Original message
| d1g1t4l3ch0
 |  "Buying Hard Start Capacitor"
, posted Fri 17 Oct 19:58  
I have been looking into getting a Hard Start Capacitor since I was told I needed one. The compressor just buzzes every 30 seconds or less and never turns on to make the air cold. The compressor does start up and run rarely and even right after the new fan motor was put in the compressor was working great for a long time. Everything else seems to work properly. A lot has been changed out on this central AC unit. It is very old. I got some information from the unit and the parts inside. The parts are not all original. I need a recommendation on a hard start capacitor as to which one will work and be the best choice for my situation. I want a safe one too. I was looking at the Supco SPP8E but am unsure if that will work or would be overkill. Anyhow, there is some info below.
*AC Unit: Coleman Suncutter (Sorry no model information.)
* Capacitor (Top): Aerovox
(This one was recently replaced when a new fan motor was put in.)
Z23 P4407Y
7.5uf
440v
60Hz
Protected P10000 AFC
123 8 80-197
SH 8704
* Capacitor (Bottom): ShiZuki
WME-RS
40.0 MFD +10%
370 VAC
60Hz
Protected 10000 APC
NO PCB's-SH
1499-472
SPEAROL 8930 USA
* Motor: Emerson
(This is the new fan motor.)
Model KA55HXSMR-1861
HP 1/3
Volt 208-230
60Hz
Amp 2.1
PH 1
RPM 1075
Thanks.
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Replies:
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| Silvertop
|  "Re(1):Buying Hard Start Capacitor"
, posted Mon 20 Oct 06:21
Neither site is wrong from what I read, just approaching the problem from different directions.
Did you check the MFD's of the capacitor? I would replace the capacitor if it is reading low by 5% or more on an older unit.
One step at a time
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| Jojo98
| "Re(1):Buying Hard Start Capacitor" , posted Fri 17 Oct 23:29
What is really needed is the horse power of the compressor, that is how you determine the size of the required capacitor. If you can't get that, then post the tonnage of the A/C.
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| Schock Therapy
| "Re(1):Buying Hard Start Capacitor" , posted Fri 17 Oct 23:27:
The SPP8E will do the job. You might get away with one of the smaller ones too.
Make sure you put the kit on the compressor capacitor and not the fan motor cap!
It's only a shock if your not expecting it!
[this message was edited by Schock Therapy on Fri 17 Oct 23:29] |
| | d1g1t4l3ch0
| "Re(2):Buying Hard Start Capacitor" , posted Sun 19 Oct 23:16
Thank you both for the answer you gave me. jojo98, I'm not sure that I can get the hp of the compressor and I have no idea what the tonnage is. I still have the original capacitor that was in there. The only one that has been changed was the top one (look at my first post) the bottom one is the same as always was. The original top one has the info below.
Aerovox P50G3705E
5uf 370v 60Hz
Protected A 5000 AFC
8939 1238 NO PCB'S
Schock Therapy, sounds good. But I asked this same question on another forum because I like to see if I can get the same answer, but it was completely different. Would you mind reading it and seeing how correct it might be? It doesn't seem this person that replied was very educated though and didn't really explain things clearly. Here is a link: http://www.diychatroom.com/showthread.php?t=30114&highlight=Buying+Hard+Start+Capacitor
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| | Schock Therapy
| "Re(3):Buying Hard Start Capacitor" , posted Mon 20 Oct 22:49
You don't need to know the exact horsepower and tonnage of the compressor to select a hard start kit. The SSP6, ssp7 and ssp8 are all intended to work with compressors ranging from 1/2 hp up to 10hp. I'm pretty sure your compressor will fall within that range! All it does is increase the starting torque by adding capacitance across the start winding for a very short time. It won't "nuke" your compressor! The poster in the other thread does make a valid point regarding checking the contactor. If you own a volt meter and know how to use it, you should make sure you have adequate voltage going to the compressor. (low voltage situations will cause the symptoms you describe). Measure the voltage across the contacts from line to load side to make sure you aren't dropping voltage through the contactor.
I am not a huge fan of hard start kits, but they do have their place. be aware that even if it does get your compressor to start, it is likely just buying you time. While I have seen compressors run for years with HS installed, most of the time they end up packing it in sooner rather than later. You should budget to replace the compressor or the whole unit down the road.
It's only a shock if your not expecting it!
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| | d1g1t4l3ch0
| "Re(4):Buying Hard Start Capacitor" , posted Wed 22 Oct 05:30
Sorry Silvertop, I don't know what MFD's are and probably don't have the testing equipment to test them.
Schock Therapy, I have two multimeters. AW Sperry SP-5A and SP-6A. Found some links here: http://www.byramlabs.com/product_info.php/products_id/8169 and http://www.byramlabs.com/product_info.php/products_id/8168 I don't know if those will work, I know they are really old and the leads I have for them are very skinny and probably won't take the voltage. If so, how much voltage should I be looking for and is is ac or dc? I also don't know where I would put the leads. If the power was low, how could that be increased and what would cause that?
To be completely honest though. From what I hear about hard start capacitors and how they can shorten the lifespan of the compressor, It really don't matter anymore seeing as how old the ac is and how many other things have gone bad and had to be replaced so far. I don't actually have the money to spring for a new ac right now, or even a used one. Central ACs are expensive, cheapest I could find was over $1000.
Also, I noticed that these HS caps are increasingly labeled as being safer with the better models. What does that mean? Is that to say there is risk of fire or explosion? Or is that just saying about the risk of damage to the compressor?
Thanks.
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