Adding SPP6 hard start capacitor to Dometic 15000 btu AC

[Captain America]

Can someone point me to a thread about this? I have searched and found threads about coleman and dometic 13500, but not the 15K.

Thinking about adding a hard start.

[Kuba]

Why?

[Captain America]

Because I run AC off generator and any extra start up help won't hurt. It's only $12 and two wire hook up.

Why not?

[ResQfrog]

If I am not mistaken it was installed the same as it was on the 13.5 unit. Did it to ours 2 years ago, and the only thing I remember being different was the box was slightly smaller and it was also a tight fit length wise.

[Learjet]

Are you sure you don't have one already?

[Captain America]

I don't believe so. I only saw one oval shape capacitor. Something like this, I just briefly glanced at it.

[Iwannacamp]

If it has has a three terminal run capacitor... the terminals will be marked on the top of the capacitor. It should have a C term(voltage in... the one to use)), a Herm term(compressor..the one you want to use) and a F terminal(fan... pay no attention to this one). One terminal each goes on the Herm and common terminals. Polarity is not important. If is is a 2 terminal run capacitor then it is easy.

PS: these could be hot(charged). Use your meter to read the OHMS on the terminals several times reversing polarity as you proceed. This will discharge the capacitor safely. Don't forget to turn the power off.

[hbillsmith]

Back in 2015 I called Dometic customer service and asked about adding a Hard Start to my 15K and they said it was necessary because they now are already engineered for Hard Start. I've been running both my 15K and my 13.5K on generator multiple times and have experienced no issues. They seem to run fine. Once, when it was very hot and the 2 units had both cycled down, they attempted to both come back on at the same time. The generator shut down with overload. I restarted the gen, restarted the 15K, waited about a minute or 2 and restarted the 13.5k and they ran all the rest of the day just fine.

Most of the time, we only run 1 A/C at a time. Bedroom 13.5 while we are in the Living Room and then 15K Living Room while we are in the bedroom at night. This puts the noise furthest away.

[Kuba]

Originally Posted by Captain America

Because I run AC off generator and any extra start up help won't hurt. It's only $12 and two wire hook up.

Why not?

What generator do you have? And yes, capacitor will only help.

[mnoland30]

This is what they claim:
Test: 16,000 Btu 115v Compressor
Before: EasyStart installed:
- 72 amps peak inrush current on mains power
- Would not start on Honda 2000i portable generator

After: EasyStart installed:
-32.5 amps peak inrush current on mains power
-Started easily from Honda 2000i portable generator


I'd love to run my 13.5 with my Honda 2000, but would like someone else to confirm that it works before I do.

[Captain America]

I have two Champion 2000w ran in parallel. They do great at start up on Eco mode, but adding a capacitor will help relieve strain off gens.

[Kuba]

I only have one, did you try running ac with one + cap?

[Kuba]

Curious if it would work

[HONDAMAN174]

Just don't do what I did. Really tight fit getting it into the box so I took off the plastic cap and relay and plugged. All was fine until a really hot day and the cap popped. AC doesn't like to start with a blown cap. Now I know what the relay is for. trim the plastic cap down about 1 cm and then install.


2014 Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra "Clifford"

[Soga65]

I did this on Coleman Ac an yes it does help I'm running it on a 3500 watt generator, an yes the generator would run it with out the capacitor,but u could really tell a difference at start up with capacitor, if you take the top of your Ac .an then the small side panel door there will instructions on the back of the panel on adding a hard start capacitor.

[jason_sos]

Originally Posted by mnoland30

This is what they claim:
Test: 16,000 Btu 115v Compressor
Before: EasyStart installed:
- 72 amps peak inrush current on mains power
- Would not start on Honda 2000i portable generator

After: EasyStart installed:
-32.5 amps peak inrush current on mains power
-Started easily from Honda 2000i portable generator


I'd love to run my 13.5 with my Honda 2000, but would like someone else to confirm that it works before I do.

I can't confirm with your particular A/C unit and generator, but I had a problem with my generator (a PowerHouse PH400Ri/E) stalling out when my Brisk Air II (15kBTU) started the compressor. I just installed the EasyStart and it's amazing. Not even once did it stall my generator this past weekend (very humid and hot), and in fact the generator barely even revved up. I wouldn't doubt that your Honda could run your A/C if you get one. I know it's not cheap, but for me it is definitely worth it, rather than having to constantly restart the generator every time the A/C kicks in.

[Captain America]

Can you show how you installed the hard start capacitor? My wiring schematics are faded on the unit. I know it connects to the capacitor on the unit, but what terminals?