Testing the start capacitor
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- This one covers testing of the start capacitor. This video is part of the heating and cooling series of training videos made to accompany my websites: www.graycoolingman.com and www.grayfurnaceman.com to pass on what I have learned in many years of service and repair. If you have suggestions or comments they are welcome.
If you are a homeowner looking to repair your own appliance, understand that the voltages can be lethal, the fuels are highly flammable and high pressures are used. Know your limits.
I watch many videos and star rate them for use in a classroom....This gentleman has the best, most uncomplicated, easy to understand, plainspoken video's out there, that any layman can understand...In my opinion, the best, Period....Once again, my thanks to the Grayfurnaceman for making these videos.
Thanks for the support.
GFM
I like your straightforward commonsense tutorials
Nice demonstration. Really like you demonstration video's thanks for taking the time to do them.
Good demonstration, strate and to the point.
Thanks for the support.
GFM
I got the same OL reading on my AC condenser cap. I tested the cap because the condenser fan stopped spinning - thanks, I just ordered a replacement cap,
That is a bleed resistor. Purpose to discharge capacitor after shutting off equipment for safety.
Thank you for your speedy response!
You are the man, I've been looking for capacitor meter testing for weeks. You are the only one that show the capacitors with just the 2 COM and HEM with the resister attach. The one exactly that I have. 88-108. The meter read 14.85. That means my capacitor is DONE? Thank You
If you disconnected the resistor when you tested it it is bad.
GFM
Thanks,
I have always wanted to know how to test a capacitor with a bleed resistor
You forgot to mention when checking them after the power has been shut off you need to discharge them. Or else you could get shocked. They hold a charge and may still have this charge stored in them if the power was just recently shut off.
Those things pack a punch for sure if you have ever experienced a jolt from one
Oh yes they do.
GFM
compressor wire diagram
That's usually with DC caps.... AC circuit cap...not so much
"Usually" causes grown men to scream like a baby throw their meter and look around to see how embarrassed they should be. 10% of the time (roughly) their may be a charge on an a.c. circuit cap. More if it's removed from the circuit with no bleed resistors. Rare with run caps and fairly common with start caps because the start cap gets yanked out of circuit every time it's used, often leaving it charged to some point.
Good and to the point video and with the correct tester, perfect !!! I have seen other videos with the WRONG tester being used. lol Also great job explaining about microfarad.
Thanks for the support.
GFM
Excellent-----able test my 1200 MFD after disconnecting the resisters. Much thanks. Question why are some U T'''ers checking and being happy with results with resisters in place?
Beats me, some do not know what they are doing.
GFM
Have the Frigidaire package unit and pipes keep freezing up and also has a DC fan motor that's running things like low speed
Why you change the multi tester I can't understand
Good series.
Straycurrent Thanks for the support
GFM
Since the terminals/poles aren't marked, does it matter which wire connects to which terminal?
No
GFM
Nice Video, well done. thanks
Wondering if you could help. I have a dehumidifier that trips the breaker after you hit the power button. Could a bad capacitor cause this? Thanks in advance.
Probably not. If its a power humidifier, it could have a shorted heating element.
GFM
@@grayfurnaceman Thank you Sir
@@grayfurnaceman Update, i put a hardstart on it and it turned on and ran. I turned power off and removed hardstart and it would turn on and run for 5 to 7 seconds then trip breaker. Any thoughts?
@@brianb5779 You probably have a failing compressor. It may continue to operate with the hard start installed. Just may not last very long.
GFM
@@grayfurnaceman Okay thank you sor
when a irrigation pump don't work the problem might be the capacitor i have a pump that it just make buzz but won't start & it gets real hot.any help thanks
nice video tutorial it`s helpful good job thanks for this .
I always use an analog meter rather than a digital one to check capacitors.
I used one for many years. The only problem is that they will not give the strength. Most meters have a capacitor function built in now.
GFM
Very true....I only use it on microwaves.
I was looking at Baldor 6" Bench Grinders. They have approx. 14 different models!
One of the descriptions says: Built for heavy duty grinding, powered by 1/3 hp Baldor PSC type motor (except 612E & 662E which are split phase)
What would be better for that type of bench grinder, a (PSC) Permanent Split Capacitor or a Split Phase motor?
Is one harder or take longer to start? Do you have to spin the wheels to get it going?
My start capacitor doesnt read anything after removing the resistor . Does that mean its gone?
Does the first meter have an separate port to plug in special leads for capacitance that must be zeroed with the dial on the left before testing.
No. All you do is set to capacitance.
GFM
I have a mid-80s Carrier AC that won’t start. The hard start cap & relay appear to be original, OEM. If I test the cap and it’s bad (don’t know if the relay can be tested), can I replace them with a generic kit, like the 5-2-1 kit that’s sold on Amazon? Thank you!
