#11
had my heater maintenance done today, they found that the outdoor unit an American Standard Gold series heat pump was drawing 134amps on startup when it should be pulling a little over 100.

They suggested a hard start be installed.


After they left, I got to thinking if its drawing that much over what it should be, isn't that indicative of some other problem?  A hard start is just masking that issue?

or is a hard start the thing to do?


it seems to work just fine.
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

Mark

Reply

#12
what did they mean by hard start?  have you seen my thread? is it the same thing? if so did they suggest a specific kit?

Reply

#13
(01-15-2025, 04:54 PM)crokett™ Wrote: what did they mean by hard start?  have you seen my thread? is it the same thing? if so did they suggest a specific kit?

hard start I think its a capacitor that takes the load?  as opposed to a soft start that's used with generators.

I'm not exactly sure the difference between the two.
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

Mark

Reply

#14
(01-15-2025, 06:21 PM)meackerman Wrote: hard start I think its a capacitor that takes the load?  as opposed to a soft start that's used with generators.

I'm not exactly sure the difference between the two.

Ah.  my assumption was that pretty much all compressors have a start cap.

Reply
#15
A hard start is essentially a big start capacitor and a relay to drop it out of circuit. It will increase the torque to get the compressor turning. They do solve a few issues and can extend the life of a compressor. If the unit starts fine now I don’t see the need. I have never used one as a precaution. I use them to get a few more years out of a system that has some issues.
Blackhat

Bad experiences come from poor decisions. So do good stories. 


Reply
#16
Most compressors in residential HVAC units are PSC, permanent split capacitor, motors. They essentially only have a run capacitor and are low start torque motors. Hence the high inrush current on start up. A hard start kit converts it to a cap start, cap run hybrid with a higher start torque.
Blackhat

Bad experiences come from poor decisions. So do good stories. 


Reply
#17
so am I correct that the higher than expected amp draw on startup indicates some problem?
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

Mark

Reply
#18
Maybe. That’s a reading that I could duplicate just by being impatient and not allowing the system to equalize pressure between cycles. Tossing that number out without context is meaningless. Honestly, I wouldn’t sweat it without other indications of problems.
Blackhat

Bad experiences come from poor decisions. So do good stories. 


Reply
#19
Thanks.


every time I get the annual service they always want to upsell me something.

after I had a new system installed at my previous place, the company's tech came out to do the annual service and tried to upsell me stuff...to which I replied some like...if my brand new system needs that, why didn't my salesman say anything about it?  Do I need to call him and complain?  The tech shutup pretty fast.
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

Mark

Reply
HVAC hard start


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)

Product Recommendations

Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.