Our AC upstairs stopped functioning about 7 days ago and we've been able to trip it into working a few times, but the units are pretty new (just a few years old/freon free)! So, we changed the filters as it was about that time, and then I went to work on assessing the situation by doing Google searches...AC fan in attic working, but fan outside not...AC unit outside not working...Fix AC...Woman in house is going to die of heat and does not want to call an AC person because the AC is NEW gosh darnit!
Anywho, YouTube ended up showing me some handy ways to assess the problem, and I decided that I should learn how my units work. I was able to determine that the compressor was fine because it does "hum" outside on the unit, even though the fan does not move. I also learned that the compressor works with a "capacitor" that runs the fan.
I removed the cover on the AC unit outdoors and saw that there was a "trip" button to reset the capacitor, and for a few times, this got everything working again, but alas, the fan would go back to stop and we'd experience 85 degree temps in the upstairs (thankfully our downstairs unit is working).
So my husband ordered a new capacitor online, and tonight we installed it (after I bought him some protective gloves in case the capacitor had some residual punch in it). He also ran a screwdriver between the three connecting points (three wires attach to it) to make sure it was fully discharged. As a side note, I asked him for his phone in case I needed to call 911! Ha!
We removed the old capacitor, attached the new one, replaced the cover to the unit, replaced the fuse (oh yeah, must take that out before doing ANYTHING!), and went inside to fire everything up.
So far, all is good. Please pray that I'm not spending another night in the tent in the downstairs living room with my daughter. While the blowup mattress does the job, it's got a leak.
I tell ya, my trip to France cannot come soon enough.
On another note, my oldest daughter turns SIXTEEN tomorrow. Holy Moly, what the heck happened! She leaves for Japan Sunday. She takes her driver's license test Friday, and tomorrow we are going to celebrate her birthday with Korean BBQ and Karaoke!
If you got to the this point in my non-edited, boring narrative, you must love me. I love you too. Pray that today the AC can be crossed off my list of to-do's!
haha! yes, I love you! From up north, it's hard to realize "June" really means something in the lower 48! Everyone up here was pretty happy with the mild winter, but, though "mild" it still hasn't given way to summer (yet!) I realize it's easier to put on a sweater than to try to get cooled down! You'll be back on the road soon...hang in there!
@Weezilou We have really had some hot days so far! It was about 86 outside today--not too horrible, but you feel it a lot with humidity in the south. I've been madly watching the temps in Paris and Provence because we'll be there in a week and I can't figure out if it's sweater needed at night or not! Ha. And I'm guessing I better take a parapluie too because there has been a whole bunch of rain over there! I love you too Louise :)
@taffy If this works, I really will feel like Wonder Woman! I think learning photography has actually been an avenue into discovering "how things work!" I'm so nervous about the France trip and getting Kira off to Japan. I wish I was not such a PLANNER. I plan until I can't plan anymore! I would be an awesome tour guide though. If I didn't have anxiety attacks over it all. Planning to see Issi Bannerman in Paris too (fingers super crossed!). With the rains, the strikes, and EuroCup 2016, it's bound to have some hiccups!
@darylo Please tell Issi I send love! More and more I think we're all becoming crazy-connected by just a couple degrees of separation! Of course it helps to have a couple of world travelers @taffy in the group!
Ha. Loved your description, Daryl. I HAD to keep reading to learn how the AC related to the tent. I thought perhaps you decided to buy a new one as you were cruising the internet to get AC parts! Congrats! Inspiring story about figuring things out yourself! Hope it stays being fixed. :-)
Oh yes you really are Wonder Woman Daryl! What a great story - I am so impressed by your determination to sort the a/c out! Well done! Happy birthday to your daughter - she has such a lot going on at the moment - how exciting for her! I hope you have a wonderful French adventure and how lovely you are meeting up with Issi! Safe travelling! Is the Orange camera bag going travelling too? They so wont loose you! Lol! Stay cool!
A great tale of wonder woman in action! I too got right to the end.
Have fabulous time in Paris, hope it has dried out by you arrive. Travel Safe and we look forward to your pictures and stories on your return to the tent.
Have fabulous time in Paris, hope it has dried out by you arrive. Travel Safe and we look forward to your pictures and stories on your return to the tent.