A capacitor only passes AC and so will normally show an infinite resistance at DC. The technique shown in this video works because the initial application of the ohm meter hits the capacitor with a current transient (i.e., AC). The capacitor provides a relatively low resistance to this pulse of AC current, which is why the meter reading fluctuates before settling to the "infinite" resistance reading.

@ryanjohnson2366

Жыл бұрын

zdx up

@monteporche5552

8 ай бұрын

yes, but importantly, it doesn't show that the capacitor is necessarily "good." It just shows that it is acting as a capacitor. You could have a 45MFD capacitor on your unit that is now only 20MFD, and it will act the same way.

@jollyscaria1922

Ай бұрын

Due capactier c comn using f fan h starting point using bad ok repcaing testing met checking conushitly checking good bad testing restans show bad ok not showing valved ad mfd mick fard capciyer other point ocomon c point

I can’t believe some people hit the thumbs down on this video. It was perfect, you didn’t go on with minutes of irrelevant subjects like some other KZread videos. Right to the point thanks I was able to determine mine was bad and got a new one for $10.00

@liveandletlive2894

5 жыл бұрын

Just saying this isnt the proper way to do it and will often be wrong

@matthewtrevino154

2 жыл бұрын

@@liveandletlive2894 it’s probably not but it’s quick and easy troubleshooting to a least figure out what to do next. Still gives your information, it wasn’t useless

@jollyscaria1922

Жыл бұрын

Good showing ohms tsying bad not low some not showing

@jlbush8249

4 ай бұрын

@@matthewtrevino154It was useless. Just because it shows Ohms doesn’t mean the capacitor still isn’t bad/weak. To know for sure and to get accurate readings the multimeter needs to be set to capacitance, not ohms. And then verify the readings based on the label on the capacitor.

Easy to understand! You even used a multimeter that most people would have. Good job sir 👏👏👏

@aceflyer66

5 ай бұрын

Just to clarify, if the reading doesn't deviate from 0L, that means the capacitor is bad?

Thanks for this clear, simple explanation! Last week, we lost power during a thunderstorm and, when it came back on 90 minutes later, the AC did not. I ohmed out the run capacitor as your video demonstrated and got identical results - herm good, fan bad. Picked up a new cap from a local supplier and had the AC running again less than an hour after watching this. Even better, cost when our AC service company fixed the identical problem three years ago: $199. My cost incl. 1 hour labor @$0.00/hour: $12.02.

@jessezuniga1280

11 ай бұрын

That's awesome your time has zero cost

Short, accurate and took it one step further to show how the good one acts on the meter. How to use a meter on hvac - oil burners. Gas burners. Especially the meter useage - cuts down on repair time. Those would be good tutorials. Ones I see they do the work and assume lay people know what’s going on. Excellent

simple easy to understand and not 20 minutes of talking and 30 seconds of testing. Thank you.

Thanks Dan, quick, simple, but thorough. perfect.

You made this video so simple Absolutely brilliant and filled with integrity

Thanks for a QUICK video on this test I need to test a capacitor and needed how to test it. The funny thing is I have the same testor! It's amazing how well a four dollar or less multi meter works. I have better ones but I have this cheapie for use at home. Thanks again Bob Ordewald Staunton Virginia

This is the best video ever. Short, quick and to the point. Thank you.

Exactly what I needed! I thought I needed a multimeter with MF units, and i only have the multimeter you show here, so great to know i could still test the AC capacitor. Thanks!

@theHOAmestead

11 ай бұрын

Similar situation here, my multimeter doesn't have the MFD setting and every other video I've seen so far only recommends that setting! This will help me diagnose my capacitor!

Thank you ,great video . Total novice here and you used the same harbour freight mm so I could follow . Much easier than other vids . Appreciate that . I took out capacitor, checked ,need new one .

@liveandletlive2894

5 жыл бұрын

That 1 isnt from HB though it's the same

Pretty sure i watched this 6 yrs ago and had to replace again today after a wicked thunderstorm knocked out power. The gift that keeps on giving. Ty 🤠🤙

Awesome video especially showing the Harbor freight reader as well! Great job

I will add that a bad cap can be just dead as in this video. It can also be out of spec causing harm to the units to which it is connected, so this test at least confirms if your cap has any life but not if it is within spec. Also, don't always assume the cap is bad. At least visually look at the other components in the system for bad wiring and other potential causes. This is a clever video.

@HardRockMaster7577

2 жыл бұрын

Right, this test shows if a cap is dead, but the more important thing to know is if the the working cap is in spec. So this video covers half of the testing.

