Question 1

I live in Az.I need a hard start kit for a 30,000 btu 2.5 ton,which one do you recommend?

Accepted Answer

The Supco uses a Positive Temperature Coefficient Relay (as stated on their website) not a Potential Relay. Not Good! Only use Hard Start Kits that use a true Potential Relay. The RectorSeal Kickstart (2 wire) and the 5-2-1 Compressor Saver (3 wire) hard start kits use a Potential Relay. I recommend the Kickstart (it uses 2 wires that connect to the Run Capacitor - HERM and COM). But the Compressor Saver is also good (3 wires with one connecting to the common / ground on the Contactor relay). They both work the same way - the Potential Relay detects the pickup voltage (back EMF). This causes the relay to disconnect the start capacitor when the compressor reaches about 75% speed (usually less than a second). Note: Supco does have hard start kits with a Mechanical Potential Relay (Models 3W1, 3W2, & 3W3) but they are not available on Amazon.

Question 2

If there is an existing start capacitor, can you put this one in parallel with it or the run capacitor?

Accepted Answer

This takes the place of the start capacitor. It gives an old compressor a "punch" as it starts and it immediately goes out of the start up circuit. They work! It is wired in parallel with the run capacitor, which stays in teh circuit so your compressor will run more efficiently..electrically speaking.

Question 3

Can a hard start kit help an a/c compressor start when powered by a generator which more than satisfies the unit's FLA but is just shy of the LRA?

Accepted Answer

Greetings,I use these for my rental apartment AC units they keep these old units running and starting easy!  They need to be checked every 2 year or so. If you are just shy of the  Locked Rotor Amperage; The amperage the motor draws when the voltage is first applied to the motor and the rotor has not started to turn. This amperage is usually up to 300% of the motors running amperage. Once the rotor starts to turn the motor generates a back EMF (electro motive force) that opposes the high inrush current. This back EMF drives the amperage down until the motor gets up to its rated speed at which time the motor amperage will be at its run amperage.   This device helps starting and should make you successful.  Make sure that your line voltage is being properly supplied during the high current peak that you have proper AWG for the load and length from your generator to  your compressor as it could be a voltage drop issue.Never the less a good part and should help.Best of LuckDarrell

Question 4

Is this pretty easy to install?  Is it just removing two wires from the old capacitor and reattaching to the new hard start capacitor? Thanks.

Accepted Answer

The hard start cap installs in parallel with the old cap. You connect one wire to the common and one wire to the herm terminals on the old cap.  This just gives the compressor an extra kick.  I would recommend that you get the 5-2-1 hard start kit instead.  I have tried both and the 5-2-1 works better.  Just search on Amazon for 5-2-1 hard start kit.

Manufacturer	Supco
Model number	SPP6
Item Weight	136 g
Product Dimensions	16.51 x 18.42 x 16.51 cm; 136.08 g
Item model number	SPP6
Item Height	6.5 Inches
Item Width	7.25 Inches
Voltage	230 Volts
Are batteries included?	No

SUPCO SPP6 Series PTC Capacitor Combination, Operating Voltage (VAC) 90 - ...

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