How To Install A Hard Start Kit On Home AC | 5-2-1 Hard Start Kit
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- In this video, I show you how to install a hard start kit on a home AC using a 5-2-1 hard start capacitor. In this case the homeowner wants to be able to use a portable generator to power the 2.5 ton AC unit. Hard start kits can be used for this purpose, helping an old unit start up, possibly help with light flickering, possibly extend the life of the compressor. Whatever your reason for wanting to install a hard start capacitor, in this video I will show you how to do it and how the hard start kit affects the in rush current to the AC compressor.
Items Installed in this video:
5-2-1 Hard Start Kit for 1-3 Tons: amzn.to/364Vqtt
Tools Used:
Budget Friendly Drill: amzn.to/33jqUu7
Klein Multimeter: amzn.to/364YCp2
Driver Set: amzn.to/2HAMaUy
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Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes. All appliance, electrical, and HVAC repair work should be done by a licensed and trained professional. How To Home is not responsible for any possible damage or injuries caused by the use or misuse of the provided information. - Навчання та стиль
You might want to expand on this video to discuss the benefit of using an AmRad capacitor with a fourth CPT terminal (compressor protection terminal ) when you are using a hard start kit. If you are using a hard start kit and your primary run capacitor fails the hard start kit will probably keep the AC starting and running but this is supposed to be hard on the compressor. With a capacitor that has a CPT terminal if the hard start kit is connected to the CPT terminal on the run capacitor and the run capacitor fails the AC won't run thus protecting the compressor.
Yeah that’s a fantastic point! Will consider it for a future video somehow.
From a contractor: To have a hard start kit installed on your compressor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $350. Our prices always include the cost of labor and parts. The overall price of a hard start kit is cheaper than paying for a compressor replacement which can be $2,500 or even more.
$20 part, 10 minutes work.
Man! Thank you so much for this video! So easy to do! Three connections and a zip tie or two! Had an AC company come out and tell me I needed to install a hard start kit. They were running a special for $650!! I'll be doing this myself DIY style so I can save $550. I need that $550 for one tank of gas LOL
I hear that! The gas is out of control. Really glad to hear it helped so much. I found it to be very easy and definitely just follow the instructions that come with it. Mine were very clear and had pictures as well.
NICE. my ac was blowing warm air last month in vegas. called goettle and they replaced it for $1200, but i was able to bring it down to $600. It was a learning experience for me as new home owner. So next time i know. the parts was only $160.
What a great video. I wish I’d seen this two months ago.
I was thinking to install a soft starter to my 1.5 ton AC unit to run it on a solar inverter and reduce inrush current demand, after seeing this video I am wondering if I should do the exact opposite and install a hard starter.
@@imac786 How long can last this little thing? do you know?
What a great video. The safety steps are all there along with the example of of the result of the kit.
Perfect. HARDSTART kit and DUAL RUN Cap installed w/ ZERO problems. Thanks for the great video. Bravo Zulu
You are very welcome! Glad it was helpful!
@@HowToHomeDIY what I'm doing wrong I put one in on a 3 ton my generator is 9500/12000 is a no go
Thanks for posting with the max amps. Very helpful.
Thank you for your instructions, I just installed one in my ac unit . I’m in Hollywood Florida. 😅
Awesome, you mite want to mention for people like me who didn’t used to know about installing that relay in the up position the way you did. I didn’t used to know that LOL. Good job.
Thank you Andree. We are all always learning. Thank you for the feedback!
Thank you, I was needing this information.
thanks I am goin to install a hard start kit on my A/C unit it is an older unit but it still run great thanks for the tip.
Thanks a lot for sharing your information.good luck.
Thank you. Saved me $600 and I didn't blow myself up
That is always the goal. Don't get blown up! 😂 Thanks for the feedback, glad you liked it!
Thank you. It was a very good video and I learned how to install this hard start kit.
Hey Jose, I am glad it was helpful! Thank you for the feedback!
$525 parts and labor quoted for me. About to do it myself.
Also quoted $650 for capacitor and contactor replacement. Did it myself for $75 for parts only watching another youtube vid
Yea they charge insanely high
Great video....sooooo helpful 👍
Thank you for this video!!!
