Getting ready for triple digits

[brav65]

Damn John, I hope you get your A/C back online ASAP! I'm pushing two A/C duel packs since building the house in 98 and always get a bit nervous during the summer as they seem to cycle all day and night. At 19 years old, they still preform great, but we're on borrowed time. I had problems with both units (different times) within the first 3 years of service and replaced inferior relays on the circuit boards. Good luck getting your AC back in operation.

At 19 years you are definitely on borrowed time. You might consider a proactive upgrade. New units have much better SEER ratings, coupled with an air handler change could save significantly on your power bill. Of course now is prime AC weather so pricing will be high. Consider it over the winter. I am in Phoenix with 120 degrees today. No shop time for me!

 

[hman]

Well, we're cool again. But it cost a bit. Problem turned out to be the run capacitor for the outdoor unit compressor and fan motor. You can see in the photo that the top is nicely bulged, plus there are signs of fluid leakage.

I suppose I would have seen it pretty easily it if I'd just taken the inspection panel off the outdoor unit. Coulda, woulda, shoulda ...
Of course, the very best part is what the technician charged us for the cap - over $300!!! I knew he was ripping us off. But it would have taken too long to buy a replacement on line. So we bent over and grabbed our ankles. My wife later found one on line for under $50.

Ah, well ... at least it's running now.

 

[Firestopper]

At 19 years you are definitely on borrowed time. You might consider a proactive upgrade. New units have much better SEER ratings, coupled with an air handler change could save significantly on your power bill. Of course now is prime AC weather so pricing will be high. Consider it over the winter. I am in Phoenix with 120 degrees today. No shop time for me!

Your 100% correct, Those units are on borrowed time. The duel packs are 12 seer Lenox (one 2 ton and one 3 ton) and double as Natural gas heaters during winter months. A crane will be required so is gonna set us back some $$ overall. I plan on upgrading to 16 seer when the time comes. Our electric bill during the summer months averaged $ 220 prior to the new shop build and winter average around $100. The house is very efficient so that helps a bunch.

We hit 116º yesterday and like a knucklehead I insisted on driving the the FJ 40 (no A/C) to work. The hour ride home was brutal while sitting at red lights.
Stay cool brav65!
Paco

Well, we're cool again. But it cost a bit. Problem turned out to be the run capacitor for the outdoor unit compressor and fan motor. You can see in the photo that the top is nicely bulged, plus there are signs of fluid leakage.

I suppose I would have seen it pretty easily it if I'd just taken the inspection panel off the outdoor unit. Coulda, woulda, shoulda ...
Of course, the very best part is what the technician charged us for the cap - over $300!!! I knew he was ripping us off. But it would have taken too long to buy a replacement on line. So we bent over and grabbed our ankles. My wife later found one on line for under $50.

Glad your up and running again John. $300 for a capacitor blows for sure. The A/C industry are known for ripping folks off (especially during emergency service calls). We have Hemco, a local motor shop that I use for purchasing capacitors and other electrical motor needs. They are ultra reasonable. I would check your start caps as well as its also takes a beating over time. I'm sure the Phoenix valley has a motor shop that can help you out.
Stay cool my friend...

Paco

Ah, well ... at least it's running now.
View attachment 235972

 

[brav65]

Your 100% correct, Those units are on borrowed time. The duel packs are 12 seer Lenox (one 2 ton and one 3 ton) and double as Natural gas heaters during winter months. A crane will be required so is gonna set us back some $$ overall. I plan on upgrading to 16 seer when the time comes. Our electric bill during the summer months averaged $ 220 prior to the new shop build and winter average around $100. The house is very efficient so that helps a bunch.
View attachment 235982
We hit 116º yesterday and like a knucklehead I insisted on driving the the FJ 40 (no A/C) to work. The hour ride home was brutal while sitting at red lights.
Stay cool brav65!
Paco

The big savings comes when you get variable speed fans and 17 SEER. The fans run 24/7 at low speed and only spin up on high demand. You can see a 20-30% savings over standard units. At $220 a month it would not make sense though. Crane time is not too bad, for AC units it is usually a min charge of $200 or $300.

 

[Firestopper]

brav65,

I'm not sure how the added electronics (VFD and such) would fair up on the roof in brutal conditions. The electric bill increased another $100-125 during the summer with the addition of the 3200sf shop ($265-$325/month). I do make money and save even more by working on my own needs in the shop so that helps. The swamp eats power but I have tuned it to only draw 8.5 amps with no slippage and optimal CFM's. I also credit the R-30 insulation in the shop keeping things efficient.
I know modern pool pumps are now variable speed as well but they seem to get replaced more often than the older non variable counterparts.
Either way, I need to start planning on upgrading the two roof units. Thanks for the advice, I always learn new things.