Lennox AC Run Cap Bandit strikes again !

[@marinegrunt6633]

my dad was in plumbing and heating for 50 years...He did excellent work, just like you....never left a job that looked sloppy..he had a great business till he retired...He passed in 2013 at age 89, I learned so much from him, I miss him....

[@bryansimon4072]

A pleasure to see pride in one’s work. Thanks Ted.

[@derekkuhl]

Thank you so much for your videos. It’s like being able to learn at your shoulder without helicoptering. I have always had a great appreciation for HVAC techs and the conditions you have to work in but hearing one with integrity and intelligence talk through the problems is a real treat. Especially in Texas, we depend on a functioning HVAC but we certainly do not give these vital pieces of equipment enough love.

[@hackfreehvac]

The Run Cap Bandit is still out there. He's slipping though. He used to just leave the cap in the box and hang it by the wires

[@jimbell3821]

The man that takes the time to leave his work neat and tidy is the man I'd hire in a second to do work for me.

[@rmyerscmi]

Wire management makes future service so much easier. I hate digging through a spaghetti factory to find things. Request for a new shop update video when you get a chance. Thanks for the great videos!

[@scrambler350]

After years of using the Trade Pro caps, we got pricing we couldn't pass-up from Ferguson Supply on the USA Made MARS capacitors - been using them for a year or so....I guess we'll see how well they hold up in the coming years.

[@scrambler350]

Over the last few years I've gotten in the habit of writing the capacitor sizes on the inside of the panel in Sharpie - saves the day years down the road when they've been changed out more than once and you come across one with the label worn or illegible. I do the same for the CFM: HP, RPM, and Amps...those tags don't last very long in the sun. Think of the next guy that's gonna have to work on it - cuz he might be YOU.

[@throttlebottle5906]

sizes, date and what was replaced is nice. especially if it's five years later and you was there last and cannot recall :))

[@scrambler350]

@@throttlebottle5906 ..that too, date I replaced a CFM, start-kit, etc on the inside of the panel. On the rare occasion I start up a new system I'll put the superheat, subcool, and total charge as well.

[@icanreadthebible7561]

Great tip. Doesn't take but a few seconds.. (Pencil actually lasted better than Sharpie in Florida. I've seen Sharpie fade after only a year or 2.)

[@thomasszilagyi7445]

@@icanreadthebible7561 Try "Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers". They don't fade like the regular Sharpie markers.

[@guitarboy123987]

I used to keep a small roll of plumbing strap for mounting capacitors.

[@speckulator7516]

I still do. And I always keep the cap mounts from change outs too.

[@disabledvet5124]

Thank you for bringing some honesty back to the industry.

[@larrycroft470]

I have so much respect for you for the way you run your business and treat your customers. You are quite an inspiring man. America was built on the work ethic you present in your videos. I also appreciate the fact you use Made in USA parts. In my business I only use made in USA parts and have for the 35 years i have been in business. Most likely no one will see this comment since this platform censors those of us who love America and American Patriotism. I know this for a fact because they delete many of my comments and shadow (shows to me and no one else) most of the rest. But they do it to millions of Americans so i do not feel alone. I sort of wear it as a badge of honor - a tribute to my love for America!!

[@hex4047]

Great work btw. I have the same work ethic as you. My motto always was "do it right & do it once". That motto served me well in both of my careers (First, professional auto mechanic, Second, senior technical expert in Information Technology for a major corporation (30 years)). My problem is that I always did the majority of my house projects because I know how to do a lot of things but now I'm old and can't see well enough to do that stuff any more plus I'm not nearly as agile as I used to be. Now I have to hire folks to do it for me. What I face now is technicians coming to my house that may or may not have any idea what they are doing. So initially I'm a helicopter until I've determined they will do the job properly then I go into house and leave them alone. The majority of the time, I not only know how to do the job I've hired them to do but I have actually done it with above average results. I do have a suggestion, take before and after pictures to show the customer so they can understand what care and skills you bring to the job.

[@bobologic6849]

at 5:48 you can clearly see on the duel-cap it says 50+5 uf and he is installing another 10uf cap [it's possible the duel cap is not the correct one] and he questioned the condenser fan condition without amping it out. That's how you get call backs...its better to return the unit back to factory specs with the proper parts on the first trip...

[@TedCookHVAC]

LoL ... the motor is clearly marked for 10 mfd cap. Just because you don’t see something on video, doesn’t mean you can make a correct assumption. Thanks for watching !!

