any new info on the smartstart? havent heard any new information lately. I sent email to dometic to ask if it works with ocean breeze ac's but no reply. anyone know? how could I get wiring schematic?
Giovanetti, can the SmartStart be used with AC units from other manufacturers
(Please accept our apologies for not responding until now. We apparently missed the e-mail alert for this thread back in February.)
The SmartStart will work with A/Cs from other manufacturers. There are some exceptions, however, even with some Dometic Marine equipment from before 2000 (older Cruisair and Marine Air Systems units).
First, you must remember to choose the right SmartStart model. There are 3 different ones, depending on the voltage of your compressor and its BTU capacity.
Second, the SmartStart will work with pretty much any rotary or scroll compressor that is a permanent split capacitor motor (i.e. has a run cap).
Third, SmartStarts work with most reciprocating compressors, but there are some older models of these compressors (pre-2000) on which the SmartStart will not work optimally. It has to do with how the compressor motor windings were designed and the target start capacitor for these motors. Many of these older compressors require start capacitors that are much smaller than the run capacitors. Modern compressors require start capacitor values that are closer to and often exceed the size of the run capacitors. SmartStarts were designed to work with the present-day compressors, as best as could be done, given the thousands of compressor models that are out there.
So, whether or not a SmartStart will work on your non-Dometic/Cruisair/Marine Air A/C system will be a function your system's compressor model.
If you have a question, post your system's
compressor manufacturer and model # here or send me a private message, and I can research it for you. (Note, the compressor manufacturer and its model # should be visible on a label on the side of the actual compressor, providing that the A/C system manufacturer didn't paint over it; the manufacturer of the entire A/C system and its model # are not required.) Admittedly, there are some wiring modifications that can be done to resolve the start-to-run capacitor size ratio issue that some older reciprocating compressors have. I can advise on those depending on what you have. There are no guarantees that all compressors can be made to work with the SmartStart, however, so please be understanding of that for your particular case.
A basic wiring diagram is available on the second page of the SmartStart's spec sheet, available online at:
http://dometic.com/cbcde79f-6594-4d01-b60c-2ab7e153c982.fodoc
Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Thank you.
M. Giovanetti
Director of Technology
Dometic Marine Corporation