When you provide a true serve rather than a disservice, then customers want you and cost usually isn’t ever an issue unless it’s just absurdly out of line.
Absolutely. I wouldn't consider anyone else when the time comes, our guy is top notch. I grew up installing A/Cs with my father as a side business, so have a leg up there, but I imagine it's easy for these techs to fool people.
@@supernat1978 very easy, most people here "transmission" or "compressor" and they either run for the hills or pay for the work. Sad that people are always looking for a quick buck at the expense of others.
I have been to so many second opinion calls that end up just like this. A bad capacitor, contactor exc. The smile that comes on people's face when you fix there unit that was condemned by another company is priceless.
my ac was blowing hot, and i had the company that serviced my shop come out and look at it. tech didnt hook anything up, came inside with a 3 ring binder, and said the cheapest unit installed was 12k. double the price for a smaller unit that was replaced at the shop. had another tech come out, turns out i had a permanent filter in the blower unit that i was unaware of. second tech pulled, cleaned, and showed me what to do, and didnt even charge me. he is the one that replaced my unit when the time came. there needs to be more people like you and him in this world.
@@beals6631 it might be what he called it, but it was a washable filter inside the blower unit. i had zero idea that some units have a filter inside the blower unit, while a lot just have filters at the return in the wall.
@@overlordp.3758 filter grill is better makes it easier for the home owner can’t tell you how many times I’ve ran into homeowners who didn’t know they had a filter in the blower compartment
This goes to show you of who and what kind of technician you want to be. He is a fixer and if he can make a unit last longer for a customer and be honest this goes along way , respect.
It's why compatible alternative refrigerants are needed due to EPA BS. Instead of being charged $1000 for 10lbs of what is specified we found another ac guy that had alternative and charged us $500.
You never know how much you could have helped that customer by giving them a financial break from a large expense. We never know what they have on their plate. Could be caring for disabled loved ones, kids in college, or even job loss. Although only temporary reprieve from replacement, 6 months could make a huge difference in their lives! Great job sir! 👍 Thanks for the video!
6 months is probably a good call. Thanks to covid restrictions you'll be paying a lot more next year. One of my distributors said 410 might rise as much as 400% 404 just rose about 40% so did 134. Compressors another 25%.. the bills are getting pretty high already.
Yeah, but I found a limit on that, them 40 year old Janitrols don't have a parts supplier anymore, they are condemned as hell when they finally go down.
@@shadowopsairman1583 yeah I had to tell a whole complex owner that as they went down they'd have to be replaced, 40 units. He was pissed, lol. It's like what do want, you got 40 years out of em! Theyve paid for themselves ten times over by now... I'm a decent salesman because I sell the truth!
@@shadowopsairman1583 come to think of it, those units would have lasted another decade had the idiot maintenance man not bought special order filters to install in the burner box! Thing was half melted and caught fire numerous times, luck saved him from burning down the whole complex cause it did it in every unit, the odds weren't in his favor! You know it ran without proper flame and probably cracked the heat exchanger.
They think it's easier to replace than troubleshoot and repair. I've replaced the dual capacitor myself on the condenser and the start run on the evaporator on several, it is good practice to clean the condenser coils because dirt holds heat. I've even found a better dryer filter (old 1 rusted out) and alternative refrigerant.
Had a customer call for a second opinion. No cool. He told me the last guy pulled up, got out, and walked straight to the outdoor unit. He then came to the door, talking to his girl on the phone the whole time. The customer said hello and the tech stuck his hand out to tell him to hold on. He told his girl to hold on and looked at the customer and said "You need a new system, it's old." The customer was bewildered and asked why he would say that if he hadn't even checked the unit. The guy said "I just needed to see what size it was." The customer told him to get the hell off his property. 🤣
Great job. What a simple test will do. I became a Hvac tech to do what you do help people and make a living with honesty. God bless you for helping others.
You’re a good man to take care of your customer. You will be rewarded with a changeout one day. Dishonest techs would not have gone above and beyond as you did. Merry Christmas.
I wish you worked in my town, we get told twice a year "your system is really old and needs to be replace" (it's 13 years old) by the same company that comes twice a year to inspect, clean & test everything (yeah I know) the last time they came I told them if I hear that line again I would cancel that contract and when it did need replaced i sure as hell won't call them to do it, I'm so tired of people that just want to replace something instead of repairing it...
Depends where you live. If you get 13 years out of a heat pump system in Texas that’s pretty good. I mean it’s essentially running non stop 80 percent of the time
I’m becoming a huge fan of the way you check everything with your meter! I’m primarily an installer but hope in the future I can work as fluid as you do!
I called in a Tech to check out my 25 to 30 old unit. He said it runs OK run it until it dies and he has seen them run past 30. There are honest people out there just hard to find...
So thankful, for your honesty...our trade suffers from bad reputation from techs.either not knowing or there bosses tell them sell...sell..sell... Thank you
Had a similar issue with two companies avoiding showing me the real issue and kept quoting me for a whole new system. Ended up diagnosing it myself and found a faulty relay switch. 60$ later and A/C works great!
The proper way to treat a customer and this is exactly how I have many customers that respect me and always ask for me when something goes wrong. Some techs only see dollar bills I personally wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I treated customers like that. You are an honest man, much respect to you sir!!!
For me it’s all about a companies reputation. I have no issues paying a little higher price for an honest company that stands behind their quality work. Good job dude. 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Hvac techs must look at a customer like it’s their family. A company I worked for always wanted to rip people off and I would never do that. I was always helpful and honest
My heater folks were the opposite. They convinced us to keep the old boiler a few extra years. Of course they would. It needed a thousand in work every year. I replaced it. The new technology is wonderful. Its efficient, fast to heat, compact on the wall and almost maintanence free.
Last year my AC started blowing warm after a heat wave. The rental company sent a tech who pulled the disconnect at the outdoor condenser/compressor and said the unit had shorted had arced and stated that the whole thing would need to be replaced (without opening anything yet) and the air handler, inside the home, would likely also need to be replaced. The home owner called a company for a second opinion, tech turned out to be the owner of the company and a friend of my family that I knew could be trusted. He opened the panel and did a short visible inspection, he did not see any of the damage claimed by the first company. Plugged the disconnect back in, we turned on the AC and it immediately began blowing cold. He saved the home owner $10,000+ that the 1st guy didn’t try to service.
