A/C service, what is a fair charge?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Baz

They normally have them in stock but no way you should have to pay more than $20. You can buy for less online.

Hugh stated they were an older design and silly expensive vs modern ones.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Hugh stated they were an older design and silly expensive vs modern ones.

Methinks he was talking about the breaker, not the capacitor.

My advice on capacitors is to avoid the ones made in China. I've seen those fail in a day. If you can't find one made in the USA, get a Mexican one.

JR

[Don Ro]

A few years ago a local TV station had a segment on A/C fraud.
Get a flyer in the mail for a $50 "check up" and get hit with a $400 bill.
They showed video of the "technicians" and their vans with company names on the side.
Hidden camera on the fake homeowner who watched the "technician" troubleshoot the system...a system that was checked to be functional by another reputable company.
What a surprise...a malfunctioning flute valve on the gizmo.
Appears that A/C fraud is rampant in the Phoenix Valley...and I suppose elsewhere.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by javadog

Methinks he was talking about the breaker, not the capacitor.

Yep. Sorry.

[Hugh R]

Yeah, the breaker, the local HD and Loews didn't carry them. Sure I could have researched them on-line, but when its 90 in the house and you're packing to move, you need a fix now.

The new owner is going to pay for everything. he's not happy but will get over it.

[Baz]

$5.99 incl. shipping.....

New Dual Run Capacitor 5+15 5/15 15/5 MFD uf 370v 440v AC Motor 370 440 vac v

Here's another...$7.17 incl. shipping...961 sold....

TEMCo 30/5 MFD uF Dual Run Capacitor 370 440 vac Volts AC Motor HVAC 30+5

[SpyderMike]

You gotta match the rating of the cap to what was removed. Most dual caps are 30uF/5uF (if the repair guy told me right) if they run both fan and compressor. Some older units have two separate caps (one for fan and one for compressor). I ran across a 20uF single capacitor the other day troubleshooting my friend's air conditioning.

Based on the low price of he caps, I have a spare around just in case. Takes about 15 minutes all in to change out.

[T77911S]

that's pretty hi.

what caught my attention was the fact that he changed the cap and it did not fix it.
very easy to troubleshoot so if he got that wrong he is not very good.

[cabmandone]

So you paid a guy to not fix your air conditioner? I want in on that racket!
When I did HVAC, if I didn't fix the problem you didn't pay me. And one thing is certain, the customer would have never suggested I check voltage because it was the first thing I checked! These things don't run well without voltage.

[nota]

I bought a 35/5 duel capacitor for $7.50 about a week ago
it runs both the fan and compressor
replacing it takes about 10 min mostly unscrewing the sheet metal cover

panel breakers are a snap to replace
they mostly snap in to place
just be sure the power is off before messing around

btw some breakers will recover if exercised a bit