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OT-- AC Repair

Chubbs
Chubbs Posts: 6,929
in EggHead Forum
Anyone on here know anything? I was quoted $230 for replacing a capacitor. $85 of that is a "trip charge". Reasonable? 
Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
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  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232
    They slice and dice wherever. It it was a free trip charge you;d pay $310. 

    Check a couple more. 

    I'm lucky my neighbor owns a Heating and Air Company. Got a great seal on replacing 2 entire systems and my utility bills are half. 

    He save my bacon during a couple deep freeze outages! 
    New Albany, Ohio 

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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
    Chubbs said:
    Anyone on here know anything? I was quoted $230 for replacing a capacitor. $85 of that is a "trip charge". Reasonable? 
    Think I would shop around Chubbs!  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,646
    if your already worried about the ac, maybe its time to move north where the summers are actually nice =)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    @NPHuskerFL should check in soon. 
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  • sumoconnell
    sumoconnell Posts: 1,932
    I assume that is the AC motor starting capacitor?  Those burn out and should be a simple repair if you are handy.  They are like 10 bucks.  I thought I saw @NPHuskerFL doing some industrial HVAC

    The cheapest part of a service call is usually the part itself, I don't think 230 is bad for the time and service call, but it is worth calling around.  They usually make like 3 or 4 calls a day, and need to feed the company and the kids.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
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  • Dyal_SC
    Dyal_SC Posts: 6,542
    Chubbs, those are really easy to replace.  Save your $. Just had to replace the motor and capacitor in mine.  Just youtube it and remember to turn the power off to your unit first.  ;-)
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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    agree with @sumoconnell.  Look up the part, order locally or on amazon.  you should be able to pop this in yourself.  I paid ~$150 to do the same a couple of years ago and my ee neighbor showed me afterward what I paid for and how easy it is - I felt stupid and ripped off.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    @ChubbsSo, the easy answer is (you may not like it) in the residential market the price is whatever the market bares. 
    That dog don't hunt in my industrial & commercial market. Where are you located?  What size the capacitor ie 50mfd @330 or 440?  I'd be happy to send you one and you can install it. Or you can go to a local appliance parts place and they'll usually sell to the public. My suppliers only sell wholesale to licensed HVAC/R contractors with an open account. PM me if this appeals to you. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    edited March 2015
    @NPHuskerFL He might not be able to wait, I hear it's getting hot down south. Up here spring is taking a hiatus this year. High temps tomorrow of 38* with potential for flurries in the AM... 
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    :lol: @DMW it's 70℉ here and this weekend is supposed to be in the 60℉s
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • texaswig
    texaswig Posts: 2,682
    That install would take a pro less than 30 minutes . So yeah that sounds a little high. 

    2-XLs ,MM,blackstone,Ooni koda 16,R&V works 8.5 gallon fryer,express smoker and 40" smoking cajun 

    scott 
    Greenville Tx
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited March 2015
    @Chubbs  oh yeah and is it a dual run capacitor?  Ie 5/35 @330V or 440V?  
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,646
    its amazing whats on amazon, google your part, its out there =)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Whatever you do DO NOT buy or accept a capacitor "made in China". 
    I only get the made in USA capacitors (proudly made start to finish in Palm Coast, FL) & they have a much better life expectancy. The others IMHO are crap. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    texaswig said:
    That install would take a pro less than 30 minutes . So yeah that sounds a little high. 
    A monkey on crack could install it in about 2 minutes TOPS. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • calracefan
    calracefan Posts: 670
    If you start messing with capacitors , keep in mind they hold a charge and can knock the crap out of you. Do not touch both terminals or leads at the same time.Has your problem already been diagnosed?
    Ova B.
    Fulton MO
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  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,234
    @NPHuskerFL @Chubbs is located in Columbia, SC. It gets real hot real early in Columbia! 

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    @calracefan I disagree.  Be sure to discharge on any low hanging fruit. :fearful: 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • Coastalcooker
    Coastalcooker Posts: 185
    If you know which capacitor to replace or how to find out, the battle is over. Somewhere in Colo is a HVAC supply house. Carry in the old one and they will sell you the replacement.
    Remove one cover, label and unplug wires, remove clamp. Buy cap and reverse. Trip to the store takes longer than replacing part.

    Bob
    Cookin' on the coast
    Shellman Bluff, GA
    Medium BGE

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  • calracefan
    calracefan Posts: 670
    Was referring to not discharging on yourself. If you can discharge it safely , by all means do so !
    Ova B.
    Fulton MO
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    @calracefan it was a joke. Relax.
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    High voltage capacitor bank vs watermelon: https://youtu.be/gj1pkyCL75E
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 11,549
    I wont say what we get but that is not out of the ordinary ..now is it for a fan or the compressor or is it a dual...does it come with a 1 year guarantee ?
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    @lkapigian I agree on the price point. The capacitor is only part of the equation. There are techs etc that still had to troubleshoot to come to this diagnosis. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    Thanks for all of the replies guys. I called 3 companies and I got $230, $250, $258 as estimates. For some reason they all had trip fees/diagnosis of $65-$95 included in the price. I figured they would no charge that if the work was done, but guess I was wrong. So, it appears the price is for the capacitor itself, the trip charge, and an hour of labor. This is a rental property and the tenant works from home. It was in the 80s this weekend. We are getting rain today and a cold front, but I had to pull the trigger as she has waited long enough.

    For what it is worth, the guy looked at the capacitor and said it was an abnormal size and he had to leave to go get one. That said, he had about an hour and a half tied into this (albeit only 10 minutes of work), not to mention he worked in the middle of a monsoon. All things considered (time he was on the clock and in pouring rain) I felt like $230 was fairly reasonable. Live and learn. If it happens to my own home, I will be calling you @NPHuskerFL
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    @Chubbs the problem with going with another techs from a different contractors diagnosis is how can you trust that they correctly diagnosed the problem or better yet that there are no other underlying problems. When I did residential I would throw a new one in real quick to test the system to make sure there were no other malfunctions.  If the customer didn't like the price point...NP I just pull my capacitor and pull theirs back in and collect for diagnosis etc. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    We call that an impregnated capacitor (ballooned out) and it's a nanosecond diagnosis and repair. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    NPHuskerFL said:
    We call that an impregnated capacitor (ballooned out) and it's a nanosecond diagnosis and repair. 
    @NPHuskerFL I get that diagnosis is typically a nanosecond(or 2-3 minutes) but isn't repair something like 9 and 1/2 months?

    Chubbs, My HVAC went out after a surge(HOORAY) during a power outage but it was luckily caught by a fuse. The trip fee was similar($85) but the part was a few bucks so he was out the door for 125 or so after the 30 minutes of labor(I had him install my new thermostat too - it fried as well). Home ownership is the best!
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  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    Eggcelsior said:
    Home ownership is the best!
    Yes it is. It is even better when it is a rental property (that I own) and you have issues with both at the same time.
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
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  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    NPHuskerFL said:
    @Chubbs the problem with going with another techs from a different contractors diagnosis is how can you trust that they correctly diagnosed the problem or better yet that there are no other underlying problems. When I did residential I would throw a new one in real quick to test the system to make sure there were no other malfunctions.  If the customer didn't like the price point...NP I just pull my capacitor and pull theirs back in and collect for diagnosis etc. 

    Oh yeah, I agree. The first guy I called I know and trust. I know he looked everything over because I watched him. Then, I thought he was taking advantage of me when he told me the price. While he left to get the part I called the other companies and their price was higher.
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
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