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Central A/C problem

watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
Our electic bill was $388.00 dollars last month and I was trying to figure out why, I noticed that my condeser fan motor outsde won't shut off, it seems to run 24-7 even If I turn the a/c off from the thermostat inside the house. I have to turn it off at the safety switch out side where the condenser unit is in order for it to stop running. Also the unit inside the house where the coil is has some ice on it and seems to be freezing up some. I just can't figure out why the condenser out side won't shut off. I will check the coil and see if it needs to be cleaned. If you have any ideas I'm open for suggestions, even smart * ones.[8D][^]
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Comments

  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If she is icing up you are low on freon OR the coil is plugged up inside not allowing air flow across it. Bad news.. this could ruin the compressor. Check your coil for blockage. Shut the unit off and leave it off.
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  • tomahawktomahawk Member Posts: 11,826
    edited November -1
    sounds like you need to clean the a coil on the inside, and wash out the fins on the unit outside
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Condenser fan relay welded in "On" position.

    Low Freon/refrigerant makes ice inside.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by HandLoad
    Condenser fan relay welded in "On" position.

    Low Freon/refrigerant makes ice inside.


    I forgot about the contacts stuck together. That will make it run permanent.
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  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    Thanks for your replys. I just looked at the coil inside and it didn't seem to be dirty enough to make it freeze up, but It does need to be cleaned some, so I will clean it. I will check to see if the contacts on the contactor outside are fused, thanks.
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  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    Ditto the above.
    It's amazing how many people don't maintinence their A/C units. But a costly repair/replacement usually makes them true believers.
    1st. Ckeck & clean the coils on your outside unit. Using compressed air if you have an air compressor is best. If not water from the hose will work. Try to wash all visible dirt/crud from te outside. Then (if possible) take the top (w/fan motor. You don't have to completely remove it. Just take loose screws to move it enough to work from inside) off and blow/wash from inside out. Taking care not to splash water on Electric parts as possible. OR touch/bend the fins on the coils. Clean out leaves/dirt from the bottom of unit also.
    This should be done AT LEAST once a year. And several times is best. ESPECIALLY if you have plant life in the area w/wind blown seeds/spores etc.
    We have a Momosa tree and have to do ours about 2-3 time each spring.
    It's a good idea to clean and cover the unit each fall when you're done using it. At least cover it. Inexpensive covers are available at Wal Mart. And/or clean at start up each spring. Then once every couple months or so.
    If you do this, your unit will work better, use less elec, and last MUCH longer.
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  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    I pulled the cover off the condenser unit outside and the contacts were fused together, so I broke them loose for now, but I will go buy a new one. Thanks again to all. I did a test run and the condenser unit outside turns on and off now. Thanks so much guy's.
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Welcome
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  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Condenser fan alone should not have caused e bill to go up so much and usually the same contactor brings on the compressor so you were probably never cycling the unit and froze up not due to lack of refrigerant (freon is a name brand) but due to running 100%
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
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  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    A dirty filter will also cause the A coil to freeze.
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,395 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fixed one last season that the condenser fan stayed on.Relay contacts stuck.Frozen coils could be low refrigerant or air flow problems.Most likely,plugged filter,dirty coils or belt worn on evaporator fan.
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  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    Hey guy's I put in a new contactor and it took care of the problem. I have cold a/c. Also we change our filter once a month. Took a look at the coil and it is clean.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some of your bad luck rubbed off on me last night. Tenant calls ..NO air. I go and look at it. Needed a capacitor. Went and got it this morning.. $15 bucks and put it in the unit. Took less than 5 minutes.
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  • tccoxtccox Member Posts: 7,379 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mine went out around noon yesterday. Have called my regular man but he has not called back. Luckily, I can stay with neighbor, as I did last night, but I had rather sleep in my own bed. Hopefully, he will fix it tomorrow. I had same probllem last year and it took him about 15 minutes to fix it. Too bad I did not take notes! Tom
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  • tccoxtccox Member Posts: 7,379 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jeeeze. he still has not shown up. He did call last night and said around noon, which is about time. said he is so busy he just can't keep up. I sure was in the wrong business in the military. He charges 40 buck/hour and has more work than he can handle. Granted, it ain't easy work. Tom
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  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tccox
    Jeeeze. he still has not shown up. He did call last night and said around noon, which is about time. said he is so busy he just can't keep up. I sure was in the wrong business in the military. He charges 40 buck/hour and has more work than he can handle. Granted, it ain't easy work. Tom

    Geez,.......better keep him, he's cheap!
    80 bucks an hour for me.

