Ac Relay ?

[tinman7]

Wondering if anyone knows where I could get a start relay for my 76 overlander armstrong ac? Went looking local but no luck.I replaced the start capactior and it didn't start so I jumped the realy and the compressor started and got cold. I dont know if I could just by pass this or what...any thoughts? Frank

[smily]

Most likely, the breaker will trip if you wire straight through.

Capacitor is intended to store voltage and release as a burst to overcome the slow start and subsequently trip your overload protection.

Smily

[tinman7]

Thanks Ken, I don't think I explained it well enough. The capacitor is fine its the relay thats shot.I guess its like a switch to energize the ac and not the heat strip and then when the t-sat ask for heat it will switch to that or off?
I dont need the heat so maybe there is a different switch that I could use.
Frank

[jaco]

Heat strip ???

I did not know the Armstrongs had such a thing.

Please tell me more.

Thanks
jaco

[tinman7]

I guess you could call it heating element.It dosen't do much but it will take the chill out of place.It works from the same armstrong t-stat thats all I know...
Frank

[TomW]

Originally Posted by tinman7

Wondering if anyone knows where I could get a start relay for my 76 overlander armstrong ac? Went looking local but no luck.I replaced the start capactior and it didn't start so I jumped the realy and the compressor started and got cold. I dont know if I could just by pass this or what...any thoughts?

If you are looking at what I think you are, a better name might be "A/C main relay". Most thermostats work off of 24 vac supplied by a small transformer located somewhere on the A/C unit (Davidz71 knows where it is). When the thermostat signals 'cooling', 24 vac is sent to the main relay, whose contacts close, and supply 120 vac to the compressor.

Any store that sells HVAC and/or appliance parts should have a replacement relay, although it might not be physically the same size. Make note of how much room you have to play with, and take the old relay with you. The relay contacts will be rated in either amps@120 VAC, or horsepower. If you're lucky, the rating is stamped on the relay. If you're not, get a relay rated at at least 15 amps @ 120vac or 2-1/2 hp.

But then again, you might be looking at something else altogether
Tom

[Inland RV Center, In]

Tinman7

We have the start relays for the Armstrong AC's.

Andy

[tinman7]

Andy,Thanks for the reply.I picked up a single pole 30 amp relay at a local electric store,they were not sure if it would it would work.I put it in and the unit kicked in and seamed to work fine. I hope this part is ok and not cause harm. What do you think?
Frank