Overamping and hard start kits
jimmy w
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klem1
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Hard Start Kit
Comments (6)A hard start kit will not resolve the issue in your particular situation. I think you did change the start capacitor and start relay, which should help. If your unit doesn't have a start relay and start capacitor, by all means, add the kit, it won't hurt and it might minimize the nuisance. However, on a unit that size, I'm sure it has a start capacitor and relay, which is what a hard start kit is. I do think the momentary dimming of lights during the initial surge when the compressor starts is likely what Brickeye mentioned, the distance from the main panel may be the culprit. You might also have some other high draw components on that circuit such as an electric hot water heater or stove that may be operating at the same time the unit starts. In that case, you may not see the lights dim every time the unit starts. One thing you could try is first is making sure your grounds and connections are all clean and tight, even at the panel. Follow all rules concerning high voltage while working this issue. Make sure you know what you are doing at the panel and also around connections at the unit (I think you do but must mention it). If the momentary dimming is a nuisance, you could move the breaker and associated ground to the other side of the box. This of course may make lights dim in a different part of the house....See MoreHard Start Kit
Comments (7)High voltage capacitors are rather expensive, and the large the capacitance and higher the voltage the higher the price. Manufacturers want to keep the price down, so they put in the smallest unit that will start under ideal conditions. If the grid has reduced voltage, the run to the unit is long, or any connection in the line is less than perfect the voltage may sag when the unit tries to start. Increasing the value of the start capacitor (which is all a 'hard start' kit does) allow the motor to produce more torque at startup to come up to speed faster. The capacitor is NOT 'storing' power, but producing the a phase shift that allows the single phase motor to briefly operate as a 2 phase motor (using the start winding) during startup. More capacitance produces more phase shift, and a better approximation of two phases 90 degrees apart....See MoreHard start kit for air conditioner
Comments (7)Single phase motors have zero starting torque. To overcome this problem a start winding is added and start capacitors are used to produce some phase shift. The more capacitance present the closer to a 90 degree phase shift and the greater the starting torque (the inductance of the start winding itself cancels some of the phase shift form the start capacitor). At startup an induction motor pulls current limited by the resistance of the windings (very low) and the inductance at 60 Hz of the windings and iron present in the motor. The faster the motor can be brought up to operating speed the faster this excess current (and its heating effects) can be reduced the better for long term reliability. The typical hard start kit adds some additional start capacitance and a 'timer' to pull it out of the circuit. Just about anything that can reduce the starting current demand will improve long term reliability. many units come with hard start kits already installed, and just about all the rest recommend them if the run to the unit is long or prolonged starting is present. A larger start capacitance is never a problem. Capacitors are expensive, and the engineering around the selection of the cap value is to minimize the capacitance needed to save money....See MoreIs hard start kit necessary?
Comments (27)OEMs don't have an economic interest that's served by extending the useful life of their equipment beyond the warranty period, especially if doing so adds to the upfront cost as would be the case with hard starts. Distributors that sell the equipment are there to also sell me the garbage that causes damage to a compressor over time. It's a vicious circle to say the least. I know better now (2023) than say 25 years ago... from the perspective of doing HVAC for 29 years. Just because someone or some entity within the HVAC realm is attempting to sell you something doesn't mean you should buy it. Nor that I should sell it. To gain trust --- home owners trust me with my recommendations for real reasons. My market in Katy, Texas has knuckle heads running around for free advice. I don't do free advice except here on this board to more or less explain the hidden cost of just doing something because someone is selling it. If the advice is free it's not worth anything to begin with. My advice is worth what you pay for it in person. If you don't think so you're fine by me to go that route. I know I can lead a horse to water, I can't make him drink it. I can print truth(s) here all day long I can't make you believe it. The best case is to buy the OEM spec hard start kit for a particular unit that currently doesn't have any start up issues and doesn't need the hard start to start --- the manufacturer specifies when one is required for certain applications (like long line set application). As I have stated before required hard starts are different electrically from one compressor to another, size of the compressor etc. Put the wrong one on your AC unit and you're doing damage in small bits at a time every time the unit starts. Extending the life of a unit by adding a part is just regurgitated rhetoric used to sell you something in most cases. It took me a good long stretch of my career to separate the facts from fiction in this regard. When the hard start fails and it will along with the run capacitor -- these two could be responsible for the demise of your compressor in the future. It may not be evident / hard to prove in many cases what caused the compressor failure. But I thought you said it won't hurt anything? Yes provided you put the right one on your system, maintain it properly, replace the hard start again when it is determined thru a maintenance visit that it's needed. What I know for sure is that many people have trouble remembering to replace their filter, get maintenance done... not just done but done properly. If you're worried about what is reasonable in terms of cost to do this right... leave it alone if you don't have the money to do it right AND make sure it is done right. The manufacturer made your unit the way it is to function the way it's supposed to under most installation applications. If you needed a hard start for your particular installation it should have been provided at the time you had your system installed. If you got $250 burning a hole in your pocket? Find something more constructive to spend it on. If you wanted to cut your electric bill you should have bought a more efficient unit like a Bosch 2.0 Inverter. That can cut your electric bill by up to 50%. Like cool stories? Here's a recent one [video below]-- the first AC not cooling call of the summer? In February? (hot climate problems) This unit has no hard start kit -- it doesn't need one yet. I service the Katy, Texas area....See Morejimmy w
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