Thank you so much for this video i did what you said to do and it worked out great thank you
Nice demo, esp with the measurements.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks it works perfect good video
You're welcome! Glad it helped!
I was quoted nearly $600 from the AC company. I purchased the kit from Amazon for under $30. Followed this video and installed it in about 10 minutes. Thank you for the video.
Thank YOU !! Subscribed !!
You are welcome. Look forward to seeing you around the channel!
Nice n simple thx
That was good thank you very much
Hey Sal, I am glad you liked it. Hope it was helpful! Thank you for the feedback.
Am looking into getting a backup generator and I was told that this would be a good idea to install also....Thanks for the video.
Yes it can definitely help with getting an AC started using generator power as is the case with the homeowner in this video. Thank you for the feedback!
AWESOME
I am glad you liked it. Thank you for the feedback!
May also help prevent the compressor startup from tripping the time-delay on the circuit breaker.
That’s looks real easy
The instructions are definitely pretty easy to follow that come with the kit.
@@HowToHomeDIY it’s not that easy on a heat pump
Gonna add one of these to my unit so that I can run it with my generator. This heat wave is causing blackouts, so would be super convenient to have. Thank you!
Awesome! Enjoy the cool air in the next blackout!
@@HowToHomeDIY Thank you! You really saved me here!
I like it. Getting ready to add solar and saw a Hard Start Kit except it was almost $400 so I'm wondering if the results are the same. I believe the one you installed is very low priced in comparison.
Can you do a video on how to install 521 hard start with heat sequencer. This is supposed to be the best setup as hard stop kit will provide the boost needed to start the compressor thus reducing amp load which is will be good on you electric bill. And the hest sequencer will allow the condenser fan to start first to free up the refringent and the compressor few seconds later so that the compressor doesnt need to work too hard to get the refringent moving. This also reduces the noise level drasticaly. It's like having a hign end high efficiency unit that runs quite!!!!
It's a good idea to discharge the capacitor before you start plugging in wires to it. It can still be charged even with power off
Just installed two of these and was wondering what the amperage reduction was at start up. Thanks!
Look at th tag on the motor. You'll see max current or just a general amp rating. Then you'll se Running Load Amps (RLA)
Which one I need for a 3.5 ton
Great vid! Have a question for you. I have read reviews on Amazon for hard start kits, where the user says the hard start ruined their compressor and had the major expense of replacing it. Is this possible for a hard start to ruin a compressor? Maybe they installed it incorrectly? Crappy brand? They seem pretty safe watching your vid, but these reviews have frightened me. I want to install a hard start so I can use a generator.
Thank you for your video. It is really what i was looking for. However, my issue is slightly different. I have the hard start kit installed few years ago, and now i want to just change the capacitor. Can i just buy any generic capacitor with the same MFD to replace the old one? Or i need to buy a hard start kit to replace ?
Hi, Great Video! Can these be installed on window AC units? I think 6000 BTUs. My lights flicker and would like to reduce these events. Thanks!!!
I need it for a 5000btu a/c because of amp draw. Im learning not all hardstart kits are the same... some dont lower that initial amp draw at all while some do
What is the amp draw on the unit?
Is the Yellow line you measured amps max the line that goes to the Start terminal on the compressor? I believe so
Man I know I shouldn't but I think of AC techs like car sales men. I just don't trust them. I have a 3 ton unit and it been short cycling forever. I have spent alot of money on different AC service companies but the all say ,Well everything checks out. They say they cleaned this and that. But they leave and the unit starts short cycling again. Yesterday I had enough. I changed every electronic component at the compressor, outside unit. Changed air handler filter and washed and cleaned coils. My unit is working like a champ now. I think upgrading the contactor from a 30amp to a forty amp. May have been the ticket.
My unit had what was called a kick start unit, blue and white wires from relay to capacitor. Is the "kick start unit the same has the hard start unit"
Hey Andy, good to see ya! That's awesome that you got everything going again yourself. A good coil cleaning can do wonders too. Sounds to me like you found your calling in life and should maybe look into being a AC tech haha! There is a hard start kit made by Rectorseal called Kickstart and it does have a blue and white wire so I would guess that was what was on your unit.