The 4 MOhms you are measuring is the resistance of your body touching the probes. You should only touch one probe with your hand while measuring resistance. Also 4MOhms are not enough to trip any breaker
Bought a house built in 93.. heat pump wasnt working. Prior owners never called an hvac guy over.. turned out the fuse was blown a chaffed wire on the outside unit. Works great now.. but the thernostat sticks.. needs a new thernostat. But the a.c guy was trying hard to sell us a completetly new unit stating the age of this thing... well its been a year now.. still works...
The most valuable skill in ANY profession is diagnostics- and the LEAST is selling crap to people who don't need it. BRAVO! (Supco superstarts will fix a LOT of issues...)
Unfortunately the big commission tech HVAC companies don't seem to place much value in their "technician's" ability to actually diagnose and repair things, only on their ability to generate sales...
Love the good work! But as an hvac veteran myself, I would suggest keeping start capacitors on the van. The 2 wire start kits are fine for testing whether a compressor will start, but the 5-2-1 system will provide the same performance regardless of temperature, unlike the 2 wire kit. I know its much easier to put on the 2 wire kit, but, the reason manufacturers use 3 wire HS kits instead of the 2 wire version is due to the 2 wire kit's diminishing capacity after it gets warm. Supco makes 2 different 3 wire kits, the 3W1and 3W2. I keep those as permanent installation start kits and use the 2 wire kit to check if the compressor will run. Keep up the good work! P.S. If anyone doesn't believe me, there are many videos using an oscilloscope that will prove my point. No, I'm not ragging on him, just a bit of constructive criticism.
Yeah, I don't like the Supco 2 wire kits. The ones with the PTC thermistor take WAY too long to reset in the Texas heat, and the ones with the electronic relay hold the capacitor in for longer than is ideal, and also fail a lot.
Oh and the capacitor flying out of the bracket,,, brother like a pro!! Thank you for exposing people to the true reality of how things are out there!👍👍 It's hard to explain in words,, but a video from start to finish👍👍 yep that works well! Off the cuff random service call,,, did your job,, got payed for your time and effort,, the customers system is up and running with out a complete refit👍👍 that right there is how a professional does things
I am no expert but glad I took the time to educate myself in several areas. There are numerous ways to get ripped off by being ignorant of how things work.
It's nice to see you took another approach and gave this customer good news. They will get another few years out of it. The other tech who condemned that compressor was quick to sell another unit without giving the homeowner an option to fix it. Some techs for some reason like doing this and they give you the answer " it's already on its death bed and you can pour the repair money into a new unit". Everyone doesn't have thousands in there pocket. I can understand if the homeowner was giving both options but they were not told that. Nice honest video
Actually several years, also a condenser compressor can be replaced, i found 1 for 300 at 1 point for mine here, beats paying +$12,000. Whats funny is the unit shown looks like a Trane like mine. I've replaced the dual capacitor and installed a Nest Thermostat. (mechanically and Electronically Inclined)
You are an incredibly honest human being. Finding honest HVAC technicians is very rare, 99% of them are trying to make a killing at all cost. My reverse valve on my heat pump is leaking and the company that came to my house 5 days ago, quoted me $5,000 to replace it, I am not kidding you!! And then he said, maybe you should go ahead and install a brand new condenser, that way you at least have warranty on it. So, they quoted me this outrageous price to fix a reverse valve, only to make a proposal to replace the entire unit I wish you were living in my State, I would have called you yesterday. Kudos to you for doing the right thing to customers, may you be blessed plentyfully in all of your ways!
When my unit starting blowing hot I had 3 different HVAC companies come out. I knew there was a refrigerant leak. All 3 companies quoted different things. One was the condenser coil was leaking, another was the transfer coil was leaking, another said the TXV was leaking. They all either wanted stupid money to fix it, or replace the whole unit. Fortunately my wife worked for an A&E firm as we had their mechanical engineer come out, who also does HVAC. We found the leak, low side schrader valve core was bad. 10 minutes and a new core later, charged the system and it's been running fine since. It's hard to have faith in HVAC guys when 3 different ones lied to me. I know there are honest guys out there, like the operator of this channel. But yall are a dying breed.
good to see other techs that actually try to fix the problem. Had a call this morning on a rental, the tenant said it hadn't cooled for over a month and the previous company told them the compressor was dead. Owner called us out get a quote. I looked over the compressor like you did and couldn't find any problems, even manually engaged the contactor. Turned on the thermostat, nothing came on. Popped up into the attic and found the blower door wasn't fully seated and the safety wasn't engaged. This all took me about 20 minutes to check everything. Went ahead and washed out the condenser coil. Checked pressures and was on my way . So a little work and his bill was around $116 instead of a $7500 replacement. I refuse to work for companies that have a minimum bill amount.
Honest techs are my favorite. I only have one guy allowed to work on my vehicles. I'm a telecomm field tech, and I treat all my customers like they're my immediate family. Apparently it's worked because if they ever have to call back in they always ask for me by my tech number.
Had a company come out and told me compressor was bad and would cost 4 grand to replace (dual stage) I asked him how are the caps and he said good, wanted $15000 to replace a 15 year old Bryant Evolution system, I noticed the run cap was bulged, tested myself and found bad, replaced and still running a year later. I work on 3 phase industrial equipment at times so have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing but wanted someone that works on these all the time so I don't have to worry about it, almost cost me big time!! Why cant people be real and not try to rip you off??
I’ve had the very same problem and was ready to shell out a bunch, but to my surprise I got a great tech out here in southern California who did me right with a new capacitor and juice assist
i do everything i can do to save a customer some money there are times that it cant be avoided but i have great admiration for other service techs like me that can get a unit going just because a unit is old does not mean its dead great job
You always do what’s best for the customer. Sometimes it’s better to replace with a new unit if the repairs are super expensive and the unit just runs 24/7. But always do what’s best for the customer and give them options
When I was a tech I tried everything possible to start a compressor. 1. Check wires for 220v 2. Capacitor 3. Contactor 3. Lugs at compressor. If it wouldn't start a few smacks with a hammer. I would also make sure it didn't have an open winding. Last on the list was a pack in ice or a hose on it for an hour. Sometimes techs don't know what they don't know. Occasionally they give up. Sometimes it's a company that just wants to use felon level training to flip leads.
