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Old 03-28-2015, 05:27 AM   #1
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Hard Start Kits

Given that I will be doing some AC maintenance here soon, I am contemplating installing a Hard Start Kit on each of the AC units. Watching the amperage spike on startup is painful...anyone have any experience with them? Before I go digging for manuals or crawling on the roof, any idea of our model numbers?

Cale
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Old 03-28-2015, 09:51 AM   #2
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Cale - I had a hard start capacitor on my previous rig with a single AC unit. I was able to run that unit off a 2800 watt generator without making it jump off the ground and try to stall when the AC kicked in. Once I built my 4Kw generator setup it was no longer a worry. I do intend to install these capacitors on this rig one day. Just have not been in a hurry or concerned enough to look into it yet. But yes, they do make a difference!
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Old 03-29-2015, 03:05 PM   #3
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It is a piece of cake. Google "SUPCO SPP6 hard start capacitor". Also read here for a write up of this mod.
I have done this with our AC unit. I do think it helps with the initial current demand to kick on the compressor; however, a marginal generator for the AC unit will still be a marginal unit for the AC with a hard start cap. That write up I linked to makes it seem like it cures the "not enough generator" issue, but I would say it really just masks it. Our Yamaha 2400 gen can run the AC at lower elevations and/or cooler ambient temps. But when we have tried it when it is really hot and/or high elevations it won't run it reliably.
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Old 05-22-2015, 12:43 AM   #4
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Today I installed Hard Start Caps on all three of my units. prior to installing them I could not run zone 1 & 3 at the same time without transfer switch sheading circuits for A/C's and Water heater. The LRC(locked rotor current) was to high for the switch. Now they start with ease.
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Old 06-01-2015, 05:12 AM   #5
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Today I installed Hard Start Caps on all three of my units. prior to installing them I could not run zone 1 & 3 at the same time without transfer switch sheading circuits for A/C's and Water heater. The LRC(locked rotor current) was to high for the switch. Now they start with ease.
By chance, what were the part numbers? And how loans did it take?

Cale
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Old 06-01-2015, 08:10 AM   #6
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Cale - Suppco SPP6. They don't take long at all. I'd say 10-15 minutes per AC unit including removing and reinstalling the cover.
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Old 06-01-2015, 05:31 PM   #7
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Cale - Suppco SPP6. They don't take long at all. I'd say 10-15 minutes per AC unit including removing and reinstalling the cover.
Thanks a bunch. Going to put these on before we start our trek back east...it will be much hotter as we are traveling than we are use to around here.

Cale
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Old 06-01-2015, 05:48 PM   #8
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Cale - Suppco SPP6. They don't take long at all. I'd say 10-15 minutes per AC unit including removing and reinstalling the cover.
Just ordered three from Amazon. Quick questions before I receive...

Do we have a start and run capacitor?

If so, we "piggy back" or replace the Start capacitor?

Thanks,
Cale
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Old 06-01-2015, 09:06 PM   #9
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I am interested in the answer here. Also, when you ordered on Amazon. Was Prime offered. I am going to be getting on the road within a week and have waited until the last minute to get a couple things finished.

I might just order and hope they get here. I hate to think about going up on the roof right now with 100 degree temperature every day.
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Old 06-01-2015, 09:17 PM   #10
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I am interested in the answer here. Also, when you ordered on Amazon. Was Prime offered. I am going to be getting on the road within a week and have waited until the last minute to get a couple things finished.

I might just order and hope they get here. I hate to think about going up on the roof right now with 100 degree temperature every day.
I searched "SPP6" on Amazon, then check marked Prime...select other sellers, then check mark Prime.... Here is the link to the one I got,
Part No. SPP6 Series PTC Capacitor Combination, Operating Voltage (VAC) 90 - ...: Hard Start Capacitor: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

The Amazon price is a little more, but worth the two day shipping.

Cale
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Old 06-01-2015, 09:20 PM   #11
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Thanks.
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Old 06-01-2015, 10:07 PM   #12
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I haven't researched this yet. But how do you know what fits what?
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Old 06-01-2015, 10:33 PM   #13
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RV Air Conditioner Hard Start Capacitor | ModMyRV

There is a write up on the procedure. The SPP6 is the correct capacitor size, the physical dimensions are not critical. It is mounted by screwing it to the AC housing and then attaching the wires. That write up says the SPP6E is the appropriate cap; however, when I asked SUPCO support which was correct the reply was that the SPP6 was the more appropriate cap.
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Old 06-01-2015, 11:25 PM   #14
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Thanks. I have been cooling my trailer for the last month or more. All three AC's have been running fine. I think I will not mess with what is not broken at the moment.

The units generator runs two of the AC's just fine and I have 50 amp at the house. Some campground only have 30 amp and I will have to do with one AC in those places. Better yet, be someplace that AC is not needed.

Perhaps next winter I will attempt the project.
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Old 06-01-2015, 11:44 PM   #15
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Cale - when I did mine in my last 5th wheel, I replaced not piggy backed. This is on my short list to do to this one before the August NASCAR Race.
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Old 06-02-2015, 01:36 AM   #16
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When I installed mine I piggy backed. Works like a charm. Start up AMP draw went down. Now I can run all three A/Cs with generator.
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Old 06-02-2015, 01:57 AM   #17
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When I installed mine I piggy backed. Works like a charm. Start up AMP draw went down. Now I can run all three A/Cs with generator.
That sounds great but I am confused. Still don't know what to buy and what to you mean "piggy back". Did you install two of them on each unit.
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Old 06-02-2015, 04:55 AM   #18
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That sounds great but I am confused. Still don't know what to buy and what to you mean "piggy back". Did you install two of them on each unit.
Piggy back meaning that it is parallel to the start capacitor. The capacitance is added to the already installed capacitor. Having a higher start capacitor, should allow the the compressor to get up to operating speed much quicker, by quickly discharging its stored charge...

The link I provided earlier from Amazon would be the right capacitor for the start capacitor.

Cale
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Old 06-03-2015, 10:15 AM   #19
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I like this idea - I may look into the piggyback when I install them on this unit. I didn't pigyyback on my last 5th wheel as I only had the one AC unit, not the three I have now.
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Old 06-06-2015, 02:28 AM   #20
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I installed the capacitors on all three AC unit...it took longer to take pictures than it did installing them....I fired the generator up and fired off all three units and worked like a charm. It use to spike up near 70 amp on the inside LED power panel...it never spiked above 45 and with all three units running, it was at 37 amps. If people want pics, I can post them later when I get to my computer.

Cale
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