A/C compessor Capacitors failure.

[Artisi]

Just had 2 aircon units fail probably at the same time although I can not swear to it as the non-cooling wasn't noticed until different times of the evening.
Have attached photo of 1 of the capacitors from the compressor showing the failure, the second unit capacitor is also knackered but no external damage.

Comments welcome as to what might have happened.

Thanks

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[MikeHalloran]

Is that a shipping container, or is the capacitor normally installed with an air gap and a paper shell around it?


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Artisi]

It's the top of the outdoor compressor / fan unit. The capacitor has an enormous amount of area around it, the paper is the rapping paper from the replacement capacitor.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[MikeHalloran]

In almost 40 years in Florida, we have had, I think, five, central air conditioners, one at a time, on this one house.
The thing that almost always fails first is the condenser fan motor, always a PSC type, typically installed with a large 2 blade propeller fan and running at fairly high slip.
Second most frequently failed component for us is the phase shift capacitor for that motor.
Third worst is the phase shift capacitor for the compressor.
Fourth worst is the contactor for the compressor.
It's hard duty.

Two similar units failing at nearly the same time, assuming they are roughly of the same age, is not common but not impossible.






Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Artisi]

Same age and virtually same running hours, main and 2nd bedrooms, however think too much coincidence for both to fail possibly the same actual time.
But easy cheap fix-up here in Thailand, full service on both units plus 2 capacitors and labour approx $US70 total including a tip for the 2 "workers".

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[waross]

How was the weather?
Any chance of a lightning strike or other voltage surge on the grid?

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[Artisi]

waross - no lightning but possibly voltage surge - but didn't notice it on other equipment - it is Thailand and anything is possible.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)