I opened up the condenser unit on my heat pump today, and found a 25amp contactor, what confuses me, is that there is a 40amp breaker, with #8 wire going to it. What confuses me, is shouldn't there be a 40amp contactor?

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Has it ever been serviced before? If so the service guy might have put in the common 25a instead of a 40 a contactor.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

Since moving into the house in June, I have not had it serviced, but I am sure the previous owners had it serviced, since they didn't seem like the kind of people to do it on themselves.

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

many heat pumps have fan(s?), compressor(s?), and 'emergency heat'. Each of those is a high-amp draw device that could have its own 25A contactor. I'd look for more high-current switching devices (large MOSFET's or semiconductors somewhere ?)

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Please take my info with a grain of salt but I believe the aux heat is a set of coils usually located in the air handler.

Just because it was "professionally" serviced doesn't mean much. Is the unit not working? Do you believe the contactor is broken?

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

The condenser blower motor was extra noisy, so I tore things apart and oiled it, and I was just checking things out, and noticed the contactor had signs of wear, and am planning on replacing it in the near future, before it does fail.

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

You should talk to a pro to see what is the proper contactor. It sounds like 40a might be the correct one but best to double check.

Maybe shop around for a good deal on a condenser motor while yours is still spinning.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

After finding a few good parts resources online, it looks like I can do a 40amp contactor when I replace it.

This one looks a little more complicated to replace than on the Coleman set up at my old house, many more wires running everywhere! All I can say is, I am glad I have a smart phone, and can take lots of pictures!

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

there is usually a schematic inside that panel that houses the contactor, caps, and control board. just be careful not to touch it and wipe the print off of it like i did here recently.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

I read somewhere, that the service techs will sometimes install the smallest size conactor that they can get away with, and charge as much as they can for it. This way, it will ensure them that they will have to replace it again in a years time, as that is about all it will last. I figure with a 40amp, I will good for at least 5 years, or more!

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)