Dometic Corporation

Cruisair Dealer School

Modulating Class
Electrical
Troubleshooting
for RM Style Units

1
 New RM24-42C Style
Electrical Boxes

3
 New RM Style Electrical Box
Has 3 lug 10 lug terminal
terminal strip strip for wiring the
for line voltage input side to the
and pump output triggers
PC board part #
Time Delay A-550
part # 4135502
Crydom Relay
part # 4134200
Run and Start
Capacitors
Start Relay

Note: The Time Delay Relay has been Omitted

4
 Explanation Of Electrical
Components For Condensing Unit
 Standard electrical box with starting components, time delay, crydom
relay, triggers and PC board. (Has no TD relay)

 Standard start relay, start capacitor and run capacitor for

all RM models.

 Five triggers come standard for up to five air handlers, and they are
powered up by the same 230 volts that energize the solenoid valve on
the air handlers.

 PC board is used to complete continuity between the triggers, and wire

in series between L1 and the high and low pressure switches.

 Crydom relay is a solid state device rated at 75 amps. It breaks line 1

to the compressor through terminals 1 and 2. The input side of the
relay is across terminals 4 & 3. There is a load resistor across the
terminals to drive the time delay.

5
 Explanation Of Electrical
Components For Condensing Unit

 The time delay is used to help protect the compressor

from short cycling. The time delay should be set for 3 – 4
minutes. It is wired in series with line 1 from the high &
low pressure switches, to the input side of the crydom
relay. This helps protect the compressor from short
cycling because of power interruptions, from the high
and low-pressure switch or the switch assemblies.

 The high and low pressure switches are wired in series

between the PC board and the time delay. LP switch
opens at 27 psi and resets at 45 psi. HP switch opens at
425 psi and resets at 325 psi.

6
 Starting Components for all
RM Style
•Start relay senses
the back EMF
generated by
the start windings
•Contacts opens in
seconds as the
•Run cap is motor starts
permanently
connected in
series with the
start winding
•Start cap operates only for a
few seconds during start up.
•Taken out of start winding
circuit by the start relay.

7
 Crydom, Solid State Relay
Compressor Relay

Line 1 Load
Output

Terminals 1 & 2
break Line 1 to
the Compressor
and Pump Circuit
Terminals 4 and 3
are the Input side or
the Control voltage Input Line 2

8
 Pilot Duty Time Delay
Time Delay is wired in series between the pressure switches and the input
of the crydom relay. This is used to protect the compressor from short cycling.

Dial is set Incorrectly Set Correctly at 3 to 4 Minutes

9
 Line Voltage, Pilot Duty, Low
and High Pressure Switches
Pressure switches do not wire into the SMX controls,
they are wired in series with the Time Delay

Low Pressure Switch Located High Pressure Switch Located On

On Suction Line to Compressor Discharge Line From Compressor
Opens 27 PSI Resets 45 PSI Opens at 425 PSI Resets 325 PSI

10
 Wiring Diagram for RM
Models

11
 Troubleshooting Guide For
The Electrical Components
While trouble shooting a modulating unit, it’s very important to keep in mind

1. On a 230 volt single phase system, we only break line 1 to any component. With
the breaker on to the condensing unit or the air handlers, there will always be
line 2 present. So even on a trigger there is a potential of 115 volts to ground.

2. The high & low pressures are rated for line voltage pilot duty. There is a potential
of 230 volts across the terminals or 115 volts to ground.

3. While working in a RM electrical box, you will need to turn the breaker off to the
condensing and all of the air handlers to insure no voltage to be present.

4. The modulating units are rated for 230/208 volts.

12
 Compressor won’t start from
any Switch Assembly
Always Check for Proper Incoming Voltage

13
 Bypassing Everything but the
Starting Components to Power
up the Compressor
Jump Line 1 to P1 Terminal

14
 If Compressor doesn’t Start,
Check Starting Components or
Compressor Windings

15
 Visually Inspect Run Capacitors
Top is Swollen

Good Capacitor Bad Capacitor

16
 Visually Inspect Start Cap
Hole Blow Out

Good Capacitor Bad Capacitor

17
 Check with a Capacitor
Tester

Good Capacitor Bad Capacitor

Shows 20 MFD Shows all 8’s
18
 Check the Start Relay
Ohm Out the Coil For a Short
Or open Condition Between
Terminal’s # 5 and 2
Check for
Continuity
Between
Terminal’s
2 and 1

Disconnect All Wires

19
 Check Compressor
Windings

C
R S

R C S

20
 Ohm Out The Compressor
Windings

21
 If you Don’t have Proper Control
Voltage From PC Board
Check for 230 V from
evaporators to the input
side of the Triggers

To check the PC board

disconnect the 14 ga
black & purple and check
for continuity across the
terminals on PC board

22
 Checking Operation of the
Crydom Solid State Relay
Make sure the
load is hooked
up and check for
230V output
from terminal # 2
or the purple
wire to line 2

Check for 230V Note: You cannot

Input Control Use an ohm meter
Voltage Across to check for continuity
Terminals # 4
and 3

23
 Check Operation of the
Time Delay
Check 230 Volts Or Simply Jump out the TD
Between L2 and Terminal 1 Between Terminals 1 and 3

Then Check
Between
L2 and Term 2

Voltage Reading Should

Be the Same

24
 Checking the Operation of
Pressure Switches / Volt Meter
If no Voltage is Present at Switch If Voltage is Present at Switch

Switch is Closed Switch is Open

25
 Checking Operation of the
Pressure Switches/ Ohm Meter
Pull Wires Off of the Switch If Limited Access Disconnect Wires
And Check for Continuity Going Out to the Switches and
Check for Continuity

26
 Thank You for your
Continued Support

Dometic Environmental

27