The AC decided to stop blowing yesterday.
 
I have a favorite tech that I'll call.
 
It just got me wondering... that capacitor he swaps out every couple years; What does it do?
 
Please discuss. :-)
 
best regards,
mike

The capacitor helps to start the motor on the fan, and the other one starts the compressor. Sometimes, the 2 caps are in one can if the cap has 3 terminals on it.
 
That was the issue on the latest AC issue I had.... the fan cap went bad.

 
Yes, It seems like the caps are only serviceable for a limited time.
 
I wish I knew more about motor control.
 
From the little I know about caps; you have to use an ideal size or there are gotchas. In other words, you can't specify one with higher voltage tolerance simply because you want it to last longer. And you can't specify one with excess capacitance as that increases inrush current... which can fry the rectifier and the cap.
 
About the only thing you can do to increase life span is to spec a high heat tolerance.
 
I'm glad I don't know the spec of that thing or I'd be out there working on it myself...
 
I'm calling my tech at 8:00 a.m. :-) We are old acquaintances and coincidentally I just saw him out on the bicycle trails in the forest Monday night. It'll be nice to see him while he's standing still. 
 
best regards,
mike

A tech is the quickest way to fix it.
 
Caps should be pretty close in spec.... using a higher voltage cap won't hurt. The main thing is the microfarad rating, the minimum working voltage, and if it polarized or not.
 
In my case, I would work on it if I had the time to save money, but I look at it this way too..... if I go get a cap at the store and it's not the problem, I have wasted time and money, and the store doesn't allow return of electrical components. Besides, I'm often too busy to waste time on it anyway. I just hire the tech.... and in about an hour or less, it's running or I know what the repair will be.
 
Speaking of work...today,  I have a 3 hr ride one way... I better get rolling...

 
Thanks Herb!
 
Hope you have a nice day. :-)
 
 

 

What does that "capacitor" do anyways? 

 
It capacitates.
 
Simples.
 
Helpful Orange Thingy please Mike
 
 

 
I went all out for you on this one Strummy.
 
 

 
 
Ooh - I've gone all green

it shouldn't be going out on you every couple of years, tho.  while they're easy to replace, they shouldn't be considered a "yearly manintenance" type item. 
 
I'm not an electrician and my expertise is not in AC motors, but if you're replacing the cap every couple of years then my guess is that there's something in the motor or starting circuit which is causing undo stress on the cap.  could be the voltage spiking, might be something else like the switch.  maybe the switch is bouncing or latching causing the cap to stay in the circuit?  I don't know - just speculation.

Thanks Beagle.
 
Every couple years is more accurately described as twice before in 15 years on this particular unit.
 
I always ask my Tech to do what ever is necessary so I'll be sure to do that this time as well.
 
best regards,
mike