I recently replaced the start capacitor on my electric fan from 1.5 uF to 2.0 uF. I found out that it's generally considered fine to increase the capacitance as long as the voltage rating is the same or higher. Some repair shops, however, warned me that increasing the capacitance could potentially damage the motor. Even though the fan is currently working well with the 2.0 uF capacitor, I ordered the original 1.5 uF value just to be safe. I'm not quite sure which advice to follow here. What do you all think?
3 Answers
Honestly, going with 2.0 uF isn’t a big deal as it’s only a small variation compared to, say, jumping to 10.0 uF. In most cases, it should work fine without major issues. But just keep an eye on how warm the motor gets. If it runs hot, then you might want to switch back to 1.5 uF. Just a heads up!
In many cases, using a slightly higher capacitance like 2.0 uF instead of 1.5 uF isn't a huge issue. For a motor start capacitor, it’s usually best to stick with the original value to maintain the motor's functionality. A higher capacitance might make the motor run faster, but it could also lead to overheating or other problems, so if you can, just return to the 1.5 uF for peace of mind. Better safe than sorry!
I’ve actually done this upgrade before on some shop tools to boost their RPMs. It worked out great for me! Just gauge how your fan runs with the 2.0 uF capacitor. If it seems stable, you may be fine to stick with it until your replacement arrives.
Thanks for the clarity! I've heard mixed opinions, but I guess sticking to the original value is the safest route.