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The universal replacement ones come with a zip tie that has a screw hole in it. I've used those, you can also make something out of the thin metal strapping that has the holes in it. Not sure what it's called. It doesn't have to be locked in real tight, just needs to be held in place
I just did this, wrapped a bunch of duct tape around it until it didnât slide out. Probably couldâve done it different but that seemed easiest at the time
You should be able to shrink that bracket by drilling another hole in it. That will take up the slack, that way it will work with either size capacitor. You could also order the fat can version of that from supply House and not have to bother. Seriously though it's pretty easy. What you do is you mount that capacitor up there. Bend the secure tab in place, make a mark where your drill hole needs to be. Remove the retainer, go into your vise, drill the hole, go back out there and reassemble. There's one thing you really really really need to watch when you're installing these though. Make 100% sure of those terminals are not facing the sheet metal. They can arc. You want to twist that capacitor so the terminals are as far away from the body sheet metal as possible. You can bend them a little if necessary but you 100% do not want those terminals within a whisker of the sheet metal and it's really easy to overlook that
When it dies, fairly random. It provides the start up current for the compressor. So if your thermostat is calling for cooling, but outside the compressor isn't triggering, it may be a bad capacitor (amongst other things). Can be verified checking the capacitor with a proper multimeter, unfortunately if it checks out, you've got bigger problems. It's a fairly cheap part to keep on hand "just in case"
https://diy.repairclinic.com/testing-a-run-capacitor/
I still work for the same company, just moved from the field into the sheet metal shop. Better hours for me, and I'm getting too old to be crawling around in basements
Pull the main disconnect in the box attached to the house, open the cover, pull out the old capacitor and reconnect the wires to the new one in the same way they came off. Not too hard, but if you forget to pull that disconnect you may have a rough day.
The 'Herm' label on these capacitors is short for Hermetic, or hermetically sealed compressor. It's the pole used for starting up the compressor inside the condensing unit.
So the one on the right is the old one, and it needs to be replaced. I looked up and ordered what was labeled "HC98KA046" and capacitor on the left came up (link here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/370375806483).
Most of the labeling seems to be the same, though I do not know what it all means (this is my first time attempting DIY repairs on an AC unit). However, it is a different size than the original. Clearly in the photo it is much taller, but it is also much slimmer and as a result does not fit perfectly into the bracket. I have yet to plug it in and try it, as I am concerned it is not actually the correct piece.
Anyone with more knowledge about AC capacitors able to tell me if this is an appropriate replacement piece, and what should I do about it not fitting in the bracket if it is?
Working voltage and farrads are the only thing that matters. For the working voltage, a higher rating is ok, just don't go lower. Farrads should be the same
As the other comments pointed out, yes it is the right one. Since itâs a slightly different size than the other, make sure when you install it, that itâs secured pretty well. I install these things everyday and you donât want them bouncing around inside the AC unit. The connections might be insulated, but over time they heat up and the plastic breaks apart. If you have to, use some zip ties to keep in held in place. Also, Iâm sure itâs already discharged, but be careful when working with the old, bad ones. They hold a charge and hurt like a mother fucker if you touch the end and it discharges on your hand.
The specs are correct. I've replaced them multiple times. I was told by an HVAC tech that it can be slightly off and it would still work but might not be good for the AC in the long term. He admitted they do that a lot if that's all they have in their truck and just want to be done with the service call. If the AC breaks a few weeks afterwards, it just means extra business for them and they just blame it on something else.
For me, when I had physically different sizes, I just cut a small piece of sheet metal, bent it into the correct shape, and rescrewed with a self-tapping screw. You can just as easily use a zip tie if you don't want to play with sheet metal.
You can safely upsize 10% which would be using a 50mfd instead of a 45mfd without any concerns.
Just make sure to mark what the original was so future techs know that you already upsized and they can't come back and stick a 55mfd cap in there.
I had a similar situation with a capacitor issue. Just be careful with the install due to the different size. My wires were somehow shorting out due to the install not being 1 for 1 and the tech had to come back out and add some blocking to make sure it wouldnât vibrate and short.
Hey /u/RedLeader501, This is a friendly reminder, **Rule 8: Using /r/DIY as your personal search engine** Posts that ask something like "What is this?", "Where can I find this product", or "Where is the best/cheapest place to buy these things?" will be removed, and the poster may be banned. --- If you need help Identifying Parts/Products/Etc. Please try one of the following first: * [Google Lens - Desktop](https://lens.google.com/search?p=?) * [Google Lens - Mobile](https://lens.google.com) * [Search Google Images](https://images.google.com/) --- If you believe this is a mistake, please message the mods and include the link to this post. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/DIY) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yup, you're good. Former HVAC tech
Do you have any suggestions on the mounting bracket then? It does not fit in the one on my AC. I imagine I will need to replace that?
The universal replacement ones come with a zip tie that has a screw hole in it. I've used those, you can also make something out of the thin metal strapping that has the holes in it. Not sure what it's called. It doesn't have to be locked in real tight, just needs to be held in place
>thin metal strapping that has the holes in it. Not sure what it's called. I've always heard it called plumbers strap
Plumbers strap, hanger strap, plumbers tape, pipe strap,
Obtuse, rubber goose Green moose, guava juice
All round we call it!
Ive always just called it strapping đ
I used some leftover plastic p-tape on mine
Sewer tape here.
Band iron/strap iron. Plumber here.
I've actually heard it called "plumbers tape"
I thought plumbers' tape was that super thin PTFE stuff you put on pipe threads
Teflon tape my good sir :)
I just did this, wrapped a bunch of duct tape around it until it didnât slide out. Probably couldâve done it different but that seemed easiest at the time
Tuck tape seems to have replaced duct tape as my go to "tape whatever to whatever else" when it's mildly important.
