hard start kit
#1
08-09-14, 07:03 AM
hard start kit
A few days ago, I posted a thread about my heat pump that kept tripping circuit breaker.
Well, my AC tech made three trips and still didn't know the reason. I had him replace the circuit breaker. Later I replaced thermostat and contactor myself.
My AC tech just keep saying the brand (Amana) isn't good and it's time to replace the whole system. it's only 11 years old. But I'm not convinced.
Issue hasn't occurred for last a few days. But I'm nervous.
After some research, it seems that an old compressor can draw more amps upon startup (the AC tech didn't measure amp draw during startup though he measured while AC was running).
So I plan to install a hard start kit. I did some search and it doesn't seem that hard to do myself because I know how to replace capacitor, thermostat and contactor myself.
I have two questions:
1) for a 3 ton heat pump, what kind of hard start kit should I use
2) wiring: most youtube vidoes says it has three wires. one connects to capacitor common and another connects to capacitor HERM. But I'm quite confused for third wire. it says to connect to T1. my contactor doesn't have a label. can anyone give some tips on wiring a hard start?
thanks
Well, my AC tech made three trips and still didn't know the reason. I had him replace the circuit breaker. Later I replaced thermostat and contactor myself.
My AC tech just keep saying the brand (Amana) isn't good and it's time to replace the whole system. it's only 11 years old. But I'm not convinced.
Issue hasn't occurred for last a few days. But I'm nervous.
After some research, it seems that an old compressor can draw more amps upon startup (the AC tech didn't measure amp draw during startup though he measured while AC was running).
So I plan to install a hard start kit. I did some search and it doesn't seem that hard to do myself because I know how to replace capacitor, thermostat and contactor myself.
I have two questions:
1) for a 3 ton heat pump, what kind of hard start kit should I use
2) wiring: most youtube vidoes says it has three wires. one connects to capacitor common and another connects to capacitor HERM. But I'm quite confused for third wire. it says to connect to T1. my contactor doesn't have a label. can anyone give some tips on wiring a hard start?
thanks
#3
08-09-14, 09:26 AM
Below is the wiring of the old contractor. I basically got a new contactor and replaced it the same way though the new on doesn't have labeling.
#5
08-09-14, 03:37 PM
Thanks for your reply. I don't know how to check on it. But here is a zoomed out picture.
by the way, what are L and N?
by the way, what are L and N?
#9
08-09-14, 06:27 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
There is no neutral on that 230 volt unit.
Connect terminal 1 to Run (which is C on a dual capacitor if you have one).
Connect 2 to Start (which is Herm on a dual cap)
Connect 5 to Common (which is the leg of power that isn't connected to the dual cap Com terminal)
What is the make and model of that unit?
Connect terminal 1 to Run (which is C on a dual capacitor if you have one).
Connect 2 to Start (which is Herm on a dual cap)
Connect 5 to Common (which is the leg of power that isn't connected to the dual cap Com terminal)
What is the make and model of that unit?
#10
08-09-14, 07:24 PM
Thanks for the reply. the unit is Amana (2003 model) heat pump RHE36A2D
do you think it will be OK to get 521 hard start kit? will it do any damage.
also, some videos tell how to measure amp draw before and after installing the kit. which wire should I clamp it on? I bought on klein cl1000 clamp amp meter but am confused which wire I should measure.
do you think it will be OK to get 521 hard start kit? will it do any damage.
also, some videos tell how to measure amp draw before and after installing the kit. which wire should I clamp it on? I bought on klein cl1000 clamp amp meter but am confused which wire I should measure.
#11
08-09-14, 07:35 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
http://johnstonesupply9.com/TechDocs...ECH%20INFO.pdf
Refer to page 35.
The start relay 5 lands on purple not red.
Your clamp meter grabs the purple wire to the compressor.
I never install the 5-2-1 brand start kit. The relay is slow to take the start cap out of the circuit so they have a very short life, often only around 1 year. The Carrier P296-011 start kits that I install last many years. 1 connects to the start cap and leaves the start cap to connect to Run on the 011 as shown in your diagram. (It actually also does this with the 5-2-1 but I think that part may come prewired).
The 5-2-1 is a good price. I saw an outrages listing for the p296-0011. I don't pay much for the 0011.
I would look into the factory recommended start kit for that unit.
Refer to page 35.
The start relay 5 lands on purple not red.
