Outside unit not working - Rheem - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| sqzdog
 |  "Outside unit not working - Rheem"
, posted Fri 6 Jun 16:40  
I have an older Rheem unit for my garage. The air handler is fine when I turn the system on. I go outside and the fan I spinning slowly. After a few minutes of standing there the outside unit clicks and immediately kicks the breaker to the outside unit which in turn kicks the master breaker to the garage. I don't use this system very often and last used it this winter so it hasn't been used in a few months. Where should I start?
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Replies:
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| 341
| "Re(1):Outside unit not working - Rheem" , posted Fri 6 Jun 17:59
Sounds like you don't have 240V to the outside unit. Without proper voltage your amps could increase and trip the breaker. Check power source, you might only be getting 120V down one leg.
Test the capacitor.
www.hvactechgroup.com
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| | sqzdog
| "Re(2):Outside unit not working - Rheem" , posted Fri 6 Jun 18:35
I have taken the cover off and found one part that is pretty corroded. Capacitor maybe? All the other wires look good and all terminals are tight. I have taken a picture of this capacitor if anyone wants to see it, just send me your email address.
How do I test this capacitor?
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| "Re(3):Outside unit not working - Rheem" , posted Fri 6 Jun 18:56
First test your power source,
Set your meter to 400 volt range, and put one lead on the wire coming from the house going to the contactor in the ac and the other lead on the other wire from the house going to the other side of the contactor. Do you measure 240 volts?
To test the capacitor, turn the breaker to the ac off and wait 5 minutes. Take a marker and label which color goes where on the capacitor and disconnect the wires.
The capacitor should have a stamp with numbers. There should be a compressor rating and a fan rating, like 30 uF / 5 uF @ 440 VAC
or 30 MFD / 5 MFD @ 440VAC ect...
Set your meter to uF setting if it has one. One lead from C to HERM will measure the compressor rating. One lead from C to FAN will measure the fan rating. You should be + or - 10% of the stamped rating.
www.hvactechgroup.com
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| | sqzdog
| "Re(4):Outside unit not working - Rheem" , posted Fri 6 Jun 19:17:
ok, I got 240v. Now, I want to double check something. There is a cylindrical object mounted to the box with two red wires coming from it. One wire attaches to a square block box with other wires and the other wire goes downward and attaches to a silver cylindrical piece bolted from underneath that has several wires attaching to it. Is the black one that capacitor?
I know I sound pretty dense here, but I do have the sense to turn off the power!!
Thanks for all of your help.
[this message was edited by sqzdog on Fri 6 Jun 19:48] |
| | sqzdog
| "Re(5):Outside unit not working - Rheem" , posted Sat 7 Jun 14:52
Ok, here's where I am on this today. My references to parts is using the wiring diagram.
Double checked the voltage coming from panel box to outside unit and I get 240V at the contactor.
I have a Starting capacitor that is corroded. One wire comes off of that and goes to Start relay and the other wire goes to the Run Capacitor.
When I turn the system on, the fan slowly turns (quietly) and then after about 7 minutes the contactor (where the wires from the house come in) clicks and kicks the breaker in the house. The compressor also makes a click at the very same time.
I have checked all wires and found them to be snug and free of any cuts, etc. from rodents. The only corrosion I find is on the starting capacitor. I cleaned that off and still get the same results.
I'm stumped!
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| | theduke03
| "Re(6):Outside unit not working - Rheem" , posted Sun 8 Jun 07:18
Do you hear a humming sound from compressor when contactor pulls in or does it trip the breaker immediately? If immediately then your compressor is shorted to ground and must be replaced. This should be verified with an ohmmeter.
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
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