non wheel horse , like africa today

[peter lena 9,971]

had the  capacitor  replaced in the  central  a/c unit  , over 30 years in , was blowing  warm air , guy was amazed  at  all other regular function , as stated todays units , very lucky to get half of that . planning  to  replace it with  same model carrier  , so original solid ducting  can be just , hooked up . had  guys from my  pfizer  shop help out , who also  helped with original furnace , made service areas , simple easy , what a concept , this is also in the cellar ?, size of small closet , set up for  service ease , and NO CIELING LEAKS , plan out , repetitive  issues , do a regular , by monthly , look see , filter check , coil spray down , drainage  flow  discs , insure  condensation  discharge flow , most important  ?  easy,   chair    access , makes this very simple . recently , repainted  outside condenser  . always snoopin around , pete   

[ri702bill 12,557]

Maintainance on appliances, both kitchen & utility does extend their usefullness.. I drain 4 water heaters annually - my house and the rental. 

Ditto on giving all the expansion tanks the fingernail "Ting" test to see if they are still functional.

A note on water heaters... I will NEVER buy another "self cleaning" style one ever again. It works in theory, but sucks in practice. It is self cleaning, it has a turbine blade at the bottom inside below the dip tube where the cold water comes in..... every time you draw hot water, the turbine stirs up the bottom sediment - but where does it go??? Out into everything that uses hot water. It clogs up the faucet aereators & worse, the dishwasher inlet valve screen. I could not wait for that one to die....

[rmaynard 17,458]

I am probably jinxing myself, but I have had a Trane XL1200 running for 37 years. It was installed in the summer of 1989. It has never been touched since. I won't let the furnace (oil) guy even look at it. I have a friend who is an A/C technician with years of experience. He says that if it is providing sufficient cooling when the temperature is 90 to 104 (as it has been this summer), don't touch it. I am currently getting bids on replacing the entire HVAC system under a little-known program through my electric provider and the State of Maryland. Since the new governor is taxing us like a crazy man, I figure that if I can get a new system for little or nothing, why not? I'll be running a sequel to this post to let you know what happens. 

[peter lena 9,971]

 @rmaynard  would be interested in the name of that  related state  set up / opportunity , i,m in connecticut  with a similar  nutty  governor , ex , what is it classified as ?  pete

[ineedanother 2,649]

I installed a soft start module on my 2 ton carrier unit last year for a couple reasons, one being to hopefully extend its life a bit since it is original to the house that was built in '89. I keep it clean and hope I'm not jinxing myself since it's always been a reliable unit. 

[rmaynard 17,458]

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

 @rmaynard  would be interested in the name of that  related state  set up / opportunity , i,m in connecticut  with a similar  nutty  governor , ex , what is it classified as ?  pete

PM sent

[ri702bill 12,557]

Be careful for what you wish for. Many appliances, including Central A/C's have been cost reduced so much that their life expectancy is lower that the unit it replaces.

[oliver2-44 11,650]

10 hours ago, peter lena said:

had the  capacitor  replaced in the  central  a/c unit  , over 30 years in , 

I doubt you will get 30 years out of any replacement capacitator.  Actually I'd be amazed if you get 5. 

My AC guy says all the replacement are Chinese made even if they do have an American flag on the box.  

[peter lena 9,971]

@ri702bill  todays  brain fart of  zero  maint / any look see ,  only enhances  breakdowns , realise , my past reflects  how I look at anything , also GLAIRING   TO ME ?  HOW OTHERS  REALLY DO NOT  HAVE A CLUE ?  my grandson , the welder , loves it  when I give him insight  to  an issue , also loves pontoon kick boat  fly fishing , get right after any  improvement opportunity , he just went skydiving , love it  , grandpa , pete 

[Handy Don 17,033]

12 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

I doubt you will get 30 years out of any replacement capacitator.  Actually I'd be amazed if you get 5. 

My AC guy says all the replacement are Chinese made even if they do have an American flag on the box.  

One way to help out the central AC compressor is to add a start delay relay. This assures that it never tries to restart against residual pressure from the last cycle. It can add years to compressor motor life (including not unnecessarily taxing the start capacitor). Mine is for four minutes. 

My last compressor lasted over 30 years and the new unit is warrantied for 20. 

[oliver2-44 11,650]

2 hours ago, Handy Don said:

One way to help out the central AC compressor is to add a start delay relay. This assures that it never tries to restart against residual pressure from the last cycle. It can add years to compressor motor life (including not unnecessarily taxing the start capacitor). Mine is for four minutes. 

My last compressor lasted over 30 years and the new unit is warrantied for 20. 

I'll look into that, Thanks

[Handy Don 17,033]

11 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

I'll look into that, Thanks

By the way, the delay relay goes in the 24v wiring between the thermostat and the compressor control. Think of it as delaying the call for cooling before it reaches the compressor.

In my system, with zone air dampers, the calling zone opens and the blower starts as normal. Only the “cold” is delayed! 😁