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Trane Unit-Hard Start Kit & 2 Capicitors= $$$

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Nurselaurie

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I live in New Orleans. The Trane 4 Ton Central Air System in my home was installed Prior to Hurricane Katrina and is no longer under warranty. My entire electrical system was rewired after the Hurricane. I did not have problems with the A/C until a few years ago.
Since 2009 ( right after the warranty expires) the A/C Unit freezes and does not work. Usually it is because of bad capicitors.
Approximately 13 months ago I had to replace the fan motor,hard start unit, and all capicitors. A few days later it stopped working again and the capicitors had to be replaced again.(this time under warranty). Today I paid $$$$ for 2 capicitors and a Hard Start Kit installed.
Also on 2-22-2011 the same company came out and found & replaced a "burnt wire in condensor" which was $$$$
At this point I have invested over $$$$$ in 18 months in a unit that can never be replaced as I understand it. The entire system must be replaced because of new coolant regulations. I am a RN and single Home Owner. When the guys start talking to me about this stuff, they might as well talk in a foreign language...I just don't get it. Any suggestions? and am I being overcharged? .
 
#2 ·
We don't talk prices here so you might want to edit them out of your post.

The part about it needing to be replaced due to having the old "coolant" is just plain false. The refrigerant (coolant) is still available and the unit is able to be fixed.

There have been a lot of repeat failures on capacitors in the last few years. If you demand American made capacitors you will have a better chance of getting ones that will last.

However the company should be able to give you the reason for the failure. Maybe ask around and see who your friends and family use for their heating contractors and see if they like them. Not all heating contractors are equal.

Good luck!
 
#3 ·
The capacitors failing in the outdoor unit will NOT cause freeze ups!

Freezing up is usually caused by low airflow, dirty filters etc..
 
#4 ·
during Katrina did the condenser go under water? This could be a reason that it's burning up the caps as well. I know after IKE we are seeing units eat caps and burning wires on systems that went under water but didn't get replaced. It's due to the salt water corroding the copper wires and such causing them to not work correctly.

The part about not getting a new unit is false. I'm assuming they told you this due to the fact that it's an R-22 unit. The units that are available for r-22 are called "dry" units as they are not shipped with any freon in the systems. They are also the lowest seer rating available at the moment, 13 seer. So if you have a higher efficiency unit that may be another reason they are saying they are unable to obtain them.

If the system DID go under water and it's worked this long then your lucky. I'd seriously consider replacing the system over continuously repairing something that won't get any better due to the hurricane damage.
 
#7 ·
Sounds like you should deal with a different HVAC company if they are telling you that you can't get R-22 units. I have a 14 year old Trane unit and had to replace burnt out starting capacitors last year. My condenser fan also had bearing failure as well. These were the first two problems ever with the unit. My buddy who is an HVAC professional said I was lucky that the wire didn't short to the unit or the compressor would have blown. For whatever it is worth he doesn't like Trane units as he says they oversize the coil and undersize the compressor, which is why they need the large starting capacitors in the first place. He also said they have moved manufacturing to Mexico and quality has dropped, although I would think most companies have moved manufacturing out of the U.S. as well. I have been looking at other units lately (thinking I might need to replace mine in the next few years) and definitely Trane appears to have the largest coils. Again this is just the opinion of one HVAC guy, but I would love to hear what other Professionals say about Trane over stressing the compressors by under sizing them somewhat.
 
