Supco SPP6 Hard Start Kit

First the background information: I couldn't get my 13.5 btu AC unit on my 5th wheel trailer to start/run while using my brand new 3300 watt generator. Within 1-5 seconds of starting the AC unit, the generator's overload would trip and shut down the AC unit, or the AC circuit breaker would trip. Either way I couldn't run my AC while using generator power. I even tried other people's generators (of greater power) to no avail. The RV service center said I needed a new AC unit to the tune of $1200, plus installation. Others tried to sell me bigger and more expensive generators. I ordered this hard start capacitor from amazon for around $12. It took less than 2 minutes to install. It actually took longer for me to climb up on the roof of my 5th wheel and take off the AC cover than it took to install the hard start capacitor. I started my generator and turned on the AC unit. The AC immediately started and continued to run for about a half hour before I manually turned it off. By the way, the outside temperature was around 95 degrees F at the time of this test and the inside temp was well over 100 degrees F. Two weeks later we took the 5th wheel on a week long camping trip. The day time temps ranged from upper 80's to the low 90's. I ran the AC unit using generator power for several hours a day over the course of several days. The AC would cool down the inside of the 5th wheel and the cycle on and off as necessary without problem. I have since used the AC on generator power a couple more times during temperatures rang from upper 90's to 100 degrees F. Needless to say, I'm more than completely satisfied with his product. Simple and fast installation. Works exactly as advertised. I have already recommended this product to many people.

This hard start capacitor works great and was pretty easy to install my self. There was not much in the way of instructions but there are lots of instruction videos to be found online that helped.

This literally saved the life of a central AC system (3 Ton 220V). Two contractors before me came to look at it, and gave the same diagnosis (bad compressor, entire system needs to be replaced $6000). I looked at this system as a favor to the homeowner, since someone else was messing with it, the first thing I did was recover the refrigerent, evacuate, and recharge to factory spec, then I saw The problem was the compressor would not start, every time the system called for cooling, it would hum for 2seconds and kick off on thermal overload protector. I installed this about 3 months ago, and the compressor started right up, and unit began cooling immediately. Unit has been running all season every day with no issues since installation. If you have a compressor that is not starting (thermal overload shutdown), its definitely worth a $20 gamble to try one of these. If you have a system that is simply "not getting cold", you need to do a little more troubleshooting before messing with one of these. Update 6-14-2015 - unit is still running good as new a year later! If you have a compressor that is not starting because it is cutting out on thermal overload (5 second hum then click), this is worth the gamble to try and save it.

I just installed this yesterday on my 2011 Skyline Nomad Joey travel trailer with 13.5K BTU Dometic AC unit. wish I would have done this years ago. I bought a Honda 2000i generator several years back and was never able to get the AC to work on the Honda 2000i Generator due to Overload. But once I installed this Supco SPP6 Hard Start Kit (connected to the Red and White wires respectively) I turn on the generator, then set the AC it to 68 degrees; you then hear the generator Rev hard for 1 second; and cool air stars blowing. Its amazing. I am headed up to central california camping this weekend, we wont have full hookups, and we are expected to have 100+ degrees. I will provide an updated review to let you all know how it goes.

Our 2010 York HVaC (2 units) kept tripping the breaker. Went through the checklist of possibilities. Replaced the breaker at box. Had our hvac co out. He tested everything on both units and said the hard start was blown. Replaced it with this exact product. 45min Total for them to come out, troubleshoot and replace/install this $385. This is actually a pretty good deal compared to many posts on this install!?! Definitely do your homework if you’re going 100% diy…there are a lot of things to consider you might overlook that pros know. But as far as buying a quality product that supports your $8000-$15000 HVAC. I highly recommend this. Unfortunately ours tripped the breaker again the next day so this wasn’t the only issue. I Ordered this for the other/main unit which is on the same breaker and didn’t have a hard start. Took my husband 20 minutes to install. For a $15-$20 part that will safeguard from surges I’m adding this to our normal maintenance list for the house. Checking it at least annually and/or replacing every few years. Deeper Problem for ours ended up being melted/burnt terminals at compressor which my husband found after taking the whole thing apart. Even with that going on, I’m still glad I learned about hard starts and was able to buy this one at a great price.

My AC wasn't cooling the house, but my compressor was humming slightly, so I assumed it was running the best it could, but was just too old and worn out to cool the house. I thought a hard start kit was just for getting the compressor started. But, after trying all the other common fixes to no avail, I prayed and decided to try the hard start kit anyway. IT WORKED! Apparently, "humming" does not necessarily mean it is running. It can also mean it is TRYING to start, but simply can't. After the VERY EASY installment, I flipped all the switches back on and the compressor started up and was humming a little louder, but very smoothly. The house is cool again! Praise God!! The bonus is that, after being spoiled with 72°F for years, then going two weeks without AC and enduring indoor heat indexes of well over 90°F, we have adjusted and learned that 78°F is quite comfortable, even in South Carolina. So, we're saving money now!

Replaced the old kicker with this unit when I installed a new capacitor. AC working great now and is quieter now too.

I ordered this because my AC wasn't reliably starting up. I assume my compressor is on it's way out, with any luck it at least gets me through the season. Install took all of 5 minutes and I was up and running. I'm not sure I'd put this on a new ac unit but on a 12 yr old clunker like mine it's a no brainer. It's cheap and it works. It doesn't have a potential relay, instead relying on a PTC these are pretty reliable but if it were to ever fail open it would destroy your compressor. Most AC manufacturers have a hard start kit with a pot relay, none are using this so my conclusion is on a new AC using the factory hard start kit or at the minimum a quality equivalent 5-2-1 setup is a good idea on equipment that has a lot of life left. My ac is on borrowed time so for about $10 and 5 minutes I have extended it's life further. If your ac isn't starting it's worth a try.