Heat Controller Inc. air conditioner fan stopped, not sure how to get to capacitor

abearatemyparents

I probably should start by saying that I realize this thing is both
ancient and dirty, I do plan to clean it up as I'm working on it, but at
the moment not interested in replacing it if it can be fixed.

Turned it on a couple days ago, realized it wasn't putting out cool air,
started trying to figure out the problem. What I know so far:

Heat Controller Inc. model# UCS60-1B

- Looking at serial number guides I think it's from 1981 but I'm not
sure, although I found a video on Facebook of a very similar unit that
seems to confirm the year.

- Air comes out of the vents inside when it's turned on, initially very mildly cool but it quickly gets warmer.

- Fan on the outdoor unit is stopped.

- The lines going inside are both ambient temperature.

From what I've read the first thing to do in this situation is try a new
capacitor. The problem is I don't know how to open it. The copper lines
are running into what appears to be the panel, I didn't come across a
video or guide or anything that looked similar so I'm hesitant to just
start taking things apart. There also isn't an outside box to cut the
power. Is it enough to turn it off inside and shut off the breakers?

Any help would be appreciated!

EBEBRATT-Ed

Take the screws out and the panel should wiggle out and the wires should be long enough so you can get inside. Make sure all the circuit breaker for the unit is off. Or call a pro.

GW

or put a box fan on top and let it rip.

mattmia2

is the compressor running in the outdoor unit?

i'm not sure but it looks like the panel to the left of the electrical connection and linesets is removable, not the one with that stuff mounted to it.

even in the 70's a disconnect was required within sight of the appliance.

i think the oem of that was also the oem of the stuff sears was selling in the 70's

or maybe the top lifts up

EBEBRATT-Ed

Heat Controller was Comfort Air and I think some other names. Last I knew it was still around.

HydronicMike

If you don’t know how to get access, you really shouldn’t be messing with it. There’s some high voltage in there and either you could do more damage or seriously hurt yourself.

HVACNUT

Does the system ever get serviced? This isn't DIY. You say the fan on the outdoor unit is stopped. What about the compressor? The refrigerant lines being ambient temperature means either the compressor is not running, or there's no refrigerant in the system.

Have you checked the circuit breaker? Is it tripped? Is the disconnect (outside box to cut the power) fused? Did a fuse blow? If the breaker is tripped or a fuse is blown, you'll need an HVAC pro. And personally, I wouldn’t put more than $25 into a repair on something so old. Time to replace. Maybe think about a heat pump for the shoulder seasons if electricity is cheaper than fossil fuels near you.

pecmsg

Is the disconnect (outside box to cut the power) fused

I don't see any disconnect outside. That's been code for as long as i remember.

Unless the homeowner is experienced, I wouldn't recommend touching it!

Ironman

I agree: if you don’t even know how to gain access into the unit, this isn’t something you should be attempting to repair.

Guessing that it’s a bad capacitor because that’s what you read on the internet is not how we diagnose equipment.

Please, call a competent HVAC pro: this is not something that you should attempt.