If you recall, a couple of weeks ago my air conditioner quit working.
With your encouragement, I was able to narrow the problem to a compressor contactor malfunctioning, which caused its coil as well as the 24v transformer primary, to burn out.
I am guessing that it was some sort of obstruction in the contactor that prevented it from fully closing, causing overcurrent in its coil.
I bought replacements for both the contactor, as well as for the transformer, installed both, and everything now seems to work.
I also realized that the outside unit is 9 years old, I did not realize how time flies, I thought that it was much newer.
The repair was relatively easy and instead of paying my HVAC guy (who is all around awesome and honest) $400, my repair cost me only $35.
However, I have a few questions.
- I was very surprised as to how oxidated was the old contactor. It was borderline disgusting. I would expect that the outside unit would be designed to keep water from dripping on it.
I can buy a heating resistor, to hook it up to incoming 220 volts, something like 5-6 watts (10k ohm) to add heat and drive moisture out of the area. Would such a heater that be a good idea?
- I saw some mouse droppings there also, which was surprising as that area does not have obvious mouse access. I put some naphthalene based moth balls in there for now to keep animals out. Is there any issue with doing so?
- Since this kind of stuff seems easy enough, I wonder if I should replace my 9 year old capacitor proactively. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks
i