[@natgasf4097]

As a retired service tech it’s nice to see you take pride in your work mounting and cleaning up the wiring on that unit. Too bad the customer didn’t witness the before and after.

[@baxtergk1]

I"m surprised that you didn't measure the current draw on the condenser motor to make sure it was in spec

[@DS-ss396]

Good point.

[@buddycraigg]

You're killing me man. @3:10 playing shock the monkey. I love your videos.

[@michaelreynolds3592]

Im in the pest control industry. Service is service, no matter what you do. Always be better than who you were yesterday, and make sure people remember you tomorrow.

[@GreyRockOne]

Quick easy fix, love the wiring tidy-up, I would do the exact same thing.

[@quantumleap359]

Tidying up the wiring is just a good thing to do. Nobody really sees it buy you do, and you know what was done right. Good job.

[@HVACGUY]

Great video bro. All my family is from SC. I may return one day. I enjoy hearing the slight difference in accent from S. GA

[@bobologic6849]

at 3:08 did he just try to short across a capacitor with his fingers? talk about living dangerously...

[@southernautodiy2643]

You offer such amazing service to people, you're awesome, other hvac technicians would hackjob it like what you just came behind the last person and fixed

[@dvrn1]

Nice neat job! Take pride in what you do! Ted any updates on the new workshop? Ty.

[@fastsetinthewest]

Great video 👍. I've got a brand new 3 ton 18 seer Lennox a month ago. My house was built in 1978. I replaced a 13 seer with everything including the duct work for $23,000 in Texas. Even got a mold light. Company was good. I thought I was fortunate to get all the new copper. Eaglegards...

[@Ryan-tk2eb]

I want to be a run cap bandit when I grow up.

[@nhfdtb]

Most of the newer Lennox condensers used 10 mfd caps on the condenser motors.

[@scrambler350]

...and 40mfd on the furnace blowers if they're not ECM.

[@robertgift]

Wanted to see the dented capacitor to see if it really needed replacing.

[@AttackLineConsultingLLC]

Pride and ownership in your work. I love it…

[@oldman8810]

Nice but I was taught long ago to Always cut the ends of zip ties down flush; they can make for a nice cut on the back of a hand along with blood😎

[@noahholt482]

twist the ends off

[@Masterkill45588]

If you use a cheap pair of fingernail clippers to do it, they won't cut you at all...

[@jeremybelcher6681]

@@Masterkill45588 Flush cut diagonal pliers is the "pro" way, lol

[@nowhereclose4465]

Always try and do this when I can.

[@williamserver4332]

Take the pain.

[@HVACslayer]

Man I need to ask RSD about these American made MARS caps I use Amrad USA made caps but sometimes I have to order and wait few weeks to get them in.

[@realsthvac7942]

Had a capacitor shock the piss out of me the other day

[@JurassicJolts]

Nice

[@scrambler350]

Start cap...?

[@UmbreWolf]

be lucky a shock is all you got.

[@coldgold49]

what was the charge for that service and are you in the US?

[@wscb01]

Do the fans/compressors say what kind of cap is needed?

[@bazzani21]

Yes

[@richardboggs260]

I enjoy watching your videos very much!! I live in north west ohio I don't have a/c in my house I have hot water heat no ducts in house. I wish I could get your company to install a unit for me because I trust you. I just don't know who to trust around here

[@rhymereason3449]

Can't believe you ran your fingers over that cap's terminals before bleeding it first just to be sure....

[@Garth2011]

I saw an HVAC installer use what he called a Hi-Rise condenser pad that positioned the unit about 14" above grade. It looked rather odd but seemed to make some sense for certain applications such as grass growing right up to the unit(s) as seen above and the fan is pulling in all of the grass clippings from the lawn equipment onto the coils. I guess the concern is, are they for that reason and are they effective or best to just have a large formed concrete slab for the condensing units?

[@throttlebottle5906]

heat pumps and snow in winter is one reason to have them elevated, other is flood prone areas. but yes you could use the elevated pad on anything anywhere or hang them off the side of the home, but that's usually only done on commercial or heavy block/brick walls due to noise.

[@gatesmw50]

Garth Clark Don't know what state you saw this in but some jurisdictions call for this in the building codes. In New Jersey some towns want this because of floods like the ones we just had from Hurricane Ida.