#8 ·
cherokee180c said:
Sounds like you should deal with a different HVAC company if they are telling you that you can't get R-22 units. I have a 14 year old Trane unit and had to replace burnt out starting capacitors last year. My condenser fan also had bearing failure as well. These were the first two problems ever with the unit. My buddy who is an HVAC professional said I was lucky that the wire didn't short to the unit or the compressor would have blown. For whatever it is worth he doesn't like Trane units as he says they oversize the coil and undersize the compressor, which is why they need the large starting capacitors in the first place. He also said they have moved manufacturing to Mexico and quality has dropped, although I would think most companies have moved manufacturing out of the U.S. as well. I have been looking at other units lately (thinking I might need to replace mine in the next few years) and definitely Trane appears to have the largest coils. Again this is just the opinion of one HVAC guy, but I would love to hear what other Professionals say about Trane over stressing the compressors by under sizing them somewhat.
Click to expand...
Your buddy don't like Trane.Everything after that about Trane is 100% complete BS.For one thing that spinefin coil is so much more effient that it is usually about 30% SMALLER that other peoples. All the residential a/c Trane units are built in Tyler Texas and always have been.I'm not going to debate the rest it is also all BS.
I can confirm that capacitors have been failing at a record rate,and yes most of the ones that fail are not made in the USA.
Also Trane is very very particuliar about what hard start kit is used on their units.It migght have sonmethibng to do with the fact that they have some of the very best compressor engineers in the country working for them.I would never use an off the shelf subsitute.
I can fully understand that a contractor can have a disagreement or even an argument with a wholesale house or even a manufactureer but it steams me when people pick out lies out of their behind to support their feelings.I think Trane is an excellent unit but for the sake of argument I will accept as good as all the rest if installed by a good contractor and serviced by a good contractor.This poor woman does not have the right co doing her work.
Oh and you can tell your friend that I have had experience in one way or another with Trane for almost 35 years.
 
#9 ·
That's why I wanted to hear from others, as my experience has been a great one with Trane. I would like to know though how you say their coils are much smaller than most companies when my XL1200 3 ton unit is much larger than most 3 ton units in my development. Not trying to argue, I just want to understand. My unit barely fits on my pad and is over waist height.
 
#10 ·
cherokee180c said:
That's why I wanted to hear from others, as my experience has been a great one with Trane. I would like to know though how you say their coils are much smaller than most companies when my XL1200 3 ton unit is much larger than most 3 ton units in my development. Not trying to argue, I just want to understand. My unit barely fits on my pad and is over waist height.
Click to expand...
Its because of the higher effeciency.Other units would be double rowed to get the same heat transfer.
 
#11 ·
nurselaurie,on large industrial apps.that have history of bulging/burst capacitors is a flag for imbalanced elec.panels that can result in spikes or out of tolerance power.To tend to this ,phase protection devices can be installed {as well as obviously fixing power issues.}On a smaller situation as you have,a MOV{metal oxide varistor}should be installed.These are a relatively inexpensive onetime use device which is avail.fr.electronics supplier which can save pricey repair.
Ask around and ain,t gonna cost so much eh?

Ps .... My arm hurts when I do this.Any ideas?
 
#12 ·
"the A/C Unit freezes and does not work. Usually it is because of bad capicitors"



LOL!

they my lady are taking advantage of you on this one! I'm not laughing at you I'm laughing at the fact that someone actually thinks this stuff up. When I'm dealing with a lady I try to explain it in easier terms for her to understand. That's like saying the car engine won't start because the window lock is broken.
 
#13 ·
johnbeck1000 said:
"the A/C Unit freezes and does not work. Usually it is because of bad capicitors"



LOL!

they my lady are taking advantage of you on this one! I'm not laughing at you I'm laughing at the fact that someone actually thinks this stuff up. When I'm dealing with a lady I try to explain it in easier terms for her to understand. That's like saying the car engine won't start because the window lock is broken.
Click to expand...
Maybe its the indoor blower cap that fails.....
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Blower runs for short time, then stops . . .

Thanks for all of the info guys. Here is some more info on my issue: I can get the blower on the attic unit to run for short time periods. At some point I can hear it "wind down" and then stop and hum. I turn the switch on my thermostat off and shortly the hum stops. I leave it off for at least 30 minutes, turn the thermostat back to AC and the blower cranks up and will run some more. Any ideas on what might be wrong?
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
A/C Problems

My home is in the Irish Channel in New Orleans just in case anyone knows anyone I could call & trust. I just spent a bunch of $ 4 days ago. I'm afraid to call another comapny. Thanks agin Guys! Laurie
 
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