Any HVAC guys in the house?

[Levi]

Some questions for the HVAC guys if you'd be so kind as to share some knowledge?

Where is a good place to purchase OEM quality replacement parts for Trane heat pumps? All the stuff on Amazon appears to be chinesium quality parts. That stuff is ok to get running quick in a pinch, but not something I trust long term.

I have a 2014 vintage Trane XR15 heat pump that stopped cooling on me the other day. My initial inspection revealed a swollen run cap, so I grabbed a replacement on Amazon. With the new cap the compressor started up but was making a hell of a racket, so I shut her down. The last time I really got hands on with any ac was about 20 years ago and that was with automotive stuff... so I've been gorging on info.

Turns out my compressor (scroll type) was running backwards. Which can apparently happen if power to the compressor is rapidly cycled. This evening I confirmed that my contactor is failing and occasionally rapid cycling the power to the compressor which was causing the running in reverse. I fiddled with the contactor a bit and got it to stay in for now & the house is getting cooled off as I type.

So... where is a good place to buy oem quality parts for this thing? I need a contactor, and I might even grab some spares of the various boards that are in here just to have on hand. Also want to get a good quality run cap to swap out the Amazon cheapo that I put in there the other day.

[Levi]

Also wondering if I should bite the bullet and just go to a soft start for the compressor? The ability to run off a smaller generator is attractive. Any downsides to soft starts for these?

[THE SHOOTIST]

You could use any "Definite Purpose" contactor as a replacement. You just need to match the correct coil voltage and the amperage rating. These are easily obtainable at your local Grainger.

[Grendel]

Yup as The Shootist said any Definite Purpose contactor with matching or better rating that is currently installed will do. Electrical supply houses near you can be the best place to get on but they are also carried in places like Home Depot, Lowes and good hardware stores. This is the same with starting caps. A lot of HVAC warehouses will not sell to the general public unless you have your HVAC "card" but that is area dependent. I have an HVAC warehouse near me that will sell me anything accept refrigerant as long as I have the cash.