how to test a RUN or START CAPACITOR the CORRECT way

my washing machine motor went bad and sent me on this journey..

fix your own stuff like i do.. but be safe

[bobcostner]

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

[diegodelmar]

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

[zzzmaro]

This video made the difference after watching 2 other capacitor videos. Thanks Chris

[danromeo]

I have that same meter and never knew of that setting. Big thanks for that one !

[ArnoldsDesign]

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.

[anthonyfisiihoi]

Got yourself a new sub. Your explanations are clear and straight to the point. 👍

[Sickofsociety]

Thanks for doing this video. It had been awhile since I checked capacitors and this brought it all bad. My run capacitor is bad. Simple enough to get a new one and a lot cheaper than a new motor.

[justinphillabaum]

Right on..now I know how to use my Fluke multimeter to read microfarads

[uunknown]

Thank you was trying to understand this just about to do my exam so far your the only person to show discharging

[AaronLoveq]

Love the cajones to show this, good video for the ignorant but smart not stupid people. Personally I'm not touching the second test but itwas very informative to see it work.

[DillysNZ]

Chris you're the man. Thanks for the best explanation on the internet 👏

[khurrummurtaza]

Great video.
I've watched so many just trying to figure out how to test a capacitor attached to the relay of my lg fridge compressor. Even took it to couple of stores. One said it was good the other...it was bad. So confused. Your deliverance of the test method is the best so far. Thank you and God bless you.
If you can also do a video on how to test start relays for a fridge that would be great....that's the next thing I have to figure out.

[biomed]

When you do the Ohms test, the results you get are due to the following. The capacitor initially takes a charge and therefore shows what is in effect a current reading. When the capacitor reaches the voltage of the internal battery in the meter, the capacitor will be 'fully charged' (as far as that test set up is concerned) then no more current will flow into it and it will show an open circuit (or OL which is not really Overload). It is worth keeping the meter (set to a high resistance range) on the capacitor to see if there is a measurable resistance. This will indicate a capacitor with a poor insulation resistance and which will therefore not hold its charge. The snag with this test is that it is done at about 1 1/2 volts which doesn't stress the capacitor at all. The mains voltage charge/discharge test will only work some of the time even with a good capacitor. If the cap is disconnected from the mains supply at just that moment when the mains voltage passes through zero (it is AC), there will be no charge remaining in the cap. Indeed the size of spark you get will vary according to the moment when the cap is disconnected from the mains. If this mains test is done with a failed capacitor (short circuit in the cap) the results will be fairly spectacular. Take care!

[jaimemino]

Excellent. Concise and to the point. You don’t waste people’s time. Congrats!

[DonaldKlein-vvgu]

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.

[jackpast]

Nice video. Good thing you didn’t show that part with the 120 v.a.c. cord and screwdriver! LOL. I am a retired electrician and when done safely, electricity is really cool to mess with.

[forkshooligan]

Hell yeah I've learned capitance.... 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

[scout]

The best that I've seen on YT. Nice job Chris and thank you.

[johnhime]

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

[skyneo]

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