What kind of relay was on the unit before you added the hard start kit? Do these commonly not have a start capacitor at all, they just leave the start windings and run cap in parallel with the run windings? Is that what they call a PSC motor?
Hardstart kit does not reduce the peak startup surge current. It does reduce its time length.
Hardstart kit actually slightly increases the peak current. The reason the meter showed lower is because the meter is not capable of representing the correct reading for the shorter current burst period. Most surge mode/peak mode AC clamp on meters requires 0.3 to 0.5 seconds of current pulse time. A hardstart kit can reduce the startup surge period to less than 0.2 seconds.
Which cable did you use the clamp meter on to measure inrush current? Thanks.
What lead did you use to test In Rush current?
Beautiful video, except you did not discharge capacitor before touching.
Thanks for your great videos . I have 1 question I installed a soft start that you recommended can I still install a hard start also and run them as a combo ? Thank you again
Hey Paul, no, can’t run both. If I remember correctly, the soft start instructions talked about if you already had a hard start installed, to remove it. Hope this helps! Thanks for the feedback!
I have a new "MARS" MTx hard start kit, which was bought for my 3 1/2 ton heat pump a year ago. It has only two wires. My house is powered by a transformer that is around 400 feet from the electrical panel, and I am just now, after 20 years of operation, having the lights flicker when the heat pump comes on. Last year I lost the capacitor, and a new one was put in place. I had had the hard start kit when the service guy came, but I couldn't find it.... I owned and operated a sheet metal shop / HVAC company for 19 years. My training was in sheet metal, and load calculation for proper sizing of equipment, thus I always had to have service tech employees...so I am not completely without understanding about these machines. But you showed us the three wire hard start hookup, how about the two wire ones?
6:35: You say, "put the black lead on the common side of the capacitor." It's actually the contactor.
Yes I misspoke but you can see I’m putting it on the contactor.
How do you tell whether single or dual capacitor
I'm curious, I just watched your installation video on soft start kit and then one on you installing the hard start kit a month later. Which one did you end up sticking with for use?
Hey Damien, on my AC I have the soft start kit installed still. I installed the hard start kit on another home as it was a much smaller AC unit with a very large generator so it just needed a little boost to help with everything. Both the hard start and soft start have their place, just depends on the situation.
my ac comprassor is locked so should i instal this kit to start work
Potential Relay must be installed with proper orientation, they will show an arrow or designated to top. If installed incorrectly they will fail to disconnect the starting capacitor from the compressor causing potential failure.
lol 😅
Currently I’m running a hard start ( just moved in two months ago and it was already there ), 4 ton unit/ and the handler is upstairs in the middle of the house. Think it would be ok to switch out to the big daddy soft start I just bought??
Very nice video. What brand is the A/C?
It is a Carrier. Thank you for the feedback!
Would a kit like this have much benefit with a new high efficiency AC? Or is it mainly only good for older units?
If it doesn't already have a hard start kit installed on it and you are wanting to do it for the purpose of using a generator then yes it would benefit that scenario in that it would get the compressor started faster so that a generator could potentially handle it. Some argue that they are good for the compressor regardless.
OK...the black wire of the hard start kit is attached to the terminal with all the other black wires ( as viewed left vs right side of a double-pole relay).....BUT....should the hard start kit black wire be connected on the output side of the contactor ?( top...like you did...to "load")...or...should it have been attached to the incoming line side ( bottom?)....all these are "black" but now I'm asking bottom or top of contactor? And does it even make a difference?
Can you provide the product link? Is it good for 3 tonn AC?
I have the new compressor installed (Inwarranty)in my 4 ton ac. Do you recommand to installa 5-2-1 hard start kit?. I still have 1year warrenty left.(It expires in 2024. ) What is your suggestion for this hard kit?
Where did you put the black wire at?
Would it be possible to somehow add another capacitor and reduce the start up load even more?