You can, but I would use the OEM start kit as it is designed for the unit.
GFM
Hi,
I tested my capacitor like you showed in the video. I have the same response as you did in your first demonstration of this video. I set my multimeter to "2k ohms". Upon touching post posts my multi reads .278 than open. Switch the two leads around and it does the same. Would this mean the capacitor is bad?
Frank
Sounds like it is good because as it charged the resistance increased.
GFM
Sir may I ask, if I have a motor starting capacitor for "Dough Mixer" of 80µF 10+20% 270V, and I have a reading of 85µF, shall I say that the capacitor is in excellent condition?
Yes. It is within 10%.
GFM
Thank you
Will all ac unit comes with a start capacitor? Or no, because on mine I can't find it, only have dual run capacitor.
Most do not. Unless they are controlled by a TXV, they do not need one. If the compressor is a scroll they do not need one even then.
GFM
ok here is my question. I have a capacitor but the label is gone. It was the start capacitor for a submersible pump. Now I have to get a replacement. How do I test this capacitor to see what the origin microfarad rating was. It does say 220 volts.
bob campbell If the capacitor has failed, there is no way to test it. If you have specs for the motor, you can try contacting the manufacturer.
GFM
thank you... ok, so Im just SOL because the pump is 200 feet down... I will try and look at other pumps and what they tend to use.
bob campbell There is a control box above ground. That’s where you found the cap. Use the model # there.
GFM
the label on the cap was completely disintegrated... hence my original question...but thanks for trying... bob
You can always go up in voltage but does it work that way also with the micro-farads can you go up
Danny Calk No. Microfarads must be within 10%.
GFM
I did that for a washing machine start cap... The meter just reads 11.. so its bad right? By the way OL is overload. means the cap has a charge in it usually.
Sounds like it is bad.
GFM
@@grayfurnaceman Thanks for your reply.
that resistor is there to save lives.. hello?
Hahah. Save lives? Techs know how to deal with capacitors without getting killed
@@dpeagles Yeah well the guy in the video is far from a tech. I'm assuming he electrocuted himself by now.
Ever used an ESR meter for this?
I wish you said on what you set your tester on . Thanks,
Most of the multimeters out there have a capacitor test position. The meter was set to that position.
GFM
I have my compressor has two capacitors but their burst all of them but don't know how many microfarad which it was on them what can i do please i want replace them
The capacitor in my condenser unit reads 35mfd+5mfd. Is this a RUN or START capacitor? Thanks
It is a run capacitor. It is a combination capacitor for the fan motor and compressor.
GFM
@@grayfurnaceman thank you for your reply. So if the 35mfd+5mfd is the run capacitor for the compressor and condenser fan motor. Then how does the compressor and condenser fan motor initially start? Don't they need a boost to start rotating first and then the run capacitor takes over?
@@mark.r8900 The use of a hard start system is dependent on the system design. Most systems will start using the run cap.
GFM
hi, thanks for the video, very helpful. quick quesiton. capacitor need + and - to charge, in this case, common from capacitor and
(start wire from compressor and FAN) both are in the same leg.. the common of compressor and fan is going to other leg of 240.. but for capacitor to charge we need both leg right. so how is capacitor charging.. to make it simple if i have capacitor which is NOT dual KEEP it single.. i wire start wire of herm in capacitor to start wire of compressor, common in the capacitor i will connect to T1, i will connect RUN of compressotr to T1 and common to T2. being said that capacitor doesnt have both the leg to charge.. can u please explain.. no one have done this befofre..
Remember, this is AC. It reverses 120 times a second. Also, the capacitor is not a load, its a semiconductor.
The capacitor is charged thru the windings of the compressor. Each time it charges, and the polarity reverses, it discharges into the circuit. Hope this helps.
GFM
This a tutorial for people who know how to test a capacitor you don't tell what settings on the meter.
There are no settings for the meter. Except for setting it in capacitor mode. The only exception is if you are testing very small caps. This video is about testing motor start capacitors. They range from 85 to 500 MFD.
GFM
Im a former hvac tech and i have a field piece model- sc54 digital multimeter. It has a setting on it that you set to mfd that checks capacitance. On the screen if reads in UF which is the symbol for microfarads. Hope this was some help. Ps... i bought the meter from Sid Harveys.
does the resistor need to be there? or can it run without it?
The bleed resistors on start caps where potential relay is used is absolutely required. The resister will discharge the cap otherwise in the off cycle the only path for a capacitor to discharge with a potential relay would be across the relay contacts, damaging or weld the contacts.
@grayfurnaceman
How to check large cap like: 68000 uf 63V?
Any ideas to give me?
I have a Kenmore washing machine it's humming I suspect is the capacitor do I have to discharge it and how. I have a regular voltage meter
Once the power is off, the cap does need to be discharged. Proper procedure requires placing a 20,000 ohm resistor across the terminals. Practically, what everyone does is use a screwdriver to short the terminals.