[@shaunmcdaniels2460]

I did also want to add that I am glad that you as a Service Tech did a good job…. Paid attention to detail, got right to the point, and took care of your customer!!!! Nothing but respect for you!!! I hate these guys that screw people over, do shoddy work, and overcharge for their “services”!!! Pisses me off!!! They always seem to prey on the older, less fortunate people as well…. It’s a shame. I don’t know how they sleep at night. I couldn’t…

[@jasonjohnsonHVAC]

Had one recently. It was a residential type split for the mechanics shop for a school district. The cap blew. Unfortunately the writing on the cap was rusted, called York to get the specs on the unit to properly size the cap........they didn't have any info available due to how old the condenser was ( early 90's ) so i had to make an educated guess on the size of the cap. I could only read the fan cap size off the data plate, the compressor had no data plate at all. I put a 30/7.5 cap in and she's been running for 2 weeks now. Didn't make me feel good about guessing......but sometimes we gotta do, what we gotta do. I told the shop forman i had no data to put the exact size in and I'd have to guess.....he said let it ride.

[@throttlebottle5906]

you can often lookup the motor/compressor model numbers and get the correct sizes, assuming those are legible!

[@Brown_Buffalo]

Was that boogered up or buggered up?

[@wilfredfournier2568]

Run capacitors have a microfarad rating and a voltage rating when the unit is running you can check the voltage induced cross the top of the If it’s higher than what the cat is rated at you need to get a capacitor with a higher voltage rating at the same microfarads

[@anotherjoe5675]

Wow!... Three condenser units on one home... We have two on a 3850 sq ft house in SoCal... Costs about $10 per day to run them on top of about $10 per day normal household use... Starts to add up after awhile...

[@mkl5448]

Yes, cleaning up the wires is something most will just not take the time to do. Nice.

[@paulk8io445]

Pet peeve of mine, trim the stubs flush on the tywraps please! I have left to much skin on those jagged edges. Not so much there but in a tight spot in equipment reaching in.

[@JurassicJolts]

Did you quote a cleaning

[@henrykiser8880]

I see the yellow capacitor says made in USA but also has CE on it which I thought meant China Export.

[@TheGgin]

Based on the spacing, it's probably means "Conformité Européene" or European Conformity.

[@YukonHawk1]

Nice work as always.

[@danobrien3109]

Why not just look at the dual cap rating as a start point.

[@gatesmw50]

Dan O'Brien Because it is not always the capacitor at fault.

[@ranimouf]

How much do you charge for just changing capacitors?

[@tedsmith5058]

Hello from the great state of Michigan

[@DavidSGingras]

What's the charge to replace 2 caps? I'm just asking because a few years ago (before I learned to change my own caps/contactors), my A/C stopped working in the middle of a hot Arizona summer. The company I called charged $380 to change a cap. Seemed high at the time, but when you live in AZ and your air stops, you are kind of at their mercy. Now that I realize you can buy these things on Amazon for a few bucks and change them in 10 minutes yourself, I won't be shelling out $400 to those techs anymore.

[@CoreyStup]

Thanks for the content! Suggestion - the microphone is picking up a ton of noise from movement. Hard to watch with headphones.

[@deadstyle95]

How big are these houses? Seems like every house has 2-3 AC units.

[@themovecrew7201]

First one, wohoo! Keep up the great work😊 shop update please!!!!

[@RustyShacklefordPocketSand]

Can you still buy a contactor that's made in the USA?

[@LYHTSPD]

Oh man, you need to make sure those zip tie tails are cut flush. Those sniped ends are razors waiting for the next guy to reach in.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

How many caps do you think you change a year?

[@TonyNanni]

Love your videos by the way.

[@williamserver4332]

Its weird to see the electrical panels outside. Never see that in PA

[@drakbar5957]

At least that run cap bandit was creative in anchoring the fan cap. Spaghetti is good in a bowl, but not behind a panel. You did the right thing by cleaning up someone else’s mess.

[@tasmith1969]

Why are a/c units built with 10 miles of extra wire?

[@STEVIE1959]

Ted, I have a 4 ton Trane gas package unit connected to a Trane 824 thermostat, currently it is a two speed unit that mostly runs on low speed , it has weak air flow on the vents at the opposite end of the house the unit sits, How do I eliminate the two speed and just run at the high speed .....stevie the unit is only 3 months old and replaced an 11yr old Trane gas pack that ran on high speed all the time

[@throttlebottle5906]

have a company do an air balance assuming it has dampers on each vent or separate trunks. if not you'll need to add them to all the vent pipes nearest the unit and adjust them down to balance the flow throughout the home. **this assumes the ducts are all sized properly and it can be done without limiting the flow too much for the unit on high stage full output (probably not, they're rarely ducted well to start with).

