HVAC peeps- what is this part?

[Deplorable]

And more importantly, are there different part numbers?

So, outdoor unit gets the signal and won’t come on. Tap this block and a few sparks later, the outdoor unit fires right up! No professional here, but seems like I should replace this and hopefully fix the problem...

 

[Deplorable]

Outdoor unit is a Trane 4TWX3036A1000AA

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

Looks like a simple contactor....can and will kill you if energized and handled incorrectly.

 

[Deplorable]

Sometimes just typing stuff out helps.

Me thinks it’s a contractor and I can find model number on parts list...

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

Wasn't being smart. Hope you didn't take it that way. A local man who did Concrete got killed working on his AC. Be safe.

 

[awheelterd]

Looks like a solid state relay to me.

 

[shawn]

Looks like the contactor is getting hot and not engaging, but I bet if you check that capacitor, it's bad too, and contributed to the contactor's premature death.

 

[Deplorable]

Wasn't being smart. Hope you didn't take it that way. A local man who did Concrete got killed working on his AC. Be safe.

Not at all. Thanks for the warning.

I’m always extra careful around electricity. That’s why I used the screwdriver handle to gently tap it...

 

[Deplorable]

Looks like the contactor is getting hot and not engaging, but I bet if you check that capacitor, it's bad too, and contributed to the contactor's premature death.

I was considering replacing both. Thanks for advice.

 

[Deplorable]

Done!

 

[Infamous1]

Did it work?

 

[braxton357]

Was your 24v from the xformer good? Could be just a shitty contactor because those are about the cheapest out there or it could be a low control voltage issue or possibly the compressor pulling a lot of amps for lots of reasons.

 

[shawn]

possibly the compressor pulling a lot of amps because the cap was bad

That's where my head was. I can test a cap with a meter, but for $20, might as well swap it out. But to your point, a bad contactor can be its own problem, or it can be a symptom of a different problem.

 

[Ron]

ANd to further chicken or egg it...a failing (shorting) compressor will stress and take out a cap. A new cap or an upsized one may mask the issue and limp you along for a bit...

 

[Deplorable]

Did it work?

Oh yeah!

 

[Fabrik8]

Looks like a simple contactor....can and will kill you if energized and handled incorrectly.

No more deadly than anything else inside that unit with line voltage on it. It's just a big relay.

 

[rodney eppes]

When my welding cord was shorting, & popping the 50 amp circuit breaker, That is a Sound you Don't want to hear!
Dang near a Shotgun, & I expect just as deadly!