Slow start system for air conditioner

RLS7201 wrote:

theoldwizard1 wrote:

time2roll wrote:
The $20 kits are generally an additional start capacitor. These work great on the older models that had none. Most of the newer models already have this feature and the kit would have limited effect.

Without getting into the electrical engineering of AC motors, a larger or an additional starting capacitor could making starting current draw worse !

EasyStart by Micro-Air is a highly recommended soft starter.

Please, if you would, get into electrical engineering and explain to us how additional capacitance will raise AC motor starting current line draw.



Richard

Let's start with the inrush current that goes to charging the capacitor before it delivers the "boost" to the starting windings.

There's also a Youtube video or two actually showing the extra current needed.

Here's another analysisHard start Capacitor vs Soft Start

Also some more information on what a hard start actually does:

Start Capacitors and Inrush, fact and fiction

A hard start capacitor does not reduce inrush or starting current, it just shortens the amount of time the motor remains in "locked Rotor Amperage" speed. Also note in the linked info how most ammeters are not reading the actual starting current but rather the current ~100 ms after startup begins.