I don't think so. A capacitor adds torque by offsetting, rather than supplementing, the magnetic force applied to the rotor. So as long as the capacitor's microfarad capacity is sufficient for the motor there is no advantage to increasing it. At least that's my understanding. You'd probably have to ask an engineer to get a better answer.
I understand that a hard-start kit works not by "reducing the load" but by further advancing the rotation of the magnetic force on the rotor during startup.
I watched your video on installing a soft start kit. I think this may be what I need to do, but I have a related question. You said you first checked the start-up amps using the Inrush feature of your tester. You appeared to be using a Klein Tools Clamp Meter, model CL110, however according to Klein, that model does not have the Inrush feature, nor does the CL800 that is listed in the Amazon link. The CL110 is sold at Home Depot right now for $55, whereas the only one that Klein says will read Inrush, is the CL900 model. That one is listed at 3 times the CL110. I realize this video in over a year old and was wondering if Klein has down graded the features of their meters, or if you had some way of tricking the CL110 into showing Inrush amps?
I enjoy your videos very much and hope you can get the time to shoot me an answer,
Jim F.
Good question. I'm curious about that too
Most of their multi meters have a min max feature that records it for you. It doesn't have in rush listed per se. I think either of the ones you listed would have the min max feature, but didn't check
Will the failure of a hard or soft start kit causes the compressor from starting? If it acts only as an assistant, then the compressor should be able to start from its run capacitor after its failure. Is this true?
Matt, shouldn’t you first discharge the original start capacitor? I thought they all store a hefty voltage charge.
To be on the safe side you should. However they rarely have any charge on them. They should discharge through the windings especially after power has been disconnected. But to be safe you should check.
Had one installed yesterday. In rush was 72 lower it to 21. It also sounds more quiet than before.
Seriously?! Those are awesome results! Did they just install the hard start or did they add a delay as well?
@@HowToHomeDIY just the hard start like you did in the video. The AC guy said that's all I needed
Well looks like he was right. That’s great! Glad you’re all setup now.
"quieter"
@@tripjet999 thanks for the grammar lesson
hi sir….! My capacitor have 4 terminals are common, Herm, Fan, and CPT. So if i would like to install a hard kit . How is wiring . May you help…..! Thanks
How do you know which instructions to go with as far as the type of capacitor type, dual or two pole?
Dual has three sets of terminals. Two pole only has two.
Question - when removing the main capacitor for testing, does the hard-start capacitor need to be jumped/discharged first?
Always safest to discharge the capacitor if it is going to be work on at all. It should not have a charge on it but on rare occasion it can.
Are there any precautions needed to be taken when working around that large capacitor. I saw you cut power to the unit, but don"t those caps hold a high charge for a while?
Hey Louis, the capacitor in some cases can hold a charge but in many cases it will be discharged through the windings on the compressor. But to take precautions you could use a screwdriver for instance and while holding the insulated end, touch the metal end to the terminals on top of the capacitor simultaneously, two terminals at a time, to discharge any energy that may be there. The "correct" way though would be to use a resistor but many use a screwdriver. Hope this helps! Thank you for the question.
@@HowToHomeDIY “
The soft start is better right? Because there’s a 79% reduction of inrush?
Do you recommend a particular brand of kit?
I can't speak for any of the other ones. The one I put in the description is the one I installed and it has worked great. The reviews seemed like the best as well.
I was thinking to install a soft starter to my 1.5 ton AC unit to run it on a solar inverter and reduce inrush current demand, after seeing this video I am wondering if I should do the exact opposite and install a hard starter.
Soft start is better, has Bluetooth
@@carlosreyes6448 where I am, I dont have access to fancy soft starters with bluetooth but I can get a chinees no frills soft starter and possibly hard starter which one do you think is better to reduce inrush current to solar inverter?
@@imac786 micro air easy start, I'm doing the same thing myself. Solar it reduces in, rush by 70 percent. But they are way more expensive. Like 369.00 it's worth it.
