Hi John,

The details are at

http://fridgedoctor.com/fridge-docto...ompressor.html

Now, I know this is relating to 120V and not 240V. I intend to look into
whether 240V packs exist etc. Anyway, I'm reproducing below the info off
the above page in case you have problems getting it.


"When a 120 volt split phase compressor is older it sometimes becomes "hard
to start". In the process it sometimes ends up burning out its overload or
start relay, or it can "short cycle" and cause food in the freezer to thaw.
For detailed information on how a compressor is started see the Section
Three article "Compressor Start Relay For Split Phase 120 Volt Compressors".

There is a device on the market that most technicians know about that might
help make it run for a few more years, but very few home owners know about
it. In some cases unscrupulous technicians would rather replace the
compressor than install one of these, simply because there is much more work
and profit in a compressor replacement. So you would otherwise never hear of
it.

The device is called a hard start pack. It is a self contained solid state
device that takes the place of the normal relay and overload mounted inside
the terminal cover on the side of your compressor.

The hard start pack also adds an enhanced feature to the start circuit that
few compressors come with from the factory, and that is capacitance.
Capacitance, when in the circuit across the run and start windings,
temporarily increases the motor's torque during it's start-up phase and also
saves electricity. Typically, a standard 1/4 horsepower compressor that
draws a peak amperage of about fourteen amps during start up, will drop to
nearly half of that with one of these installed. This situation is not only
beneficial to the compressor itself, but to all the contacts in the
electrical devices that control it, such as the cold control and defrost
timer.

So, due to the relatively low cost, availability, and advantages of this
device, at the first sign of trouble such as the compressor cycling on its
overload during start ups, or an original relay or overload burn out,
instead of getting a replacement original device, why not replace the whole
works with one of these? If your compressor still won't start, then you know
for sure the compressor is burnt out and needs replacement. After all, if
you later decide to get the refrigerator overhauled, it would be a good idea
to get the technician to install the hard start pack on your new compressor
while he is doing the overhaul.

There are some different sizes available in hard start packs, so you must
know your compressors horsepower rating and whether or not it uses a run
capacitor, so you get the right one. One common size is rated at 1/12 to 1/5
horsepower, another for 1/4 to 1/3 horsepower, and some newer universal
designs are made for use on all domestic compressors.

Caution! Very Important!
If your refrigerator was manufactured after 1997 the compressor may use a
run capacitor placed between the common and run terminal. You can determine
this by taking a close look at the original starter and the wires going to
it. Most run capacitors are black and about the size and shape of a 9 volt
battery. A special hard start pack that has provisions for the run capacitor
must be used in this case. Why? Operating a compressor that was designed to
use a run capacitor without one will cause the compressor to burn out in
approximately 6 months. The run windings on these newer compressors are not
designed to work without the capacitance." etc ... the page then gives
fitting details.






"John" wrote in message
...
So what is a hard start pack? And what are the benefits?

John