The LeRoys
St Petersburg, FL, USA
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Joined: 09/24/2003
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I bought a SPP6 hard start capacitor for my 13,500 BTU Dometic DuoTherm, to make it easier to start on generator. I expected since it was a 2009 unit that it would already have a start cap, and it didn't. So I read the directions on the package of the SPP6 and they say "Connect the two wires from the SPP6 in parallel with the run capacitor (one wire each side) without removing any original wires".
Both wires on my SPP6 are black. I ran one side to the red terminal on the run capacitor, and one side to the white terminal, there was one open post on the white side and 3 on the red side.
I started up the A/C on the generator and there was no difference. I got my volt meter out, and with the A/C set to "fan on" I checked for AC voltage on both terminals the capacitor, and nothing.
Does the capacitor take time to build up a charge? If so how long?
Does it matter which of the black wires from the SPP6 go to each terminal? Shouldn't I see voltage across the terminals?
Could my new capacitor be bad?
Brian & Evie LeRoy and our 2 girls, Bryanna and MaryAnne
2009 Keystone Passport 300BH
2004 Suburban 2500
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The LeRoys
St Petersburg, FL, USA
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Joined: 09/24/2003
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If its any help, my run capacitor and wiring diagram look EXACTLY like the one in this post. With the only exception being that it says start capacitor is optional, but still shows it in the diagram.
http://www.modmyrv.com/2009/05/27/rv-air-conditioner-hard-start-capacitor
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The LeRoys
St Petersburg, FL, USA
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So I see voltage across the terminals only when compressor is running. No voltage when the unit is on but the thermostat is up, only when compressor is running.
I'm very disappointed as I was hoping to see a difference with this capacitor.
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96Bounder30E
America is my home!
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mosseater
Dillsburg, PA
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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We should start a club. I'm begining to believe it's mostly hype. I hear some (many?) have had a good outcome, but I didn't. I have to wonder if they actually checked amp draw, voltage drop, time to start, etc, before and after, or if they went with seat of the pants assessment. I connected mine every way I could think of, even with the help from their tech support, who seemed pretty knowledgeable. My outcome was that nothing I tried with the hardstart cap in place made it better than stock. Amp draw was up and time to full speed was up, making my gen work even harder. Don't know what to think.
"It`s not important that you know all the answers, it`s only important to know where to get all the answers" Arone Kleamyck
"...An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." Col. Jeff Cooper
Sunset Creek 298 BH
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Big Daddy Dunes
Lost Wages
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Joined: 05/16/2005
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Just got thru installing a SPP5 on 13.5 DuoTherm unit will see how it does on the generator in the morning. My unit already had a factory hard start cap installed so I just piggy backed them. In the morning I will see how the lil genie does with it.
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Chris Bryant
DeLand, Florida, USA
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Joined: 03/26/2003
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It really should make a huge difference over having no start kit installed. The only way I know to test a start kit is with a clamp on amp meter- you should read a very brief hi current when starting (measuring one of the leads to the SPP6).
While I'm not 100% on the theory, I believe in this application, the capacitor is simply changing the phase of the voltage- it charges and discharges at 60 cycles per second, but out of phase with the line voltage, which acts on the start windings to assist in starting.
I wouldn't add one of these in addition to the stock start kit though.
-- Chris Bryant
My RV Service Blog
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