I have fixed many pieces of equipment for people and one of the first things I suspect, especially if the breaker didn't trip, is that a capacitor has weakened to the point it won't do it's job. Besides that, capacitors don't cost much and it is easier on the budget for the customer. I've saved many people who just didn't have the money for the replacement, and called me to make sure they weren't being given bad advice. I can't believe how many companies now have taken the stance to try to talk the people into replacing when they don't need it.
as one POS said "it's an upsell world". i'm going to build a very small home when i retire and frankly i'm scared shitless of the contractors/builders i'm gonna have to deal with...
Super boost can trip the breaker too on Trane. The potential relay is very specific for the compressor. You always need to put the original potential relay back in.
I got into industrial/commercial HVAC/R a few years back but this is some of my favorite kind of work. I feel there's something more rewarding to this area of the field than the commercial industrial aspect of it. Also excellent work sir
I ran into this scenario a lot more this past summer than ever before. Just so happened to come behind the same company 3 times over the course of the summer and got the customers unit running. To me, that's a little more than a coincidence?
To test the start caps factory installed on Train units, you have to cut the resistor from one side that is on top between the 2 connectors. It will not test correctly if it is connected. The only issue is, if the cap is good, you have to solder it back on for it to work properly again. Hope this helps.
Huh? Why would you cut the bleed resistor? It’s not necessary if you have a good meter. Besides, if you’re concerned about the start components or your meter’s accuracy, throw a supco on it and see if it starts. If the start cap is bad, the start relay needs replaced too. You really don’t want to weld a start relay. 🙄
@@jman0870 this is just what the Trane service department let me know. If you know how to solder with a soldering iron it really is not that big of a deal. Shouldn’t even get close to hot enough to do be dangerous, if you know what your doing that is 😏. Just tried to add some helpful info, take it or leave it.
True, but if you are getting an OL reading on your meter, even with the resistor on, it is bad, testing done. A good start cap, with a bleed resistor installed, will still give you a µf reading, just not a correct one. Also, never replace just a start cap, they almost always fail because the contacts in the potential relay didn't open when they should. Even if the potential relay appears to still be working at the time of service, those contacts will stick again and wreck your new start cap.
In June I had a guy quote me over 10k to replace a 6 year old system that was overheating. I replaced the fan motor($140) and it ran through the rest of the summer without a problem... and my power bill went down 25%. This was a rough summer for us, not drop rain all summer and the temp was over 100 degrees every day(except 4 days) from June until the middle of August. (West of Dallas, Texas)
Good job. My experience tho - Trane usually won't tolerate boosters(for long or at all). Oem relay and proper size start cap -way to go( learned it hard way :) )
It generally depends on cycle rates. Some all in ones work off a bi-metallic heater via inrush current instead of having a true current or back emf start relay and do not reset before the next cycle begins. In those particular instances, the all in one is not going to work. If it had time to reset, there is little to no difference between factory start components and an all in one, as long as the capacitance is similar (and preferable not lower).
Gosh wish I could have you come look at mine I was told the same thing. It just sets there now and I use window units because I can't afford a new system. So many people out just to get your money that you don't even have. :( Making me think I just may need a 2nd opinion. ❤️
The Fieldpiece meter just displays dash marks across the screen ---.- for In-Rush For most units you want to move the decimal all the way to the right to capture the proper reading. 😎👍
30 mfd on a 35 mfd is technically weak (according the cap tolerance) but the unit will still run, seems to me like it was just the hard start kit tht was bad on this
I'm always glad to see an honest and competent tech in any of the trades, but the question still remains: why are so many of them incompetent or dishonest or both?
In cooler weather and if compressor don’t have crankcase heater - lower insulation resistance may be caused by liquid refrigerant settling down in compressors crank case. Which is also can cause liquid slugging.
I had a Trane unit that was tripping the breaker because the crankcase heater wire had gotten frayed and was grounding out on the comp. That was a fu one because they were in an apartment on the third floor! Lotta running that day!
The cap was open, it's quite common to see happen. Breaker tripped due to overload cause compressor couldn't start. Another way to check caps is ohm them, if no path, it blew open. If you see resistance go up and down, cap is functioning and after doing a few, you learn how the resistance should respond on a good cap. You can also see if the cap is shorted.
I took a 230v fan motor out of a scrapped unit I'm Florida and retrofitted it into a harbor fright barrel fan and holy wind tunnel does it move some air! I love HVAC scrap!
That thing is grounded only 4 m is a lot. My experience tells me not to really worry about it unless it’s less than 1m Ohm. Still they sometimes run there as well. Good video
There are some companies that pay their "technicians" on a commission only basis which makes them salesmen. They know before they even get to your house that they will be trying to sell you a system. Disgraceful. Treat customers like you would your own grandma- with respect and honesty and lifelong customers is what you'll get.
@@charlescastillo8870 have a cousin that’s a independent works for self, he’s always pushing new units. He’s the last person I would ever call. But electrically I can fix it all don’t have equipment to put in any coolant
i used to collect old capacitors and startrelays and drove them around, you could help out a customer without charging for the parts and keep an old unit running for some added lifetime, when the relays and capacitors start to fail, the compressor itself will follow in many cases
Good job always pays to be honest and do the right thing. Personally I would have checked those capacitors first thing never take another techs word on on shorted compressor, too many shiesty HVAC guys and you my friend I'm happy to say are one of the good guys!! Keep it up the Lord will bless you!!
I had that booster installed in my unit once. About a year later we started to get an electric burning type smell. After I found out it was coming from my AC(still freaked out..), had the ac people come out. Turns out the booster went bad and was melting. Donno if they installed it wrong(real company), because they are also the ones I recalled to see why my AC has that smell. But still scary to think of, not sure what real damage it could of done to my unit I ignored it/never home.
