If your running into problems with your A/C condenser fan motor then your in luck because with this air conditioner fan replacement guide, you can do it yourself. Of course if you don’t have the time and would like to avoid the headache of running into do it yourself problems, call us at A-1 American 757-425-2400 - our experienced staff can knock out any job.
Replacing AC Condenser Fan Motors
Hot weather always brings on all sorts of Condenser Fan problems especially when your dealing with A/C repairs. There are all sorts of technical issues and motor replaces that get reported. Even though it isn’t too difficult to change a condenser fan motor on an air conditioning unit. Doing an at home job you always run the risk of doing it incorrectly, which is why we recommend calling out company. If you insist on trying to do it at home yourself though we’d like to give you a few tips and a bit of a walk through to get it done.
First, you need a motor that operates at the same voltage, phase, and frequency of the original motor which should also be of the same horsepower as-well. We also should mention a few items to check that can easily get overlooked by the unprofessional eye. Make sure that the motor you wish to use is actually designed for having a condensing fan motor in the first place. Check to make sure specifically that it is sealed and designed for a vertical shaft installation. The typical condenser fan motor calls for a vertical mount, induced draft condenser fan. Motors with air vents on either side or the top should not be used outside. Another thing to remember is that not all motors are rated for vertical shaft installation. Don’t forget to check because some motors are designed for a horizontal shaft mount only because they don’t have the thrust bearing needed to take the downward force against the bearing as the fan pushes air up.
Next thing that you need to check is that the motor has the correct RPM. Some condenser fan motors turn 1075 RPM and others turn around 850 RPM. These two different motor speeds are not interchangeable so if you can’t read the label on the old motor then you need to take it apart and check the number of poles. Look at them and count how many their are because a 6 pole motor will be a 1075 RPM motor and a 8 pole motor will be an 850 rpm motor.
Another question that needs to be answered is does the new motor turn in the correct direction? If you can’t see the markings on the old motor, then you can tell by looking at the blade of the fan. The first thing to check are the cups of the blades because they should be facing up on an up flow blower. Next make sure the blade should turn in a direction that allows the lower part of the blade to hit the air first and if the blade turns clockwise while looking down on it, then this is called clockwise shaft end. If it is a counter clockwise lead end its because the lead end rotation is always opposite the shaft end. Some motors specify the rotation looking at the shaft while others specify looking at the opposite end where the leads come out. If you are using a general purpose replacement motor, such as a Rescue Motor, you can change the motor rotation if you need to. Some of these motors use different size capacitors for different horsepower ranges. Many AC repair companies recommend this way of evaluation to determine which troubleshooting technique to apply.
You always want to make sure the capacitor you are using fits the application. Most likely, the capacitor for the old motor will not be the correct size. Most sealed condenser fan motors have weep holes on the bottom that come plugged with plastic caps. You should remove these when installing the motor. The idea is to let condensation out. The motor will last longer if you open the bottom weep holes. After installing the motor and fan, turn the unit on and then off again to see which way the blade is turning. If it is turning in the wrong direction, change the rotation leads on the motor. Changing the power leads will have no effect. Once you establish that the fan is turning in the correct direction, operate the unit and check the motor amp draw. If it operates close to the manufacturer’s FLA specification for your particular application, you should be good to go. If your looking professional plumbing experts, call us at A-1 American.
A-1 American provides emergency service and repair, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. A-1 American is one of the top companies providing a/c, heating and plumbing services for homes and businesses in the Hampton Roads Virginia cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News and Hampton and north into Williamsburg. A-1 American charges by the job, not by the hour. A-1 American prides itself on immediate response, punctuality, courtesy and customer satisfaction. Call today 757-425-2400
