Hard start for compressor

bob22 · 01-13-2013, 07:14 PM

A bit off target (tried appliance section but not much satisfaction).
In-law's GE ca5dmb freezer stopped working.

Compressor kicks on for 5-10 seconds then shuts off no matter thermostat setting.
I tested the leads from the compressor to compressor housing and got no continuity (not internally shorted).
I think it is one of two "relays" that plug into the compressor (each has a single wire going to them).

I think the top one is an overheat one (that had continuity when disconnected from compressor after it kicked off and before it did so so I don't think it is that).
The bottom "relay" has two terminals that plug into lugs from the compressor and I'm guessing it is a start capacitor?
It had continuity but I've no capacitor tester.

Appliance section recommended: "You can get whats called a three in one put in place of yor relay and overload to see if its going to run but I would not leave it if it runs replace your componets and off you go.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hv...-14-13-hp-230v"
and
"get the RCO810 3 in 1 "
My question (not answered and in-law is pestering me (no good deed goes unpunished!)):
If I put in the URCO810 (same as RC0810?) is it ok to leave it if it works?
I'm more worried about a fire than anything else.
I read elsewhere that hard start kits shorten life of compressors?

Thanks for any insights,
Bob

Doc Holliday · 01-13-2013, 07:37 PM

You heard wrong. While I'm not familiar with the the model numbers you're posting I am very familiar with hard start kits, 5-2-1 Compressor Savers mostly. Note the name is Saver and not Destroyer. Since a hard start collects amplified electricity it shoves the compressor quicker into it's run speed. The faster a compressor gets up to run speed the less stress (heat) is on the start winding thus prolonging the life of a compressor.

Hard starts kits are nothing more than a huge capacitor with a relay. As soon as the compressor is running the relay kicks the start capacitor out of circuit. We're talking a fraction of a second and the start kit is out of circuit.

Also note that it's called a start kit and not a run kit. Again, because the relay kicks the cap out of circuit. It's only used to start a compressor, not run it. That'd be the run capacitor which stays in circuit.

bob22 · 01-13-2013, 08:21 PM

Doc,
Thanks! I edited my original post (a freezer not HVAC equip but principals are the same).
My concern is the freezer has two parts that plug into the compressor lugs: one on top is I think the overload and goes into one lug; the lower (two lugs) I'm guessing is a start capacitor?
I'm not sure which Supco item is best one for application: The top three pictured items all seem to do same things?
At http://www.supco.com/images/pdfs/Ult...O%20Series.pdf
Any guidance is appreciated,
Bob

Doc Holliday · 01-13-2013, 08:54 PM

just as long as you know the hp/btu rating of the compressor and match it is the most important. otherwise they all do the same thing.

01-13-2013, 07:14 PM	#1
bob22 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Near Philly Posts: 1,957	Hard start for compressor A bit off target (tried appliance section but not much satisfaction). In-law's GE ca5dmb freezer stopped working. Compressor kicks on for 5-10 seconds then shuts off no matter thermostat setting. I tested the leads from the compressor to compressor housing and got no continuity (not internally shorted). I think it is one of two "relays" that plug into the compressor (each has a single wire going to them). I think the top one is an overheat one (that had continuity when disconnected from compressor after it kicked off and before it did so so I don't think it is that). The bottom "relay" has two terminals that plug into lugs from the compressor and I'm guessing it is a start capacitor? It had continuity but I've no capacitor tester. Appliance section recommended: "You can get whats called a three in one put in place of yor relay and overload to see if its going to run but I would not leave it if it runs replace your componets and off you go. http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hv...-14-13-hp-230v" and "get the RCO810 3 in 1 " My question (not answered and in-law is pestering me (no good deed goes unpunished!)): If I put in the URCO810 (same as RC0810?) is it ok to leave it if it works? I'm more worried about a fire than anything else. I read elsewhere that hard start kits shorten life of compressors? Thanks for any insights, Bob Attached Thumbnails Last edited by bob22; 01-13-2013 at 08:15 PM.

01-13-2013, 07:37 PM	#2
Doc Holliday I'm Your Huckleberry Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 5,216	Hard start for compressor You heard wrong. While I'm not familiar with the the model numbers you're posting I am very familiar with hard start kits, 5-2-1 Compressor Savers mostly. Note the name is Saver and not Destroyer. Since a hard start collects amplified electricity it shoves the compressor quicker into it's run speed. The faster a compressor gets up to run speed the less stress (heat) is on the start winding thus prolonging the life of a compressor. Hard starts kits are nothing more than a huge capacitor with a relay. As soon as the compressor is running the relay kicks the start capacitor out of circuit. We're talking a fraction of a second and the start kit is out of circuit. Also note that it's called a start kit and not a run kit. Again, because the relay kicks the cap out of circuit. It's only used to start a compressor, not run it. That'd be the run capacitor which stays in circuit. __________________ Thanks.

01-13-2013, 08:21 PM	#3
bob22 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Near Philly Posts: 1,957	Hard start for compressor Doc, Thanks! I edited my original post (a freezer not HVAC equip but principals are the same). My concern is the freezer has two parts that plug into the compressor lugs: one on top is I think the overload and goes into one lug; the lower (two lugs) I'm guessing is a start capacitor? I'm not sure which Supco item is best one for application: The top three pictured items all seem to do same things? At http://www.supco.com/images/pdfs/Ult...O%20Series.pdf Any guidance is appreciated, Bob

01-13-2013, 08:54 PM	#4
Doc Holliday I'm Your Huckleberry Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 5,216	Hard start for compressor just as long as you know the hp/btu rating of the compressor and match it is the most important. otherwise they all do the same thing. __________________ Thanks.

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Hard start for compressor