Hate to see people lying to make a sale. I had a compressor grounded out today. Common to ground 0.4 ohms. Run to ground 0.9 ohms. Start to ground 3 ohms
Have seen it a few times where the soft start was shorted or dead. Popped the breaker every time even though the dual cap was good. Unhooked the soft start and away she went
This was my predicament 5 years ago. Glad I went with my gut feeling and didn't pay the idiot $3,000 for a new furnace and AC when all he needed to have was some basic competency in electrics. 😬
I have run into a few customers here that call me for a “second opinion” for a failed compressor. Many times find it to be an old R22 system and they disconnect the common for the compressor. More often there may be a weak capacitor that causes problems on hot days. Always run a report on the compressor amps and show the customer the MFG label and the readings I find. I always try to repair before replace.
Man I wish you were local.It's very hard finding a tech that will do maintenance and not try and up sell to new system.I was told I needed a new system when all it needed was a hard cleaning,the filter housing wasn't working correctly,when the blower came on it lifted the filter and the air would short circuit around the filter and plugged the evap coil.After the tech looked at it ($300) he advised I would need a new system for $7K,he said he was willing to see what he could do the following day to make it work but it would cost $1200 and that would just be a stop gap until replacement. I watched several of yours and others vids and did the work myself,from cleaning the coils on the evap and condenser to cleaning and relubrication blower motor and fan motor...it works better that ever I replace the filter housing and will make an inspection of evap coil part of yearly maintenance. I feel bad for homeowners that get taken by these unscrupulous techs it seems like they are trained to condemn and upsell.San Francisco Bay area prices are off the hook
This makes me mad because my mother was told this. Someone told her the compressor had died and "once one thing goes, everything starts to go so its better to just get an entirely new system" and she did. Now shes $14k in debit for replacing an 8 year old system. Even before this video i felt like she got ripped off. I'm willing to bet whatever tech checked it, also sold the systems so they were incentivized to push her to buying an entirely new one.
Brother,, I'm an electrician,, I carry a few spare parts for testing,,, idk how many diff capacitors, would needed to keep the most common for testing,, but disconnect wires connect to test units run the test b4 accual removing of parts if possible,, I know the wires are not always long enough in those units,, they zip ty the shot out of the bundles👍 but it's handy to have a few ballast and such things,, to diagnose 👍🤔 just a thought,, you abviously know your shit 👍👍👍👍 but Iv been in it 30 years all total so far,,, and one of my masters always said work smarter not harder,, it's taken me years to understand,, but now I'm into master electrician stage I'm starting to🤔👍👍😎
That is a post 2002 composite base unit, the wires run in a deep trough under the coil. Mice do sometimes like to nibble at them in that area though. Then again, I'm not in an area where there is a lot of winter freeze/thaw ice accumulation action, so may not experience the same scenarios.
Trane compressors I have few for sale brand new . A couple of 5 tons and a couple of 3 tons. For the new kids always carry a couple of hard starts they come in handy.
I had a company come and check my unit cause it was blowing warm air he said I needed a new system, had someone else look at it and it turned out to be a capacitor $150.00 still running 3 years later.
FYI... You could have reversed the 2 wires going to the capacitor to get the 1 phase motor to spend the other way . Some of the newer motors have the plug u can reverse to do that, it's the same thing.
Just put like a 60 cap on temporary before trying to start cap and see if it starts maybe was out on overload too but I guarantee that start Relay/ cap bad. 35 seems a little small anyway unless it’s a 2 ton or two stage
Overall solid marks. To make it tip top- (admittedly nit picking) Would liked to have seen or heard what you read for Superheat and sub-cool if you read them,and maybe a mention of the evap delta. Mega-ohm meter would have been nice to see. I agree with you assessment/discussion with your customer.
you guys would have a panic attack out at the complex I work at. almost 200 of these units, and they're all random in age and manufacturer. I swear there's 70's manufactured AC units still in use!
people fall in love with honest techs,when the time for replacement does come they might not even get a second quote,good job as always
The other tech may have been incompetent. People don't like thos techs either lol
When you provide a true serve rather than a disservice, then customers want you and cost usually isn’t ever an issue unless it’s just absurdly out of line.
Absolutely. I wouldn't consider anyone else when the time comes, our guy is top notch. I grew up installing A/Cs with my father as a side business, so have a leg up there, but I imagine it's easy for these techs to fool people.
@@supernat1978 very easy, most people here "transmission" or "compressor" and they either run for the hills or pay for the work. Sad that people are always looking for a quick buck at the expense of others.
I have been to so many second opinion calls that end up just like this. A bad capacitor, contactor exc. The smile that comes on people's face when you fix there unit that was condemned by another company is priceless.
my ac was blowing hot, and i had the company that serviced my shop come out and look at it. tech didnt hook anything up, came inside with a 3 ring binder, and said the cheapest unit installed was 12k. double the price for a smaller unit that was replaced at the shop. had another tech come out, turns out i had a permanent filter in the blower unit that i was unaware of. second tech pulled, cleaned, and showed me what to do, and didnt even charge me. he is the one that replaced my unit when the time came. there needs to be more people like you and him in this world.
Permanent filter??
@@beals6631 it might be what he called it, but it was a washable filter inside the blower unit. i had zero idea that some units have a filter inside the blower unit, while a lot just have filters at the return in the wall.
@@roracer70 if you have a filter at the return I would just remove the filter in the blower compartment
@@Matt-hr5ng It depends on who installs the unit. I prefer using a filter grill.
@@overlordp.3758 filter grill is better makes it easier for the home owner can’t tell you how many times I’ve ran into homeowners who didn’t know they had a filter in the blower compartment
This goes to show you of who and what kind of technician you want to be. He is a fixer and if he can make a unit last longer for a customer and be honest this goes along way , respect.
It's why compatible alternative refrigerants are needed due to EPA BS.
Instead of being charged $1000 for 10lbs of what is specified we found another ac guy that had alternative and charged us $500.