Your clamp meter grabs the purple wire to the compressor.
I never install the 5-2-1 brand start kit. The relay is slow to take the start cap out of the circuit so they have a very short life, often only around 1 year. The Carrier P296-011 start kits that I install last many years. 1 connects to the start cap and leaves the start cap to connect to Run on the 011 as shown in your diagram. (It actually also does this with the 5-2-1 but I think that part may come prewired).
The 5-2-1 is a good price. I saw an outrages listing for the p296-0011. I don't pay much for the 0011.
I would look into the factory recommended start kit for that unit.
Last edited by Houston204; 08-09-14 at 07:55 PM.
#12
08-09-14, 08:34 PM
Thanks so much Houston204.
You inspired me to read the diagram (which I didn't dare to do).
when you say purple, did you mean violet (VT) as labeled by the diagram?
when I look at the diagram, I saw both T1 T2 lead to the compressor. T2 (VT20) leads C and T1 (RD10) leads to R. what's the difference? Why do we measure amps on T2 but not T1?
The diagram actually used 5 2 1 labeling for optional hard-start. is that a generic naming for hard start (rather than branding)?
You inspired me to read the diagram (which I didn't dare to do).
when you say purple, did you mean violet (VT) as labeled by the diagram?
when I look at the diagram, I saw both T1 T2 lead to the compressor. T2 (VT20) leads C and T1 (RD10) leads to R. what's the difference? Why do we measure amps on T2 but not T1?
The diagram actually used 5 2 1 labeling for optional hard-start. is that a generic naming for hard start (rather than branding)?
#13
08-09-14, 09:01 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
when you say purple, did you mean violet (VT) as labeled by the diagram?
when I look at the diagram, I saw both T1 T2 lead to the compressor. T2 (VT20) leads C and T1 (RD10) leads to R. what's the difference? Why do we measure amps on T2 but not T1?
The diagram actually used 5 2 1 labeling for optional hard-start. is that a generic naming for hard start (rather than branding)?
(like Best Way shipping)
1 goes to the start cap then to run.
2 goes to start.
5 goes to common.
And odd fact that causes confusion is that Run is labeled Com on the dual cap. That terminal is common to Herm and Fan on the cap but it is Run on the motor circuits.
#14
08-10-14, 06:25 AM
Houston204, Thanks so much for your time answering the questions.
I have a couple of more questions. I'm sorry about all the questions. I just want to get it correctly before doing it. I like over-prepare it so that I won't screw up and cause damage to my compressor.
Regarding LRA (startup amp), it is labeled pretty high (88). If my circuit breaker is only 30A, how can it even draw 88 amps from where (no hard start yet)?
Secondly, let me confirm my test method on installing hard start
1) before install, measure max and running amps on COMMMON (opposite terminal of the one that connects C on dual run capacitor. Max should be high and running amp should be around 15 (based on RLA)
2) after install, measure
a) max and running amps of COMMON again. Max should be reduced with help of hard start.
b) max and running amps of RUN wire [between start cap (hard start) and dual run C]. once AC starts, running should be 0. otherwise, compressor will be damaged.
Thanks again
I have a couple of more questions. I'm sorry about all the questions. I just want to get it correctly before doing it. I like over-prepare it so that I won't screw up and cause damage to my compressor.
Regarding LRA (startup amp), it is labeled pretty high (88). If my circuit breaker is only 30A, how can it even draw 88 amps from where (no hard start yet)?
Secondly, let me confirm my test method on installing hard start
1) before install, measure max and running amps on COMMMON (opposite terminal of the one that connects C on dual run capacitor. Max should be high and running amp should be around 15 (based on RLA)
2) after install, measure
a) max and running amps of COMMON again. Max should be reduced with help of hard start.
b) max and running amps of RUN wire [between start cap (hard start) and dual run C]. once AC starts, running should be 0. otherwise, compressor will be damaged.
Thanks again
#15
08-10-14, 09:28 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
1) before install, measure max and running amps on COMMMON (opposite terminal of the one that connects C on dual run capacitor. Max should be high and running amp should be around 15 (based on RLA)
2) after install, measure
a) max and running amps of COMMON again. Max should be reduced with help of hard start.
a) max and running amps of COMMON again. Max should be reduced with help of hard start.
b) max and running amps of RUN wire [between start cap (hard start) and dual run C]. once AC starts, running should be 0. otherwise, compressor will be damaged.
