 190* up there and I not going back up in the attic this summer! Thanks for the reply.

That is exactly what happens when the capacitor goes bad . Try the capacitor 1st.

[pugslyx234]

Just replaced my capacitor and it is 45-5 uf. My fan on the outdoor unit stopped and the compressor was buzzing, so I looked at the capacitor and seen that it was bloated at the top of it which indicated it was bad . Turn off all power and pull the fusses to the outside unit.Safety

[lust4speed]

Just got my daughter's unit going again with a new capacitor. Same thing, helped the condenser fan at first and it took off. New capacitor got things back to normal.

One of the deep mysteries is why the next size up or the next size down capacitor is always half the price of the one I need.

[Deadhead]

Almost all Caps now made in China. They don't last very long anymore. Always try replacing that first. Easiest thing is always the first to check.

[fiedlerh]

I went up from a 240 VAC rated cap to a 370 VAC and it's lasted for a while. Grainger has them pretty cheap , but doesn't sell to consumers. Just give them your company name if they have an account, or a local industrial company name, and they'll ask "cash or credit?"

[salem1912]

I cancel the blower motor and just replaced the capacitor. Has working good now for 3 days. I should have ask here before removing the blower motor. Thanks All!