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