A/C dimming lights for a second when powered on.

[Syllinx]

I only know that the a/c is at least 10 years old and the lights were dimming at first when we moved in. I replaced the capacitor and lights stopped dimming for 3 days. I made sure everything in house was off during testing. Hvac tec came out for free just to test capacitor and said I installed it correctly and it is fine. That is all he would check for free since we are new in town. He suggested a hard start kit. Installed the kit and it quit dimming lights for 2 days this time. Any idea what might be going on? Sadly breaker box is listed as 150 and I was told we should have 200 for when everything was turned on. During testing I had all computers unplugged and fridge.

 

[billshack]

as electric motors get older the insulation starts to break down. most compressors are guaranteed for 5 years . Electric motors draw 10 times their normal current when starting . I assume this is a central unit of 3-5 ton ?