@TBJK, I seem to replace them every 2 to 3 years. @zmetzing, I did exactly that and bought 2 extra for the next time.
I was told to get a Supco Hard Start kit and it would help with caps lasting longer. Don’t know much about them other than they are easy to install.
One other interesting thing I learned about ACs after the power surge. Both ACs compressors were out. I thought it might have taken out both caps. So I tested the MFD’s and found out that one was indeed bad, but the larger unit was still good. Turned out that the internal circuit breaker of the compressor had tripped and needed resetting. I have never seen that before. But here is what I did:
1.) Set the thermostat to the 0FF position
2.) switched the AC breaker OFF at the panel.
3.) then switched the AC breaker ON at the panel
4.) let it sit for 30 Minutes
5.) them turned the thermostat to cool.
That did it, the compressor for that unit came back on.