A/C on the fritz.....will new one need hard start kit

[DGBPokes]

The '07 Dometic Penguin 2 AC- Heat-pump went bad yesterday. First it popped the breaker, I then reset the breaker, the unit would hum, but never sounded like it would kick in so I turned it off. Luckily the rear unit is working. The rear unit looks like it was replaced by the previous owner.Today, it does nothing.

Looking on the web, in case I need to buy a new unit , I developed a couple of questions:
1. I see we're a guy added a " hard start kit". I question if that would be necessary on my KSDP since it has the delay start system on the rigs electrical system.

2. The same guy added a large heat coil. a) would that not require a larger new wiring requirement. B) not interface cleanly with the existing thermostat- controller. C. How cost effective is that as compared to a box heater.

[tom chelbana]

That would be a good idea to add the hard to start kit. We were just add a Newmar rally and one of the owners showed the kit and said that if the AC unit kicks on but the compressor just won't kick in then the start kit is most likely the problem.

[Dutch Star Don]

"DGBPokes".....Years ago I had an issue with my Dometic Duo therm. The reversing valve, a small solenoid, quit and my A/C would only operate in heat mode. I was pretty sure that the valve was bad, but new that there were a couple of other capacitors, start capacitors, that can go bad. I'm certainly NOT an A/C guy, but I decided it was worth the money to replace the start capacitors and reversing valve before buying a new one. I ordered the parts from PPL Motors, parts department. You can take your A/C model number and plug it into their website and it will show all the parts they sell for your A/C unit. I bought the capacitors and opened my unit up. I was surprised to see that Dometic clamped the large capacitor down so tight that it crushed the capacitor. I replaced all three parts and the A/C unit is still working as far as I know.

If you can find the parts at a reasonable price, I would take a shot at repair. I wouldn't order a hard start kit though. I believe those are for units that people want to try and run two A/C's on less than optimal amperage.

Lastly, a capacitor is like a battery. It stores power and than suddenly releases it. Be careful handling the old capacitors as they can have a load stored waiting to release and will knock you on your butt.