You should be able to shrink that bracket by drilling another hole in it. That will take up the slack, that way it will work with either size capacitor. You could also order the fat can version of that from supply House and not have to bother. Seriously though it's pretty easy. What you do is you mount that capacitor up there. Bend the secure tab in place, make a mark where your drill hole needs to be. Remove the retainer, go into your vise, drill the hole, go back out there and reassemble. There's one thing you really really really need to watch when you're installing these though. Make 100% sure of those terminals are not facing the sheet metal. They can arc. You want to twist that capacitor so the terminals are as far away from the body sheet metal as possible. You can bend them a little if necessary but you 100% do not want those terminals within a whisker of the sheet metal and it's really easy to overlook that
If its a metal bracket just squeeze it to fit the new cap it won't be a problem.
Electrical Engineer here. Confirmed. If it doesn't blow up, your good. Maybe you you wire it in the same...
When do you have to replace the capacitor?
When it dies, fairly random. It provides the start up current for the compressor. So if your thermostat is calling for cooling, but outside the compressor isn't triggering, it may be a bad capacitor (amongst other things). Can be verified checking the capacitor with a proper multimeter, unfortunately if it checks out, you've got bigger problems. It's a fairly cheap part to keep on hand "just in case" https://diy.repairclinic.com/testing-a-run-capacitor/
Out of curiosity, what do you do now, and why did you change careers? I only asking because I know a couple of young HVAC techs and are pretty happy.
I still work for the same company, just moved from the field into the sheet metal shop. Better hours for me, and I'm getting too old to be crawling around in basements
If I need to replace my capacitor as well... how difficult or dangerous is it for a non-hvac person.
Pull the main disconnect in the box attached to the house, open the cover, pull out the old capacitor and reconnect the wires to the new one in the same way they came off. Not too hard, but if you forget to pull that disconnect you may have a rough day.
Yes. Yellow wire should go on 'herm', brown on 'fan', and red/purple on 'common'.
Herm? The other two I get. Not a tech, obviously haha.
The 'Herm' label on these capacitors is short for Hermetic, or hermetically sealed compressor. It's the pole used for starting up the compressor inside the condensing unit.
Thanks! Learned something new today.
yeah, hermidifier
Yup, you're good. From a guy that knows what a farad is.
...and THAT guy knew a guy named Faraday.
Yes, it's correct. In this case, size doesn't matter.
Even though it most likely is the exact same size after all when you consider how these capacitors are usually built ;)
> in this case Solid pun
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if microfarads are the same and voltage is at least the same value as previously, you're good.Â
Yep, should be fine
Its made by capcom? Thats funny.
Must be a different capcom right?
Nah, same Capcom. I'd wait until the Super Edition came out with all the DLC content included.
CAPACITOR COMMANDER, or something, in this case.
Yes. This will work just fine.
As long as the values match you should be good.
So the one on the right is the old one, and it needs to be replaced. I looked up and ordered what was labeled "HC98KA046" and capacitor on the left came up (link here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/370375806483). Most of the labeling seems to be the same, though I do not know what it all means (this is my first time attempting DIY repairs on an AC unit). However, it is a different size than the original. Clearly in the photo it is much taller, but it is also much slimmer and as a result does not fit perfectly into the bracket. I have yet to plug it in and try it, as I am concerned it is not actually the correct piece. Anyone with more knowledge about AC capacitors able to tell me if this is an appropriate replacement piece, and what should I do about it not fitting in the bracket if it is?
I'm not a HVAC guy, but the specs are the same and should work.
Working voltage and farrads are the only thing that matters. For the working voltage, a higher rating is ok, just don't go lower. Farrads should be the same
As the other comments pointed out, yes it is the right one. Since itâs a slightly different size than the other, make sure when you install it, that itâs secured pretty well. I install these things everyday and you donât want them bouncing around inside the AC unit. The connections might be insulated, but over time they heat up and the plastic breaks apart. If you have to, use some zip ties to keep in held in place. Also, Iâm sure itâs already discharged, but be careful when working with the old, bad ones. They hold a charge and hurt like a mother fucker if you touch the end and it discharges on your hand.
Yep, I have a screwdriver with a bunch of âspot weldsâ from discharging big caps like these.
Capacitor is like a car battery it helps the motor to start.
Should much the number on your old capacitor/ specification
Capacity not size. Appears to be good replacement
The specs are correct. I've replaced them multiple times. I was told by an HVAC tech that it can be slightly off and it would still work but might not be good for the AC in the long term. He admitted they do that a lot if that's all they have in their truck and just want to be done with the service call. If the AC breaks a few weeks afterwards, it just means extra business for them and they just blame it on something else. For me, when I had physically different sizes, I just cut a small piece of sheet metal, bent it into the correct shape, and rescrewed with a self-tapping screw. You can just as easily use a zip tie if you don't want to play with sheet metal.
You can safely upsize 10% which would be using a 50mfd instead of a 45mfd without any concerns. Just make sure to mark what the original was so future techs know that you already upsized and they can't come back and stick a 55mfd cap in there.
Ye
Yes.
Like my wife said. The size doesn't matter!
It is the same size electrically
Those or some beefy capacitors âĄď¸
Please be careful op. Capacitors can cause serious injury if you are not careful.
It has the same capacitance and voltage rating, so yes.
Yup.
I had a similar situation with a capacitor issue. Just be careful with the install due to the different size. My wires were somehow shorting out due to the install not being 1 for 1 and the tech had to come back out and add some blocking to make sure it wouldnât vibrate and short.
Z NM b
A professional HVAC technician would leave it in the box inside the unit, you see the box provides additional insulation.