Quote:
Originally Posted by vash
G. i looked up my repair invoice. the part that he changed out was the starting capacitor..(run capacitor?). i think it essentially lets the system get up and running. my symptoms were the same as you. i had to keep lowering the thermostat.
it immediately fixed the issue.
i considered a new fridge, but i had the added headache of owning an existing fridge that is smaller than anything i can buy new. it literally would not fit into my opening without new cabinetry. screw that.
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The startup capacitor works in conjuction with a centrifugal switch. The switch powers the capacitor, which feeds secondary windings that as you say, gives the motor the punch to get going. The motor pretty quickly reaches operating speed, at which point the centrifugal switch cuts power when a pair of weights fling outward, pushing a disc against the switch, opening the contacts at which point the motor sort of cruises along until the main switch is powered off.
If the centrifugal start switch is bad, then the motor struggles to get up to speed, and may burn up because only the primary windings are getting power. You would hear a weird noise though, most likely.
The only reason that I know this is I was looking for this type of switch to help a buddy repair his shave ice machines. I couldn't find the parts anywhere so I ended up soldering and filing, basically making new contacts for all 3 machines. These things have made literally hundreds of thousands of shave ice cups, and the margin on these things is unbelievable.
Now that I think about it, your guy should have changed the centrifugal switch while he was in there. It's like changing the oil thermostat and o-ring while the engine is out on your 911SC to change fuel lines.