    I don't see how he can make a living in this trade at that rate, especially with gas prices, and all of the driving involved.
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My service guy charges 85 per call. 80 hour plus parts. I pay attention and do most the work myself. I have changed fan motors, capacitors, relays.. NOT A coils since they have to be gassed up.

    GW.. the half a/c guy
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  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    My service guy charges 85 per call. 80 hour plus parts. I pay attention and do most the work myself. I have changed fan motors, capacitors, relays.. NOT A coils since they have to be gassed up.

    GW.. the half a/c guy

    I left out the details!
    75 buck "service call" which is getting there, and diagnosing the issue, then 80 bucks an hour plus parts.
    I have never had an issue with folks watching me, and have walked people through a simple fix over the phone for free many times,.....no big deal as there is plenty of work, and most folks don't have the ability or the tools to fix their own AC.
    Also I am shocked as to how many MEN are scared to death of electricity![:D]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    My service guy charges 85 per call. 80 hour plus parts. I pay attention and do most the work myself. I have changed fan motors, capacitors, relays.. NOT A coils since they have to be gassed up.

    GW.. the half a/c guy

    I left out the details!
    75 buck "service call" which is getting there, and diagnosing the issue, then 80 bucks an hour plus parts.
    I have never had an issue with folks watching me, and have walked people through a simple fix over the phone for free many times,.....no big deal as there is plenty of work, and most folks don't have the ability or the tools to fix their own AC.
    Also I am shocked as to how many MEN are scared to death of electricity![:D]


    That's why disconnect boxes on the A/C are put on. Pull the fuses.. b
    ingo.. I'm not going to get shocked. Yesterday I about did a boo boo.. Got the capacitor and then UH OH>> forgot which wires went where.. I knew the red/ purple went to the compressor. But I still had a Yelloe and a Brown. .. and two hookups on top of the capacitor. Then.. I noticed the wiring diagram inside the cover. Brown goes to fan.. Ah HA.. Yellow goes on other tab... I also know how to tell when a capacitor is history. They swell up [:)]
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  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    My service guy charges 85 per call. 80 hour plus parts. I pay attention and do most the work myself. I have changed fan motors, capacitors, relays.. NOT A coils since they have to be gassed up.

    GW.. the half a/c guy

    I left out the details!
    75 buck "service call" which is getting there, and diagnosing the issue, then 80 bucks an hour plus parts.
    I have never had an issue with folks watching me, and have walked people through a simple fix over the phone for free many times,.....no big deal as there is plenty of work, and most folks don't have the ability or the tools to fix their own AC.
    Also I am shocked as to how many MEN are scared to death of electricity![:D]


    That's why disconnect boxes on the A/C are put on. Pull the fuses.. b
    ingo.. I'm not going to get shocked. Yesterday I about did a boo boo.. Got the capacitor and then UH OH>> forgot which wires went where.. I knew the red/ purple went to the compressor. But I still had a Yelloe and a Brown. .. and two hookups on top of the capacitor. Then.. I noticed the wiring diagram inside the cover. Brown goes to fan.. Ah HA.. Yellow goes on other tab... I also know how to tell when a capacitor is history. They swell up [:)]

    [:D]
    Still I have watched guys after even seeing a meter show zero, that WILL NOT touch a wire,....blows my mind.
    I check with a meter even after pulling the disconnect, as I have seen do it yourselfers wire through the disconnect, and then put the panel back on. They do it to avoid replacing the lug style when they burn, or to get rid of the fused style, and nuisance fuse blows.
    But you are only taking care of your own property and know what has been done,......different on my end![B)]
    Capacitors DO usually swell, and leak oil when bad, but they also "open", or lose rated capacitance, and will not do their job either.

    I used to love on the weekends when some knuckle head would drive all the way to my place to buy a part off my truck, and then have to have me come out anyway after they couldn't wire the thing!
    I would tell them how to do it, and also that it was theirs once they left! Nothing like spending twice as much trying to save a few bucks![:D]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
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  • lindalecowboylindalecowboy Member Posts: 1,909 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My A/C was running too long and taking too long to cool down, turns out it was a little low on freon and cost me $100, 80 for service call, 20 freon. Not something I could do but glad to have it cooling properly again, electric bill climbing and climbing.

    FILTERS, most abused part of central A/C's and MUST be clean to work properly. Also, don't rely on just the plain on horse hair type filters, they permit too much small particulates and eventually will cause your inside coils to clog.
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