[@STEVIE1959]

My vents can be closed with a damper but what I really want is to stay on high speed and not switch over to low speed, right now I am on low speed probably 90% of the time in Mobile Al and it hardly ever cuts off and my flow into my man cave makes it a few degrees warmer, with my older packaged unit blowing mostly high speed I could cool my cave just like the rest of the house

[@Chris_In_Texas]

7:52 Ted, Ted, Ted.... Flush cutters on those zip ties! 👍😁 Save the hands of the next guy or you if you work on it again! Do it for the HVAC guy!

[@Farm_fab]

Ted, you could get a scope camera for your smartphone to help you see in obscure locations.

[@joek4796]

wish you where in the Dallas/FW area!!

[@tphvac87]

Ted the old cap says 50+5 on it! A good technician is observant of his surroundings! Was that the original 50+5 cap what did the motor say on it?

[@TedCookHVAC]

It said 10.... the 50/5 was not original.

[@throttlebottle5906]

I seen that on the round dual run cap(50+5/440V). certainly the fan motor was replaced in the past and requires a 10uF, so instead of replacing the dual with a 50/10uF, they just added the 10uF for fan only and zip tied in place. it's not ideal, but I'd let that slide as non "run-cap bandit" level. lol

[@miketrissel5494]

Has it been anybody else's experience, that round caps seem to last 2-3 times longer than oval ones....maybe it's just me?

[@gordbaker896]

It's called Workmanship. Well done.

[@549BR]

If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing right; that what we always see with Ted.😁

[@BryanTorok]

I'm very curious, how often do you encounter a compressor or fan motor that has failed? I've watched a couple dozen of your videos and I've never seen one that you didn't get running with a capacitor and sometimes a cleaning of the coils.

[@flinch622]

Homeowners: some good spares to have on hand [because... air conditioners lay down at the worst time, and often on the weekend] in a nice dry place: Run capacitor - the correct values [dual if that is what was supplied for easy mounting]. Contactor for outdoor condenser unit - 24v coil, and matches amp rating/configuration of original. Cant find info? Amp rating of about 150% of when unit runs. Condenser fan motor - Yes this one is unusual but fan motors go out more often than compressors , and many are very specific to that unit. Generic motors of same frame size/speed don't always have as good a thrust washer to save on bearings and may not last that long. Get the OEM replacement as lead length is sometimes specific and may come with special connectors. You need manufacturer tag data/model number for the condenser unit when ordering. Then one last check for peace of mind: make sure the control transformer is sized right - you might be surprised. I like to see it draw between 60-75% of its rating with things running: do an amp check [24 volt side] then multiply that by 24 and that is the number to compare to the VA [apparent power] rating of that transformer. Transformers tend to turn power into heat past 85% or so of rating, and voltage droop is the result - my house had contactor burn up after moving in for that very reason [undervoltage at coil, which roasted the contactor with chatter at startup due to poor field strength, and then its 24v coil failed]. What I found was... a furnace package was joined to a generic cooling coil [inline duct system] and they just grabbed 24v off the furnace control which did not have room for extra device loads. That was something puny - like 30VA [I forget], and it was pushing current above 90% of its rating as I later calculated when serving the air conditioners control needs. I went up to 50VA rating [which existing fusing was still good for on the 120v side] and it's been loving life for 20+ years

[@bigsid1984]

You take pride and do quality work

[@guitarboy123987]

Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but it seems like he is not shorting the terminals of capacitors to bleed off any residual charge like I would expect. I got in the habit of doing that so I would not get shocked. Just curious.

[@1768ify]

Watch again and pay attention to his finger. That is how he keeps his body charged up.

[@christopherfodor8236]

I go to Rjwalker but that looks fancy

[@rangepro]

Do the right thing for the right reason!>>>>>>>>>>salute to YOU!!

[@unclechaz8426]

Hey, It's my favorite HVAC maniac.

[@ByWire-yk8eh]

Assuming they have the basic knowledge, the DIYers often do a better job than the "professionals," because they can take the time to be thorough and neat. When I wired my new house, the UL inspector was impressed.

[@miketrissel5494]

Rule of thumb for Caps ... if a little is good, then to much is just right!

