Dometic AC Capacitor Wiring Diagram – Troubleshooting and Installation

The AC capacitor is a part of your air conditioner that’s replaced frequently. It should be close to your air conditioner compressor. This provides the necessary voltage for the unit to function. Often, a cable will run directly from the breaker box to the AC compressor.

Capacitors store electrons to provide start-up energy for your air conditioner. They build up a charge by swapping electrons between the two conductive plates inside when electricity passes through them.

An Overview of Dometic AC Capacitor Wiring Diagram

The capacitor is connected to the AC supply voltage directly. The capacitor charges and discharges in response to changes in the supply voltage. A current will flow through the circuit in one direction at first, then the other. However, there is no current flowing through the capacitor.

The condenser is located near the compressor, the air conditioner, and the motor of the outdoor fan. When the refrigeration cycle begins, a starting capacitor is used to give these engines an additional boost so they can start immediately. The wiring diagram of an RV Dometic AC capacitor is shown below.

How Many Capacitors Are in a Dometic RV AC?

There are two types of capacitors in your Dometic AC for it to function properly- a hard start capacitor and a run capacitor. 

When your air conditioner struggles to turn on, the hard start capacitor is in action. The main function of a hard start capacitor is to store energy. There are two run capacitors in your Dometic AC. It ensures that the power is supplied to the fan motor and uses its charge to boost the current.

How Does Air Conditioning Work in Dometic?

The air conditioning system works on the same principle as the kitchen refrigerator’s cooling system. The cooling efficiency of Dometic air conditioners, on the other hand, is significantly higher. The refrigerant extracts heat from the room, cools it, and dissipates it to the outside in both systems.

Dometic provides you with a wide range of choices for air conditioners. Over the years, their air conditioners have received numerous awards, including the Miami Boat Show Innovation Award and, most recently, a Red Dot Design Award.

How Do I Test a Dometic AC Capacitor?

Perform the following steps to test your Dometic AC capacitor:

Step-1: Turn off the circuit breaker of your AC. The circuit breaker is located in the AC’s electrical load center. Also, remove the shore power.

Step-2: Remove the protective housing by unscrewing all the head screws. The screws are located under the base of the housing. 

Step-3: Locate the motor run and start the capacitor enclosure. The enclosure is located near the top right corner of the air conditioner. It has a wiring diagram sticker on it. Remove the enclosure cover screws and cover.

Step-4: Search for two capacitors. The motor run capacitor is a silver oval-shaped canister with a length of two to three inches. The motor run capacitor is either black or silver, cylindrical in shape, and is three to four inches in length.

Step-5: Discharge each capacitor by shorting the electrical terminals. The terminals are located on the top of the capacitor. 

Step-6: Remove the electrical leads from the motor run capacitor, taking note of what terminal each wire is connected to. Take help from the wiring diagram.

Step-7: Switch the multimeter to capacitance mode and place the positive (red) lead on the positive or “+” terminal of the capacitor and the negative (black) lead on the negative or “-” terminal to determine the capacitance of the motor run capacitor. Compare your reading to the value printed on the capacitor’s side.

Step-8: Replace the capacitor if it is out of range. To test the motor start capacitor, repeat Steps 6 and 7.

How Do I Wire an AC Capacitor for a Camper?

Well, installing an AC capacitor in your camper’s air conditioner is easy. All you need is a Philips screwdriver and the ability to get up on the camper’s roof. Now perform the following steps:

Step-1: Turn off the power and remove the plastic protective cover to expose the air conditioner.

Step-2: Get the screws of the access panel off. You will see a bunch of colored wires.

Step-3: Connect the run capacitor to the hard start capacitor inside the access panel. The wire on the hard start capacitor connected to the PTCR goes to the same connector as the red wire and the other wire goes to the yellow one. 

Step-4: Clip the connectors on extra lugs on the run capacitor. Mount the hard start capacitor with clear silicone adhesive to hold the capacitor in place. 

Safety Precautions for Dometic AC Capacitor Wiring

Working with electrical components demands a cautious approach, not only to protect yourself but also to maintain the functionality and longevity of your air conditioning system.

Conclusion

The capacitor of your Dometic AC is the most frequently replaced part. The capacitor delivers an initial energy burst to turn the system on when it’s time for a cooling cycle. So, your ac will not start when the capacitor is worn off. Replacing the capacitor of your Dometic AC is required to ensure your AC functions properly.