I haven't read your article yet. I've just heard so many different things on the internet, yet the service techs in my area always use them. If you ask a parts store (Johnstone, etc.) for a OEM relay, they will say why don't you just put a 3 n 1 on it. This leads me to believe that a lot of techs use them without issue. The appliance store I was referring to in the other posts tells me all kinds of stuff. I tried ordering the OEM relay, and he starts lecturing me on how the compressor is what caused the relay to go out and not the other way around. I asked him if he even new what the relay was comprised of, and he just ignored me. The OEM relay is a very basic device. I can see why it would burn out after 6 or 7 years of use. There isn't much to them. I don't do HVAC or refrigeration work any longer, but I wouldn't hesitate to put one on a friend or family member's refrigerator. If it is overdriving the windings, it should just burn the winding out. I haven't seen this either (knock on wood again). There is also the possibility that the compressor was already worn prior to putting on the 3 n 1. I have seen guys try the OEM and it not work. They then put on the 3 n 1. It will start due to the start cap, but it will fail eventually. If the original starting device (working condition) can't get it to run, the compressor is worn and will fail eventually. I usually just check the starting amps and running amps. On the other hand, I've seen compressors on AC units work flawlessly with starting devices. Most of the time, the manufacturer does not put one on to save costs. The compressor will fail to start under certain conditions. For example, if the evaporator has a non-equalizing TXV, a starting device should be put on. I'm sure there are issues with these type of devices, but compressors that have the OEM starting device also fail sometimes. It is just too easy to blame the 3 n 1. These devices have been out for 10 plus years. They would have been pulled already, if there was widespread damage. If nothing else, techs would no longer use them. I know if I had a moderate fail rate with these. I would no longer use them. I don't think the failure rate is even above 5 percent on these.

What suppliers are not selling these devices? I haven't found one that does not. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but where is the research that shows these burnout compressors? They make them to work on compressors as small as 1/12 horsepower. Also, you do not have to purchase one with a start cap. I've read that people want to see data that it does not damage compressors. You should be looking for data showing it does. Why would there be data on something that does not happen? If there isn't a problem, no data will exist stating the contrary. Moreover, most of the new starting devices on new 134a fractional horsepower units are using PTC type devices. This is the exact same technology incorporated in the 3 n 1 devices. If power surges adversely effect 3 n 1 devices, they should effect OEM devices. If you are referring to startup power surges (i.e. power goes out for the entire house then surges when power comes back on), this should happen on only a few isolated situations. Most of the electronics should go out as well because they all consist of capacitors based on your theory. If you are referring to power spikes, the compressor would need to be starting at the exact time of the power surge. Otherwise, the start capacitor has already dropped out. Just out of curiosity, do you have any data supporting your assertion that these cause damage? There shouldn't be data stating the contrary. Also, how many compressors have you seen burnout due to these, as opposed to working. Like I said previously, I bet hundreds of thousands of these things are currently in operation. Maybe, the ones you saw are the wrong size (1/4 hrspower rated starting device placed on a 1/5 or lower).

Oh. I didn't know you did a study on it. Are you a professional engineer? I would like to see this engineering report and the details on the study you performed. If it is a thorough analysis, then I will definitely not use them.

I can't provide you with an engineering analysis on something that is not a problem. Who spends the time and research on something that does not exist? Research is usually performed to determine the cause of a problem. For example, Trane isn't going to do an extensive engineering analysis due to lack of oil return, unless there are units that are failing due to lack of oil. They aren't going to perform this analysis, if no units are failing due to lack of oil return. Moreover, they are not going to do an analysis if there is no problem with oil return. Another example is the Toyota recall problems. They didn't perform an analysis on accelerating vehicles, until it became a problem. Like I said before, these things have been out for 10 plus years with a low failure rate. Can you provide the failure rate and prove that it is directly correlated to the 3 n 1? You are asking me to disprove something that you (nor anyone else) has proven to be problematic. It is up to you to prove that that the 3 n 1 directly related to compressor failures. How is this possible when they use the EXACT same technology as the OEM start devices? Again, I can't disprove something that has not been proven.

You can tell anyone you want not to use them. You should provide a real engineering analysis with concrete evidence that the premature failure of compressors is attributable to 3 n 1 devices. Otherwise, it is just your opinion. You are stating it as a fact which could be considered defamation.

The world is reading this and wondering. You are the one who must show everyone why you are doing this attack, personal pride, etc. I wish you would just stop this or better call me or email me, this should be a personal, quiet debate and not a divisive one.
In any event, you are about to look very foolish and hard headed, I am the gentleman who will try to prevent that. Show us you are the same.Others have done similar attacks and failed.

Lol.. Then post your data. You are stating opinions with no basis. What study have you performed? What criteria did you use? Where is all this engineering data? You are making derogatory and defamatory statements towards a company/product. I would like to see some unbiased data. You seem very compassionate about this subject, yet you only offer your opinion. You can't even answer any of my questions. Like I said I am not being argumentative. I'm just asking you to prove your point, which you seem to be failing at.

What wholesalers do not sell these devices?
What is the failure rate of these devices?
Why do OEM devices use the exact same technology and are acceptable to you?
Where is your engineering analysis that shows a strong correlation between the use of these devices and high compressor failure rates?
Why have these been placed on hundreds of thousands of units and not been recalled?
Why do so many techs use them with high success rates?
Why do so many companies keep buying a product with a high failure rate?
Why hasn't a class action law suit been filed against the company that makes these?


You may have a strong engineering background, but you fail to prove anything. You can't just say these things cause excessive compressor failures because I said so. Where is the real life data? I can tell you have no basis because you are starting to resort to personal attacks instead of showing detailed analysis. Can you at least answer this simple question?

How did you come to the conclusion that these devices cause premature compressor failure?


If you are correct in your assertion, I would appreciate the data standing behind it. I will never use these devices again, if you can provide this information. I just don't see how these things are so problematic as you are leading them on to be. Like I said before, I have put on 20 plus with not a single failure (knock on wood). Why haven't these compressors failed yet?

Until you can provide any substantiating information, please just state these are your opinions and that these devices could cause premature failure. I can not prove these things do not cause premature compressor failure, but I am not making that assertion. It is just my opinion that these do not have as high of a failure rate as you are leading on. These things do not cause every compressor to fail in 6 months. They do not cause every compressor to fail in 6 years.