@mts7274

Жыл бұрын

@@HardRockMaster7577 how do i test MFD with this type of multimeter?

finally understand testing capacitors now without all this convoluted info!! Straightforward and to the point

@TheKing-nu4fk

5 жыл бұрын

Lol this is wrong

@liveandletlive2894

5 жыл бұрын

@@TheKing-nu4fk why?

Awesome vid. A guy once told me I needed a special multimeter to check capacitors. Great vid; I needed this

Good job in teaching use of basic multi-tester using ohms/resistance of capcitors when without a capacitance meter tool! Cool hack!

Good video. Too the point, clear and factual. Also explains the meter settings.

thanks for the clear and short get to the point video, the one above yours guy keeps talking about a bunch of unnecessary things for 12 minutes before he attempts to get to the point

Thanks!!! KZreadrs like you are under appreciated!

This was exactly what my church needed to test and replace the capacitor! Thanks!!

Awesome, short and right to the point. Thank you!

@DantheFixitMan

8 жыл бұрын

No problem, Thanks for the nice comment! -Dan the Fix it Man

Thank you! Every video I watched showed they tested these but didn’t tell us what to set it to or where to place it. Just said “it’s bad, or good”

Great quick video! it answered my questions I had and cut out all the math and BS. Thank you

finally a great detailed video!!!! THANKS YOU SAVED ME $$$$$$$

@DantheFixitMan

8 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear my video helped you out. Thanks for watching! -Dan the Fix it Man

does this work the same way for smaller caps???

Great video. I wasn't getting any reading on the MF setting on my meter. This gave me another way to confirm the cap was toast

how did you know how high to set dial on your meter??

Short simple and to the point. Thank you :)

Both original and replacement run capacitor are same 12.5 MFD 440/370 VAC but new replaced blower motor has 7.5 MFD listed . Still good ?

Thanks Dan…!!! Used this method to test my “bad” capacitor and saved some coin R&R’ing myself.

Hey Good video. I found my capacitor was bad using the same "Fee" Harbor Freight multimeter when one side of the dual capacitor took over a minute at 2000 ohms charging to the

Capacitors need to be in a specific 'MFD' range to function properly. Unfortunately, this test only shows that there is an existing charge in the capacitor.

Thanks for the video. My compressor wouldn’t kick on. I removed the capacitor and tested it. It tested fine. I reinstalled and the ac worked fine again. I’m not sure why but it works.

@domana100

5 жыл бұрын

Dennis Ritzel. Probably loose wire terminal

Great video... short and to the point. Thanks!

Thank you very good and straightforward video.

Thanks, great video!! Appreciate the time.

Thanks, I have the same meter and did what you showed and it was my fan side connector. Saved me a bunch of money and did the repair myself.

Thank you Mr Dan now l go back to my a/c unit to do my test on my capacitor

Simple and easy. Just what I was looking for

@gerardocadena7189

5 жыл бұрын

This will not tell you if the capacitor is within specific μF. Depending on the capacitor there's a percentage that it has to be in. If it's lower than it's rated percentage it will not be working at it's fullest potential. It's ok just to make sure that it's an ok capacitor but that's all.

Brilliant and thank you. With your exact multimeter on a 10 year old capacitor with no bulge, exactly the same readings on mine...fan side bad....12 bucks for a replacement and I'm back in business.

My moms central ac just went out on 4th of july no less. she says its the capacitor, gonna test. thanks so much for this vid

I have a Whynter ARC-14SH 14000btu portable AC unit that stopped cooling. Everything works but the compressor doesn't kick on. I've tested the relay on the circuit board and it works and is sending 122V to the compressor. When I set the temp below ambient temp the relay clicks and 122V is flowing to the compressor red wire. I also removed the capacitor and using your test the ohms keep climbing, so it looks good. I just tested the voltage going to the capacitor with the unit turned on and there's no voltage. There's a brown and blue wire coming from the circuit board to a connection block where one of the capacitor wires connects. The brown wire goes to the top of the block and has 122V. The blue wire goes to the bottom of block and none of the wires have voltage.

My compressor motor has a 400v/450v 35uf run cap that needs replaced. Can I use a 440v 35uf to replace it?

@moncorp1

5 жыл бұрын

Why do people ask questions in YT comment sections as if they'll get a timely answer??

Got a negative number on the C + herm. What doea that mean?

Great video. Break it down barney style for me and saved me a few hundred bucks on an hvac technician.

Would you have to isolate anything like take off a lead of herm etc. to test it while still on the unit

@DantheFixitMan

7 жыл бұрын

You should disconnect each lead in order to do this test, but you can test it without removing the capacitor from the unit. Thank you, -Dan the Fix it Man

I have the same exact multimeter, but when I test mine, or hits 151 and stays there. Any ideas

Awesome explanation! Thank you! 🙏🏼

Thank you! It's really helping me...

