PTC Compressor Start Assist, How It Works, Testing!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Support- www.patreon.com/acservicetech Tool List- www.amazon.com/shop/acservicetech For those that are looking for the tools used in the videos: (Linked Below) Appion Valve Core Removal Tool amzn.to/2uYr8WL UEI DL479 Multimeter with temp sensor amzn.to/2jtsUbJ Blue Vapor Yellow Jacket Gauge- amzn.to/2Ju7pan Red Liquid Yellow Jacket Gauge- amzn.to/2sSFmGH Quick Coupler for the Gauges- amzn.to/2sTk8Ze JB Test Gauge High Side- amzn.to/2ruQb0l JB Test Gauge Low Side- amzn.to/2qR0utM Manual Copper Tube Swage/Expander- amzn.to/2WRPa1M Uniweld Hydraulic Swaging Tool- amzn.to/2MlrI8m Uniweld Swage and Flare Kit- amzn.to/2T55jyn Ameriflame Oxy Acetylene Torch Setup- amzn.to/2SRm3JF #2 Tip for Oxy Acetylene Torch- amzn.to/2SPDaeD Cap-N-Hook Tip for Oxy Acetylene- amzn.to/2MbhpUk Air Acetylene Torch Setup- amzn.to/2aQalsb 15% Silver Brazing Rods- amzn.to/2gVLyLc Nitrogen Regulator- amzn.to/2bXdR5f Nitrogen Flow Meter- amzn.to/2brvoBg NitroVue Flow Reg- amzn.to/2MiulYv Ultrasonic Leak Detector- amzn.to/2Lw4Zpr UEI DL479 Multimeter with temp sensor amzn.to/2jtsUbJ Magnet Jumpers- amzn.to/2PyKPQZ Alligator Jumpers- amzn.to/2PxqJXn Fieldpiece ST4 Dual Temp Meter amzn.to/2wc1ME3 Fieldpiece Bead K Type Temp Sensor amzn.to/2DBwKfs Fieldpiece Wet Bulb Temp Sensor amzn.to/2RRI7Tw Fieldpiece TC24 Temp Clamp amzn.to/2qHLyjZ Yellow Jacket Refrigerant Gauge Set amzn.to/2aenwTq Refrigerant hoses with valves amzn.to/2aBumVI Yellow Jacket Gauge set & hoses amzn.to/2vLVkV9 Yellow Jacket 4 Port Manifold w Hoses amzn.to/2BkuGIq FieldpieceSMAN360 Digital Manifold Set amzn.to/2BdoaD4 FieldpieceSMAN460 Digital Manifold Set amzn.to/2nB4Fe6 Compact Ball Valve for Refrigerant Hose amzn.to/2KUisW8 QuickDisconnect 90 for refrigerant hose amzn.to/2MMtVcg JB 6 CFM Vacuum Pump amzn.to/2nqbvo8 Appion Blue 3/8" to 1/4" Vacuum Hose amzn.to/2uYlVyc Appion Red 3/8" to 1/4" Vacuum Hose amzn.to/2uYg6Ro Appion Valve Core Removal Tool amzn.to/2uYr8WL Yellow Jacket 1/4" by 1/4" hose amzn.to/2umtcod CPS Vacuum Micron Gauge amzn.to/2v1nM3O Supco Vacuum Micron Gauge amzn.to/2v1JRiA RectorSeal Bubble Gas Leak Detector amzn.to/2ckWACn UEI DL389 Multimeter amzn.to/2xAdaJf Other tool links can be found in the video description section. Shop through Amazon! Your Purchases through Amazon provide a means for channels such as mine to earn advertising fees from all purchases after clicking through. Prices are the same as normal- www.amazon.com/shop/acservicetech

[@WaffleStaffel]

Thanks, this helps to picture how it works. Can I replace a thermistor starter with a hard start capacitor kit, or do I need to have the thermistor in the circuit? I have a mini fridge which stopped running, it just hums. If I manually connect the start & run winding, then immediately disconnect the start, my compressor starts, so I know it's not seized.

[@jollyscaria1922]

Ptc realy electroines over lord type

[@jollyscaria1922]

Potaley rely compressar rung starting relay power giveing runing point statring is pluger strating come protaional come point methad capater us runing starting point.. electroins rely ptc line give come potacting ..

