New Run Motor Capacitor
#1
11-06-15, 03:52 PM
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New Run Motor Capacitor
I just bought a new run motor capacitor and tried measuring the capacitance on it but did not get a reading at all. So I tried to measure its resistance and didn't get a reading on it either. So I tried the meter on my old capacitor and got readings on it so it's not the meter. Any ideas on what's going on with the new capacitor? Is it because it's never held a charge? Thanks!
#3
11-06-15, 05:19 PM
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So I tried the meter on my old capacitor and got readings on it so it's not the meter.
In order to check a capacitor correctly..... you need a meter that has a capacitor setting on it.
If you want to use an ohmmeter to make a basic check on a capacitor you connect the meter leads to the cap. The resistance should count up until it registers an open circuit. Then you take and reverse the leads..... the opposite should happen.
This test is easier to see on an analog meter.
#4
11-09-15, 03:04 PM
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Right. I have the correct meter (digital) and used the capacitor setting on it but it never registered anything on the new capacitor but it did register a reading on the old capacitor before and after trying to read the new capacitor.
#5
11-09-15, 05:01 PM
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Was the scale on the meter listed as reading as high as the cap you were checking ?
Some meters have a capacitance scale that only goes up to 10ufd or 20ufd.
Post the make and model of the meter is the specs are unknown.
Some meters have a capacitance scale that only goes up to 10ufd or 20ufd.
Post the make and model of the meter is the specs are unknown.
#6
11-09-15, 07:01 PM
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That's just it. The meter didn't read at all with the new capacitor. But it did read 023 with the old capacitor. It is an 8 uf capacitor. I'll get you the make and model of the meter tomorrow.
#7
11-10-15, 12:09 PM
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#8
11-10-15, 12:15 PM
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It would appear that the Greenlee DM-20 doesn't have a capacitor test setting.
greenlee/ebizcdn/5e98d23afe19a774d1b2dcbefd5103eb/DM-20
greenlee/ebizcdn/5e98d23afe19a774d1b2dcbefd5103eb/DM-20
#9
11-10-15, 10:44 PM
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Omgosh! I thought the diode symbol was the capacitance symbol lol. 
Now I'm wondering how I got a reading off of my old capacitor of 023 and if it means anything. Oh well, thanks so much! Now I will get the correct meter and then things will hopefully make better sense. But that's why I came here - because I know very little about electricity! Sheesh!
Now I'm wondering how I got a reading off of my old capacitor of 023 and if it means anything. Oh well, thanks so much! Now I will get the correct meter and then things will hopefully make better sense. But that's why I came here - because I know very little about electricity! Sheesh!
#10
11-10-15, 10:48 PM
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As capacitors get old they get leaky. Your meter in the diode check mode was checking the capacitor for resistance.
Actually.... if you use that to check the new cap..... connect the probes to the new cap. Wait 10 seconds and then reverse the probes. You should see a reading then.
Actually.... if you use that to check the new cap..... connect the probes to the new cap. Wait 10 seconds and then reverse the probes. You should see a reading then.