You never know how much you could have helped that customer by giving them a financial break from a large expense. We never know what they have on their plate. Could be caring for disabled loved ones, kids in college, or even job loss. Although only temporary reprieve from replacement, 6 months could make a huge difference in their lives! Great job sir! 👍 Thanks for the video!
6 months is probably a good call. Thanks to covid restrictions you'll be paying a lot more next year. One of my distributors said 410 might rise as much as 400% 404 just rose about 40% so did 134. Compressors another 25%.. the bills are getting pretty high already.
30% increase on new units this year so far. Increasing again in summer. waiting to replace with bandaids is not always the best solution
25 years in the field. Can't remember how many times I've got condemned units running. Good job.
Yeah, but I found a limit on that, them 40 year old Janitrols don't have a parts supplier anymore, they are condemned as hell when they finally go down.
@@lightpropulsionguy yeah thats drawback at times.
@@shadowopsairman1583 yeah I had to tell a whole complex owner that as they went down they'd have to be replaced, 40 units. He was pissed, lol. It's like what do want, you got 40 years out of em! Theyve paid for themselves ten times over by now...
I'm a decent salesman because I sell the truth!
@@shadowopsairman1583 come to think of it, those units would have lasted another decade had the idiot maintenance man not bought special order filters to install in the burner box! Thing was half melted and caught fire numerous times, luck saved him from burning down the whole complex cause it did it in every unit, the odds weren't in his favor! You know it ran without proper flame and probably cracked the heat exchanger.
Lots of salesmen in our industry I’m afraid 😱 need more guys like you 👍🏻
They think it's easier to replace than troubleshoot and repair. I've replaced the dual capacitor myself on the condenser and the start run on the evaporator on several, it is good practice to clean the condenser coils because dirt holds heat. I've even found a better dryer filter (old 1 rusted out) and alternative refrigerant.
Had a customer call for a second opinion. No cool. He told me the last guy pulled up, got out, and walked straight to the outdoor unit. He then came to the door, talking to his girl on the phone the whole time. The customer said hello and the tech stuck his hand out to tell him to hold on. He told his girl to hold on and looked at the customer and said "You need a new system, it's old." The customer was bewildered and asked why he would say that if he hadn't even checked the unit. The guy said "I just needed to see what size it was." The customer told him to get the hell off his property. 🤣
Mama was bitchin about not having any spending cash.....that's what that was!!
I'm starting HVAC school soon. It's nice to see an honest tech.
Great job. What a simple test will do. I became a Hvac tech to do what you do help people and make a living with honesty. God bless you for helping others.
You’re a good man to take care of your customer. You will be rewarded with a changeout one day. Dishonest techs would not have gone above and beyond as you did. Merry Christmas.
In my country, we are refurbishing old compressors. Cut open compressor and putting new o-rings and weld cover again.
I wish you worked in my town, we get told twice a year "your system is really old and needs to be replace" (it's 13 years old) by the same company that comes twice a year to inspect, clean & test everything (yeah I know) the last time they came I told them if I hear that line again I would cancel that contract and when it did need replaced i sure as hell won't call them to do it, I'm so tired of people that just want to replace something instead of repairing it...
Look for smaller companies, do research on alternative refrigerants, compatible dryer filters.
Depends where you live. If you get 13 years out of a heat pump system in Texas that’s pretty good. I mean it’s essentially running non stop 80 percent of the time
I’m becoming a huge fan of the way you check everything with your meter! I’m primarily an installer but hope in the future I can work as fluid as you do!
I called in a Tech to check out my 25 to 30 old unit. He said it runs OK run it until it dies and he has seen them run past 30.
There are honest people out there just hard to find...
So thankful, for your honesty...our trade suffers from bad reputation from techs.either not knowing or there bosses tell them sell...sell..sell...
Thank you
Had a similar issue with two companies avoiding showing me the real issue and kept quoting me for a whole new system. Ended up diagnosing it myself and found a faulty relay switch. 60$ later and A/C works great!
The proper way to treat a customer and this is exactly how I have many customers that respect me and always ask for me when something goes wrong. Some techs only see dollar bills I personally wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I treated customers like that. You are an honest man, much respect to you sir!!!
For me it’s all about a companies reputation. I have no issues paying a little higher price for an honest company that stands behind their quality work. Good job dude. 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Those honest companies tend to have the most competitive prices though.
Hvac techs must look at a customer like it’s their family. A company I worked for always wanted to rip people off and I would never do that. I was always helpful and honest
That condenser ran pretty good for being condemned. It’s a good thing they called you. Hopefully now they will only call you.
I'm sure when is compressor does fail, he'll call you back to fix it, you're pretty honest and awesome HVAC person
I glad You took the time, to not only replace the run cap, you also change the start cap and added a hard start cap ...
My heater folks were the opposite. They convinced us to keep the old boiler a few extra years. Of course they would. It needed a thousand in work every year. I replaced it. The new technology is wonderful. Its efficient, fast to heat, compact on the wall and almost maintanence free.
Last year my AC started blowing warm after a heat wave. The rental company sent a tech who pulled the disconnect at the outdoor condenser/compressor and said the unit had shorted had arced and stated that the whole thing would need to be replaced (without opening anything yet) and the air handler, inside the home, would likely also need to be replaced. The home owner called a company for a second opinion, tech turned out to be the owner of the company and a friend of my family that I knew could be trusted. He opened the panel and did a short visible inspection, he did not see any of the damage claimed by the first company. Plugged the disconnect back in, we turned on the AC and it immediately began blowing cold. He saved the home owner $10,000+ that the 1st guy didn’t try to service.
The 4 MOhms you are measuring is the resistance of your body touching the probes. You should only touch one probe with your hand while measuring resistance. Also 4MOhms are not enough to trip any breaker
Maybe his hand was touching, Nothing goes to ground un noticed by Mr. Breaker! 0
Again. If you ain’t testing , you’re guessing. Another happy customer
Is that you Mikey? LOL
Hacks bring us stacks! This customer will never call that other company again and they know they have someone they can trust with their equipment
Bought a house built in 93.. heat pump wasnt working. Prior owners never called an hvac guy over.. turned out the fuse was blown a chaffed wire on the outside unit. Works great now.. but the thernostat sticks.. needs a new thernostat.
