Replace the contactor in your outside (condenser) units after they get a lot of years on them. Otherwise they might hang up in the closed position and cause the unit to freeze up.

No need to ask me why I know.

Less than $20 from Amazon.

And keep a spare just in case, but only a DIY job for those who have experience working with 240-volt systems.

Cutler-Hammer 230-volt Contactor

You can buy them at Lowe's too. I replaced mine this last spring.

I never replaced mine in my entire life. I don't even know what it is.

dern it, I'm with Uncle Bill. Time for my fall preventative service. I'll ask about it.

I replaced the contactor on one of my two units a few years back but just let this one slide. Most of the time they fail open so the unit never turns on as it should, so I was waiting for that to happen. I got 20 years out of it before it failed closed and left the compressor running.

Yes, I know my units are running on borrowed time and will plan to get bids for a new system. Hopefully, I'll find some end-of-season deals that will save me a few bucks.

Ive replaced a few. never had one stick closed, I would bet the vast majority of them fail because they get ants in them and don't make good contact, have replaced several due to that.

I go thru one every couple years thanks to fire ants....I have three AC units...usually have to clean the ants out of each one at least once a year.

I put treated ear tags(for cattle) in mine and it keeps all the ants and bugs out.

Great idea....thanks! AMDRO and Deamon don’t seem to work