compressor won't start

[waterpark]

the inside unit is running and the outside fan is on but the compressor won't start. checked the contactor and it's getting 240 through it. is it the capacitor? how do i check?

[ARPA]

Welcome to HVAC-Talk. However this site has rules against giving out technical advice to the general public. I have attached a link below for your convenience.

Here's something to think about though...

When was the last time you had your unit cleaned and inspected?

Fuel costs are skyrocketing.

So why not call in a professional to clean & tune up your furnace? While they are there they can inspect your unit to insure a safe living environment for you and your loved ones. Not to mention, having an efficient running system could save you more than the cost of the service.

What's your safety worth? I'm guessing more than the repair bill. ;)

Thanks for your understanding.

http://www.my-smileys.de/smileys2/033102sor_1_prv.gif (we can't help DIY, due to site rules (http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=1241) )

[waterpark]

i am certified by the epa to handle refrigerant. how do i log my credentials on here? i am the head of maintenance for a 250 room resort. turns out it was my capacitor. thanks anyway

[ARPA]

Due to Site Rules (http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=1241) we are not allowed to discuss "step by step" or "technical issues" in this area.

If you are a professional in the HVAC/R Field, please register as a Professional Member.
Provide some general information in your profile. This way we can discuss this matter in the Pro-Forums.

After you register as a Professional, we’ll move this post over to the ProTech Forum.

Thanks!

[Workhorse]

Are they giving out epa cards to anyone now. Before I learned anything about the refrigerant cycle I had to learn how a units electrical and mechanical cycles worked.

[Mr Bill]

Originally posted by waterpark
i am the head of maintenance for a 250 room resort. turns out it was my capacitor. thanks anyway

Man that sounds like a job I would like to have I bet the scenery is great. :D

[wally01]

Originally posted by mrbillpro

Originally posted by waterpark
i am the head of maintenance for a 250 room resort. turns out it was my capacitor. thanks anyway

Man that sounds like a job I would like to have I bet the scenery is great. :D

No kidding! Are you doing any hiring? I can start tomorrow.

:D

[Workhorse]

He's in Texas and probably works in a Mexican Fat Farm Resort.

But I guess some people are into that kind of thing.

[doglips]

seems like every condo and place on the beach I go to the whole area gets invaded by escapees from the Sea World
Walrus exibit....no wonder the sharks dont bite them...too big for most sharks :)

EPA card is way too easy to get..I got the universal one and have never even seen a low pressure duel compressor set up...not even in a book....but epa card say I can gas that puppy up :)

[waterpark]

yeah i'm hiring. but not that ahole workhorse

[ct_hvac_tech]

Originally posted by waterpark
yeah i'm hiring. but not that ahole workhorse

Welcome back, Eddy

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by waterpark
yeah i'm hiring. but not that ahole workhorse
Great! Wasn't looking but if I was I'd have your job in a minute. Get real, you come here asking why a compressor wouldn't start? One of three things had to take place before you asked, one-you're lazy and didn't want to trouble shoot a common problem, two-you're an idiot who just don't know what he's doing or three-you are a do it yourselfer that got his epa card during an open book test and have absolutely no formal training whatsoever.
If you don't want people effin with you then look for the common problem and try something before you ask. What if the capacitor was good, would you know what to check next? Let's see, would I check the contactor, how about the wiring to the compressor, did I ohm out the compressor and check for shorts.

Come on, it's not rocket science!!! It's just thermodynamics.

In the future I'm not just any a-hole, I'm Mr A-Hole.

[lakeman1234]

workhorse
Professional Member

Registered: Jul 2003
Posts: 1612
Are they giving out epa cards to anyone now. Before I learned anything about the refrigerant cycle I had to learn how a units electrical and mechanical cycles worked.


Workhorse Didn't you take the epa test? If so you would know there aren't any electrical questions on it. Get a life.