[@BartSimpson-nr1dy]

I’ve watched just about every HVAC channel here on utube, and certainly we don’t know one another, I have nothing to gain by saying this but you, in my humble opinion are the best. You make a professional video and your explanations are most thorough and accurate.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thank you very much Bart, I really appreciate you taking the time to write that! They certainly do take a lot of time to make so thank you!

[@BartSimpson-nr1dy]

AC Service Tech LLC - I realize you put a lot of time and money into these videos. I just subscribed to your Patreon channel. I very much wish I could contribute more but maybe as I hope to succeed in this industry I can contribute more. May God keep you safe in your leisure and work and thank you again for all your wonderful videos.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Bart I just saw you chose to support the Channel through Patreon! I really appreciate that! If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail] thanks again!

[@Grumpyoldtwit]

I might be being a tad pedantic, but I feel I need to correct you slightly. You say that the PTC thermistor reaches a certain temperature and 'disconnects' the start winding. That's not completely true. The resistance of the thermistor rises to a point where there is minimal current flowing through it (and consequently, the start winding), but there is still current flowing through it. It is this trickle current that maintains the temperature of the thermistor, effectively keeping the start winding out of the game. We call these things solid state relays in Australia. Despite all of the above, I like your videos and I will be using some of them in my classes now that I have to teach from my living room. All my examples are in my classroom and I'm not allowed access. Thank %&@# for KZbin...

[@kwiz8848]

Finally someone that can explain how a ptc functions 👍

[@acservicetechchannel]

Ha ha, glad to help, thanks!

[@digger105337]

Thanks for taking the mystery out of the little gadget. The HVAC forums most misunderstood device. Most techs remove it and add a hard start kit, claiming it does nothing or is a cheap way the mfg did a hard start. It's actually an elegant way to solve the problem, with a safety valve built-in. It's a smart hard start.

[@JuanTodoli]

Your videos are extremely useful to recognize some old school parts we see in the field. Thank you so much for filming and the cristal clear explanations. 👍

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot Juan!

[@dp6736]

Thanks to your video I trouble shoot my Samsung refrigerator. I had brunt out compressor over load which cost me $15 and of course whole day including few trips to store. But, I fixed it. Thank you very much.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks D P!

[@MohammadAbouBasha]

Very informative, and some how short. I like videos like this one, focus on the function of something and trying it while running. Thumbs up!

[@OneComputerNerd]

Excellent video! Like others have mentioned, hands-down the best video to explain how this works and how to test it. Thank you thank you thank you! We greatly appreciate the time and effort you put in for this one!

[@samuelvalenzuela4541]

The best explanation of this devices, wise man

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot Samuel!

[@ejohnfall]

Thank you sir for your excellent teaching we support you 100%

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thank you for your support ejohnfall!

[@vernroach3413]

Thanks again for what you do...I knew what they were for, but not exactly how they worked...Now I do.

[@acservicetechchannel]

I'm glad you found the video informative!

[@raulgarcia528]

Gracias amigo eres muy profesional en tus comentarios, ahora entiendo que el termistor sirve solo para el arranque del compresor y que depende del HP del compresor será mayor el termistor que se use. Thanks

[@jimmyegg4566]

You explain it better then my teacher

[@acservicetechchannel]

Glad to help Jimmy!

[@Chris-uh3cm]

Great vid! And awesome of you to include that Danfoss learning site !

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Chris!

[@kosworkshop]

Great video! I learn something from all of your videos even if it's something I forgot. Thanks!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot K Wood!

[@sparemanedel5464]

Thank you,, a million thanks,, now its clear to me how PTC relay works. Wow for years,, he he.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Glad to help!

[@drspastic]

if you keep your fridge somewhere that gets cold in winter the ptc can fail to get hot enough to function. fridge will then get warm and defrost. also if you get regular power interruptions you will get a stalled motor. over time it cooks off the refrigerant. best to remove the PTC and build a simple circuit from 2 relays and a capacitor and the guts of a phone charger. final relay switches power to the start coil for a fraction of a second. timed my a capacitor across the relay coil. psu connects in parallel with the thermostat. you can work out the rest, or if you cant then maybe don't try. i mod all my devices like this for instant reliable restarts. cost is under 5 dollars. in Europe nearly all freezer and fridge come with ptc. inverters are best but are silly money.

