Hard Start Test! Not all Hard Start Kits are the same!

So I took my O-Scope into my back yard. Attached a home made current sensor to the heat pump and tested three different hard start kits.

***5-2-1: which used a Start Cap and Potential Relay. These work about as well as OEM 3 wire hard start kits. Full start assist every start, no matter the temperature.

***PTC only device: These are about worthless.

***SuperBoost PPS: These use a Start Capacitor inline with a PTC. They give start assist on a COLD start, but are WORTHLESS for quick restarts!

The PTC devices only get worse and worse as temperature goes up. In the HOT Phoenix afternoons they never cool enough to do any start assist!


Kick Start is the ONLY 2 wire type that works. I didn't have one at the time of testing.



I would like to have tested the SuperBoost, Mars, Supco, etc styles with the electronic time relay. Those are BAD BAD BAD for a compressor because they simply hold the start cap in the circuit for nearly a full second every time no matter what!

When I get my hands on one of those, I'll upload Part II.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HVAC
• Hard
• Start
• kick
• SuperBoost
• super
• boost
• supco
• mars
• 5-2-1
• scroll
• compressor

[gummydmilo]

Great vid.

I have a 6 year old Goodman Heat pump with scroll compressor.

The lights dim when it kick on.

Should I add a 521 or Kick start (ks1) - Or is anything new since this vid?

[hackfreehvac]

@gummydmilo

It may help with the light dimming but generally people don't use hard starts on scroll compressors unless they have a need for one.

I'd check your main electrical panel and make sure the lugs are all tight on the main feed and where the A/C is connected. Then add the start kit.

[gummydmilo]

@hackfreehvac

Thanks for the tip. I had a guy change my motor run cap and he did mention the quick connect box needs to be replaced (it is about 12 years old). Since he charged me over $300 to replace $50 part in a few minutes, I really didn't feel like paying him to swap the box. I will change it soon - before I had a hard start (Is 5-2-1 the best option?).

[hackfreehvac]

@gummydmilo

Yeah 5-2-1's are good. They are a 3 wire.

They are of course, like any of them, a "universal" where if you had a "Start Kit" ordered specificly for your unit (if one was listed) it may have a more specific potential relay and start capacitor.

But it only is in use on the start up and the GOOD universals are almost as good as long as they are a TRUE start cap and potential relay.

Stay away form Super Boost!

[gummydmilo]

@hackfreehvac

I contacted Goodman for a hard start but they don't deal with homeowners. I looked at my disconnect, it needs replacing. If my lights still dim after replacing, I will look at 5-2-1. I have a 5 ton CPJL60-1b so I need the U3 - hope I can find a spot to mount it - assume it is the biggest one.

[hackfreehvac]

@gummydmilo

Yeah you may have to move something in the panel to make it all fit.

Especially if a heat pump.

[acmmech]

@hackfreehvac Great Video! Thanks for sharing

[markgarcia777]

Holy cow Feildpeice or fluke works pretty good. You got half your entertainment center hooked up to that poor peice of crap RRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHEEEEEEEEEM!

[skystormfarms]

how can you make on of those home made current sensors

[hackfreehvac]

HA HA! Wow. i did have a cuss mouth back in the day!

I don't work "in the field" anymore. So I refrain from the "extra vocabulary" most of the time these days.

Maybe I'll make a edit of this to re upload. But I'd hate to lose the 15,000 views. :-/

one thing to relaize. The "extended vocabulary" I use in this video are not actually "curse" words. They are just words people consider foul language.

Bastard, Piss, Whore, etc are in my King James Bible. People consider those cuss words. :-/