Recently, we had a "switch" put on our AC to help prevent damage to the system when the power surged or went out. We've noticed recently that the compressor doesn't kick on immediately when the indoor blower fan kicks on.

For example, thermostat is set at 72, reads 73, indoor fan kicks on, compressor kicks on a one or two minutes later, temp lowered to 72 after running a while, compressor kicks off, indoor fan kicks off a minute later.

Is this normal? We had the AC tech out yesterday to replace that "switch" we had installed previously, but its still doing the aforementioned today.

Any advice or troubleshooting tips?

Did the tech say that was normal and then intended result of this "switch?" I have our fan set two blow for an extra two minutes after the compresor turns off, but it's odd to run a couple minutes before the compressor turns on. Never heard of that.

Jack Klompus said:

---

Recently, we had a "switch" put on our AC to help prevent damage to the system when the power surged or went out. We've noticed recently that the compressor doesn't kick on immediately when the indoor blower fan kicks on.

For example, thermostat is set at 72, reads 73, indoor fan kicks on, compressor kicks on a one or two minutes later, temp lowered to 72 after running a while, compressor kicks off, indoor fan kicks off a minute later.

Is this normal? We had the AC tech out yesterday to replace that "switch" we had installed previously, but its still doing the aforementioned today.

Any advice or troubleshooting tips?

---

Soft start?

Not that I am aware of. We installed the switch or whatever it's called because something on the outdoor unit started running backwards when the power surged.

Jack Klompus said:

---

Not that I am aware of. We installed the switch or whatever it's called because something on the outdoor unit started running backwards when the power surged.

---

The capacitor got fried from the electrical surge and the fan will sometimes run backards. The tech replaced the capacitor

Jack Klompus said:

---

We installed the switch or whatever it's called because something on the outdoor unit started running backwards when the power surged.

---

It may be what's called an anti-short cycle (delay-on-break) timer (e.g. ICM 206) that is usually paired with a scroll compressor.

If you get a momentary power glitch with a scroll compressor, when the power comes back quickly you run the risk of it running backwards. Generally, you can set the delay from 1 - 10 minutes.

I have noticed that sometimes a 'bouncy' thermostat when turning on will cause the device to think there was a on-off-on glitch and that may be what you are seeing.

Interesting. Learn something new every day.

"Switch" doesn't make sense in the form of surge protection. We would install a surge protector or a voltage regulator in this case. What it sounds like you had installed is a "delay on make" timer that holds the unit off for a minute or two in the event that the unit were to shut off and then immediately try to restart. Highly recommend the time delay. Surge protector would be visible on the electrical disconnect on the wall.

Fan staying on after compressor shut off is a setting within the thermostat or indoor unit and I am NOT a fan of this feature.

Normal delay built in so compressor doesn't get damaged.