Our HVAC tech suggested we replace the capacitor as it was showing signs of failure. They quoted me………drumroll….$565. I politely declined.

I’ve replaced it once without any issues. Purchased from a local supplier for $30-40 a few years ago. It’s a TRCFD705

I’m tempted to buy on Amazon and save me to 45 min round trip. The existing replacement is made in China.

Doesn’t look like there are many options.

Is there a preferred brand?

Thanks

Man, I despise rip-off businesses. I get it, you have to make some money, but fucking people in the ass like that is just unacceptable. $565 for an AC capacitor. I wouldn’t have been so polite.

AmRad USA2221

$565 to replace a capacitor ? That's pure robbery . $150 trip charge and 2x markup on a $30 part is still less than half of that ridiculous quote .

If you'd prefer to stick to Packard Titan brand, they do offer Made in USA capacitors. Their PRCFD705A is the American-made version of the cheaper Chinese TRCFD705 capacitor you have now. They run ~$30, and Amazon can have it to you within a few days: https://www.amazon.com/Packard...fd705A/dp/B0BVGLMZXV


Otherwise, I usually buy Mars. Mars also offers Made in USA capacitors that run ~$30, though they do have a cheaper line that's made in Mexico that run ~$20. Mars' made in USA ones have a 14XXX model number, while those made made in Mexico have a 12XXX model number. For example, 14255 and 12255 are both 70/5 440 capacitors like your Titan PRCFD705A/TRCFD705, just the 14255 is made in US vs. the 12255 made in Mexico.


Either way, I'd buy two of the Made in USA capacitors: One to install now, and another to keep on hand for when/if that one eventually craps out suddenly in several years. Everyone should have a spare capacitor on hand, since it's the most common reason for A/C failures, and it's something that just about anyone with an ounce of DIY ability and access to Youtube can swap themselves. They have a tendency to go out at the most inopportune times, so it's cheap insurance to have that spare $30 capacitor sitting on a shelf for a rainy day blazing hot day.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
$565 to replace a capacitor ? That's pure robbery .

Yeah... That guy's trying hard to take advantage of you.

It's a $15-$30 part, and takes just a few minutes. Even with a service charge and profit margins, he's trying to hit you with a ridiculously high ~5x markup there.

You need to find a new HVAC guy. This is even more egregious than the $100 cabin filter replacement charges at the car dealership service center. (Similar $15-$20 part that takes just a couple minutes to swap and anyone with a lick of sense could do themselves.)

AmRad made in USA

IME:

Chinese capacitors ~$15-25

AmRad Made in USA capacitor ~$35

AmRad Made in USA Turbo 200 Motor Run Capacitor ~$65. This is the one with multiple leads and jumpers where you can make it into any size capacitor. Great if you think you might move or you might have to replace the capacitor at multiple homes (e.g. parent, child, rental home, cabin).

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

Thanks for the brand recommendations.

As for the service charge, my son was home to handle the visit but the tech called me knowing I was out of state. We are part of their scheduled maintenance club and they come twice a year. It usually turns into an upsell visit.

I was boon dogging in the oil fields of New Mexico when he called. While he explained the potential problems (he didn’t know I had replaced it at one time for $40), he came up with figure. In the back of my mind, I said to myself that I’d say yes if it was $200 or lower. His initial price tag was $600+, but because we’re service subscribers, we get 20% discount on parts. So it dropped to $565. I chuckled and declined.

It’s like the Toyota dealership quoting $425 for an oil change on a 2007 Corolla.

Anywho this company partners with Costco for hvac services. They have a good reputation and I like them, but this was an extreme example of a silly upsell

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
AmRad USA2221

That looks like a direct fit, wouldn’t you say?

quote:

TRCFD705

Get the same brand so it will fit in your holder.

$25 on ebay...
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.htm...=p2553889.m570.l1313

Turbo200 Universal Capacitor

You have to ensure the capacitor is properly sized for the load.