GFM
Maybe you can use capacitor tester and nor an ohm meter
Both meters are capacitor testers.
GFM
OL means out of limit
#open line
good video. thanks.
single phase preventer how to work inlet wire outlet wire how to connecting
and in the system how to control the
single phase preventer please explain to me thanks!
Use Stronium Sulfide Flugleharn Plutonium Invertor set to "Calibrate". Then download the single phase preventer app and set bluetooth to "on" and look for a signal from the Reactor Core Modulator inverter valve. The IP address MUST be 10.213.200.200 or it cannot connect to your app
Good to know about testing with that resistor removed.
Is it common nt to have a start cap on a Carrier 2-3 ton central air unit? or is the "combo cap" both a run cap fro the condenser fan and a run cap for the compressor?
Craig Nehring hekejsksnslndlddnlwuDawn will be at 5:50 AM.
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should i always discharge cap before testing ???
Start caps need to be discharged if there is no resistor between the terminals. Run caps discharge themselves when the circuit is opened.
GFM
@@grayfurnaceman That's the stupidest damn comment ever. Just like the rest of your video. You should have never put this video up. If you set a run capacitor on a workbench and briefly give it 120 volts (which is how they are charged) there's no way it's going to discharge on its own. Maybe after it sits there for a couple weeks. You always need to discharge a capacitor so you don't shock yourself.
Jay Ryan You are correct. If I place a cap on a bench, and charge it it will hold that charge. A run cap is not used on a bench. It is used in parallel with the start winding of a motor. If you look at the wiring diagram of a motor, you will see that when the power is removed, it discharges thru the winding. Have you ever noticed that there is never a spark when you short the cap? Think before you comment. GFM
@@jayryan7473 I guess at this point I should respond in kind. Look at the diagram of the motor dummy.
GFM
Looks like he was using a Fluke dedicated capacitor tester.
Does any one knows the model number of this meter?
I am looking for a good one. Thanks
+Horacio Castillo Its not a dedicated meter. Its a volt ohm meter. The model is Fluke 16. Replaced by the Fluke 116.
GFM
+grayfurnaceman . Thanks a million for your answer. I just bought a Fluke 116 used on E-bay for $101 with case and leads. I needed to check capacitors on water well pumps control boxes.Have the fluke 83 but is a pain to check caps with this meter.
Thanks for your interesting video.
is that meter still around or obsolete?
It is obsolete. The replacement is the 116 true RMS meter.
GFM
Ok. I'll look into it. Thanks.
You skipped how/what to set the multimeter at. And the markings on multimeters I see at Harbor Freight look nothing like the one you have.
The meter shown is a Fluke 16 Similar to the Fluke 116. These meters are automatic range. Many of the Harbor Freight meters are manual range.
If I was testing a capacitor with a manual ranging meter, I would note the strength of the capacitor printed on the side, then set the range accordingly.
GFM
hi ..anyone can tel.me ..how to check perfect size of capaciter for diffrent sizes motor
hahah i have that same fluke meter. had it for nearly 20 years and it's still going.
My first Fluke 16 I bought in 1990. I replaced it because it got crushed between an outboard motor and a boat hull 25 years later.
GFM
AC repairing video please hindi me Sr
Get the right tester A capacitor tester
my tester doesn't have farads =(
Buy one that does.
GFM
Dont worry. I dont have a ferret either.
He forgets to tell you what setting you need to have the meter on.
Most meters are automatic in reading the strength, and only need to be set in the capacitor setting.
GFM
Its Hank Hill from (King of the Hill)
Should you need top-quality electrolytic or film capacitors for motor application, make sure to check www.comarcond.com/en
I wish people when they test stuff would show how to set there meters up so people that don't know much about meters would know what to do..Good video..but not much good without that knowledge if one doesn't know this..
Anyone notice that the meter was in micro farads and the capactior is in milli farads? That's off by 1000 times, so I wouldn't say it's good
The capacitor is rated in microfarads. In this case the M is for microfarads.
GFM
Zachary Self
How in the hell did you get out of 1st grade????
I was just in front of a person that makes senseless comments on youtube.
GFM
Joe Agreed! This video is joke.
This is the biggest failure in all the TH-cam videos regarding capacitor testing. I don't feel like wasting anymore of my time on this but just to protect the safety of others falling victim to this video I will point this out: Before handling a capacitor you darn well better short the terminals with a screwdriver. And keep your unprotected fingers away from the terminals for crying out loud. I think it's safe to assume this guy is never going to read this comment because he already electrocuted himself & is now brain-dead being fed with a tube. Or he tried sharpening a lawn mower blade while it was running. Either one of those is a possible scenario.