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speedball1 · Aug 7, 2009, 03:30 PM

Well I took all your posts down to the AC company. They were impressed with the knowledge displayed. They sent ouit a tech and he checked the unit out. Turned out that the compressor wasn't overheating as it was running but the piston simply wouldn't start up when the stat called for cool.
Something about hanging up in the cylinder. Any how he installed a "Potential Relay & Start Capacitor" called " Kick Start". It wasn't cheap but it sure did the trick.
One final question; Kick Start comes in two sizes. KS1 for 3.5 to 5 ton for max torque and TO5 for 1 to 3 ton max torque. My compressor is 2 ton.
Will this be a problem on down the line?
Thanks again for all your help. Tom

wmproop · Aug 7, 2009, 07:59 PM

Pretty much anytime you have to use a kick start,your days are numbered (the ac`s days) not yours
Usually meaning when the time comes that the kickstart no longer does the job,you are looking at a worn out compressor
GOODLUCK

hvac1000 · Aug 7, 2009, 08:22 PM

Will this be a problem on down the line?

Both kickstarts will work the difference is in the capacity of the units they are designed for.

Turned out that the compressor wasn't overheating as it was running but the piston simply wouldn't start up when the stat called for cool.

If the compressor was running the pistons have to move period. There is no clutch or other item to allow any slack. Since the pistons were not moving the motor in the compressor went off on locked rotor and the safety overload that was discussed in a previous post. As mentioned before it is a good possibility that the compressor has been damaged by the past incidents. It may be running now but I have no idea about the future. When they added the Kickstart they rocked the compressor loose to get it running and this is not a good sign. Sorry but that is all I can tell from here.

PS the kisk starts cost me about 15 to 25 bucks so depending upon your bill you will see how friendly the A/C guy is.

speedball1 · Aug 8, 2009, 04:49 AM

PS the kisk starts cost me about 15 to 25 bucks so depending upon your bill you will see how friendly the A/C guy is.

Not that friendly since I paid $252.00 for the part an d $89.00 for the service call. Will this part damage the compressor further? Ive got 8 more years left on the compressor warranty. So I'll be watching it closely. Thank you all again. Tom

hvac1000 · Aug 8, 2009, 07:09 AM

Source 1, Kickstart Starter, 330 VAC - eBay (item 350193585820 end time Aug-20-09 08:44:34 PDT)

Kickstart KS1 Hard Start Max Torque 3.5 - 5 ton HVAC R - eBay (item 350226054512 end time Aug-12-09 20:15:47 PDT)

Kickstart TO-5 Max Torque Hard Start Device - eBay (item 150363142327 end time Aug-08-09 16:07:57 PDT)

I will have to admit I am a bit older but I never ripped off my customers. The price you paid was way to high. There are costs associated to do business but this is just too much for what you got. The 89 bucks for the service call I understand but the part price is another issue.

The damage was already done to the compressor if there was any damage to start with. This start device will help it start and that is all. Keep your warranty papers handy since you may eventually need them.

speedball1 · Aug 8, 2009, 09:24 AM

I had already Googled the price.
Hey! It' s not the first time I've got ripped. It just hurts more when you're retired and living off Social Security. Thanks again, tom

hvac1000 · Aug 8, 2009, 01:04 PM

Always glad to help Tom and I was not trying to rub your nose in it I just get a little P OFF when I see someone being mistreated by HVAC industry people. The HVAC industry has a bad name because of things like this. There is plenty of money to be made honestly without having to resort to this kind of stuff. At least it is running and you are keeping cool.