how to test a RUN or START CAPACITOR the CORRECT way

Do not EVER put 120VAC across a capacitor !

I like sparks 🎉

Very beneficial and informative video. Thank you!

New Capacitors 105MFD +20% reads 200 MFD not Nano 2 ea same and why does it have a resistor(?) across the leads?

never known a non polarized capacitor to store a charge once disconnected.

thanks

For the second test, when you're applying live ac voltage to the capacitor terminals, what if there is an internal short in the capacitor?

Great video. Thanks

You never say what that little Fluke symbol means or indicates, how am I supposed to search for that type of meter online with that particular setting, if I don’t k ow what that setting is called? Grrrr.....

Thanks for the explanation. I have a 10hp single phase Leeson compressor motor that stopped today, and started buzzing. I'm going to test the caps first.

The resistance test is not pointless. 1st because it shows if it is shorted or not. 2nd it shows you if it can take a charge or not and 3rd is when you switch the leads it shows you if the cap is discharging and recharging in the opposite polarity. So it's definitely not a stupid test

Just a note about the voltage stored in the capacitor: it's DC. Even though you applied AC voltage, the capacitor only stores DC. This is why caps are used in AC to DC power supplies.

real world stuff. Thank you! I have one reading just below the 5% range.... 41.17 of 45 uF rated +/-5% ... I'm inclined to think that this isn't the problem.. Replace anyways?

What if the meter reads OL when checking the capacitor. I have an AMES. It reads one Capacitor but not the other.

excellent helpful video
thank you

SLOW DOWN DUDE...

Clearly, he's an idiot!

Thank you for sharing!

I know his trick, he is only good at what he is doing is because of the inspector you can see at the end of the video making sure he is not making any mistakes!

Do you work in a high dust body shop?

Thank you ✌🏼😂

man brother you are my HERO! After looking at 9 videos you are the 1st person/video that made sense

What do you do if a start capacitor has a discharge resistor soldered in, how do you measure?

Now I know. Thank you.

Its a good actually very good video to learn. Thank you very much, Sir. Syed

good work

Hell yeah I've learned capitance.... again..... This time I will remember exactly how to do it on my 87,all the way till time to check my air compressor kicking the the breaker, see ya again then Chris

Very helpful, the capacitor was the problem, had another capacitor off an engine that was sitting in the garage and it tested fine, engine now runs like it should.

This was filmed partially on the surface of the sun lmao

Nice info, thanks

Do not leave a charged up Cap' on the bench for your cat to play with. Put it in a friends lunch box....

Kinda surprised you didn’t hurt yourself. Those will kill you before you hit the floor if touched while fully loaded.

Well done ! God bless you Chris !

Try discharging the capacitor first before testing on your last test and it will work every time 👍

great content thanks

I bought a new capacitor that reads around 195 microfarads. The range on the capacitor says 161-193 microfarads. Does that mean the capacitor is bad? I believe the old capacitor reads even higher and neither capacitor will start my 1 hp shallow well pump motor. The motor will just hum and then goes quiet. I am working on the inside of the motor tomorrow checking things out to see if I can get it to run. I already cleaned the contacts on the inside but I broke a wire that was soldered and I got a new soldering iron to solder it back on. I also purchased some contact cleaner to make sure contacts are clean. My tester I believe was showing continuity through the motor contacts after sanding them lightly. If motor doesn't start I'll disconnect pump and try to start the motor without the pump to see if the motor will run.

NEVER direct short a cap, unless you want to wear it in your face. Even putting your meter across it a waiting for it to drain is better.

I see a lot of meters at Harbor Freight and the markings/symbols look different than what is on yours, wtf.

Need to no answer to 120v

That's not an insulated screwdriver!!

Did you replace the compressor capacitor, and did that fix it (and stop the breaker from tripping)?

Grew up in My Dads electric motor repair shop. we stripped out old motors and re used most parts back in the 1970s. one of my jobs was to charge each capacitor with 110vac and then discharge with a screwdriver just as you did there. throw out the bad ones. Also, point the terminal end away from you when energizing because they can explode and blow out at the top

Thank you Chris , Great videos , I have a problem that you may be able to answer my Frigidaire affinity atf 705b stopped working during a cycle , and i went through the the normal things that typically goes wrong like , door lock , main front control board, computer board, checked all wires for short or breakage, ( all ok ) , but when i looked at the run or start capacitor it didn't have any marking on it numbers or writing , so don't have a clue what reading it should have , so how do i check if its ok please, thank you if you can help .

Also, you can test each termination to the frame of the cap to be sure there is no current path between them.

As an electromechanical tech for the largest wire production company in the continental U.S. there is a reason techs call that power cord a suicide cord.

I had a hum and then the breaker tripped. I actually found a broken wire on the capacitor. I am back in business.

Thanks, though I hated how close your hand was to the exposed conductors when performing the 'firecracker' test! When you pulled the plug out nearly swept them with your left hand. Please don't try this at home without taking far more precautions than Chris here!

Thank you

THANK YOU!

Thanks out all the videos yours helped the most!