[@martindekkers4847]

I pulled apart a PTC relay after measuring it's faulty (open circuit when cold). All parts look pristine and the whole freezer hasn't been used much so far. I really like the idea with changing this unreliable PTC relay out with normal relay(s) and a simple timer or other trick! In the end a $20 part failure is easily responsible for a $200 loss when all meat in the freezer starts thawing. Would be nice to hear more details! Did you use the phone charger as a timer to disconnect the start capacitor after about half of a second?

[@blackishpariah]

Top notch training here

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Kenneth!

[@Pretzel114]

Awesome video Craig! Really great demo. Thanks!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot Nick!

[@scottk0623]

Excellent presentation.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thank you kindly!

[@brad346326]

Great video and explanation many tanks

[@acservicetechchannel]

Glad you liked it!

[@Eddy63]

Another fine explanation Craig ... You should be an instructor ... Lol ...Good vid ...

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Eddy, I am a licensed Teacher of HVACR, Sheet Metal, and General Maintenance in the State of New Jersey, thanks for the note!

[@hvacdoc2338]

Craig where do you teach in NJ? I’m from NJ. Would be nice to take a course.

[@YTsux24-7]

Good topic and presentation Craig sir!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Tomon8tor!

[@HVACUncensored]

Great video as always Craig!!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks HVAC Uncensored!

[@bauhnguefyische667]

Well done as usual.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Laughing Jester!

[@mbxcool7980]

Very informative clip Thank you very much How much watt power in your lamp in this test??

[@jimaragon2110]

60 watt bulb

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes 60 Watt, thanks Mohamed and Jim!

[@PVflying]

Ps. I always thought compressor hard start kits use NTC relays, so discovering there’s a PTC thermistor in that Supco SPP5 was something of surprise!

[@michaeldower5619]

Great video. Thank you

[@njiefrancis3209]

Good morning sir, thanks for your videos. My compressor off and on please I have check the compressor is fine what could be the issue thanks

[@wasimedoo7994]

Thanks very good information bro

[@kareemhameed4042]

Can any PTC relay and overload work on any refrigerator designed for it?

[@SombraLocs]

Great video!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Familia Sanchez!

[@fatehhammouda3756]

God bless you ....thank you

[@acservicetechchannel]

May The Lord Bless You Too Fateh! Thanks and Glad to Help!

[@fatehhammouda3756]

@@acservicetechchannel thank you my brother To your trouble

[@saidahmed6299]

good work thank you

[@acservicetechchannel]

So nice of you

[@acestu]

Hi Craig, what is the cooling down period on these positive coefficient thermistors and how does it effect starting and stopping the compressor in a short time period. Cheers Stuart

[@acservicetechchannel]

Usually 3-5 minutes, thanks

[@jimbola77]

Excellent video thank you for sharing their partner!!!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Glad to help Jimbola77!

[@aijazahmed9113]

Nice , but l want to run an room heater with the ptc thermistor pl.

[@hungng6918]

Thank you very much. Your instruction helped me to understand more about compressor Start Assist. I have one question, can you help me explain, please. The Goodman 3 tons (without heat pump), the compressor runs with start assist (305C20 Cera-Mite). When the condenser fan runs for around 5 minutes, then the compressor starts. May I substitute 305C20 Cera-mite with Hard Start Kit SPP6? I appreciate your kindness.

[@sparemanedel5464]

Can you explain about circuit with potential relay, start capacitor and run capacitor, how they energize the compressor,, this circuit I saw when I open a ice cream machine. From Philippines.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Look up "acservicetech ptc relay" thanks I did a video on that!

[@shawncheecham9725]

Hey I have a bad cera-mite start assist cap, is there any good replacement? I cannot find one that won't be shipped for a few weeks plus expensive

[@mfc111]

Hello, I was wondering what would cause a PTC relay to shatter. Ive read electrical surge or compressor motor failure but was curious if there are other reasons and what the most common was.

[@alim6583]

hi buddy... i want to know what capacitor do in refrigerator because in my refrigerator factory put cap parallel with ptc. thanks in advance.

[@OcRefrig]

Good vid !

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks a lot OC! I appreciate it!

[@gearstil]

Great video! One question : When the PTC thermistor gets hot, it interrupts the current to the starting coil. But interrupting the current, the thermistor will become cold again. So how is the coil not being energized again?

