I have an older Mitusbishi aircon unit that has failed twice for the run capacitor.  The first guy who replaced it charged 600 Baht (I think) and the second guy charged 800 the other week.  While It's fair that a compnent of the price to fix it should cover the labour, how much should a capacitor actually cost?  I feel confident (and competent) to at least check and change the capacitor myself the next time.  If I buy one now and keep it on hand, it could help avoid an hot sticky night's sleep I we need to wait for a technician at the wrong time of year.

 

It's a 25uF 450V capacitor but the tech used a 30UF so not sure what it  should be.  I've looked on Lazada and I've seen prices from 100 baht up to 500 or more.  Is there anything "special" about the run capacitors or can I just buy the cheap ones?

25/30uF won't matter much, the vital parameter is that they are rated at 450V AC you can't stick any old 450V cap in there.

 

I generally get mine from Amorn, not the cheapest but they tend to have a decent selection and of course it's instant gratification ???? 

They're about 30 Baht in my local electronics shop. I changed one on a fan not long ago.

If i had needed to pay 800 Baht I would have bought a new fan.

about 100-300 baht, 

Would be careful not to go too far over rated capacitance as potential for eventually frying windings… a bit.