The 5-2-1 Compressor Saver® (aka Hard Start Kit) is only to be installed by a licensed air conditioning technician or electrical technician. Each 5-2-1 Compressor Saver® package has a schematic to help technicians install the device properly. In addition to these instructions below, air conditioning companies and air conditioning technicians please consult our Technical Installation Video.
5-2-1 Compressor Saver®
Technical Info
GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Only trained and qualified personnel should install this kit. Most states require the installer to be licensed. Please check with your local government agency
DANGER - ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD
Only trained and qualified personnel should install this kit. Most require the installer to be licensed. Please check with your local government agency.
DANGER - ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD
Only trained and qualified personnel should install this kit. Most states require the installer to be licensed. Please check with your local government agency.
CAUTION - EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
Failure to properly install this kit can and will cause permanent damage to the compressor and related components
NOTES
1) Disconnect all sources of power to the unit. Note that there may be more than one.
2) Locate and remove the electrical service access door or panel.
3) Mount the 5-2-1 Kit potential relay and start capacitor in a suitable location within the electrical box. The potential relay should be mounted with the mounting tab up. The capacitor should be mounted with the terminals up. Take care to mount the components so that all non-insulated live terminals are at least 1/2″ away from all metal or electrical conducting parts or components. Mount in a location that will prevent water from coming in contact with the non-insulated live contacts.
The 5-2-1 Compressor Saver® has been pre-wired for your convenience. There are only 3 color coded wires which need to be connected. The Black wire will be connected to the Common side of the compressor. The Striped wire will be connected to the Start winding of the compressor and the Red wire will be connected to the Run winding of the compressor.
When weakened, your run capacitor and system can use 10% to 20% more electricity than before!
For example, let’s look at the picture on the right. From the plate we can determine from the model number that we have a 5 ton air conditioner and from the Compressor R.L.A that compressor will draw around 28.9 amps when running.
Therefore, just a 10% degradation is 2.89 additional amps.
To determine the additional cost, we need to determine how much additional power is being used. To determine the power we multiply by the amps by the voltage, typically 230 volts for an air conditioner.
Remember
5, 2, 1, = Common, Start, Run.
“5” Common – Connect the loose end of the Black wire to T1 of the contactor. Check to see that the Common “C” terminal of the compressor also connects to T1. In most cases you will find a Black wire coming from the Common “C” terminal of the compressor.
“2” Start – Connect the loose end of the Striped wire to the Start winding side of the run capacitor. The Start winding side of the run capacitor is always marked “HERM”. The Start winding side of the run capacitor can also be verified by following the yellow or orange or blue wire (in most cases) from the compressor “S” terminal to the Start winding side of the run capacitor.
“1” Run- Connect the loose end of the Red wire to the Run winding side of the compressor. The Run winding is connected to T2 of the contactor as well as the common side of the run capacitor which is usually marked with a “C” or “=”. The Run winding can be identified in most cases by a Red wire coming from the R terminal on the compressor. The Red wire from the 5-2-1 start kit is normally connected at the “C” or “=” terminal on the run capacitor, but can also be connected to T2 of the contactor. See the illustration below.