[@acservicetechchannel]

It will have an extremely high resistance value and will keep that value since it is a small load until the power is off and that is when it cools

[@gearstil]

@@acservicetechchannel I got it, thank you!

[@adamwiseman1906]

Excellent video and question answers, than you from the UK

[@danfratamico]

For the PTC thermistor that has two inside, is one for the fan and one for the compressor? If so, how does it get wired?

[@paulb9769]

I thought it was just a thermal cut off the bi metal type that resets itself when it cools? So if it is a resistor there must be more circuitry needed? I am a bit confused.

[@samuelhuey5439]

If your system is over charged can it cause the ptc to fail?

[@galimardani8022]

I by passed the ptc thermistor today due to it being burnt out and suppliers where closed, would it do any harm to the unit??

[@adamsorell4851]

I bypassed the ptc .i jumped start and run together.is that ok or will it cause overload?

[@rickl6697]

Can you test it out of the circuit by heating it with a heat gun or hair dryer while reading the ohms across it,? Could you read the voltage across the PTCR while the unit is running, and when it opens wouldn't the voltage across(drop) rise? I'm trying to test my two rooftop A,/Cs on my RV. Thanks for explaining this device.

[@zoidelux]

Can you explain the multitap ones more? Like why there is a yellow jumper connecting both ends? I see these on package units. Also, do some compressors not have a drop relay at all? I feel like I've seen them without, i get rusty in the winter, i only work on AC during summer here lol

[@zoidelux]

Yea most compressors I've seen just have a run cap in the start winding, what makes other compressors need a drop relay when they don't even have start caps?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Hey Ryan, the multi-tap ones are simply trying to reduce the resistance value while using 2 larger ptc thermistors inside. Nothing else special about them other than there is two inside of one shell so don't let the extra wires fool you. On larger systems such as residential ac or heat pumps, these are used to cut out the start capacitor. You will only see some 120v compressors without the start capacitor. It is just about getting the voltage to the start winding in the beginning. This in itself would be a good topic to cover in the future, thanks Ryan!

[@zoidelux]

Could you please do a video on how to add oil to a compressor? :)

[@acservicetechchannel]

Ryan thanks for letting me know what you would like to see!

[@zoidelux]

@@acservicetechchannel Of course, I was just searching and not finding any good quality video on oil adding and best practices, something i need to learn. Also, semi hermetic content? For people like me only 4 years in the trade with mostly residential experience, Im trying to learn about older semi hermetic systems I have to service, not much info on those either. Just nice to see video from good techs like you explain and show it versus only reading things from a book. Thanks again and take care!

[@acservicetechchannel]

I just did one video on cutting open a reciprocating, scroll, and rotary compressor. Just search "acservicetech reciprocating, scroll, and rotary compressor". Normally we don't have to add oil unless you are pouring out of the vapor line to switch out mineral oil for poe oil. If you needed to add a little oil for some reason, it would be done the same way as adding dye for leak checking on a system with refrigerant already inside, thanks!

[@zoidelux]

@@acservicetechchannel i did see that one and loved it! Ok thanks Craig

[@zoidelux]

@@acservicetechchannel Iam thinking of systems that have leaked a lot of oil from a large leak and having to add oil to them from it leaking out a lot over time

[@michaelcostello6991]

So the compressor that takes the plug on PTC thermistor has no capacitor. Is that just for very small compressors where you dont need a start capacitor?

[@Joetechlincolns]

What's the difference between whirlpool, start ptc device,2188829, 22225785 and 2225929. The fridge has a matsushita compressor ESS51C and someone replaced the original(22225785) with 2188829,but the service paper work that came with fridge shows a 2218853/2225929. The 2188829 lasted about 5 years. I replaced with same number but it now shuts off when fridge cools to desired temp, then 2 minutes later, fridge comes back on and thermal breaker trips/ resets a couple times, then it runs for a while until cooled down, then process repeats. Is it time for a new fridge? Sure sounds like it

[@dr.detroit1514]

I have a non starting Kenmore cube fridge ptc, that looks like the first one, that's measuring in at about 7K ohms cold. This seems a bit high, compared to what I see here, should be at around 6 ohms?. I've been unable to find any specs for the part, a T47B.

[@PVflying]

Super interesting video thanks. Do you happen to know what resistance PTC might be used in some of the smaller hard start kits, like the supco RCO810 or RCO820?

