An 80uf Capacitor, +/- 5 percent - Should I care if it reads 77.5

I have two capacitors rather than a dual run, an 80 uF and a 5.

The 80 uF reads at 77.5, which I know is within the +/- 5 percent stated range. However, my AC isn't quite cooling right. Should I care about the 77.5 or not? There's no swelling, and it's almost exactly 3 years old. (I'm still going through the checklist of all the other stuff to check, from the stickies, etc., but I do have that reading for starters.)

Thanks in advance. I may switch it out on principle anyway, but since I'm here by the computer, I thought I would ask. (From other articles, I'm leaning toward switching from a 370 to 440 volt capacitor for the heck of it. Any thoughts there?)

 

The 2.5mfd difference won't make any difference, at least it shouldn't. As long as the voltage rating on the new capacitor is no less than the original, it should be fine. There's no performance benefit in using a higher voltage rated capacitor.

 

A higher voltage capacitor is always ok.

The best way to determine if your compressor is running correctly is to check the amperage draw using a clamp-on ampmeter.... like an Amprobe.

 

Thanks, PJ & Bob.