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[UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - clay - 06-29-2018
update to this thread: http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,2264781
So, after the capacitor didn't do the trick, and after poking around for a while looking for any other obvious culprits, I called the HVAC folks. They were able to send someone out within about 3 hours, and he had the issue fixed in about 15 minutes.
The issue? A blown fuse in the disconnect. Why my non-contact voltage tester told me the outside unit was getting power is a little confusing. Does power still pass through a blown fuse? But apparently replacing the fuse did the trick. He did say that the fuse could have just failed for no good reason, but that it could have also been the compressor pulling too many amps. He tested the compressor and it tested fine, but if it happens again, that may be the cause of the blown fuse.
At any rate, the repair bill should be about as low as they come for this sort of thing. Glad to have working AC again :-)
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - space-time - 06-29-2018
your compressor uses 240V, there are 2 wires each with 120V, opposite phase. One fuse was out, the other fuse was OK. The non-contact voltage detector did the job, it detected SOME voltage, but it could not tell whether that was one phase or both.
Since you said you had a DMM in the previous thread, I assume you checked the voltage
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - clay - 06-29-2018
space-time wrote:
Since you said you had a DMM in the previous thread, I assume you checked the voltage
I should have checked! I just assumed that the presence of power meant no problems in that department. Won't make that mistake again.
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - modelamac - 06-29-2018
Yes! Always remember that those units are 240V. I keep at least 2 capcitors on hand as spares, and you could add 2 fuses to that list. I store these in zip lock bags.
clay wrote:
[quote=space-time]
Since you said you had a DMM in the previous thread, I assume you checked the voltage
I should have checked! I just assumed that the presence of power meant no problems in that department. Won't make that mistake again.
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - space-time - 06-29-2018
I store these in zip lock bags.
I would go one step further: I would store these near the unit itself. I have mine in the inside closet where the furnace is located. I do not want to have to go through my toolboxes when I need these.
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - Bill in NC - 06-29-2018
Wait, those are fuses?
I assumed that small electric-panel looking thing mounted on the wall near my outside unit had dual circuit breakers, not fuses?
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - Bernie - 06-30-2018
Bill in NC wrote:
Wait, those are fuses?
I assumed that small electric-panel looking thing mounted on the wall near my outside unit had dual circuit breakers, not fuses?
Mine does.
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - Article Accelerator - 06-30-2018
clay wrote: The issue? A blown fuse in the disconnect…replacing the fuse did the trick
Clay, could you elaborate a bit? All I see in my outside wall mounted disconnect is a snap-in connector plug. Where are the fuses in that box and what do they look like? How many are there?
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - Article Accelerator - 06-30-2018
Bernie wrote:
[quote=Bill in NC]
Wait, those are fuses?
I assumed that small electric-panel looking thing mounted on the wall near my outside unit had dual circuit breakers, not fuses?
Mine does.
Yours does what? Have fuses? Have dual circuit breakers?
Re: [UPDATE] HVAC Troubleshooting - Carm - 07-01-2018
Those are fuses outside mounted on the wall. Some have a switch on it as well. Most you pull and the fuses are behind the handle.
https://dengarden.com/appliances/How-to-Replace-Air-Conditioning-Fuses