But the a.c guy was trying hard to sell us a completetly new unit stating the age of this thing... well its been a year now.. still works...
The most valuable skill in ANY profession is diagnostics- and the LEAST is selling crap to people who don't need it. BRAVO! (Supco superstarts will fix a LOT of issues...)
Unfortunately the big commission tech HVAC companies don't seem to place much value in their "technician's" ability to actually diagnose and repair things, only on their ability to generate sales...
Love the good work! But as an hvac veteran myself, I would suggest keeping start capacitors on the van. The 2 wire start kits are fine for testing whether a compressor will start, but the 5-2-1 system will provide the same performance regardless of temperature, unlike the 2 wire kit. I know its much easier to put on the 2 wire kit, but, the reason manufacturers use 3 wire HS kits instead of the 2 wire version is due to the 2 wire kit's diminishing capacity after it gets warm. Supco makes 2 different 3 wire kits, the 3W1and 3W2. I keep those as permanent installation start kits and use the 2 wire kit to check if the compressor will run. Keep up the good work!
P.S.
If anyone doesn't believe me, there are many videos using an oscilloscope that will prove my point. No, I'm not ragging on him, just a bit of constructive criticism.
Yeah, I don't like the Supco 2 wire kits.
The ones with the PTC thermistor take WAY too long to reset in the Texas heat, and the ones with the electronic relay hold the capacitor in for longer than is ideal, and also fail a lot.
Oh and the capacitor flying out of the bracket,,, brother like a pro!! Thank you for exposing people to the true reality of how things are out there!👍👍 It's hard to explain in words,, but a video from start to finish👍👍 yep that works well! Off the cuff random service call,,, did your job,, got payed for your time and effort,, the customers system is up and running with out a complete refit👍👍 that right there is how a professional does things
I am no expert but glad I took the time to educate myself in several areas. There are numerous ways to get ripped off by being ignorant of how things work.
It's nice to see you took another approach and gave this customer good news. They will get another few years out of it. The other tech who condemned that compressor was quick to sell another unit without giving the homeowner an option to fix it. Some techs for some reason like doing this and they give you the answer " it's already on its death bed and you can pour the repair money into a new unit". Everyone doesn't have thousands in there pocket. I can understand if the homeowner was giving both options but they were not told that. Nice honest video
This is the benefit of calling a smaller HVAC company. The larger companies usually won't spend time doing patch jobs that they can't guarantee.
Actually several years, also a condenser compressor can be replaced, i found 1 for 300 at 1 point for mine here, beats paying +$12,000. Whats funny is the unit shown looks like a Trane like mine.
I've replaced the dual capacitor and installed a Nest Thermostat.
(mechanically and Electronically Inclined)
You are an incredibly honest human being. Finding honest HVAC technicians is very rare, 99% of them are trying to make a killing at all cost. My reverse valve on my heat pump is leaking and the company that came to my house 5 days ago, quoted me $5,000 to replace it, I am not kidding you!! And then he said, maybe you should go ahead and install a brand new condenser, that way you at least have warranty on it. So, they quoted me this outrageous price to fix a reverse valve, only to make a proposal to replace the entire unit I wish you were living in my State, I would have called you yesterday. Kudos to you for doing the right thing to customers, may you be blessed plentyfully in all of your ways!
There aren't many techs like you. Thank you for what you do and your caring attitude.
I wish I had a HVAC man like yourself. I did once but like all things in life times change. Best wishes to you.
Still are some good ones out there. Just got to check around.
When my unit starting blowing hot I had 3 different HVAC companies come out. I knew there was a refrigerant leak. All 3 companies quoted different things. One was the condenser coil was leaking, another was the transfer coil was leaking, another said the TXV was leaking. They all either wanted stupid money to fix it, or replace the whole unit. Fortunately my wife worked for an A&E firm as we had their mechanical engineer come out, who also does HVAC. We found the leak, low side schrader valve core was bad. 10 minutes and a new core later, charged the system and it's been running fine since. It's hard to have faith in HVAC guys when 3 different ones lied to me. I know there are honest guys out there, like the operator of this channel. But yall are a dying breed.
What's a "transfer coil"?
@@foxtrot312 probably the evaporator coil...have heard them referred to as such.
The Different between a Parts changer and a Technician good job. 36 yrs in the industry now chilling.
good to see other techs that actually try to fix the problem. Had a call this morning on a rental, the tenant said it hadn't cooled for over a month and the previous company told them the compressor was dead. Owner called us out get a quote. I looked over the compressor like you did and couldn't find any problems, even manually engaged the contactor. Turned on the thermostat, nothing came on. Popped up into the attic and found the blower door wasn't fully seated and the safety wasn't engaged. This all took me about 20 minutes to check everything. Went ahead and washed out the condenser coil. Checked pressures and was on my way . So a little work and his bill was around $116 instead of a $7500 replacement. I refuse to work for companies that have a minimum bill amount.
Honest techs are my favorite.
I only have one guy allowed to work on my vehicles.
I'm a telecomm field tech, and I treat all my customers like they're my immediate family. Apparently it's worked because if they ever have to call back in they always ask for me by my tech number.
Had a company come out and told me compressor was bad and would cost 4 grand to replace (dual stage) I asked him how are the caps and he said good, wanted $15000 to replace a 15 year old Bryant Evolution system, I noticed the run cap was bulged, tested myself and found bad, replaced and still running a year later. I work on 3 phase industrial equipment at times so have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing but wanted someone that works on these all the time so I don't have to worry about it, almost cost me big time!! Why cant people be real and not try to rip you off??
Company training....dishonest workers ....greed never trust biggest companies especially if their logo says 100 % satisfaction guaranteed
I’ve had the very same problem and was ready to shell out a bunch, but to my surprise I got a great tech out here in southern California who did me right with a new capacitor and juice assist
i do everything i can do to save a customer some money there are times that it cant be avoided but i have great admiration for other service techs like me that can get a unit going just because a unit is old does not mean its dead great job
You always do what’s best for the customer. Sometimes it’s better to replace with a new unit if the repairs are super expensive and the unit just runs 24/7. But always do what’s best for the customer and give them options
When I was a tech I tried everything possible to start a compressor. 1. Check wires for 220v 2. Capacitor 3. Contactor 3. Lugs at compressor.
