Air Conditioning - need info on condenser fan replacement
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jtward
08-01-04, 08:59 PM
I am planning on replacing the condenser fan and capacitor for my 10 year old tempstar AC. Since I have never done this before, could someone please tell me what to do so that I do not electrocute myself?
i.e., after turning off the power at my breakers, how long does the capacitor stay charged? any resources with step by step instructions?
Also, I have found a replacement motor that is "2 speed" . My current motor is a single speed (1/6 hp 203/230 rpm 1100). can the 2 speed motor be mounted in a single speed mode? How do I know which direction the motor should turn. The current motor is suspended with the shaft pointing towards the ground.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jon
i.e., after turning off the power at my breakers, how long does the capacitor stay charged? any resources with step by step instructions?
Also, I have found a replacement motor that is "2 speed" . My current motor is a single speed (1/6 hp 203/230 rpm 1100). can the 2 speed motor be mounted in a single speed mode? How do I know which direction the motor should turn. The current motor is suspended with the shaft pointing towards the ground.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jon
bigjohn
08-02-04, 04:46 AM
I am planning on replacing the condenser fan and capacitor for my 10 year old tempstar AC. Since I have never done this before, could someone please tell me what to do so that I do not electrocute myself?
i.e., after turning off the power at my breakers, how long does the capacitor stay charged? any resources with step by step instructions?
Also, I have found a replacement motor that is "2 speed" . My current motor is a single speed (1/6 hp 203/230 rpm 1100). can the 2 speed motor be mounted in a single speed mode? How do I know which direction the motor should turn. The current motor is suspended with the shaft pointing towards the ground.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jon
Hi Jon:
This repair is pretty straightforward, however the beginning point is to ensure that the replacement motor is the right type. To save some time do this first: go to www,fasco.com on the home page highlight the distributor services link and click on fasco facts. Work your way thru the next couple pages and then download the entire brochure. It will guide you to selecting a replacement motor. Now on to your questions- after the power is off, take an old screwdriver and touch it across the terminals of the capacitor to discharge it. You may or may not get a little snap of electricity so be ready for that. Yes. you can wire the new motor for a single speed, you simply cap off the other, unused, speed wire. Be sure to follow the wiring diagram on the motor and check your hookup 3 times before applying power. You only get one chance to do it wrong. Before diassembling, take notice of the postion of the fan blade in the round housing. What I mean is the vertical height location. Ensure that you get the fan blade at the right height on the new motor. Look closely at the fan blades. Notice how one side is slighly concave and the other is slightly convex? The concave side picks up and moves the air. That is how to know the rotation. Another way is to look closely at the fan blades to see if one side id dirtier than the other. The dirtier side picks up the air. Most replacement motors are universal types and will have a means to switch some of the wires to change rotation. Some vertical appication motors will have some drain holes on both ends of the motor and they come with some little plastic plugs. The motors can be used for shaft up or shaft down applications. What you do is put the plugs in the top of the motor and leave the holes on the bottom open. Top and bottom means relative to how the motor is mounted. For example, in a shaft down application, the shaft end of the motor would be the bottom. When you have the 2 motors side by side, compare the specs on the labels. A small speed difference is ok.[like 25 to 50 rpm] Check the amp draw ratings, they should be very close. You have to be careful of "energy efficient" motors, sometimes they won't have enough amp draw rating to do the job. If you need any additional help, give us a holler. Good luck.
i.e., after turning off the power at my breakers, how long does the capacitor stay charged? any resources with step by step instructions?
Also, I have found a replacement motor that is "2 speed" . My current motor is a single speed (1/6 hp 203/230 rpm 1100). can the 2 speed motor be mounted in a single speed mode? How do I know which direction the motor should turn. The current motor is suspended with the shaft pointing towards the ground.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jon
Hi Jon:
This repair is pretty straightforward, however the beginning point is to ensure that the replacement motor is the right type. To save some time do this first: go to www,fasco.com on the home page highlight the distributor services link and click on fasco facts. Work your way thru the next couple pages and then download the entire brochure. It will guide you to selecting a replacement motor. Now on to your questions- after the power is off, take an old screwdriver and touch it across the terminals of the capacitor to discharge it. You may or may not get a little snap of electricity so be ready for that. Yes. you can wire the new motor for a single speed, you simply cap off the other, unused, speed wire. Be sure to follow the wiring diagram on the motor and check your hookup 3 times before applying power. You only get one chance to do it wrong. Before diassembling, take notice of the postion of the fan blade in the round housing. What I mean is the vertical height location. Ensure that you get the fan blade at the right height on the new motor. Look closely at the fan blades. Notice how one side is slighly concave and the other is slightly convex? The concave side picks up and moves the air. That is how to know the rotation. Another way is to look closely at the fan blades to see if one side id dirtier than the other. The dirtier side picks up the air. Most replacement motors are universal types and will have a means to switch some of the wires to change rotation. Some vertical appication motors will have some drain holes on both ends of the motor and they come with some little plastic plugs. The motors can be used for shaft up or shaft down applications. What you do is put the plugs in the top of the motor and leave the holes on the bottom open. Top and bottom means relative to how the motor is mounted. For example, in a shaft down application, the shaft end of the motor would be the bottom. When you have the 2 motors side by side, compare the specs on the labels. A small speed difference is ok.[like 25 to 50 rpm] Check the amp draw ratings, they should be very close. You have to be careful of "energy efficient" motors, sometimes they won't have enough amp draw rating to do the job. If you need any additional help, give us a holler. Good luck.
Ed Imeduc
08-02-04, 09:33 AM
Also, I have found a replacement motor that is "2 speed" . My current motor is a single speed (1/6 hp 203/230 rpm 1100). can the 2 speed motor be mounted in a single speed mode? How do I know which direction the motor should turn. The current motor is suspended with the shaft pointing towards the ground.
For sure turn the power off and take the motor with you.
get the same one as you have. Hr, ccw or cw and RPM. Dont put anything else in there.
ED ;)
For sure turn the power off and take the motor with you.
get the same one as you have. Hr, ccw or cw and RPM. Dont put anything else in there.
ED ;)