Hot wiring a compressor

[90grad]

All,

I tore down the Westinghouse Master Ice.  The wiring was shot, so there was no way for me to check if the unit even works.  It looks complete, albeit rusty.  Is there any way to hot-wire it before I spend a ton of $$ buying a new harness, 3-in-1 starter, etc.?

The compressor is a Westinghouse, model L-25-0.  I know which post is which (i.e., Start, Run, Common).

[johnieG]

Hows this?

[90grad]

Johnie,

Thanks for the info.  The questions I have are these:

1. The condensor fan is not there (I took it out, as all the wires were toast.)

2. The stat was non-adjustable.  There was a relay box with the stat line coming out, but there was no adjustment screw.  I must've been pre-set.

I guess what I need answered is:  Is there a way just to hook up juice to the compressor ball and see if it will run without going thru the relays and/or electrocuting myself/

Thanks!!!

[Kevin C]

Hello

If the existing pigtail  is still on the compressor I would just plug it in to an extension cord to check  the opertaion of the compressor. I would run it like that for about 5 minutes to see if the upper evaporator coil starts to frost.

If the pigtail  is gone or in really bad shape you could make a temporary pigtail with the wires exposed on the end. I would then place the wires into an unpluged extension cord & then move away & plug in the extension cord. Then let the compressor run to check the cooling. This method could be a little tricky so be careful.

Kevin

[90grad]

Kevin,

The pigtail is gone.  I could make a new one.  This may be a dumb question, but just to double check, which posts am I connecting to?

[loman4ec]

It has to at least be hooked up to the starter. if I were you I would just go buy a 3in1 starter and wire it up that way. It is so easy. you just hook the three wires directly to the compressor terminals and hook the two black wires to a line cord or extention cord. The starter will only cost about $15 and even if it doesn't work you never know when you are going to need it. I keep one just for testing machines in the tool box I keep in my truck. After all it is only $15 and trust me you will need it again sometime.

[BryanH]

Josh what's a 3in1 starter?

[johnieG]

I'll kibitz here,  :'>    It's a combination run/start/booster that is used to replace the standard ("soft-start") run/start relay on a compressor, it uses an electronic-solidstate start/run circut inside along with a booster capacitor to help start "hard-starting" compressors.

here's  a diagram of a typical 3-in-1 booster/starter.

[vend_dr]

I'm not sure if they are still sold but I purchased a cord at the local refrigeration supply many years ago that had 3 aligator clips that hooked directly to the compressor start, run and common pins, this cord had a rocker type switch switch on it and a regular wall plug on the other end. You just attached the aligator clips to the proper terminals and plugged the other end in then flipped the rocker switch to the on position, if all was ok with the compressor it would start.  I wish I still had it but my old employer paid for it so I couldn't take it with me when I left.

I believe this link will show you what I am talking about.

[BryanH]

Still looking to learn here . Seems that the switch Vend Dr mentions should be all that is required to get power, safely, to the compressor. what do you need the 3in1 starter for?

[johnieG]

Quote (BryanH @ Oct. 16 2005,3:48)

Still looking to learn here . Seems that the switch Vend Dr mentions should be all that is required to get power, safely, to the compressor. what do you need the 3in1 starter for?

You don't technically, but it was in responce to BryanH's question,  plus the advantage of a 3-in-1 booster, is that it will start compressors that may need  a bit of a "nudge" to get going again, like when they've sat unused for 10-20 years or so.... :'>

[90grad]

The 3-in-1 I use is made by Supco.  Your local HVAC dealer will have them or you can get them from Funtronics.  They are super-convenient.  I used one on the Cavalier 51.  I was able to con my local HVAC store (which only sells to contractors) to sell one to me.  It cost me $10.50, instead of the $25 + shipping to get it from a retailer.

I hooked up the thing to a makeshift power cord and the unit fired right up.  Within a few seconds, the coil started to get nice and cold.

Thanks for all the help.  By the way, JohnieG, your "artwork" ought to be hanging in the Louvre, or at least in their breakroom where the vending machines are! '>  Thanks for all the info.  I'll keep everyone posted on the cooler's progress.