Condenser fan sticking - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| CyrusBorg
 |  "Condensor fan sticking"
, posted Mon 14 Jul 10:58:  
During the spring unit would not cool. Fan spun but no cooling. Thought I needed to replace the whole system (3 ton-$4000) Luckily, a technician repaired the compressor. System began cooling again. Happy day. Then the fan started freezing up after the unit cycled off.
Once I found this problem, I pushed the fan blade and it started working. Next day same thing. Tech came back out and oiled the motor. Fan worked. Cool air. Shut down at the end of the day. Next morning-you guessed it-fan stuck again.
I should say that the fan worked all spring until the repair. It would spin all day every day. Tech says it's not a capacitor because the fan only sticks when the unit is calling. Thinks it's bearings-need new fan motor. Scratching my head. Only developed after tech disconnected then reconnected the fan wires, so...could not properly reconnecting the wires have caused this problem? If so, can it be corrected?
Is it more likely the capacitor after all?
"It can't hurt to ask."
[this message was edited by CyrusBorg on Mon 14 Jul 18:10] |
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| CyrusBorg
| "Re(1):Condensor fan sticking" , posted Mon 14 Jul 18:58
quote:
During the spring unit would not cool. Fan spun but no cooling. Thought I needed to replace the whole system (3 ton-$4000) Luckily, a technician repaired the compressor. System began cooling agai
...
I'd hoped Houston or the Duke would have picked up on this today? Hope I didn't say something taboo on this board? Those guys seem to usually give pretty sound, comprehensive advice.
"It can't hurt to ask."
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| | theduke03
| "Re(2):Condensor fan sticking" , posted Mon 14 Jul 19:11:
When you say "stuck" do you mean locked/seized, or do you mean not running. If the fan blades spin freely then it could very well be a bad capacitor, miswired, or a bad motor.
If you can take pics of wiring at outdoor unit, go to photobucket.com and upload the pics, then click on the IMG code below the pic. Paste code in your reply.
You would need a meter that measures microfarads to test the capacitor, or you could just replace it(relatively inexpensive).
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
[this message was edited by theduke03 on Mon 14 Jul 19:14] |
| | CyrusBorg
| "Re(3):Condensor fan sticking" , posted Mon 14 Jul 20:45
Thanks for writing. By stuck I mean I push it with a stick and it resists when the unit is on. When the unit is off the blades move freely. The first time I tried this it started spinning and kept going. The second time it moved but didn't start spinning.
I'll get photos in the morning.
"It can't hurt to ask."
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| | Houston204
| "Re(4):Condensor fan sticking" , posted Tue 15 Jul 00:01
Probably a weak capacitor. You can measure your cap for $30.
Remove power and allow a few minutes for the cap to bleed down.
Write down the Terminal = Color wire combination, remove the wires and measure your capacitor with the meter set to CAP.
Black lead in the center (meter) post and the red lead on the right post (labeled CAP)
Most caps display + or - 6%, but %10 might be more accurate.
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
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| | Houston204
| "Re(5):Condensor fan sticking" , posted Tue 15 Jul 08:14
If you suspect that your cap is miswired, include a picture of the connection diagram (on the panel), with the picture of your existing wiring.
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
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| | CyrusBorg
| "Condensor fan sticking" , posted Tue 15 Jul 10:35:
You guys represent the real value of the internet...connecting people.
Here's a gallery address for pics taken today.
http://gallery.me.com/artndeed#100043
The wiring looks like it might be in line with the schematic. I know that the capacitor has never been replaced in 16 years so it is suspect, although it shows no bulging. I'll have to ID it and seek a replacement before replacing the fan motor. Looks like a dual run oval capacitor.
I'm guessing it costs about as much as a meter?
"It can't hurt to ask."
[this message was edited by CyrusBorg on Tue 15 Jul 18:17] |
| | theduke03
| "Re(1):Condensor fan sticking" , posted Tue 15 Jul 19:03
From what I can see it looks to be wired correctly.
"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."
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