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by lakeman1234
workhorse
Professional Member

Registered: Jul 2003
Posts: 1612
Are they giving out epa cards to anyone now. Before I learned anything about the refrigerant cycle I had to learn how a units electrical and mechanical cycles worked.


Workhorse Didn't you take the epa test? If so you would know there aren't any electrical questions on it. Get a life.
1 I have a life, thank you anyways.
2 All the knowledge of refrigerants and the refrigerant cycle didn't mean crap if I didn't know what (electrical/mechanical) cycled it
3 Any real employer would have made sure I was able to repair something as simple as a blown capacitor.
4 It really doesn't matter anyway, I could give a crap less.

Have a nice day!!

[lakeman1234]

Workhorse
My problem here is you don't need to talk down to the guy. I mean what's your problem. Not everyone has a job that is strictly Heating and Air Conditioning repair. I work in a Pharmaceutical Company. I am an electronics tech. We have other people that work on the boilers and air conditioning. Most of them don't know that much about electrical. They come to us when there is an electical problem. That doesn't make them a moron. Most of the people on this forum seem to take pride that they can just talk down and bad mouth other people that don't know as much and are weak in the electrical and refrigeration skills. It is easy to hide behind your computer and make snide comments to people. Why do you think he called you an A-Hole. You deserved it. This makes people shy of asking questions that they don't know the answer to. I have had some of you talk that way to me also. I didn't like it either.
Have a nice day.

[rsmith46]

Yes Lakeman, that seems to be a very popular pastime for some people on this site. [ Not just picking on Workhorse]
Seems some people think it makes them smarter if they jump all over anybody they think has less knowledge than they do.

Perhaps the rules should be changed from no Do-It-Yourselfers to also include no apprentices or maintenance men. Then all the real techs won't have to be bothered with the less experienced.

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by rsmith46
Yes Lakeman, that seems to be a very popular pastime for some people on this site. [ Not just picking on Workhorse]
Seems some people think it makes them smarter if they jump all over anybody they think has less knowledge than they do.

Perhaps the rules should be changed from no Do-It-Yourselfers to also include no apprentices or maintenance men. Then all the real techs won't have to be bothered with the less experienced.
Well rsmith, not to argue or anything but I don't believe you have any right touching an a/c system unless you have a basic knowledge of how it works. Being that it was a capacitor that seems also basic to me. I also believe I'm going to check everything out before I start asking for someone else to diagnose the problem for me. As far as DIY'ers, apprentices and maintenance men, I'm a maintenance man for an apartment community.

[rsmith46]

Workhorse, it looks like you and Waterpark are brothers in arms, he's a 250 unit maintenance supervisor too. At what point in your learning process did you become good enough to touch a set of gauges?
So the guy could of worded his question better, he's new here and learning HVAC.

I started out as an electrician that went to work as an apt maintenance super 25 years. I was forced to learn HVAC hands on in a hurry, and your right I had no business touching a set of gauges that first year. But I learned, thankfully on a complex's A/C's and not paying homeowners.

I now have all my Masters and am licensed in all 3 trades and commercial Master Builder. I don't look down on or have any reservations about helping someone just getting started. I was there once.

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by rsmith46
Workhorse, it looks like you and Waterpark are brothers in arms, he's a 250 unit maintenance supervisor too. At what point in your learning process did you become good enough to touch a set of gauges? But I learned, thankfully on a complex's A/C's and not paying homeowners.

Maybe I came off a little harsh, maybe. I see on this site and the type of people around my area that have no respect for this trade. I didn't touch a set of guages until my instructor allowed me too. My apprenticeship program was strict enough to make sure I knew what was going on before working on it. Before I got into the field, which includes an apartment complex, I had better understand how this equipment works. During my apprenticeship I had to take electrical classes first, a/c 1 was all mechanical and basic pressures and a/c two was where I learned how it all worked together. I was not allowed to put a set of guages on a unit until after I had my certification.