VAC is Volts AC. As long as you use a LARGER value the cap will work. Actually anything over 200 will be fine. The important value is the capacitance (the uF number which stands for microfarads).

Ron, thanks for your help. I thought V meant volts, but I had never seen it written as VAC since I know nothing about electrical work. I still may be able to find the correct capacitors, but it is good to know that I can go higher on the VAC if I need to as long as I use the uF number is the same. Thanks again.

Yep, the right capacitance and making sure it fits. Sometimes you get a cap with the right rating only to find you can't fit it in the enclosure.

I didn't think about that, so I will measure the "box" too. I really don't want to buy 6 ceiling fans for $600.00 if I can buy capacitors for under $60.00.

I have, in the past, found capacitors for Hunter fans by doing a Google search and matching the specs. They didn't come from Hunter but did the job for years.

YMMV

Thanks, I have taken 1 fan down, but I don't trust the other five. They may or may not have the exact same capacitors. So, once all 6 are taken apart, I will start googling for the replacements. It is worth a try if it works. Beats buying 6 new ceiling fans.

I wonder why you are burning out capacitors. Are these fans on wall controls that have dimmers? It is very odd that you would burn out capacitors on 6 different fans in less than 5 years. So I suspect there is some external cause, or maybe you are just buying very cheap fans.

Regarding which brand is better:

Both Hunter and Harbor Breeze are in the lower quality bracket when it comes to ceiling fans. Harbor Breeze fans are imported by Lowe's directly from China, it is their own brand. Hampton Bay fans are imported by Home Depot. Hunter caters to both of these big box retailers on the low end.

Brands like Emerson, Fanimation, Minka Aire, Monte Carlo, Kichler and Big Ass fans use much higher quality components and usually stock replacement parts. They also make fans with much higher performance, so they run quieter, move a lot more air and cost less to operate.

You can learn more here: Who Makes the Best Ceiling Fans.

Hansen Wholesale, I don't know why the capacitors are burning out, but they are all on identical ceiling fans that we bought at the same time. Maybe Hunter got a bad batch of capacitors?

We did buy them at Lowe's, but not many choices in our very rural area. However, we have bought fans at Lowe's before, and never had a problem. I think we paid $159.00 for each fan, plus tax. Cheap parts wise, but not cheap to us.

We have two Fanimation fans, and one is not working currently. I have never bought Harbor Breeze or Hampton Bay fans, but they at least sell the parts, unlike Hunter.

At this point, we just want to repair the six fans since we also have 4 bathrooms to remodel. The fans are not on dimmers. One wall switch for light and one for fan. An electrician installed them. Thanks.

Can you get me the model numbers for the fans? Maybe I can get you the parts direct from Hunter. If not, post some pictures so I can try to identify the fans.

I thought I remembered the name Hansen Wholesale! We bought a fan or a light from your company. I can't remember which, but it was in May 2013, when I discovered your company on Garden Web (Houzz). We had bought from Lowe's in 2012, unfortunately. The fans from Lowe's started their issues in 2013-2015 until all fans lost high speed.

I know it is possible that it might need a new speed switch too. I am not sure which capacitor is the problem so I thought I would get both. I don't know which wire controls the high speed, but if I connect the two new capacitors exactly like they currently are, then it should work. Should I change the speed switches as well?

Hunter switch housing assembly G1291-09 is no longer made for Hunter model #28665.

Speed switch Zing Ear 3A 250VAC 6A 125 VAC. "ZH"

I will be checking the capacitors on the other five fans this weekend, if I ever get finished staining woodwork and doors. I found one place online that sells the capacitors I need, but have not called yet for a price. Thanks for your advice.

Speed switches usually don't go out electrically, they usually fail mechanically. If the switch clicks with each pull, it most likely does not need to be replaced. If it does not click with every pull, then replace it. In any case, it's likely not a bad idea to have a couple extra switches stashed since capacitors and pull chain switches

Be careful when replacing the wires from the capacitor that you don't break the switch. There is a little metal contact that holds the wires in place and if you just pull those wires out, you will bend or break the metal contact and it won't hold the wires when you push them back in.

So use a toothpick to slightly open the metal contact enough to free the wire. Otherwise, you will need to replace the switch.

Always take pictures of where the wires are so you can put them back they way they were.

Yes, thank you. I saw a video of someone using a metal pick, but a toothpick sounds better. I have had 20 year old ceiling fans that always worked well. Hunter must have bought some cheap capacitors...

I think it might. Delta is doing the same thing with the big box stores. Wal-mart has been doing it for years with tvs, etc.

Hansen Wholesale: Does your comment apply to Fanimation? Lowes has some Fanimation models looking much like some Hansen sells; should I assume that they are cheaply made?

Fanimation does make a few models exclusively for Lowe's and they are less expensive than similar models we carry, but are not identical. I cannot speak for each model specifically, but I suspect they are using lesser quality components to get the cost down as is the typical practice.

I have a hunter 55045 model 64" that after electrical storms a week or so ago and multiple OGE restarts lost fan speeds. It only turns slow.

The start capacitor is CBB61 at 4.5 uF 350vac and 85 degree max temp. The speed control is a CBB61 5,5,3.5 uf capacitor 5 wire 250 vac with 85 degree max temp. I cant find either on a google search. Recommendations? it is a 200+ fan only a few years old.

I found a company online, but can't find it now. If I find it, I will reply here.

CBB61 capacitor: Wadoy CBB61 5 Wire Ceiling Fan Capacitor ($6 on Amazon)

is it ok to use a 5,5,5 uf instead of a 5,5,3.5 uf?

Exact match: #38d

Peke, were you able to repair your fans with replacement capacitors? I bought two identical Hunter fans in 2012/13 and both have stopped working at higher speeds. They’re in a second home that isn’t occupied for more than a week every month, so they’ve had very little use. The other brands of fans in the house (both high & low end) have had no issues.

I have not yet repaired them. I think I will wait until I am finished remodeling in case they go out again.

They are easy to unplug and reattach though.

The only thing I worry about is that they have some sort of residual charge on them and that has to be taken care of before you remove them. It is way over my head...electrical stuff. Maybe someone here can explain how to do it.

I now have 8 identical ceiling fans that only go on lowest speeds. I had forgotten about the 2 upstairs.