Air Handler - Capacitor Problem? Help...
I need some assistance diagnosing a problem I'm having with my A/C AirHandler/heater. My house has 2 A/C units outside on a cement slab, and 2 Air Handler/Heaters, one at each end of the house mounted just above the ceiling in the attack. For the past couple of months, I've noticed a humming/buzzing sound, which has gotten louder, coming from one of the units that is quite noticeable when the thermostat is off (the other unit makes no sound at all). Recently, my airhandler started making a loud noise when it was one, similar to what a washing machine sounds like when it is off balance. My first thought was that maybe it was a belt or possibly a bearing. I went into my attack and took off the side panel to take a look. The motor was making a slight jerking movement, which down below, sounded like it was going to come through the ceiling. I shut the thermostat off and unplugged the airhandler. The unit is not belt driven, so that was eliminated. I spun the motor by hand and it moved and smoothly as could be. I have played around with electronics for quite a long time and am wondering if my problem could be my motor run capacitor? This is a trane unit that is about 13 years old. I know from my own experience, capacitors are usually either good or bad, but I have had some that act flakey before going out completely. Again, before this started happening I did notice that humming/buzzing noise that was getting louder which could easily have been coming from the capacitor. I have been hesitant about calling an AC company because I don't want to be sold a bunch of stuff that I really don't need. If there is a good chance it could be the capacitor, that is something I could easily change myself. If anyone has any comments/suggestions, please let me know. THANKS The problem is not likely the cap or otherwise electrical. The fan could be out of balance, the motor mounts bad, or motor bearings going bad. Often a problem like this is not easily seen by spinning the fan by hand. It only shows up once the motor is up to speed or nearly so. A fan out of balance would appear as a wobble where motor bearings are often indicated by play in the shaft. I've noticed a humming/buzzing sound, which has gotten louder, coming from one of the units that is quite noticeable when the thermostat is off (the other unit makes no sound at all). Check the transformer here on this unit. Some times they can make a he** of a hum. Lose and or tighten the screws that hold it works some times. put some rubber under it. you have to just play with it . If thats what it is. On the blower when you take it out. Look on the wheel and see if there is a spot with no paint on it. A small balance clip could have come off. Like Grady said check motor also. ED Thanks for the replies... Is there no chance it could be the capacitor? I just thought if it was, that could be an easy fix that I could do myself. If not, it's sounding like I'm probably going to have to call someone the see what the problem is. I've taken the side panel off of my trane airhandler/blower and there isn't too much room in there. I've looked at the blower as best as I can (even with a mirror since I can't see in it directly), and everything is really tight. Nothing is loose like the motor mounts. Is there anything else I can look for or test before calling in a professional? Is there a trick for taking the blower out? It doesn't seem like there's enough clearance for me to take out the blower/motor. THANKS! Is there some sort of clutch built into the Motor? I've had the motor unplugged for a couple weeks now. I just decided to take another look to check out the mountings and to see if I can get the motor out of there myself. I plugged everything back in ( I had the capacitor off which I reconnected) and turned just the fan on. The motor sounded like it was really winding out, like if there was some sort of clutch, it was disengaged. Every couple seconds it would make a slight jerking movement and noise, like something was trying to engage and couldn't. The blower itself was moving fine and air was coming out of all of my ducts as usual. It's jut the motor that was making a racket, which did not sound too good. If my problem is my motor, I believe I can remove it myself, but my question is... Is this a hard project? I took a mirror and looked on the bottom of the blower. I can see a shaft, which looks like it has one screw/bolt securing it. If I loosen this, shouldn't the motor come right out? Does the problem sound like it's the motor? Should I replace it? Any idea on the cost for a new one? (This is a 1/2 HP). Any suggestions would be most helpful. THANKS! socajamz The whole blower will come out as a unit.Motor and all Thats when you can get to it to take the motor out and back that setscrew off there on the blower wheel be sure and clean the blower wheel good if it needs it. ED
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