2003 Signature AC/ heatpump problem

[saduncan1]

Hello everyone, need help! ac keeps blowing 110 v breaker! Any help would be good, or a good ac person in western WA.

[Ray,IN]

Does the unit sound as if it is running under a strain? Start hard,ie: 120VAC lights dim when the unit's compressor starts? Do you know what the voltage reading is when the unit is not running, and when the compressor is running? The voltage must be between 108-130VAC to keep from slowly destroying the compressor. It is called bruising, one bruise doesn't do much damage, with each repeated bruise it shortens the life of the compressor.

[saduncan1]

No it just pops the breaker, swapped the 20 amp breaker no change

[saduncan1]

Voltage is good 120v

[Drifter]

Is it doing the same thing with all units or just one?

[saduncan1]

just the rear, other two work fine, it gets very warm back there with the unit not working!

[Drifter]

It could be this. Heat Pump Start Capacitor

[R&J]

? When does it trip the breaker
Like right away or after it's been running for a while, say 5-10min's.
? If you run the fan only does it trip the breaker.
? Were in western Washington are you.
As Mike (Drifter) said It could be the starting capacitor or a run capacitor.
Rich

[saduncan1]

It only trips the breaker in heat or ac mode! It trips the breaker as soon as I turn it on. I live just south of Seattle. Does anyone know of a good ac person?

[bullydogs1]

Sounds like the compressor..and in that case...you may need a new unit..my compressor froze up and you could hear it seize..it shut off before it tripped the breaker but Carrier stepped up to replace it at 1 1/2 yrs old.--note it could be that start cap too....but either way you will need to get up on roof and do it..be careful if you decide to do capacitor itself because it could discharge a wad of electricity.

[walt2137]

I had the same problem and it was the compressor, I will be installing a new 15,000 in place of the 13,500 tomorrow with the new 5 button control. The only hard part is getting the AC on the roof the rest is plug and play. And dont forget to use threadloc on the 4 hold down bolts and torque to 40 to 45 INCH lb.

[R&J]

It could me a compressor.
You'll need a ohm meter to check it out.
A dead short to ground in the compressor motor winding will trip the breaker.
So can a burnt wire that is now touching the frame.
A/C are only 120volt unit very much like a large window A/C unit for a home. Try calling a local appliance tech to check it out, make it easy for them to get on the roof.
Rich