I believe that the capacitor actually gives the phase shift necessary to
cause a single phase motor to start in a particular direction. I could be
wrong.




"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
OK, this is only partly on topic because the refrigerator is in our
kitchen but cut me some slack for my contributions to boat design.
Besides, any of us that have electric motors with large starting loads
should learn something and I don't know where else to ask.

Our two year old Amanna refrigerator went into constant no-start, thermal
trip, cool down , start attempt, thermal trip cycle. Good by $200 worth of
food.

The repairman took out the starting module which is about one and a half
inches square and put in a much larger unit which is mostly a big honking
capacitor. He said that the new freon gas is causing problems with
compressor lubrication and it just needs an extra boost. Since the "Hard
Start Module" (they call it) overdrives the motor, they can't leave it in
long term and have to come back and replace the compressor. It's under
warranty but we pay labor.

I always thought the capacitor in a motor start unit made the start easier
on the motor. The fridge certainly seems to start easily now, you can't
even hear it. I've done some research and the compressor and starter unit
they will put in will be identical to what we had.

This sure feels like a design issue and marginal starter unit to me. I
think we might be better off just leaving it as it is now with the nice
big capacitor to get it turning.

Any (informed) advice?

(I can make up all the wise ass comments I need all by myself.)

--

Roger Long