WHEW!! Thank you, LORD!!! Close call with the AC.

[RockmartDawg]

I'm actually scared to even say anything just yet, as I just got it running. My upstairs AC had stopped working. I "thought" I heard a noise earlier today, that sounded like bearings squealing or something like that. I was inside and it was only faint and very brief when I heard it. I could never figure out where it came from. I had checked the compressors outside and both of them were running, both fans going as normal, and they weren't making noise at the time.

But, it was getting hot upstairs. I had the thermostat set on 74 and I saw the temperature was 79 and it was blowing warm air, and compresser wasn't coming on. 

I went back outside and checked the fan. I JCDAWGed the fuse, and tried to reach inside the fan grate and turn it with a stick and it broke the stick. Not sure if that was about the fan or about the stick, I took the corner panel off and checked the capacitor that had to be replaced a couple/few years ago. It is still looking good. So, I put that back on.

I pulled up ye olde Youtube and checked for videos for fans not turning on AC units. I found this one, below. I followed the guy's instructions. I took out all of the mounting screws for the fan grate. I flipped the fan upside down, sprayed some WD-40 right at the point where the shaft goes into the motor (I don't have any 3-In-1 oil), worked the blades back and forth a bit. The blades weren't "stuck", but they were kinda stiff. I could turn the blades. But they only turned when I was pushing them. They had no free-spinning capability at all.

I sprayed WD-40, worked the blades around back and forth, turned them around and around. More WD-40, turning the blades, yada yada yada. I did that 5-10 minutes. By then I could turn the blades with 1 finger and they would spin on their own. Big difference.

I put it all back together (Lord, thank You). I un-JC'ed the fuse. I got my wife to turn on the system upstairs while I watched the compressor. It kicked right on and the blades began spinning normally. 

Knock on wood. That was about 25ish minutes ago. Everything is still running. The upstairs temperature has already dropped from 79 to 77 and it is still running as normal.

[LuvsDawgs]

I know you didn’t have to do it this time, but you had better get the name and number of “The Man” ready if and when you need to call’im!!

[RockmartDawg]

Yep. Definitely been there and done that.

The last time something happened with my AC, I was able to fix it by replacing a capacitor. Looks like a very common problem is this one particular capacitor going bad. I was able to pick up a replacement at a local appliance parts place.

I'm not looking forward to the day when either of these systems have to be replaced. I saw a video this week about the new units having a new refrigerant that they are now using. This particular refrigerant is actually flammable! Of course, everything is going to be more expensive (we've never heard that before).

[ToccoaDog]

Are you sure JC didn’t pull the fuse?

[bNe]

Starting to think some of those new fangled 'ductless' ACs might be a good investment. If/When central HVAC goes Tango Uniform, at least there will be a refuge in the shanty.

[RockmartDawg]

Our church currently meets in a Christian school while our new building is under construction. The AC in a hallway of classrooms went out at the school, and they had a portable AC unit in one of the classrooms that was sorta like this one. It had 2 hoses on it, both which connected to the thin metal plate that you put in the window. The added a fan to help spread the air out into the room. It worked great.

I definitely see the value of having one of these on hand for if/when the need may arise. 

[McDonoughDawg]

Agreed..not sure why that went as a PM a minute ago.

[E.CobbDawg]

Thanks for the videos Rockmart…yes, the new 454b rule is a bit scary and confusing…I think it was WRGA maybe that posted recently about the wild price quote variations he got for replacing a 5( I think) ton system and I think ended up paying something like 15k (Holy Moly!) but I don’t remember if he said it was a new 454b system. After reading about his ordeal I read several articles about the new rule and noticed slight inconsistencies in each one…adding to my confusion! 

But one scary part is, from the pricing standpoint, is that not only will the new system components cost substantially more, they say the 454b refrigerant is not compatible with the existing lines! $$$$!

My oldest son had to replace his evaporator coil in his upstairs unit last week and he got into a discussion with the company owners about the new rule - whether to bite the bullet and go ahead and replace the upstairs system now (the compressor is also old) and they replied that they are still not sure how to advise their customers…

At least the video says that stocks of 410a will be available until 2030 and I guess supply houses will have coils and compressors for a while but one thing we know for sure, cost will go up no matter what…

[bNe]

[Milldawg]

first of all, great job figuring that out. Secondly, hoping that solves it for you

[RockmartDawg]

first of all, great job figuring that out. Secondly, hoping that solves it for you
[/quote]

Thanks, me too. I sure ain't in the mood for having to reach into the deepest depths of my shallow pockets for some wild expense like a major problem with an AC system.

One thing I am going to do is to do the same with the fan motor in my other compressor unit... just some preventive maintenance. I am also going to take a peek at the capacitor on the other compressor... just see if it is starting to swell. I will probably go ahead and buy a replacement capacitor for both units... just to have on hand for when the inevitable occurs. I'd rather have them already in hand than have to go into scramble mode, looking for a replacement. Apparently, those capacitors are one of the most frequent failures with AC systems. One of the most obvious dead giveaways for this issue is that the top of the capacitor (where the leads connect) will take on a dome shape, as the capacitor is actually swelling. The top should be perfectly flat.


Here is a good video on that particular issue:




This is another one:

[Rogasingingdawg]

Our church currently meets in a Christian school while our new building is under construction. The AC in a hallway of classrooms went out at the school, and they had a portable AC unit in one of the classrooms that was sorta like this one. It had 2 hoses on it, both which connected to the thin metal plate that you put in the window. The added a fan to help spread the air out into the room. It worked great.

I definitely see the value of having one of these on hand for if/when the need may arise. 


[/quote]

I bought one of these for my Daughter and S-I-L last summer when the central unit went out at the house they were renting and the landlord was dragging his feet about repairs. Cost a little under $400.
Much cheaper than buying a new central unit for a POS landlord who happened to be an uncle of S-I-L.

[RockmartDawg]

Our church currently meets in a Christian school while our new building is under construction. The AC in a hallway of classrooms went out at the school, and they had a portable AC unit in one of the classrooms that was sorta like this one. It had 2 hoses on it, both which connected to the thin metal plate that you put in the window. The added a fan to help spread the air out into the room. It worked great.

I definitely see the value of having one of these on hand for if/when the need may arise. 


[/quote]

I bought one of these for my Daughter and S-I-L last summer when the central unit went out at the house they were renting and the landlord was dragging his feet about repairs. Cost a little under $400.
Much cheaper than buying a new central unit for a POS landlord who happened to be an uncle of S-I-L.
[/quote]

Man... that ain't good. Like you said... way cheaper than replacing a central unit. I have had both of my central units replaced at one point or another over the past 5-10 years. Each one was then around $5k. I bet the cost is doubled now.