@DantheFixitMan

8 жыл бұрын

+angela rilang Glad to hear my video helped you. Thanks for watching! -Dan the Fix it Man

Dan the Man! a great explanation! Should a capacitor be oriented while in service so the terminals are at the top or can they be put in service laying on their side?

i just fixed my mom ac after watching video. many thanks G'bless

I just tested mine and numbers showed for fan and herm and i tested it for a second time and now there's no numbers on either side. Is it trash?

Dan here in philippines theres no available capacitor for my ac 120volts,theres any option for my capacitor 35/4 uf and 270vac any alternative here? tnx

@bryancromwell9625

7 жыл бұрын

smile.amazon.com/Z97F9837-Volt-Round-Capacitor-Upgrade/dp/B00EVTL7BW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497566060&sr=8-2&keywords=35%2F4+uf

What is the simbol I need to put the tester

Why on good capacitor, the resistance on fan jumps immediately, but on the compressor it jumps slowly?

This worked for my diagnosis. Thanks. This won't tell you if the capacitor is producing the correct microfareds, but it will let you know if it's dead. Which mine was, by the way. On a Sunday (of course) plus it was 98 degrees out. Working great now.

@stephenloague9140

5 жыл бұрын

Just got home and it was over 95 degrees in our house...ac was dead. All of our cats were extremely hot. I've already replaced the capacitor a few years ago. So I went and checked it again. All connections were completely rusted. Fan was kicking on but the compressor wasn't. I tried this and used the exact same meter...none showed anything. Yet the fan was still kicking on....idk. I'm gonna get a new one and try that.

@easterlake

5 жыл бұрын

@@stephenloague9140 my capacitor was only 3-4 years old also. It is possible for the compressor side to go out on the capacitor and the fan side to still work. Hopefully you're compressor isn't shot....good luck.

@stephenloague9140

5 жыл бұрын

@@easterlake the prongs are seriously rusted....I figure not getting good contact. Because on occasion the compressor would kick on then back off

@easterlake

5 жыл бұрын

@@stephenloague9140 hard to say without seeing it. Power off at the breaker, then clean off the terminals with a stiff wire brush. Not sure why you'd be getting moisture in there for it to rust.

@stephenloague9140

5 жыл бұрын

@@easterlake yeah that's what I was thinking. BUT I posted on a page I'm on what happened. A guy who is an ac repairman just happened to have one on his truck and sold it to me. Put it on and BAM ac kicked on. We looked at it and it looks like it was just getting to hot and burned it up. Said probably from turning on and off so much. Unit is honestly way too small for our house. Its a 2-2.5 ton unit but we have a 2200 sq ft. double wide with vaulted ceilings...honestly we need a 4 ton minimum. I'm going today and checking on a new unit.

Thank you, cause my multimeter doesn't have farad measuring

Thank you so much just solved a problem I had with your video 🙂

Please when a capacitor test continuty is the capacitor okay?

thank you, very helpful.

Do I have to disconnect/remove the capacitor to check it with my newly purchased multimeter, please? Thx for the video.

@LynyrdSkynyrd.4Ever

10 ай бұрын

yes

Perfect for laymen now I understand. Well done thankyou.

Mi reads different every time I do this and sometimes it's goes down slowly

Thanks man - I'm doing this on a window unit so my pregnant wife doesn't have to suffer through the last few months in the heat. Quick question - can you replace a dual-run cap with two correctly-rated single-run caps and tie the common together? Like, electrically, that should work, yeah?

@knfpumps

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, that will work, no problem.

Thanks Dan the fix it man

I have this Cen Tech Multi meter. How can I use it to measure capacitor? I believe I will need to use ohm setting. Is it correct? Like checking battery resistance. Am I suppose to charge up the battery before test it? Not an electronic guy. Learning as I go. Thanks.

Were can i fine this capacitor Dual Run Capacitor 60 + 15 uf MFD 250 Volt. On website or link

@liveandletlive2894

5 жыл бұрын

Amazon Ebay Walmart home depot lowes etc

Right to the point. Thank you!

Thanks a lot, Dan, you made my life easy

Thanks! Mine didn’t jump from C to HERM or FAN.

tq so much....solid imformation....tq from malaysia

My multimeter slowly moves up similarly to what yours did at the 1:54 mark. I presume that means mine is good...right?

@flightmaster178

6 жыл бұрын

deasttn yes, it should initially be close to almost no resistance then depending on the size of the capacitor it will climb slowly to infinite ohms if it's large. If it's a smaller one, it'll climb faster. However, this is a generic test and doesn't actually show the capacitance or if it has any leakage.