@@carlosreyes6448 hmm in little over 370 dollars I can buy a brand new inverter tech air conditioning unit which does not require a soft start. But chinees no frills soft starts which are about 20 dollars can (they claim) soft start my old but good condition air con unit. Soft start tech is in fact really simple so I dont think the eye watering amounts some high end suppliers charge are justified. What do you think
Hard start kits are only to be used on older units that are having a hard time starting. Soft starts are the way to go on newer compressors.
so what is better a 5-2-1 Hard Start Kit or a soft start kit. they both drop the start up current draw
Well a hard start actually increases the inrush but it starts up the compressor faster so it seems as though it lowers it. I personally believe the soft start is the much better option with features that will extend the life of the compressor. A hard start uses more torque to start it up where a soft starter gradually ramps up using just enough power to start it.
So since the original start up amps was at 72, does that mean it would be to much for my generator and 50amp inlet to handle? Meaning it will only work if i install a hard start kit?
Yes correct. More than likely you will need a hard start kit or a soft start kit. Whichever you decide is best for your situation and sized generator.
I just had my 50amp inlet installed .. my house and 3.5 ton ac unit is two years old .. guess I need to find out what the start up amps is before attempting to power it with generator
I have the firman trifuel which I plan to run on natural gas and propane .. give me between 5500 - 6500 of running power .. do you know what may be better? Hard or soft?
Hello...My a/c unit is 41 years old and is beginning to short-cycle. Tech said rotor is beginning to lock up. Offered to install hard start kit @$270, but could not guarantee it would help. I declined. My question is, are all of these kits universal, or do I need to order a specific brand? My a/c is a Heil 3-ton.
For the most part they are universal and just need to look for one that is rated for the size of your AC unit. 3 ton, 4 ton, etc. In your case, it sounds like you need to find one rated for a 3 ton unit. No specific brand is necessary. But definitely just read the description before purchasing to make sure it matches your unit.
@@HowToHomeDIY Thank you for saving me a ton of money!
I have a Lennox 2 stage 1 seer 5 ton unit, the lights dim when it fires on, do I need a hard start kit? Can I even put one in on a 2 stage unit ?
Yes
Same as a single stage , still starts the same
Why does the relay need to be installed in a specific orientation?
That is what the manufacturer stipulates in the install instructions
Question... My existing AC unit has a hard start installed. Would it be a good idea to change it to a soft start like the one in your other video?
It depends on why the hard start was installed. If it’s an older unit that the compressor gets stuck and needs the extra jolt of electricity to get started then I would stay with the hard start as the soft start may or may not be able to start up a compressor like that. If the reason it was installed was to make it easier on a generator and the compressor would start up fine without the hard start connected to it then I always feel the soft start is a better device due to all of the added benefits to it. So don’t know your particular situation but that is kind of a brief overview of what I myself would look for and do.
Surprised you didn't short the cap before wiring.
Typically the cap will be discharged through the windings. I have never had one shock me but it would certainly be a good safety measure to take as they can sometimes still have a charge.
Hi Alan, can I remove this 521 potential relay and I have two capacitors. Can I take out the 521 and convert my 2 ton AC unit to just a dual cab?
Because I’m wanting to put in a soft start kit
I’m wanting to install a new 13.5 k Generator to house.
Some good questions here would be:
Why does the hard-star capacitor get connected to these particular terminals?
Why does it get connected to the existing capacitor instead of directly to the compressor?
Does it work by increasing the angle of force on the rotor? Or by supplementing it?
What is the difference between a hard-start capacitor and the typical start capacitor installed at the factory?
The hard start capacitor is temporarily put in parallel with the run capacitor (only briefly on startup). Since the compressor induction motor is run on a single phase supply, there has to be a created second phase for it to start and run, the second phase created by the aux motor winding and the run capacitor which phase shifts the single phase angle for that one winding. The hard start idea is that the phase angle between the main motor winding and the aux coil winding is increased with increased capacitance, thus more torque at a slow speed. But that hard start capacitor must be removed when running at speed or it will overheat the capacitor, thus the relay cuts it out of the circuit in normal running.
@@jmcbike is a hard start needed when you have a start capacitor or is it just the same thing ?