[@robinfrancis789]

Apologies...at 7.47 you say it kick out both windings....surely just the start winding! ....yes? 🤔🤔

[@brad346326]

I’ve been trying to get into to this trade for year can’t even get an interview any tip on getting there attention? I will also take any training from you that I can even if it cost me. I have cross trade experience too. Thanks

[@michaelcostello6991]

Be sure you dont get a start with the wrong compamy that will use you just for changing filters and cleaning drains and nothing else. If you see that situation developing then try and move on at first oppertunity.

[@encryptthis]

On a PTC QP2-6R8 MC1 (EP13I) other then the disk being shattered, what should the resistance be or is it just as long as there some type of resistance it's considered to be working? My problem is, I can feel the pump engage and within a second or two, it pops off. Is there a ohms range of resistance that the Thermistor is suppose to be within? I can feel it trying to cool, but it just pops off continuously.

[@wryanddry2266]

Great video. Thank you! Just to be clear, the first two thermistors tested good, around 6 ohms, right? And a very high resistance when cool means it's bad? How high? I guess the disk cracking up is the main way these go bad? The one I removed makes a rattling noise when I shake it. Does the cold-resistance spec make much difference? I'm seeing 22 ohm and 17 ohm parts for sale, but I think the one I removed might be 13 ohms (marked 8EA 104 13 F9L BRASIL). Will any of those be a good replacement?

[@ia9562]

Can I test ceramic PTC thermistor with continuity?

[@ia9562]

With PTC thermistor when is cold it's been out of circuit for a while we can read continuity. But it's hot temperature wise the circuit will be open (springs won't be touching the ends) we won't read continuity. Be if we let it cool off and we don't have continuity that means the spring is stuck open.

[@wraven8154]

Hi, I wanted to make this silent compressor so I got from my friend the ac compressor (from external unit) and I was wandering whether you would be able to help me with connection of my ac compressor ( ac was single phase) but there wasn't separate capacitor as I can see on some KZbin videos, there was whole like main board from computer and there were few capacitors, any way on the compressor itself is a label which says 148VDC, at 120Hz, and I have no idea how to connect it to a power supply

[@Froggability]

It sounds like an inverter unit. 3 phase motor has 3 equal windings ohms

[@carloslugo8353]

So there is either gonna be a thermistor o a starting relay ?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes if it is a small fractional hp compressor, it will likely have either ptc thermistor or current starting relay and may also have a start cap. If it is a larger compressor, it may have no thermisor or potential relay but if it does then it will be connected to a start cap. When a compressor does not have a start cap, it just uses the run cap to start and to continue to help it run, thanks!

[@carloslugo8353]

AC Service Tech LLC thank you! You are great a great help! I’m from Puerto Rico and you have taught me more than I’ve learned at school with your videos! I am forever great full! Keep me coming

[@acservicetechchannel]

Glad to help Carlos! Thanks!

[@DanOKC]

Good Video - I just hope by now you have upgraded your old tin can microphone.

[@abousamah1967]

After runing the relay became cold so why not connect again

[@michaelcostello6991]

What would happen if they failed to turn off the start winding assuming a start capacitor in the circuit. Would the start capacitor fry !!!!

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes, check out the video on the start capacitor failing that we did about two months ago, thanks!

[@zoidelux]

Can you also explain when these are in parallel with a run cap? Are ptc thermistors the same thing as a PTCR?

[@acservicetechchannel]

Hey Ryan, are you talking when the ptc thermistor uses a run cap as if it is a start cap? The R stands for relay and it is not a relay. People have labeled that incorrectly with the R but it was one of those things that nobody caught and some manufacturers even picked up the habit, but yes they are referring to the ptc thermistor, thanks!

[@zoidelux]

@@acservicetechchannel I just looked up more on it and found a PDF, (first result when you google ceramite ptcr)... They say positive temperature coefficient resistor. But yea i also found a thread on hvactalk where someone else was confused on what it was. basically the 2 wires from the ptc go to the run cap terminals, So the start winding is getting power through a run cap but also through the ptc. and that's it, and run cap is never taken out of the circuit

It has to have some resistance otherwise it wouldn't get hot.

[@acservicetechchannel]

Yes it does. it test the ptc thermistors in this video and show the cold resistance readings, thanks!

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

grerat

[@acservicetechchannel]

Thanks Dennis!

[@parvindrajbhar9742]

I speak parvind from India normal technician air conditioner