I have a Duo Therm Brisk Air on my '95 Coachmen fifth wheel. Two weeks ago, I replaced the start capacitor. This capacitor doesn't seen to have the chip thing on top and the whole a/c bursts to life when I turn it on. All was well, except I turned the A/C off and tried to turn it on a few minutes later. Just some groaning. It took a couple hours before it would turn back on. This situation repeated itself a couple times, then seemed to resolve itself. Now, when when the compressor wants to cycle off, both fan and compressor power way down, sounding much like it did when the start capacitor was not working. It will not power back up. Right now, it has been off for about an hour. I just checked, and it won't start.If it repeats yesterday, the A/c should start up just fine in the morning, then when the compressor wants to cycle off, the whole thing will power down.Any ideas?

I hate to be Bearer of Bad News, but here's my take on your statements:Your compressor is failing.I think the compressor can start when it's cold. When it runs till it cycles, it gets hot enough to bind it up. After an extended period, it cools enough to be able to start again. This will take extra time if you don't do something to get the power away from it, because it'll try to start and cycle out on its own built in "Klixon" safety device. Get a clamp-on AC ammeter (Harbor Freight $20 one will be just fine). Read the tag on the compressor. It'll have Start Amps, Run Amps, and Locked Rotor Amps. You probably won't be able to meter it for Start, since that's a fast surge and many meters won't trap that. But once it starts, you should see the Run amps. My guess is that Run amps will be above the plate spec. But then when it's groaning, you'll see Locked Rotor Amps and that's what shouldn't be.That or... Possibly defective or wrong application on the capacitor(s) or hard start kit.And I hope I'm wrong. See my comments on other recent A/C issues and I usually suspect the Capacitor.

Because I am not afraid of public shaming, I will have to say I guessed when I put in the new capacitor. It was different from the old one, so I put the red wire with the red cluster and the red-and-white wire in the space left over.

You cannot install a start capacitor without a start device to take it out of the circuit. It is likely the new start capacitor has simply failed. Either get the OEM start kit, or an aftermarket one like the Supco SPP6 or SPP6E.

Quote:I turned the A/C off and tried to turn it on a few minutes later. Just some groaning.-------------------------------------------------------------You know that this is normal for a few minutes ?But it should fire up in 10 minutes or so.

Chris, I went to Camping World armed with the A/C's serial and model number and this is what they gave me. It looked like the original start capacitor I had, then replaced with a Supco. Did they give me the wrong thing? RJ, yes, this is different groaning.

A/C powers down, won't power back up | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013
OK- I would start at the beginning and check all connections from the breaker to the air conditioner. It sounds like you are loosing power somewhere.
NanHenson
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
Yes, I looked it up on line and it came as pictured.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013
That part number should have a capacitor, start device and 2 wires-

The Supco SPP6, 6E, or even 4 should work fine though.
NanHenson
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
The Supco came from an A/C supply place in my hometown.

The sku is 9108719854. It says, "kit, svc motor starter" but the only thing in the envelope was the capacitor.

The manufacturer's part number is 3310727.007

Just looked it up on line and that is it.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013
What part number did they sell you? And where did the Supco come from?
NanHenson
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
So, my best bet is to get a different capacitor? That's more than a little annoying, since I went to Camping World with the Supco clutched in my hot little hand and they said they would only sell me one if I had the serial and model number of my A/C. A second 30 mile round trip and this is what they gave me. AND it was 40 bucks!

I am going to start doing my own groaning!
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013
The start capacitor is one thing, but it must have another part in the circuit- that chip type device (though the new ones are a bit larger). These work by heating up, which stops the current from flowing through them, taking the start capacitor out of the circuit.
The Supco has this built in.
NanHenson
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
Chris, I went to Camping World armed with the A/C's serial and model number and this is what they gave me. It looked like the original start capacitor I had, then replaced with a Supco. Did they give me the wrong thing?

RJ, yes, this is different groaning.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
Quote:
I turned the A/C off and tried to turn it on a few minutes later. Just some groaning.
-------------------------------------------------------------
You know that this is normal for a few minutes ?
But it should fire up in 10 minutes or so.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013
You cannot install a start capacitor without a start device to take it out of the circuit. It is likely the new start capacitor has simply failed. Either get the OEM start kit, or an aftermarket one like the Supco SPP6 or SPP6E.

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A/C powers down, won't power back up

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