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Old 10-25-2020, 02:02 PM   #1
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Replacing capacitors in 25 yr old a/c unit as maintenance ?

Found a small leak around the mounting gasket and wondering if I should replace the start and run capacitors while I have everything open to replace the gasket ?
The A/C cools just fine though it seems to occasionally struggle to start when on the generator, especially when the outdoor temps are hot.

What do you all think?
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Old 10-25-2020, 02:13 PM   #2
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Found a small leak around the mounting gasket and wondering if I should replace the start and run capacitors while I have everything open to replace the gasket ?
The A/C cools just fine though it seems to occasionally struggle to start when on the generator, especially when the outdoor temps are hot.

What do you all think?

While you're on the roof and inside the unit? Sure, do it now. If the caps are original equipment you've gotten great service from them. Replace them before the fail.
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Old 10-25-2020, 04:43 PM   #3
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Agree.
They do go bad. If you are willing to replace go for it.
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Old 10-25-2020, 05:03 PM   #4
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Good Information

Thanks for the A/C maintenance information. Has not happened yet but I have the same units and its just a matter of time..
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Old 10-26-2020, 04:18 PM   #5
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I would at least have a spare in my toolkit.
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Old 10-26-2020, 04:40 PM   #6
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The capacitors built 25 years ago were built much better than today. If you do swap out as maintenance I would keep the originals as spares.
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Old 10-27-2020, 03:03 PM   #7
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The capacitors built 25 years ago were built much better than today. If you do swap out as maintenance I would keep the originals as spares.
X2.

I wouldn’t mess with the old ones. They had different chemistry that lasts.
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Old 10-27-2020, 04:25 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RickNC View Post
Found a small leak around the mounting gasket and wondering if I should replace the start and run capacitors while I have everything open to replace the gasket ?
The A/C cools just fine though it seems to occasionally struggle to start when on the generator, especially when the outdoor temps are hot.

What do you all think?
You can add a hard start cap to start. They added them to my AC units at the house when I had backup Generator installed
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Old 10-28-2020, 06:18 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RickNC View Post
Found a small leak around the mounting gasket and wondering if I should replace the start and run capacitors while I have everything open to replace the gasket ?
The A/C cools just fine though it seems to occasionally struggle to start when on the generator, especially when the outdoor temps are hot.

What do you all think?
I would invest in a meter that measures capacitance to see what condition they are in. As Gary suggested, carry spares. If the A/C quit on a hot day that may require throwing parts at it but not as preventative maintenance.
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Old 10-28-2020, 08:30 AM   #10
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I would leave them alone. The don't make parts like they used to and if they have lasted this long, you have some really good ones.
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Old 10-28-2020, 08:44 AM   #11
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Capacitators are good or bad and no in between. I would leave them if they are working. As noted, the newer ones are not as good as the old ones.

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Old 10-28-2020, 09:09 AM   #12
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I appreciate the replies and opinions.
I talked to my A/C guy yesterday who is coming Friday to service the mini-splits in the house. He also services RV A/C for the local dealers. He recommends replacing them at this age,but only with either AmRad or BMI capacitors which are both US manufactured. Like most every other electronic components the vast majority are now made in China with a wide range of quality and usually no way to differentiate.
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Old 10-28-2020, 09:11 AM   #13
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Old 10-29-2020, 03:48 PM   #14
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I replaced mine as preventative when I had the cover off to wash the condenser. $20 in preventative maintenance and I kept an old set as a spare just incase.
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