Capacitor and Contactor (p282-0311)

I ordered the capacitor and contactor and they came today. I was able to install the capacitor but a bit confuse on the contactor since the new model replaced the old model. My questions are in the pictures and if you could help, I would appreciate it.

Also, how often do I need to get service to pump freon into my AC?

First Picture: Where does the blue and brown wires go on the new contactor? The new contactor has the prongs on each side rather on the same side like the old contactor. The blue and brown wires right next to the question.

Second Picture: Is the old and new contactors set in the same direction correctly? I am not sure if I install the new contactor as you see in the picture or is it upside down?

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...ofDSCN3815.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...ofDSCN3831.jpg

 

Spin the new contactor, put the blue on one side and the brown on the other. You should never have to have refrigerant put in the system, if you do you have a leak.

 

So, I had the new contactor upside down? After I posted the previous message, I kind of thought so myself too. Please confirm on this. Does it matter which side the blue and brown goes?

Lastly, thank you for the refrigerant info.

Thank YouBeer 4U2

 

No..........................

 

Thanks dun11. Just hope you can shed some light for me with a couple more questions. AC thing is all new to me.

Is Capacitor and Contactor common to go out after a few years?

What other parts in HVAC will need to be replaced from common wear-n-tear beside the Capacitor and Contactor?

My system is since 1991. Will my AC need to be replaced sometime down the road?

When you said "Spin the new contactor", you mean that I had it upside down in the picture right?

Thank You for helping me on this.

 

Right..................at 18 yr old the system is at the end of its expected life. I would start to budget for a new system now.

Other then the cap and contactor, anything electrical will fail do to normal ware and tear. Motors, compressor, boards, etc.

 

Thank You for everything.

 

Your welcome...................

 

Dun, I installed and it worked. Everything much cooler.

However, a bit louder than before. There is no new noises but the operation of the unit is much louder. I am wondering if that is from me cleaning the fan or is it the new parts which I don't think it is the new parts since they are electrical.

BTW... Had I installed the contactor upside down, what would had happened?

Thanks DunBeer 4U2

 

It is not the fan. It sounds like from the new parts.

BTW... Had I installed the contactor upside down, what would had happened?

 

Make sure the contactor is mounted tightly.

In most cases not much, braking a differant leg of the 240v supply.

 

Just replaced same model contactor. Now have no power to t-stat. I can manually depress plunger and the fan and compressor start up okay so it seems that a new contactor was my original problem.
Any ideas on t-stat power? It worked fine before shutting power off. Checked fuse inside blower in attic and it is okay.

 

Do you have 24v on the secondary side of the transformer?