If it wouldn't start a few smacks with a hammer.
I would also make sure it didn't have an open winding.
Last on the list was a pack in ice or a hose on it for an hour.
Sometimes techs don't know what they don't know. Occasionally they give up.
Sometimes it's a company that just wants to use felon level training to flip leads.
Thank you for your hard work. You are not appreciated enough.
I have fixed many pieces of equipment for people and one of the first things I suspect, especially if the breaker didn't trip, is that a capacitor has weakened to the point it won't do it's job. Besides that, capacitors don't cost much and it is easier on the budget for the customer. I've saved many people who just didn't have the money for the replacement, and called me to make sure they weren't being given bad advice. I can't believe how many companies now have taken the stance to try to talk the people into replacing when they don't need it.
as one POS said "it's an upsell world". i'm going to build a very small home when i retire and frankly i'm scared shitless of the contractors/builders i'm gonna have to deal with...
Super boost can trip the breaker too on Trane. The potential relay is very specific for the compressor. You always need to put the original potential relay back in.
I got into industrial/commercial HVAC/R a few years back but this is some of my favorite kind of work. I feel there's something more rewarding to this area of the field than the commercial industrial aspect of it. Also excellent work sir
That's awesome man. Thanks for sharing this video with us.
I ran into this scenario a lot more this past summer than ever before. Just so happened to come behind the same company 3 times over the course of the summer and got the customers unit running. To me, that's a little more than a coincidence?
More Like Fishy
To test the start caps factory installed on Train units, you have to cut the resistor from one side that is on top between the 2 connectors. It will not test correctly if it is connected. The only issue is, if the cap is good, you have to solder it back on for it to work properly again. Hope this helps.
Huh? Why would you cut the bleed resistor? It’s not necessary if you have a good meter. Besides, if you’re concerned about the start components or your meter’s accuracy, throw a supco on it and see if it starts.
If the start cap is bad, the start relay needs replaced too. You really don’t want to weld a start relay. 🙄
@@jman0870 this is just what the Trane service department let me know. If you know how to solder with a soldering iron it really is not that big of a deal. Shouldn’t even get close to hot enough to do be dangerous, if you know what your doing that is 😏. Just tried to add some helpful info, take it or leave it.
@@jman0870 I agree try a hard start.
do not have to cut it
True, but if you are getting an OL reading on your meter, even with the resistor on, it is bad, testing done.
A good start cap, with a bleed resistor installed, will still give you a µf reading, just not a correct one.
Also, never replace just a start cap, they almost always fail because the contacts in the potential relay didn't open when they should.
Even if the potential relay appears to still be working at the time of service, those contacts will stick again and wreck your new start cap.
In June I had a guy quote me over 10k to replace a 6 year old system that was overheating. I replaced the fan motor($140) and it ran through the rest of the summer without a problem... and my power bill went down 25%.
This was a rough summer for us, not drop rain all summer and the temp was over 100 degrees every day(except 4 days) from June until the middle of August. (West of Dallas, Texas)
Smoken job Dude!! Save the customer a bunch of money and earned a customer for life!!
I couldnt tell you how many homeowners called me out for a second opinion to find that all they needed was a capacitor, contactor, or thermostat.
Good job. My experience tho - Trane usually won't tolerate boosters(for long or at all). Oem relay and proper size start cap -way to go( learned it hard way :) )
It generally depends on cycle rates. Some all in ones work off a bi-metallic heater via inrush current instead of having a true current or back emf start relay and do not reset before the next cycle begins. In those particular instances, the all in one is not going to work. If it had time to reset, there is little to no difference between factory start components and an all in one, as long as the capacitance is similar (and preferable not lower).
I miss residential for a couple reasons and this is one of them. Good job sir.
Gosh wish I could have you come look at mine I was told the same thing.
It just sets there now and I use window units because I can't afford a new system.
So many people out just to get your money
that you don't even have. :(
Making me think I just may need a 2nd opinion.
❤️
You the man honest person making the money.
The Fieldpiece meter just displays dash marks across the screen ---.- for In-Rush
For most units you want to move the decimal all the way to the right to capture the proper reading. 😎👍
Mine used to show the word “inrush” at the top
30 mfd on a 35 mfd is technically weak (according the cap tolerance) but the unit will still run, seems to me like it was just the hard start kit tht was bad on this
My thoughts exactly.
For $10 I’d replace the weak cap too
Good job bro. I love your magnetic meters and your troubleshooting method just flows with it. Well done.
I'm always glad to see an honest and competent tech in any of the trades, but the question still remains: why are so many of them incompetent or dishonest or both?
In cooler weather and if compressor don’t have crankcase heater - lower insulation resistance may be caused by liquid refrigerant settling down in compressors crank case. Which is also can cause liquid slugging.
I had a Trane unit that was tripping the breaker because the crankcase heater wire had gotten frayed and was grounding out on the comp. That was a fu one because they were in an apartment on the third floor! Lotta running that day!
The cap was open, it's quite common to see happen. Breaker tripped due to overload cause compressor couldn't start.
Another way to check caps is ohm them, if no path, it blew open. If you see resistance go up and down, cap is functioning and after doing a few, you learn how the resistance should respond on a good cap. You can also see if the cap is shorted.
I took a 230v fan motor out of a scrapped unit I'm Florida and retrofitted it into a harbor fright barrel fan and holy wind tunnel does it move some air! I love HVAC scrap!
Good advice for young and old techs..
That thing is grounded only 4 m is a lot. My experience tells me not to really worry about it unless it’s less than 1m Ohm. Still they sometimes run there as well. Good video
There are some companies that pay their "technicians" on a commission only basis which makes them salesmen. They know before they even get to your house that they will be trying to sell you a system. Disgraceful. Treat customers like you would your own grandma- with respect and honesty and lifelong customers is what you'll get.
This is why big companies are not your first to call, an independent operator with no ties to dealers is going to be honest and straightforward.
