Hey Folks,
I have an older Fedders (consumer grade) one-room size window AC unit, 120V.
It's well over a decade+ old...was given to me by my brother-in-law as he was
no longer using it. I've owned it for about 5 years, but only used it for one
summer (I live in apt. in NYC, had weak electrical, the building got an
elect. upgrade and then I used it). It has been stored in a closet for almost
2 yrs and was working perfectly before stored...never had a problem. We've
got a heat wave so I pulled it out and plugged it in. I've got a problem....
When I first switched it on, if memory serves, the fan worked and the
compressor kicked in but only very briefly...perhaps 10-30 seconds (if I
remember correctly)....then it popped the circuit. Usually, I plug the AC
directly into it's own extension cord, a very heavy gage item, but since I
had the AC removed for the 2 yrs, I had put a surge suppresor unit on the
extension cord and had a fan and 2 lamps connected to it. I saw the
thermal/overload protector on the surge surpressor had popped. After the
latter reset, I tried again to turn on the AC, this time only the fan went
on..I could hear a sound of a load straining but this time the compressor
didn't go on. I think that is the sequence of events.
OK. I removed the AC unit from the surge suppressor, and plugged the AC
directly into the extension cord. Now, not only wasn't the compressor kicking
in, but, when I turned the cooling to 'off' and only turned the fan on, the
fan wouldn't work. I could hear the motor load with current, but no turn
over. All the fan speeds resulted in the same failure.

Basically, now the AC unit will not operate at all, either in fan or cooling
mode, and it just gives a 'hum' when switched on.

Unfortunately, there's no model# on the unit...or if there was the sticker is
not longer there.

I got my multimeter out & removed the control panel. On a cursory inspection,
the power cord appears OK, the fan switch contacts appear to be be working.
I see the big capacitor in there, is that the cap for the start up circuit?
Any contactors that need to be checked? I never really worked on an AC uit
before.
I've got pretty good mechanical skills and passable electric/electronic
skills (if I get some guidance).
I could use some advice on how to troubleshoot this (and if needed, how to
find the model# ).
I couldn't find anything on the web regarding general AC repair and the HVAC
newsgroup seemed moe industry base, so I came here.
Anyone care to give it a stab?
Thanks a bunch!
Cheers,
Neal