Greensboring.com | Greensboro, NC

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-09-21T05:55:03+00:00

You can buy the part in America through MSC or numerous other suppliers:

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT2?P ... O=24079533

Statistics: Posted by Liv — Fri Sep 21, 2012 5:55 am

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-09-21T01:35:10+00:00

To atuaseva:
GRRREAT reply! I also have a contactor/relay problem with my Rheem & live in SW Florida. Please tell me via email where you got your part. I need to order ASAP. My email address is: [email protected]
Thank you in advance,
Laszlo

Statistics: Posted by Guest — Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:35 am

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-08-17T20:35:41+00:00

Love it

Statistics: Posted by Guest — Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:35 pm

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-06-28T03:39:15+00:00

No, it doesn't matter which way round the 24v wires are connected

Statistics: Posted by A Person — Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:39 am

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-06-28T00:36:16+00:00

a quik novice question: our Central Ac had a single pole 240 volt contactor, 2 main wires on each side of the pole with single 24v leads connected to terminals on one side. However when I got the replacement part, the 24v coil terminals were now on opposite individual sides. I am sure I can get the 4 wires thru the single pole correct but can I screw up the 24v coil connections if i have them reversed? as there are absolutely no way to tell which goes on which side...thanx for any help in advance

Statistics: Posted by Guest — Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:36 am

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-05-31T17:31:57+00:00

Oh - and to explain the numbers on the contactor

VAC - volts AC
FLA - Full Load Amperage
LRA - Locked Rotor Amperage
Res Amps - resistive load amps

The contactor can operate load voltages of up to 630 volts AC. The FLA at all voltages is 30A, and the LRA i.e. max startup or stall amperage, varies from 183A at 240V to 110A at 630V.

It's the FLA that's important, usually the LRA is way in excess of your breaker - or even house supply, and it's the surge startup amps that would cause the contactor to melt.

Resistive load amps are relevant if the contactor is driving a resistive load e.g. a water or baseboard heater, rather than an inductive load like a motor or compressor.

I would recommend buying an enclosed contactor like the Siemens one, rather than an open one like the White-Rogers. Ants can get into exposed contacts and although they get vaporised, their carbonised remains make a poor contact and shorten the life of the contactor

Ants aren't quite as bad as mice though

mouse-in-motor.jpg

Statistics: Posted by A Person — Thu May 31, 2012 5:31 pm

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-05-31T15:18:02+00:00

Liv wrote:
They're pretty universal. Only differences are a 1 or 2 pole design, and the voltage (110 or 220)

and current rating

They are almost always 24v actuated, you can replace a 1 pole with a 2 pole, and you can replace a lower amperage with a higher amperage

So if your current contactor is a 1 pole 20amp, 24v actuated, you can replace it with a 2 pole 30amp 24v actuated contactor.

Look for a part number on the contactor itself. Trane originally installed Seimens Furnas contactors and it's much easier to cross reference contactor part numbers than AC model no.

But this is the most common (if not universal). It's a 30 amp 2 pole. Look at the breaker, if its a 20 amp or 30 amp breaker this is fine. $16 on line

furnascontactor.jpg
furnascontactor1.jpg

Statistics: Posted by A Person — Thu May 31, 2012 3:18 pm

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-05-31T10:42:40+00:00

They're pretty universal. Only differences are a 1 or 2 pole design, and the voltage (110 or 220)

If you have the same unit as I, it can be ordered here for about $15:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT2?P ... O=24079533

Statistics: Posted by Liv — Thu May 31, 2012 10:42 am

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-05-30T17:25:00+00:00

I have a Trane BWC024C100CA heat pump, like yours in the demo... The contactor (aka relay) is going bad... The upstairs, inside unit truns on but the outside fan doesn't unless I give it a good "bounce"... Works good, for awhile...
I've been calling around for a new contactor and best price is $82.00 + tax & s/h... I see on other webpages aftermarket contactors for $17.00 to $33.00... Do you know what model/part number my contatcor is ??? Is there an sftermarket product that "fits all" ???

Thank you
j.R.

Statistics: Posted by Guest — Wed May 30, 2012 5:25 pm

Re: Diy - When Your A/C Won't Stop or Start / Contactor Repa

2012-05-17T14:38:40+00:00

A can of contact cleaner spray would cost more than replacing the contactor

While saving money is fine, remember that an arcing contactor can damage other components - i.e. the fan, capacitor, compressor.

Buy a contactor and replace the once that's clearly on the way out. That way you can do it on your time and not when it's 125 and as humid as a wrestler's jock strap

Statistics: Posted by A Person — Thu May 17, 2012 2:38 pm