DIY $500 AC repair for $25

Sizzling hot temperatures are cooking much of the Sacramento Valley and northern California this week, so it is only natural to reach for the thermostat to flip on your air conditioner for some cooling and comfortable relief.

[@TurdFergusen]

this gonna get some people shocked

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWTqpJ4gtusq6s

[@robertlawrence9000]

@@diyhvacadvice2millionaire That video will still be over many people's heads. Many people have no clue how to do this safely. A good step by step video showing proper way to shut of power and to verify power is actually off would be good. Maybe even suggest lock out tag out just in case a couple of people are working together to figure it out. Most people don't know how to use a multimeter or even understand how volts, amps and resistance works. But it's a good video for those who know a little bit about electrical but don't really know about ACs.

[@sidneybristow815]

Make sure you bought the exact specs of the old one, voltage and physical size. His unit was relatively new. The fuse may not have a handle like that. You’ll still pull out the black fuse, rest it on the top of the box after pulling it. You may have colored wires going to a few connections on the capacitor. Get a sharpie pen and write the colors on the new capacitor in the exact same position o=orange, br=brown, b=blue, etc.)

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWTqpJ4gtusq6s

[@theotheleo6830]

Better yet, take a few photos of the old capacitor's wiring while it's still connected.

[@robertlawrence9000]

Yes or depending on the unit, don't ever touch a fuse unless you know power is off. Not all units have that type of power disconnect. I will never suggest anyone who doesn't know a little bit about electricity do this job unless they are certain, power is off. If there is more than one person working together be very careful because one could have forgotten they turned power back on to the power disconnect without the other person knowing.

[@theotheleo6830]

When my fan stopped spinning, I did some research and found that the capacitor is the problem 90% of the time. So I bought a new capacitor online for $10, installed it, and nothing happened. It turned out that the old capacitor was fine; it was the motor that was shot. Save yourself some time and trouble and test the old capacitor's capacitance to verify that it's within spec (the specs are labeled on the capacitor). I didn't have a multimeter that measured capacitance at the time so I crossed my fingers, went with the odds, and lost. A new motor cost me $130 and I had to wait another week in the 100+ heat for delivery. The fan was rusted onto the old motor so I had to buy a special removal tool ($45). It was a frustrating and sweaty experience, but I saved a least $1k.

[@robertlawrence9000]

I really hope people don't get desperate after watching this 2 minute video who may not turn the power off correctly and get badly hurt. It's not always the capacitor. It can be a number of things. MAKE SURE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ONLY WORK ON IT IF YOU ARE POSITIVELY SURE YOU ARE DOING IT SAFELY!

[@sanmansfishingadventure]

Sounds like you guys are taking liability if someone gets electrocuted. Making a video teaching someone is a different story. But to tell ppl with no experience, that they can do it is another story. Wouldn't be surprised if a fat lawsuit comes up if one gets hurt trying. Or warranties voided

[@sanmansfishingadventure]

@@diyhvacadvice2millionaire 😂 I'm a 15 year hvac veteran

[@robertlawrence9000]

@@sanmansfishingadventure Show proper power off and verify please. People need to be careful. I've seen some accidents that were preventable with even some because someone forgot that the power was still on.

[@samcastillo9185]

Just did mine’s yesterday. Super easy!

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@Cal-cf2vo]

I just paid $350 for this repair on my downstairs unit, will fix the upstairs myself

[@rxonmymind8362]

Same. Glad he came out pretty quickly. He put an upgraded capacitor in there. I wonder if there is a alow start capacitor or something along those lines? Like for an RV instead of a sudden jump in voltage.

[@logan4215]

​@@rxonmymind8362you talking about a hard start kit / super booster? Don't do this stuff yourself. There's 240v in that unit waiting to fry you if you don't confirm the disconnect is off.

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWTqpJ4gtusq6s

[@robertlawrence9000]

@@logan4215 Yep. People need to always be aware there could be power there. It's actually good habit to check for dead power with a multimeter if you have a power disconnect off just to make sure.

[@bureauoflandmanagementblm3828]

Trane charges 70$ for a oem capacitor 20 years ago and they hardly ever went out. An American made capacitor can cost 40$ or more now.