You cannot simply install any rated capacitor for run or start or "dual run" application of motor/compressor.

(you may or may not know, but info for those who may find this thread that do not know)

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
AmRad USA2221

That looks like a direct fit, wouldn’t you say?

Yes. Same 2.5" diameter and capacitance as the one you mentioned. AmRad is what my local appliance parts store sells.

since we're on capacitors, and, this usually comes up, has anyone installed one of the soft start capacitors, they are not inexpensive as far as capacitors go, but supposedly benefit the life of the unit, and, if you have to go on a generator during the summer they can get the ac running in that situation.

IF you did put one in, what brand, this Micro Air is popular in online advertising...

https://www.microair.net/colle...ystart-soft-starters



There are 11 thousand hundred million on Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/soft-start/s?k=soft+start

I keep a couple of capacitors , a 30 amp contactor , and a bottle of turbine oil in the cabinet . No high dollar call outs if I can help it .

I keep a spare U.S. made capacitor on the shelf. I certainly know how to change it (spent a few years maintaining radio and radar equipment), but age and mobility limitations conspire to prevent me from changing it.

Most service companies around here charge at least $200 trip charge. High, from the homeowner point of view, but looking at it from the business owner's perspective, not unreasonable. Somebody has to pay for the business overhead, vehicle expenses, payroll expenses, etc.

I replaced one cap recently but it's made in chicom. i will buy an amrad spare.

there is another cap at the blower. it's 15uf +6 - -6%. Can i replace it w/ this one from amrad: https://www.amazon.com/AMRAD-E...TW/ref=sr_1_2?sr=8-2

The current one is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Capacit...TW/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

The specs are a little different but close enough? Or do i need to find an exact match?

at VT said, iF you've ever spent an hour on your knees replacing a capacitor in the middle of July when it's muggy, humid, no air circulation and 98 degrees, $200 is cheap,

$565 isn't a good price considering the guy was at the house already, it should have been the cost of the capacitor and labor.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
at VT said, iF you've ever spent an hour on your knees replacing a capacitor in the middle of July when it's muggy, humid, no air circulation and 98 degrees, $200 is cheap,

$565 isn't a good price considering the guy was at the house already, it should have been the cost of the capacitor and labor.

This should take 10 minutes tops. It while take longer to walk back and forth to flip the breaker.

Thanks all.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
since we're on capacitors, and, this usually comes up, has anyone installed one of the soft start capacitors, they are not inexpensive as far as capacitors go, but supposedly benefit the life of the unit, and, if you have to go on a generator during the summer they can get the ac running in that situation.

IF you did put one in, what brand, this Micro Air is popular in online advertising...

https://www.microair.net/colle...ystart-soft-starters
There are 11 thousand hundred million on Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/soft-start/s?k=soft+start

Just so no one is misled, a soft starter doesn't replace a capacitor, it works in parallel with it. You still need a functional capacitor to use the soft start. All it does is reduce the LRA (Locked Rotor Amps) at start-up, so yeah, it can help a unit start when running on a marginally sized generator. I've installed several brands, some are better than others...

As for capacitors, USA made Mars and AmRad are the better brands/models to buy.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
This should take 10 minutes tops. It while take longer to walk back and forth to flip the breaker.

Thanks all.

It takes me more than ten minutes to walk back and forth to find the right size tool to remove the cover, turn off the breaker, and move all the crap my wife and grand kids pile in front of the back garage door pathway!

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:
Just so no one is misled, a soft starter doesn't replace a capacitor, it works in parallel with it. You still need a functional capacitor to use the soft start. All it does is reduce the LRA (Locked Rotor Amps) at start-up, so yeah, it can help a unit start when running on a marginally sized generator. I've installed several brands, some are better than others...

As for capacitors, USA made Mars and AmRad are the better brands/models to buy.

Good to know, I'd like to put one in since we get the occasional Hurricane to cross the state and knock out power for a bit. Lucky for us our grid is the same one the lift station is on and we get priority attention.