Old Heat Pump - When to fix vs replace

[DirtyPoolz]

Hi - We have a RayPak RHP 115 from 2005. It was working at the beginning of the season. The fans are no longer turning on. My best guess is its the capacitor. I have not taking it out to test. I just noticed this weekend it wasnt turning on.
How long should a heat pump last? 15 years seems like its probably close to end of life.

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

All depends how expensive the fix is. A capacitor fix should cost around $100.

Run it until it dies and the fix is expensive.

 

[sktn77a]

You'll probably end up paying closer to $400 -$500 to get a service call, "diagnostics", marked-up part, and installation.

 

[DirtyPoolz]

I was able to push start the fan yesterday. I think that confirms its the capacitor. Took me a while to figure out which one i need online. Wanted to have it on hand so I only have to take it apart once. Think I found the right one on Amazon for under $15 with free returns. Looks like its a 60+5 MFD 370.

 

[rphpool]

Make sure you ground the old capacitor before trying to remove the wires. Lay a screw driver across the + & - terminals. DO NOT TOUCH THE METAL ON SCREWDRIVER.

 

[PoolGate]

Heat pumps are no maintenance use until they are no longer cost effective to fix. 15 to 20 years is about right. Changing the fan capacitor is easy and something I have done myself. Hopefully it lasts another 10 years!

 

[DirtyPoolz]

I replaced the capacitor. That didn’t fix the issue. Fan still doesn’t start on its own.

does that mean it needs a new fan motor? Anyone want to link one that would work for an old raypak rhp 115.

 

[DirtyPoolz]

It was dark but I read the existing fan make and model.
emerson K55hxkfw 9515
Volt 208/230
Rpm 825

 

[swamprat69]

Full information from motor nameplate or a photo of it would be helpful as it contains more information than you have given.

 

[swamprat69]

This should be the manual for your heater. Raypak RHP115 Manuals | ManualsLib The wiring shematic is on page 14. If you have a new capacitor that reads good and you have 230 volts between the purple fan motor wire and the black fan motor wire coming out of the fan relay (K2) then you probably have a bad fan motor.

 

[PoolGate]

I replaced the capacitor. That didn’t fix the issue. Fan still doesn’t start on its own.

does that mean it needs a new fan motor? Anyone want to link one that would work for an old raypak rhp 115.

When you say "doesn't start on its own" do you mean you can start it manually? Or it just doesn't work at all?

 

[DirtyPoolz]

I put a new capacitor with the same rating as the old one. I can turn on the heater. I hear it start to hum. I can then use a stick and push the fan. The fan will stay running.


swamp rat -there isn’t a ton left of the fan motor name plate. I was able to make out 1.6 amps as well this morning in the daylight. It’s 16 years old.


Emerson

K55hxkfw 9515



Volt 208/230

Rpm 825

1.6 amp

 

[PoolGate]

I put a new capacitor with the same rating as the old one. I can turn on the heater. I hear it start to hum. I can then use a stick and push the fan. The fan will stay running.


swamp rat -there isn’t a ton left of the fan motor name plate. I was able to make out 1.6 amps as well this morning in the daylight. It’s 16 years old.


Emerson

K55hxkfw 9515



Volt 208/230

Rpm 825

1.6 amp

I believe from my limited knowledge of fan capacitors, that this is your issue. It is possible you got a defective capacitor and it also may have become defective when you installed it. I seem to remember they recommend discharging the capacitor before installing it. Did you do that?

 

[DirtyPoolz]

I will uninstall the capacitor when I get a chance and test it.

 

[DirtyPoolz]

So I got a new fan motor from amazon for $50. Took a while for me to hookup. But it’s working again!
Thanks for the advise!

A1404, 1/4HP 825RPM Condenser Fan Motors A1404, 1/4HP 825RPM Condenser Fan Motors - - Amazon.com