@jackpinecreed6587

6 жыл бұрын

Multimeter is cheap..... free at Harbor Freight.... 😂

On my ac unit, the fans are running, but it seems the compressor just hums for about two seconds every 3 minutes or so, and never really kicks on. I have a multimeter with no MFD setting and an analog needle. I tested my unit's capacitor with the OHMs test and it jumped to zero on the FAN and HERM terminals. Can a capacitor pass the OHMs test, but not the MFD test?

@BS5401

6 жыл бұрын

J.R. Dodge yes it can, this test simply shows if the capacitor is dead in the water so to speak. The capacitor can pass this test but still be out of range by 10-15% and so on, in which case you would need to replace it.

@markk441

6 жыл бұрын

Hey JR, what fixed your problem? I currently have the same exact issue.

Why is it if I flip the probes I get a reading but if I do black to common I don’t?

This does work for rudimentary testing. You do need to short the charge on the capacitor first. The longer the test meter ranges, it will show a relative charge capacity. I had the 45 side of a 45/5 capacitor go bad. Capacitance meter showed only .42 uF on the 45 uF side. The meter ranged about 11 seconds on the 5 uF side and barely 1 second on the 45 uF side. Bingo!

my micro fared read 470 . I tested it on my multi meter and it keept on going up to 1000 ? Whats the story with that ?

@leealtmansr.3811

3 жыл бұрын

Your meter is not one that will read microfareds.

Thank you for the video. Tested mine and get no reading on herm or fan. Odd thing is my fan will run but I'm the compressor is not coming on/no cooling. Is that even possible or am I misunderstanding?

@marklowe5939

5 күн бұрын

Yes it’s possible one side of the dual run capacitor could be bad. You really need a mf setting to actually test it. If you have say a 35-5 mf dual run capacitor the fan side should read 5mf and the herm side should read 35mf. I found out because I did this test and it didn’t work . I got a capacitor for nothing. My fan motor was shot.

Thanks for the help! 👍

Thank you. Every other video says to check mfd but my cheap multimeter doesn't have a setting for that.

What if they both go to zero on the same setting, same multimeter as you have? I have not disconnected the terminals or removed the capacitor... does that matter? I turned the breaker off and discharged the terminals using a screwdriver.

@DantheFixitMan

7 жыл бұрын

Yes, it does matter. You need to disconnect any wiring from the terminals on the capacitor to get the proper reading on the multimeter. Thanks for watching! -Dan the Fix it Man

@cpwoodcraft2137

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you... I unplugged all terminals and redid the test... both fan and compressor side read 1 with no change so I'm on the hunt for a replacement now. Thank you so much!!!

@DantheFixitMan

7 жыл бұрын

No problem, Thanks again for watching! -Dan the Fix it Man

Excellent info thanks

Thank you!

Where do you set the '2,000' level for ohms? And why do so many vids on youtube say to set the multimeter to "MFD"?

Very helpful thank you

okay I have an air conditioning unit that quit working the capacitor in it is has three leads I took it to the supply place to get a new capacitor and they gave me a capacitor that's not even half the size of the other one and it only had two leads does anybody know anything about this

@DantheFixitMan

7 жыл бұрын

The replacement capacitor should be of the same capacity. It might be smaller or larger in diameter or height and still have the same rating. I have used replacement capacitors from the same manufacturer that were different diameters and they both worked fine. It should still work if it is the correct voltage and microfarad rating. Thanks for watching! -Dan the Fix it Man

Good deal. Checking my AC tomorrow. Hoping that's the issue. Thx.

Nice video!

hey I have the same multimeter is there a way of of finding the uf with this multimeter ?

@DantheFixitMan

8 жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin, sorry, I no longer have this multimeter and don't remember how or if it was capable of that. Thx, -Dan the Fix it Man

@iphonepunker

8 жыл бұрын

no prob kinda thinking I needed a upgrade real soon anyways cheers anyways for messaging back

So mine jumps but goes back down to 1 does not climb and stay on like the one in the video, so is mine good or bad?

@nextlevelnick9339

4 жыл бұрын

yeah im pretty sure he said if it jumps then goes back down or climbs up up up then goes back down its good. ALso, I think this test shows you one way it could be bad but doesnt show the full story, might need a multimeter that can read capacitance for that

Much appreciated

Thanks alot for this video

Why didn't you set the meter on capacitance, the symbol right above your on button?

Digital po ba o analog ? Ano magnda gamitin? Kasi po bumalik pla pag capacitance.. pano mo makukuha ng analog actual exact na reading?

Sometimes i get readings sometimes it doesn't show any readings ??

What does it mean when it goes to 58 ohms and stays there?

Thank you for that sharing sir.

Thanks , good lesson

Thank you! 👍