@@Ryan-dj5ku The hard start capacitor just adds a bit more capacitance to the existing start capacitor. But only for starting- it is removed from the start circuit after starting, unlike the start capacitor which remains in the circuit. Some compressors work fine without the hard start kit. My compressor started fine most of the time without the kit- except when it got hot. Added the kit for peace of mind on those really hot days.
Forgot to tell people to discharge the capacitor. I’ve been lit up when I forget
OK I heard you when you said that the black wire goes to the capacitor I think you meant it goes to the low side of the relay am I right you may have missed spoken there
Yes it goes to the relay
@@carlosreyes6448 alls good
$817 quote... so far parts on amazon $80. Hopefully ill be able to do this myself.
Is Hard Start kit a combination of relay and capacitor inside it ?
It is, two different parts.
@@HowToHomeDIY The capacitor works for the starting up time to boost the compressor and disconnecting it from the circuit ?
What about 3.5 ton it still will work
They do make hard start kits for 3.5 ton units.
Does this kit stay forever or just a few times?
It stays.
I just got robbed. the AC person charged me $311.
Yep. I almost got robbed. The a/c tech that looked at my old a/c unit was going to charge 270 for the hard start kit, and couldn't guarantee it would fix the problem!
It turns out that just cleaning the coils did the trick. Still got popped for $140.
"Look into my eyes..."
Question: I suspect the startup Amp before/after this hard start kit are identical, if you test the black wire Amp.
Price
What’s the difference between a hard start and an easy start??
Only difference is the relay use to remove the start capacitor from the circuit after start. Hard start used a potential relay. Soft(easy) start used a ptc relay. That's literally the only difference. Easy starts cost a lot because the also delay the compressor start to after the fan is on.
It lowered your in rush amps
Like I said in the video, the hard start kit gets the compressor started up a lot faster which in a sense is lowering the in rush. The compressor starts up faster so the inrush doesn't get up as high for as long so allows a generator in many cases to work to start the compressor when normally it wouldn't be able to. Hope this helps.
Been talking to electricians the last few days and no one puts a soft start on. Now what they do is put MAKE AC TIMER and a 5-2-1 compressor saver.
Isn't the start capacitor supposed to be mounted with the terminals up? As per instructions: "Mount the 5-2-1® Kit potential relay and start capacitor in a suitable location within the
electrical box. The potential relay should be mounted with the mounting tab up. The capacitor
should be mounted with the terminals up."
REASON: Most Capacitors are oil filled and could be subject to leakage therefore it is always recommended to minimize the chance of leakage
Never de-energized the capacitor??????
I’m still here.
Is not a Run capacitor , start capacitor it drops out the circuit
If the hard start kit is so good, why didn't the manufacturers include it in their design and original installation?!!!
Actually some ACs do have them already on them. Also, it would only be installed for certain reasons. Say a compressor having a hard time starting or wanting to try and run the AC with a generator. If none of those apply then you don’t need it.
@@HowToHomeDIY Thanks for the answer. I think this is helpful for many homeowners.
They did. They stopped doing it to cut costs.
Isn't a "hard start" kit the same as a "soft start" kit? There are companies trying to sell "soft" start kits for $200-300, and there are "hard" starts from as low as $12. What gives?
No they are not anything alike. A hard start kit gets the compressor running very quickly. A soft start kit starts the fan first, and then it slowly ramps up the amperage to the compressor for it to kick on. The soft start kit in my opinion is far superior for a generator starting up the AC than the hard start but in some circumstances the hard start makes perfect sense. It just depends on the scenario.
The black goes to FAN terminal of capacitor..
No it doesn’t. According to the instructions and wiring diagram, nothing goes on the fan terminal.
@@HowToHomeDIY ok let me look into it again.. Thanks
Just a small mistake, The Black wire from the 5-2-1 Hard Start goes on the "Contactor" Black wire and NOT on the "Capacitor".
Ok I show putting it on the contactor and earlier in the video I not only talk about the the black wire going on the common side of the contactor but point to it and give an in depth explanation. I did not make a mistake when I was installing the black wire I just misspoke and said capacitor instead of contactor but you can see im putting it on the contactor.
FIY... fix it yourself