| HVAC gauges and capacitors [message #87111] |
Thu, 03 June 2010 11:48  |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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What gauge set can I purchase to use on my GMC air conditioning that would also work on r22? Where would you buy them? I understand that it would be illegal for a non-licensed person to install r22.
Do 115 volt ac motor run capacitors have reduced capacity over time or are they either good or bad? How would you test a run capacitor?
Here is a background story on why I am asking...
Summer is coming too early so we wanted to have our home HVAC systems checked. I have always prefered to do my own home maintenance but I don't have any real ac skill and expected they might be low on freon. The technician from one of the best rated HVAC companies locally arrives to complete "17 point inspection and coil cleaning". Going to the inside air handlers he immediately pulls the run capacitor for the furnace fan and tells me it is rated for 10 microfarads, reads only 6.5 on his meter, and if it goes out it will probably ruin my expensive 3/4 hp furnace motor. Our other unit has a 7.5 capacitor, which reads 5.6. Back to his truck where he produces his price book and shows me the list price for each capacitor is $251.00, which he can discount by $25 -- and then offers to call the company owner who may be able to drop another $25 -- now about $200 -- and I need two. Standing there, either dumbfounded or possibly with a dumb look on my face -- I decline while he again tells me if it fails I might lose my $820 3/4 hp motor, as he points to his price book. Now on to the outside unit where he checks the freon level, suggests it is one lb low. I am braced for the cost -- freon is $115 for the first lb and $39 for each additional. He says the dual run capacitor checks ok. Same story for the other outside unit. Most of the time he was on site he was on the phone -- or telling me about air cleaners, new systems (mine are 12 years old), or $265 freon leak tests.
Final bill, $341, $74 per unit for the inspection and outside coil cleaning, and $193 for three lb of freon.
As I watch him leave, he runs into a large planter on the driveway but he doesn't bother to stop.
Do I really need new capacitors? Well, since I am not positive, I use my GMCnet training,go to McMaster-Carr, order the run capacitors for about $6 each plus $5 shipping -- $17 total -- saving $383.
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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