"jymusic" wrote in message
news:avsbg.65$zg5.3@trndny04...
My mom and I both live in the same complex. We likely have the same exact
model of central A/C condensor (around 19 years old). Mine says Carrier
38EN048320.

We both had a tuneup scheduled and, in addition to the regular tune-up,
the technician recommended the EXACT same extra work on both our units,
which makes use wonder if the extra work was really necessary and the
price was really reasonable.

On mine, the maintenance technician showed me that the contactor was
buzzing. The old part says "8726 Honeywell R824381247 (3) 24V 50/60ZH
HN51DC024A"

He also recommended putting in a condensate trap, which is a clear U
shaped trap in the condensate line.

I went along with it and let him do both jobs and so did my mom.

1) Was wondering if the contactor making a buzzing sound is really a
problem? I don't know much about these, but the two "circular metal
(silver?) pieces" on the old contactor do look like they have some grime
or maybe carbon on or oxidation. Does the buzzing mean the electromagnet
is struggling to pull the piece against the "metal circular (silver?)
pieces" to make a connection? Was $128 a good/fair price for replacement
or too high? I see he wrote down that he put in "a 2 pole 30a
contactor"...the original was 24a...was 30a really necessary?

2) Is the "ez flow P-trap" condensate trap is going to be of much added
benefit? Was $99 a good/fair price for installation or too high?

3) By the way, wondering if you any can tell me how many tons my unit is,
based on the model number?

Thanks,

J.

Answers to your questions

1) Buzzing isn't necessarily a problem other than the noise. However, the
oxidation could be a problem. I have seen some with a little oxidation get
stuck closed and I have seen them completely black and still working. You
can never tell when one will stick. I have had more stuck closed which
means the condenser runs when there is no call for cooling. On the other
hand they sometimes may not make proper contact which means no cooling.
Probably a good call to replace it if there is any question at all. As far
as the 24a and 30a. 30 is far more common most techs would not have 24 with
them (I don't carry them). You would have had to pay considerably more for
them to run out and get one. Besides that, with them higher amp rating the
contactor may last longer.
$128 is a fair price if that was in addition to the checkup price. If it
was total price including the check up it is a very low price.

2) The trap was probably not needed, unless it the unit is a counter flow
system or it is tied into the sewer stack. I doubt that either of these
situations are the case. If it is a counter flow unit the blower can suck
the condensate from the drain and keep it in the unit. If this were the
case you would have had water around the system. If it were tied into the
stack ( you can't do this in many areas) you would probably have had a sewer
smell in the house without a trap. Traps have a problems with getting
clogged, I often remove them for this reason. Hopefully a tee was installed
before the trap so it can be flushed periodically to prevent blockage.
Price to install the trap seems a little high if that's all that was done to
the drain systems.

3) must be a large apt/condo unit is a four ton


--
Doc

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me
than a frontal lobotomy.