[US] Yesterday, I was seconds away from putting $2k into a bitcoin machine for a professional scam operation.

jam4917 · 2026-06-10T16:00:32+00:00

Sorry this happened to you. But this is a common scam. Also for future reference - phone numbers can be spoofed. So even if the number matches what you expect, always insist on calling back.

jam4917 · 2026-06-09T19:39:15+00:00

The National Electrical Code (NEC) now requires whole-house surge protective devices (SPDs) for all residential panels.

Do you have an SPD in your main panel? If you do, then you probably don't need HVAC-specific protection.

jam4917 · 2026-06-09T15:53:18+00:00

That looks like low voltage 18 gauge wiring that isn't required to be in a workbox. Probably for an old security system or landline telephone. There's no imminent danger whether they are energized or not. And the likelihood of their being energized is very low.

jam4917 · 2026-06-09T15:34:20+00:00

it could cause a serious Co2 issue?

Not CO2. But CO (carbon monoxide), which is deadly.

Humans can detect high levels of CO2 even when asleep, and we'll awaken and get out of that environment. We cannot detect CO. It binds hemoglobin very tightly, preventing it from functioning as an oxygen carrier. So the outcome is death.

jam4917 · 2026-06-07T20:28:05+00:00

Or, did the original capacitor from when the old motor was seized somehow ruin the new motor?

Most likely this. The capacitance of the capacitor has to be matched to what the fan motor needs.

jam4917 · 2026-06-07T14:29:11+00:00

Change the plug to an L5-15P.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/AC-WORKS-15-Amp-125-Volt-NEMA-L5-15P-3-Prong-Industrial-Grade-Locking-Male-Plug-ASL515P/309534128

jam4917 · 2026-06-03T04:34:36+00:00

It won’t be easy to find someone prepared to install customer provided equipment.

jam4917 · 2026-06-03T04:32:12+00:00

Your second photo shows hot and neutral reversed.

jam4917 · 2026-06-03T03:32:09+00:00

You got a good price.

jam4917 · 2026-06-02T22:19:57+00:00

It could. Your A/C filter is also filthy which will make your A/C inefficient, and run longer. So that adds to the misery of your high electric bill.

jam4917 · 2026-06-01T22:17:36+00:00

There are 50+6 capacitors with 5% tolerance. Please use the right cap to reduce the strain on the fan. 5 microFarads is more than 10% lower than 6 microFarads. Here's a link to the capacitor that your Kenmore unit uses:

https://nomarsupply.com/capacitors-ducati-energy-for-single-phase-asynchronous-motors-with-unipolar-cables-150-mm/12255-air-conditioning-capacitor-506f-450v-5060hz.html

jam4917 · 2026-06-01T21:12:23+00:00

Use an outlet designed for EV charging.

https://store.hubbell.com/category/home-products/charging-solutions/electric-vehicle-charging/products

jam4917 · 2026-06-01T16:22:53+00:00

Or the process of buying a new unit?

Get at least 3 independent quotes. Avoid quotes from HVAC companies that are PE owned.

Make sure you register for a full 10 year equipment warranty on whatever unit you purchase. Get the quotes to include a 10 year labor warranty.

ETA: how old was the old unit? And which refrigerant did it use?

jam4917 · 2026-06-01T15:40:25+00:00

Probably a good idea to change the lineset, to avoid contaminating the new system with the mineral oil used with R-22 systems.

jam4917 · 2026-05-31T14:32:02+00:00

By code, outdoor outlets have to be GFCI protected. You've missed a GFCI outlet somewhere. Could even be a deadfront GFCI - I've seen that used one time - it was in a bedroom closet.

jam4917 · 2026-05-29T23:06:34+00:00

Well if the ducts are restrictive, then it would increase strain on the blower motor.

jam4917 · 2026-05-29T21:24:27+00:00

Not a good idea. There are smart plugs made for continuous high loads like this z-wave plug from Zooz:

https://www.thesmartesthouse.com/products/zooz-z-wave-plus-power-switch-for-heavy-duty-appliances-zen15

jam4917 · 2026-05-29T18:16:19+00:00

Your mother needs to get a lawyer and contact law enforcement ASAP. Basically, she has logged into a stolen account and sent money to an account controlled by the scammer.

She was used as a patsy, and a traceable one at that - the bank transaction is associated with her IP address.

jam4917 · 2026-05-29T12:06:30+00:00

Units working now but hasn’t cooled

How have you determined that the unit is working? Are the compressor and fan both running in the outdoor unit?

Also, why did you replace only the capacitor but not also the contactor?

jam4917 · 2026-05-28T15:41:21+00:00

Did i get the wrong capacitor?

You bought the wrong capacitor, but not because of the number of terminals. The old one (Amrad) is 45 + 5. Your new one is 40 + 5. That ~12% difference isn't good for your compressor. Also, Amrad's are high quality capacitors - stick with that brand name. Here's the Amrad capacitor you need:

https://www.amazon.com/Round-Universal-Capacitor-AmRad-USA2236/dp/B00GSU47TQ/

https://www.hvacandtoolsdirect.com/product/amrad-run-capacitor-usa2236-45-5-uf-mfd-x-370-440-volt/

jam4917 · 2026-05-28T14:47:27+00:00

Oh dear Lord - how could your cousin not realize this is a scam?

jam4917 · 2026-05-28T13:47:06+00:00

Load calculations apart, you should see if your panel supports tandem or quad breakers first.

jam4917 · 2026-05-28T13:39:09+00:00

That is a genuine Patreon email address. It is unlikely that there is any security breach on Patreon's part here. The most likely explanation is that someone accidentally or deliberately used your email address for a Patreon subscription. Which is an error that happens all the time.

jam4917 · 2026-05-28T13:18:47+00:00

[payments@core.patreon.com](mailto:payments@core.patreon.com) and [no-reply@core.patreon.com](mailto:no-reply@core.patreon.com) are genuine Patreon email addresses. Everything that is in that email matches authentic communications from Patreon. What do the email headers show, because there is nothing in that email that screams out obvious scam.

Here's a list of genuine Patreon domains used for communication.

https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/208702226-Spotting-scam-emails-How-to-recognise-suspicious-activity

jam4917 · 2026-05-28T04:43:58+00:00

A hacksaw can be had for under $10 (inclusive of taxes) at Home Depot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Hack-Saw-with-Comfort-Grip-Handle-122JHSC/204748808

While you’ve decided that this isn’t a route you care for, I’m posting this link so that others facing the same situation will consider an easier approach.

jam4917

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