[pcm81]

Can someone explain to me the whole idea behind Kick - starter kit as a fix for AC System? Isn't starter cap basically supposed to be "the starter cap".

Someone with EE background here, so don't feel shy with details...

From what i read so far kick starter is a band-aid.... are they worth it?

Thanks

Edit: this is for 2014 vintage Train unit.

 

[ammoniadog]

For someone who claims to be educated, your grasp of the written English language does not seem to be very good. For example, what do you mean by "Isn't starter cap basically supposed to be "the starter cap"."?

Anyways, most residential units don't come with start relays and/or start capacitors. A Kickstart is a start relay and capacitor. This is different than a run capacitor that you probably already have. A start relay and start capacitor help to get the compressor started up quicker, which is a good thing. If your system starts up fine without the lights dimming each time it cycles on and off, then you might not need one, but in my opinion, they are still a good thing.

As to weather or not it is "worth it", that depends.

 

[pecmsg]

After market garbage

Factory hard start kits. No problem

 

[ammoniadog]

After market garbage

Factory hard start kits. No problem

What? I think this is the first time I've heard this opinion. As far as hard start kits go, I thought Kickstart was top shelf stuff. They are at least better than the Supco and other brands that don't use potential relays.

 

[pecmsg]

Factory 5 2 1 fine.

If Copeland, Tecumseh, Bristol, Trane approved.

 

[pcm81]

I did not realize that AC units stopped coming with starter caps from the factory. I thought they all had starter caps and "boost cap", "kick starter" etc is something extra. But apparently, to cut costs some more modern ACs do not have starter cap installed at the factory... The unit is at my moms house, so haven’t looked at it yet. I believe train is very particular with their relay voltage, so after market options are often a fail...

 

[rundawg]

I believe train is very particular with their relay voltage, so after market options are often a fail...

I agree with you.

From my experience, if this is a Trane unit, go with the OEM start Capacitor and Potential Relay to avoid problems down the road.

 

[JayMan7]

Can someone explain to me the whole idea behind Kick - starter kit as a fix for AC System? Isn't starter cap basically supposed to be "the starter cap".

Someone with EE background here, so don't feel shy with details...

From what i read so far kick starter is a band-aid.... are they worth it?

Thanks

Edit: this is for 2014 vintage Train unit.

A band-aid for what? What are you trying to fix? It's sounds like it would be best for you to call in a professional that can properly diagnose the system. Trane hard start kits are quite expensive.

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[pcm81]

A band-aid for what? What are you trying to fix? It's sounds like it would be best for you to call in a professional that can properly diagnose the system. Trane hard start kits are quite expensive.

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AC at my moms house did not start today. This happens about once per year when drain line gets clogged and switch trips. My mom called actual AC guy who cleaned the drain line and recommended "booster cap" to her for extra $. It was a surprise to me that a $ train system that is 6 years old would not already have a starter cap and he did not say that he found a bad cap... he did not check caps at all. So i thought that he is trying to sell some additional thing to an existing starter cap. I read online that "booster caps" are a band-aid fix for a failing/ageing compressor, although i agree that a properly matched starter cap and relay are a proper part of well functioning system. Just still can't believe that 2014 train would not have t built in...

 

[ammoniadog]

I agree with you.

From my experience, if this is a Trane unit, go with the OEM start Capacitor and Potential Relay to avoid problems down the road.

What kind of problems? I agree that an OEM start relay and capacitor specifically matched to the compressor is always best, but in my mind, a universal hard start kit is still better than no hard start kit at all.

What kind of "problems down the road" have you seen from a Kickstart or 5-2-1 type universal hardstart kit? I've seen burnt up hardstarts before, but as far as I remember they have always been the more common electronic relay type. I admittedly do mostly commercial hvac and therefore don't see a lot of hard start kits out in the field. Just trying to learn here.

 

[ammoniadog]

AC at my moms house did not start today. This happens about once per year when drain line gets clogged and switch trips. My mom called actual AC guy who cleaned the drain line and recommended "booster cap" to her for extra $. It was a surprise to me that a $ train system that is 6 years old would not already have a starter cap and he did not say that he found a bad cap... he did not check caps at all. So i thought that he is trying to sell some additional thing to an existing starter cap. I read online that "booster caps" are a band-aid fix for a failing/ageing compressor, although i agree that a properly matched starter cap and relay are a proper part of well functioning system. Just still can't believe that 2014 train would not have t built in....

No, most systems do not come with a start capacitor. I don't think they ever did, except for maybe the top of the line units. You can not add a "booster cap" on top of an existing start capacitor. They get wired in parallel with the run capacitor (which for all intents and purposes, all units do have). Well, at least the cheaper "booster caps" get wired in series with the run caps. The better "5-2-1" type with the external start relay get a little more complicated with the wiring.

 

[JayMan7]

AC at my moms house did not start today. This happens about once per year when drain line gets clogged and switch trips. My mom called actual AC guy who cleaned the drain line and recommended "booster cap" to her for extra $. It was a surprise to me that a $ train system that is 6 years old would not already have a starter cap and he did not say that he found a bad cap... he did not check caps at all. So i thought that he is trying to sell some additional thing to an existing starter cap. I read online that "booster caps" are a band-aid fix for a failing/ageing compressor, although i agree that a properly matched starter cap and relay are a proper part of well functioning system. Just still can't believe that 2014 train would not have t built in.....

That's correct. The newer units do not come standard with them. It has to be ordered as an accessory. I agree with you that they should be standard. It's not a bandaid. They are good for the compressor since they reduce the current needed to start by increasing the voltage. They also help the compressor start faster which minimizes the time it's pulling LRA. I purchaed one for the Trane I just recently installed at my house. I would recommend it be oem with potential relay and not that ptc thermistor crap.

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