[@maddgoatee9708]

For DIY'fers. Just know if your unit is under warranty I've been warn not to do my own repairs. It'll void warranty. So I bought the exact capacitor and replaced. They never noticed it when they come out for inspections.

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWTqpJ4gtusq6s

[@mgancarzjr]

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you from losing your warranty unless you actually damage the item under warranty.

[@robertlawrence9000]

Yes good to track warranties. Some variable speed motors can cost half the price of the unit. Good to write the install date on the motor just before installing it. Save proof of purchase because the individual part should have a warranty too.

[@MatthewButcher-u7j]

A lot to process. Yes, can totally be done yourself. A lot can go wrong with this simple "DIY Hack". Safety is important. If you are unfamiliar or unsure please call a professional to prevent damage to your system or injury. If cost is an issue shop around, read reviews, or talk with neighbors about recommendations. One thing you won't get by doing this yourself is a warranty on the repair. Buying your parts for the cheapest price on Amazon sounds good but you get what you pay for. Most companies use a brand of capacitor they trust because they know it will last. The factory installed is not always the best. Also as mentioned above if you mess this up, your system warranty could be voided and major damage to the system can occur.

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWTqpJ4gtusq6s

[@dfirth224]

Make sure you get the right size capacitor. Most are two capacitors in one. One side for compressor and the other side for the condenser fan.

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWTqpJ4gtusq6s

[@yourmomma3132]

Interesting that Jeff would charge customers $500. For this repair when he owned Fox Family Heating and aIr. Sells the company to someone else and now trying to explain that he ripped,people off for years and it was ok, when it was him.

[@Ragavenutb]

If it's a BLDC fan , it's going to be an even more expensive replacement.

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@ValleyProud916]

Its an easy install for the DYIer

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@weswest8666]

Always buy two so you have a spare

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@birit911]

It’s ok to pay someone $500 than burn your house

[@sandipdhaliwal1]

Touch it to the side of contactor while your low voltage is on. No more DIY after that 😂😂😂😂

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@RayeSoCaLA]

But how would you know for sure it’s the cap if you don’t have a multimeter? Like changing the batteries in a thermostat when it goes blank.

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWTqpJ4gtusq6s

[@theotheleo6830]

I suggest that you buy one now so that you'll have it when you need it. Make sure it can measure capacitance, though. My old multimeter didn't have that function. They're really inexpensive and you can use it for other repairs around the house.

[@Ayyyoo6969]

The news is going to hurt people just call a professional

[@clarencewilliams61]

5 min job $500 smh these companys

[@allennaven4445]

Stick your finger on it before you start lol

[@pfunk1006]

Will CBS take account for electrocution?

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@danielalvarez7704]

Lmao.. I find this amusing! I mean you can do it yourself with a lot of things! ! Lmao I’m gonna laughed when they touch an energized cap! After pulling the disconnect! Lmao law suit incoming

[@ocelott75]

Run caps get de energized on their own through the motor windings. There's no need to do that screwdriver thing.

[@danielalvarez7704]

@@ocelott75not when the motor grounds out! The cap stays energized

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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[@ValleyProud916]

Tech's always try to sell you these during tune-ups

[@jinxtacy]

I mean it's good preventative maintenance. If they're already in there, you save the service call visit plus they can check the freon levels and use our little spray on the coils if you have really gunky buildup. I would say if it's been a few years just to order the capacitor size you need so that you have it on hand. One thing that Ace many AC guys do is instead of having a large collection of all the possible capacitor types and they have these much more expensive capacitors that have different values based on where you hook the wires up. If your capacitor is struggling realistically you can just use a stick and push the blade to get the motor started but make sure it's spinning the right way and blowing out through the top otherwise you're going to have to go flip your breaker, wait for it to stop, flip it back on and then repeat the process but in the proper direction. When you have a bad capacitor, the motor will be running even though it's not in motion and will be extremely hot so I would get the AC out of Auto mode and just kind of run it manually until your capacitor comes in. Be careful though

[@trendingarena3855]

​​@@jinxtacy I get your input is referring to fan blades, compressors uses capacitors as well just so you know.

[@diyhvacadvice2millionaire]

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