Start Capacitor vs Hard Start Kit

[plus160]

I have a 1 year old Fedders 3 and 1/2 ton C/U with a Bristol compressor, about 2 months ago it blew a small ceramic start capacitor, the part is no longer made and hard to find, my supplier suggested a KS-1 universal hard start kit instead. In the meantime I took the defective cap out of the system and the unit starts and runs perfectly. My supplier says the original cap was intended to give a boost for A-coil locations in an attic, since mine is in the basement it works with out it.

Should I continue without as is? Locate, purchase and install an original ceramic cap, or install a KS-1 Hard start?

THANKS!

[Jfwireless]

The start/run capacitor charges up and gives the compressor a boost at start up to help with the heavy load at start up. I would at least replace the capacitor.

Jim

[DeltaT]

If you are subject to low voltages in your area, especially during summer usage, have your HVAC contractor get the exact factory reccomended hard start kit for that exact compressor and have him/her install it.

[Jfwireless]

If you are subject to low voltages in your area, especially during summer usage, have your HVAC contractor get the exact factory reccomended hard start kit for that exact compressor and have him/her install it.

If the compressor is starting up fine without the factory installed start capacitor, do you think he needs a hard start kit??

Jim

[DeltaT]

If the compressor is starting up fine without the factory installed start capacitor, do you think he needs a hard start kit??

Jim

No one here actually knows if the compressor is starting up just fine. If he has low voltages due to high consumer electrical draw of his area, especially living in or around a big city such as St. Louis, the compressor could actually be stalling on the attempt to start up at various times and this is not good.

The start capacitor that he describes is probably at thermo capacitor and no longer used, thank heavens, in our industry.

To protect his system and compressor he should have a HVAC contractor determine if he does indeed need or doesn't need a start kit as recommended by the compressor manufacturer.

Since he's around a large mid-west city where "brown outs" are typical he most likely would be well served by having his system serviced and a factory hard start kit installed.

[plus160]

The dealer contacted the manufacturer, they recommend the KS-1 as the proper hard start kit, but the dealers own field technician thinks it's not necessary? I sent an email to Fedders tech support but have yet to get a response, I'm concerned that without the hard start kit it might cause damage to the compressor over time.

Thanks to all for your assistance and comments.

[Airmechanical]

it depends on your metering device

do you have an expansion valve, or piston style metering device

either way :callpro:

.

[plus160]

Airmechanical,

I have neither I'm just a homeowner wanting to make sure that either with or without a hard start kit I'm not going to void the factory warranty as the original
Vishay Cera-Mite 305c9 blew up and is no longer available.

[Airmechanical]

Airmechanical,

I have neither

I'm just a homeowner

wanting to make sure that either with or without a hard start kit I'm not going to void the factory warranty as the original

Vishay Cera-Mite 305c9 blew up and is no longer available.

do you have an expansion valve, or piston style metering device



.

[nuclear rabbit]

In most cases, it's best to go with the factory's recomendation.

[FJRSTAR]

It would be better with a hard start kit than without one.

If the manufacturer had one installed, installing a like replacement is the thing to do.