[@roberturena2712]

Nice clean job Tom also my understanding that run caps should always be installed upright due to the oil in the cap canister and this is to avoid a voided pocket as you may know the oil keeps the cap guts cool, anyhow I like your work tread work ethics.👍

[@jkDLux1]

I bet that Rheem outlasts those Lennox's

[@douglaspatrick868]

Speaking honestly as someone with experience as an installer and service tech the brand of the equipment is MUCH less important than the quality of the installation job and it getting regular and proper cleaning and maintenance as needed after install. That said I've always preferred Trane or Rheem/Ruud equipment for ducted central HVAC systems, though Lennox and Carrier stuff will do a great job too if properly and professionally installed! Heck, even Goodman equipment which I've personally just never cared for I've seen run like a champion and hold purchasers in good stead well after expiration of warranties. I also really like the Daikin multi zone split systems for ductless residential/office equipment, they are super efficient and they run whisper quiet, and for something smaller like a studio apartment or a modest finished shop building Mitsubishi Electric's ductless mini split systems absolutely rock too! Sorry for the wall of text, I like yacking about this stuff.

[@alejandromata825]

Why do you test capacitors with your fingers after power down unit when you have a perfectly safe insulated driver? Those things can pack a wallop!

[@2packs4sure]

I would have bet money that that 10uf was the wrong capacitor for that fan motor !!

[@TedCookHVAC]

It is correct.

[@2packs4sure]

@@TedCookHVAC Yeah I saw that and it was surprising.. I've been thru a few thousand run caps and I don't ever remember having a 50/10 dual run cap in my hand...

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Cowboy is going to be repairing a cap bandits mess !

[@AaronPowellvox]

What camera or phone do you use to film?

[@cantor7723]

I agree, tho. Very shocked that needed a fan cap that large.

[@jamesaldrich9238]

Would like to get ahold of you talk HVAC please let me know

[@TedCookHVAC]

864-320-6719

[@sknight0391]

That cap. was doing the Horizontal Mambo 😲😲😲 #bowchickawowwow

[@scrambler350]

I think it needed a couple more zip-ties.

[@sziltner]

As Mikey Pipes says "Feed us more! Love watching your videos." You are a 100% HVAC PROFESSIONAL. With honesty and customer service first. So refreshing to see your kind of repair philosophy. Stay well and keep them coming. 👍🏻👏

[@OnusBones]

Looks like the original cap is a 50+5.

[@1768ify]

What makes you think that one is the original cap? And what makes you think the fan motor is original, or original spec?

[@matkremzar5474]

USA . as a customer I prefer that

[@toddbellefeuille5376]

Ted for President!!!!!!!!

[@muniznick]

Whats also bad are the flying wire tie bandits, would have lost sleep if you hadn't cut yours.

[@MegaDysart]

Bought a pair of flush cutters recently. It's nice not getting sliced to pieces by jagged zip ties and I'm sure the next guy appreciates it too

[@RyuHazaki]

LOL!!! :)

[@scrambler350]

That was always my Dad's pet peeve - I got to where I'd leave them un-cut just to piss him off. XD

[@TonyNanni]

Ted, why do you do that thing with the capacitors, dusting your hand across like that? Why not just discharge it. What is your thinking? You must get tickled quite a bit. Obviously you are not afraid of electricity. I guess a little shock never hurt anyone.

[@yamohvac3181]

Nice job Ted

[@TedCookHVAC]

Yamooooooooooo

[@bazzani21]

A turbo 200 would have covered the 50/10 cap. And it would outlast that condensor

[@noahholt482]

Junk

[@tphvac87]

It says made in USA on the box

[@bazzani21]

@noah holt Junk why? I have never had to replace one. And with 3 different sizes, I have any option covered. And yes, they are made in the USA.

[@christ2290]

"Anti DIY HVAC" Proceeds to check to see if a cap is charged by using his fingers.... Lol.

[@cmscms123456]

The capacitor on my AC unit went out, the repair man charged me $500. parts and labor, I looked it up on KZbin, then called my local appliance parts store, and bought one for $17. Called back that company and YELLED AT THEM so much, they came out and took their $500 part out and walked away... BIG RIPOFF...

[@dmtycn]

Haha, I won't touch a capacitor like that! I short them before doing my job.

[@BryanTorok]

I very much like your work ethic and ethics toward the customer. Do you usually bring the customer to see the work before you close it up? Or take a few pics, maybe before and after, to show the customer? I know you don't like helicopters, but I'm afraid I'd probably be one. I know enough to do much of what you do but sometimes prefer to hire a pro to do it. I watch because there are so many so-called pros who are either dishonest or incompetent and I want to be sure the job is done correctly. Also, by watching I might learn something new.

[@TheBoxFort759]

Thanks for not calling those self drilling screws “self tappers” because that bothers me

[@markrusso1086]

odometer 257000 miles