onecrazyfoo4u

Yeah, I remember seeing a covered box that was attached to the compressor. I couldn't figure out how to crack it open, but I"ll have to try again.

Were you asking if the compressor casing feels hot while the unit is running? I don't know how to check that, cause the fan would be spinning and I couldn't get my hand in there I don't think. Thanks so much for the help!

kok328

yea, we don't want to loose a hand over this.
see if the compressor casing is hot after letting it run (or at least for a few minutes when you think it should have been running). Be sure to cut power to the unit before sticking your hand on the compressor. Be careful it could be very hot. IF you have a infra-red thermostat, that would be the best way to check it otherwise, you'll have to take the grill off the top to check it. when you do this, the fan will come off w/the grill and make sure you have enough slack in the wires to lift it up enough to get a thermostat (non-infra-red) or your hand in there. Does there seem to be a pattern to when the compressor comes on and when it doesn't?

onecrazyfoo4u

Okay cool, I'll be checking it tomorrow then. I'll check the compressor wires while I'm in there too. I haven't really seen much of a pattern to it, except that it seems to kick on everytime in the evening or morning when it's cooler out. It seems almost impossible to get the compressor to run during the peak hot hours of the day....maybe that's a sign of low coolant?

onecrazyfoo4u

Well, here's an update for those that care. Found out that I actually had a home warranty that came with our house purchase for free. And they cover A/c repair (minus a $55 service fee). So I just called them up, and they were out the next morning. He checked things out for about ten minutes, then instantly knew it was a 'kickstart' or 'hardstart' kit onto the compressor. And it's been working just fine for the past day. He said if this doesn't fix it, then the only other problem would be a compressor replacement.

I looked up these kits, and it looks like it's an additional capacitor that's connected to the existing capacitor to give the compressor some extra amperage when starting. It was having problems firing up, but now it shouldn't.

Companies actually say that these kits will extend the life of your compressor, won't make the lights dim in the house when it cranks on, and will actually save power. Does this sound like a load of bull, or do you guys actually use them? Just trying to see what everyone thinks of the kickstart kits and if they'll work just fine. Don't want any more problems!

onecrazyfoo4u

No input on these kickstart devices? Are they any good, or can they cause harm to the system in the long run? I checked it out and the brand is Kickstart, model KZ-RE-357. Anybody else use these?

jen78200514

Hello,

I came across this thread in a google search and I am wondering if anyone might have some advice on the problem I'm having with my AC. The entire HVAC system was replaced 2 years ago and in that time has worked well. In an attempt to be conscientious about maintenance, we contacted a company to come out and inspect the unit, do any cleaning, etc. as part of a regular check up (in other words, there was no existing problem with the unit). A tech came out and looked everything over and said the system was in great shape, but because the readings seemed a little low he pushed some add'l freon in. The unit was not run again until the next afternoon and after being on for roughly an hour and a half I noticed that the house temp seemed to be going up! At first it did seem to be cooling the air. When I went outside I heard the outside AC unit kicking on for 2 or 3 seconds and then abruptly shutting off. It would do this approx. every 10 seconds. I ran back in the house and shut the AC off. We called the same tech and he came back out and (long story somewhat short) he drained some of the freon, which eventually let the outside unit come on and stay on. Apparently there was too much freon in the system, causing the high-pressure sensor to kick the unit off. So now the outside unit will stay on however, the system is barely cooling the inside air - a reading at the vent was 72 degrees where just the day before it was pushing out 62 degree air! The tech took some electrical readings and suggested that it appeared the compressor was failing. He insisted that "nothing he did the day before caused the current problems".

Can you please offer an opinion on this? I am FAR from knowledgeable about HVAC systems but it seems to me that if he pushed in too much freon, which put the system in high-pressure, which caused the compressor to kick on and off every 10 seconds for 1.5 hours that that could cause damage to the compressor - or the system as a whole. Another tech is going to have to come out to diagnose the problem (first tech was not able to) and I know that they will expect payment for diagnostic and repair, however I am concerned because IMO if they caused the damage, why do I have to pay to repair it?

Opinions and advice are appreciated.