Do I already have a hard start kit?
#1
05-15-16, 10:54 AM
Do I already have a hard start kit?
The lights in my house flicker when my AC turns on. I opened my Trane XE 1100 to see if there was room for a hard start kit, and it looks like I already have one. Am I right?
#5
05-15-16, 07:45 PM
Group Moderator
Your unit has a starting capacitor and a potential relay which is similar to a hard start kit.
It is not uncommon to see the lights in the house blink when the compressor comes online. It doesn't mean that there is a problem with the compressor. It can be caused by heavy load on an already heavily loaded service transformer. A long distance between your supply transformer and your panel can also cause dips like that.
It is not uncommon to see the lights in the house blink when the compressor comes online. It doesn't mean that there is a problem with the compressor. It can be caused by heavy load on an already heavily loaded service transformer. A long distance between your supply transformer and your panel can also cause dips like that.
#6
05-15-16, 08:12 PM
I think you are correct that the transformer feeding my house and my two neighbor's houses is overloaded. The reason I think that's true is because my lights also flicker when their A/C's come on too. The power company won't do anything about it.
My idea was to install a hard start kit on my A/C to try to protect it from over-current conditions. But it looks like I already have a big start cap, so there's nothing more I can do?
My idea was to install a hard start kit on my A/C to try to protect it from over-current conditions. But it looks like I already have a big start cap, so there's nothing more I can do?
#7
05-15-16, 08:37 PM
Group Moderator
How far from your panel is the condensor ?
Normally #10 is used but when I need to connect a condensor on the opposite side of the house i use #8 wiring. The heavier wire reduces the voltage drop to the compressor and it starts easier without sagging.
There isn't much more you can do at the compressor itself.
Normally #10 is used but when I need to connect a condensor on the opposite side of the house i use #8 wiring. The heavier wire reduces the voltage drop to the compressor and it starts easier without sagging.
There isn't much more you can do at the compressor itself.
#8
05-15-16, 08:58 PM
Off the top of my head I don't remember the size of the wire itself. It's large: a 70A breaker feeds an exterior subpanel for my two units, which are on the wall directly opposite the panel. Should have plenty of capacity.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
#9
05-15-16, 09:02 PM
Group Moderator
#10
05-16-16, 11:54 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
While it may not stop your lights from dimming, that start kit may be bad.
An (isolated) Ohm reading between terminals 1 and 2 on the start relay should show a closed circuit and the capacitance of that start cap can be checked.
An (isolated) Ohm reading between terminals 1 and 2 on the start relay should show a closed circuit and the capacitance of that start cap can be checked.
#11
07-24-16, 12:06 PM
Hi,
I have two trane XE1100 units
1) ModeL #: TWN024C100A2
2) ModeL #: TWN030C100A4
a) How can I find out which capacitor I need for each of them?
b) In the above picture by john0105 there is a cylindrical device at the bottom, in the lower left corner, next to the square potential relay. What is that? what are the specs for this thing and where can I get it? In my unit it has a white powdery foam coming out of it. I cleaned it out and the unit is still running. But it doesn't look healthy, so I am expecting it to fail at one point.
Thanks for any advice.
Peter
Attachment 68679
I have two trane XE1100 units
1) ModeL #: TWN024C100A2
2) ModeL #: TWN030C100A4
a) How can I find out which capacitor I need for each of them?
b) In the above picture by john0105 there is a cylindrical device at the bottom, in the lower left corner, next to the square potential relay. What is that? what are the specs for this thing and where can I get it? In my unit it has a white powdery foam coming out of it. I cleaned it out and the unit is still running. But it doesn't look healthy, so I am expecting it to fail at one point.
Thanks for any advice.
Peter
Attachment 68679
#12
07-24-16, 12:22 PM
Group Moderator
Peter
We try not to piggyback threads. I started a thread for you and sent you a PM. Your thread can be found here........... http://www.doityourself.com/forum/ai...-trane-cs.html
We try not to piggyback threads. I started a thread for you and sent you a PM. Your thread can be found here........... http://www.doityourself.com/forum/ai...-trane-cs.html
