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mjje29
06-20-2005, 12:50 PM
Hi,
I had my Rheem RAJC 3.5 ton outside AC unit's contactor changed about 6 weeks ago. My system died last week, only fan worked compressor wouldn't start. Anyway, I looked at the wiring and noticed all of the wires around the capacitor were badly burnt. I changed out capacitor 35/5, cleaned up wires. The wires that were burnt, no longer get hot.

While looking at the print I noticed the unit called for a single pole contactor, my AC repair company replaced it with a dual pole contactor. With the single pole, there is constant voltage 120 to the C terminal on the compressor. On a dual pole, that current is only present when the contactor is activated.

My question is, does it make a difference - single or dual. Could the fact that the compressor only had voltage to the c termianl have created the problems that I have today?
frigetater
06-20-2005, 12:57 PM
"The wires that were burnt, no longer get hot."
you mean as in temperature or voltage?
smokin68
06-20-2005, 01:05 PM
There's no difference unless something has to be constatntly energised( crankcase heater) and it can be rewired to line side of double pole anyways. i hate the single pole 'cause i forget the thing's energised and get bit once in a while when I have a brain fart. :(
mjje29
06-20-2005, 01:16 PM
Wires nolonger get hot to the touch.

So should I jump the 1st pole on the contactor to energize the crankcase heater? Or move the black wire from the crankcase heater from the terminal side of the contactor to one of the spare terminals in the line side?
smokin68
06-20-2005, 03:24 PM
crankcase heater needs to be on line side.....don't jump out the contactor.
karsthuntr
06-20-2005, 11:15 PM
Crankcase heater is not standard on that unit. Does it even have one? If it does it is not factory.
dave82323
06-20-2005, 11:54 PM
call the company back to check there work..any good company will stand behind there work for that short period of time...
t527ed
06-21-2005, 08:19 AM
if its working ok with new capacitor it is fine. i replace 1 pole with 2 pole all the time. i think it is a safer unit with 2 pole contactor and no direct feed to compressor for power surges and lightning.