in 2022 this capacitor was tested at 37 and 4.5 mf (written on the capacitor). It's a 40/5 +-3%. Instead of replacing it with a $10 capacitor they put on a $45 hard start kit. Bet they put in quite a markup too! Ran just fine with a new capacitor.
Bad Capacitor, so Hard Start?
RedSafety
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in 2022 this capacitor was tested at 37 and 4.5 mf (written on the capacitor). It's a 40/5 +-3%. Instead of replacing it with a $10 capacitor they put on a $45 hard start kit. Bet they put in quite a markup too! Ran just fine with a new capacitor.
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![20230411_175417[1].jpg](/d1/attachments/847/847343-aef5b9de630f076de7f4045616b0f731.jpg)
Evidently it was having issues so instead of replacing the out of spec capacitor they put in a hard start. It tested worse (no suprise) yesterday. Replaced it without the hard start and it works just fine.
Yes Goodman, with Amana label.
Yes Goodman, with Amana label.
What model?
What compressor?
Indoor txv or piston?
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A hot heavy load day.....maybe need that hard start? What is the supply voltage?.....Is it always steady?.......maybe need that hard start?
Who is to say?.....I don't always jump straight to condemning the guy that was there before me.....
Was that the correct cap mfd for the equipment? Possible someone replaced the original with something close?
Who is to say?.....I don't always jump straight to condemning the guy that was there before me.....
Was that the correct cap mfd for the equipment? Possible someone replaced the original with something close?
I've heard of using a hard start to reduce the flickering in your lights you can sometimes get when the compressor kicks on. I've never had to do it so I don't know if it works or not but maybe there was a reason. Then again I've zoned out on iobs before too and found a $100 solution to a $5 problem.
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I'm not saying that isn't exactly what they did, but we also don't know the actual chain of events here. If that capacitor was reading those values when you got there, then a new capacitor didn't fix anything. Those readings are both within 10% and are more than sufficient to start the motors. A condenser fan in fact will start even with 1 mfd. The compressor may have started fine with the existing capacitor, as far as we know. The hard start may have been added due to overcome voltage drop during start up, a problem that may not be present at all times. It may have been added "just because". We just don't know. What I do know is that if that hard start was still good I'd have left it on there.
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Hard start installer says "run whatch brung" I bet.
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Or probably just a technician who have some commission on what he sell.
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It works. I have customers in the sticks that complain of their lights dimming when the unit kicks on, kickstart solves that. I have one on my compressor at home because I have a long line set. They have their place in some situations.
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Does Trane still put hard starts on from the factory ?
When I went to all led lighting in my home flicker was more noticeable when my AC kicked on. I installed a home standby generator and added a 5-2-1 hard start mainly for my generator spike but no light flicker with the 5-2-1 and it's a quick, clean start. Added an Amrad start cap with the compressor saver lug.
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That’s not a factory Goodman capacitor
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You have been asked before not to post questions outside the "AOP Residential HVAC (Beenthere Zone)" forum because you are a homeowner - https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2254091-Low-side-pressure-issue?p=26517571#post26517571
Should you continue to disregard our requests, your account will be closed.
Please adhere to the rules.
Also, homeowners can only ask non technical questions in the above mentioned forum.
Thanks for your understanding.
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