@@charlescastillo8870 have a cousin that’s a independent works for self, he’s always pushing new units. He’s the last person I would ever call. But electrically I can fix it all don’t have equipment to put in any coolant
Refrigerant
I hate it when techs leave the old parts in unit ,good job.
i used to collect old capacitors and startrelays and drove them around, you could help out a customer without charging for the parts and keep an old unit running for some added lifetime, when the relays and capacitors start to fail, the compressor itself will follow in many cases
Gotta love those trane/AS systems with their jump/hard starts
Just a tip for you on your meter only have to push the in rush button don't hold it and it will go in and hold your highest amperage
Good job always pays to be honest and do the right thing. Personally I would have checked those capacitors first thing never take another techs word on on shorted compressor, too many shiesty HVAC guys and you my friend I'm happy to say are one of the good guys!! Keep it up the Lord will bless you!!
I had that booster installed in my unit once. About a year later we started to get an electric burning type smell. After I found out it was coming from my AC(still freaked out..), had the ac people come out. Turns out the booster went bad and was melting. Donno if they installed it wrong(real company), because they are also the ones I recalled to see why my AC has that smell. But still scary to think of, not sure what real damage it could of done to my unit I ignored it/never home.
Customer satisfaction 👌 top notch work 💪
Hate to see people lying to make a sale. I had a compressor grounded out today. Common to ground 0.4 ohms. Run to ground 0.9 ohms. Start to ground 3 ohms
Your a good man this is why I work for myself. Inch of animals and thieves.
A tech who knows what he's doing. Too bad the previous tech can't say that😁😁😁👍👍👍
Have seen it a few times where the soft start was shorted or dead. Popped the breaker every time even though the dual cap was good. Unhooked the soft start and away she went
This was my predicament 5 years ago. Glad I went with my gut feeling and didn't pay the idiot $3,000 for a new furnace and AC when all he needed to have was some basic competency in electrics. 😬
Even if you had actually needed new equipment, if they were only charging $3k, you would not have been getting an installation worth paying for!
@@markbeiser Exactly!
I have run into a few customers here that call me for a “second opinion” for a failed compressor. Many times find it to be an old R22 system and they disconnect the common for the compressor. More often there may be a weak capacitor that causes problems on hot days. Always run a report on the compressor amps and show the customer the MFG label and the readings I find. I always try to repair before replace.
I put a hard start on an old Armstrong unit that had high resistance, it made it about 2 more weeks...
Good to see you get out a real Multimeter. If you have to second guess the Fieldpiece. Replace it!
It's funny they say dinosaurs no longer exist .your job is quickly becoming one .Mr cool and you gouging customers will see you this .
You kinda went around the henhouse to get to the barn.
I always check capacitors first, when a motor won’t start.
good job,the only thing is when possible short keep your hand off condenser.15:30.
Man I wish you were local.It's very hard finding a tech that will do maintenance and not try and up sell to new system.I was told I needed a new system when all it needed was a hard cleaning,the filter housing wasn't working correctly,when the blower came on it lifted the filter and the air would short circuit around the filter and plugged the evap coil.After the tech looked at it ($300) he advised I would need a new system for $7K,he said he was willing to see what he could do the following day to make it work but it would cost $1200 and that would just be a stop gap until replacement. I watched several of yours and others vids and did the work myself,from cleaning the coils on the evap and condenser to cleaning and relubrication blower motor and fan motor...it works better that ever I replace the filter housing and will make an inspection of evap coil part of yearly maintenance. I feel bad for homeowners that get taken by these unscrupulous techs it seems like they are trained to condemn and upsell.San Francisco Bay area prices are off the hook
This makes me mad because my mother was told this. Someone told her the compressor had died and "once one thing goes, everything starts to go so its better to just get an entirely new system" and she did. Now shes $14k in debit for replacing an 8 year old system. Even before this video i felt like she got ripped off. I'm willing to bet whatever tech checked it, also sold the systems so they were incentivized to push her to buying an entirely new one.
Brother,, I'm an electrician,, I carry a few spare parts for testing,,, idk how many diff capacitors, would needed to keep the most common for testing,, but disconnect wires connect to test units run the test b4 accual removing of parts if possible,, I know the wires are not always long enough in those units,, they zip ty the shot out of the bundles👍 but it's handy to have a few ballast and such things,, to diagnose 👍🤔 just a thought,, you abviously know your shit 👍👍👍👍 but Iv been in it 30 years all total so far,,, and one of my masters always said work smarter not harder,, it's taken me years to understand,, but now I'm into master electrician stage I'm starting to🤔👍👍😎
Always check the compressor wires going under the cond coil on those model trane cond units, , they sometimes get cut from rubbing on the coil.
That is a post 2002 composite base unit, the wires run in a deep trough under the coil. Mice do sometimes like to nibble at them in that area though.
Then again, I'm not in an area where there is a lot of winter freeze/thaw ice accumulation action, so may not experience the same scenarios.
Trane compressors I have few for sale brand new . A couple of 5 tons and a couple of 3 tons. For the new kids always carry a couple of hard starts they come in handy.
You’re a beast! Keep on treading
I had a company come and check my unit cause it was blowing warm air he said I needed a new system, had someone else look at it and it turned out to be a capacitor $150.00 still running 3 years later.
FYI... You could have reversed the 2 wires going to the capacitor to get the 1 phase motor to spend the other way . Some of the newer motors have the plug u can reverse to do that, it's the same thing.
Just put like a 60 cap on temporary before trying to start cap and see if it starts maybe was out on overload too but I guarantee that start Relay/ cap bad. 35 seems a little small anyway unless it’s a 2 ton or two stage
Overall solid marks. To make it tip top- (admittedly nit picking)
Would liked to have seen or heard what you read for Superheat and sub-cool if you read them,and maybe a mention of the evap delta. Mega-ohm meter would have been nice to see. I agree with you assessment/discussion with your customer.
Good job , keep up the good work .
Hi I have a same problem and tried many times to fix it but no one knows the problem Can you give me some Idea to fix it ?
you guys would have a panic attack out at the complex I work at. almost 200 of these units, and they're all random in age and manufacturer. I swear there's 70's manufactured AC units still in use!