Support

What are the hours of operation for customer service?
7:30 am to 5:00 pm CT Monday-Friday. Call 1-800-231-3345, press option #1.

What are the hours of operation for RectorSeal Technical Services?
7:30 am to 5:00 pm CT Monday-Friday. Call 1-800-231-3345, press option #2.

How can I find a local RectorSeal distributor?
Call RectorSeal Customer Service at 1-800-231-3345 press option #1.

How can I track my order?
Log into your account and select "My Shipments".

How can I find a local RectorSeal representative?
Call RectorSeal Customer Service at 1-800-231-3345 press option #1.

How do I become a RectorSeal distributor?
Call RectorSeal Customer Service at 1-800-231-3345 and press option #1.

Where do I get pricing and availability of a product?
Distributors can log into our website to see their pricing and see availability. Please request an account on the "person account icon" above if you do not have access.

How can I place an order?
Distributors can log into our website to place orders. Please request an account on the icon above if you do not have access.

How can I find the technical specifications for a product?
Technical specifications documents are listed within the "Documents" tab on the product page.

How do I find the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for a product?
Safety Datas Sheets are listed within the "Documents" tab on the product page.

How do I e-mail customer service?
Please use this email: customerservice@rectorseal.com

How do I file a Warranty Claim?
You can now file your claim through our online warranty portal at https://rectorseal.com/warranty
If you have any questions you can email: warranties@rectorseal.com

Distributors FAQ’S

Why are hard start devices necessary?
Hard start devices extend the life of compressors considerably by bringing them up to full speed much more quickly and efficiently. They also assist compressors in starting under very adverse ambient conditions such as low voltage or high head pressures.

Aren’t all two-wire start devices the same?
No. Kickstart devices are the only two-wire start devices that utilize a potential relay along with the start capacitor. While other two-wire start devices also utilize start capacitors, they generally incorporate either a heat sensing device or a timer to determine when to take the capacitor out of the starting circuit. Air conditioning and refrigeration compressor manufacturers require a potential relay in combination with the start capacitor when specifying starting devices for their equipment. This is because they recognize the potential relay’s unique ability to disconnect the capacitor from the circuit at the precise moment that it is no longer needed. Any longer period of time causes damage to the compressor windings, and any shorter period of time does not provide the assistance the compressor requires, which can also cause damage.

Will a Kickstart hard start device lengthen the life of a compressor?
Absolutely! By assisting the compressor in starting at up to ten times faster than normal, Kickstart hard start devices significantly reduce the amount of damaging heat that is generated in the motor windings with each and every start. Over time, this reduced stress on insulation, wiring, and other critical components of the compressor has the effect of increasing its reliability and extending its useful life.

Kickstart hard start devices are able to accomplish this by improving the electrical efficiency (also known as "power factor") of the compressor during the instant when it starts. Without a hard start device installed, the electrical efficiency at the moment of start-up is typically less than 50%. That means that less than 50% of the available power is being utilized to start the unit. With a Kickstart device, the electrical efficiency is boosted to over 98% enabling all of the available power to reach the compressor for smooth, fast starts.

What does "Instant recycle" refer to and why is it important?
In addition to the normal cycling (i.e. starting and stopping) that a compressor does to maintain a certain degree of coolness in a home, there are times when children or even adults will adjust the thermostat too frequently, causing a "short-cycling" effect. This effect can also be caused by lightning, momentary power outages, etc. "Instant recycle" refers to the ability of a hard start device to assist the compressor in starting regardless of the required frequency of starts. Unless a hard start device has the ability to instantly recycle, it may not be available to assist the compressor when short-cycling conditions exist which can create an extreme strain on the compressor windings and lead to compressor damage. Kickstart hard start devices have the ability to instantly recycle, and therefore can be counted on to assist the compressor in starting regardless of the frequency of starts.

To illustrate, many two-wire devices need time to cool down or re-set after they have operated. This is because they typically use either a heat sensing device or a timer to determine when the start capacitor should be taken out of the starting circuit. It is important to note that these devices must complete their "cycle" before they are again ready to operate. Unfortunately, the time required for these devices to cool down or re-set may not coincide with the starting demands placed on the compressor. Kickstart hard start devices, on the other hand, utilize true potential relays that have the unique ability to instantly recycle without delay no matter how quickly or frequently the compressor is required to start.

Is it true that installing a Kickstart hard start device on an air conditioning unit in the home can prevent the lights from dimming whenever the unit starts up?
Absolutely! By allowing the unit to start more efficiently through power factor correction, Kickstart hard start devices are an effective tool in preventing lights from dimming and enhancing overall power quality in the home.

If starting devices are so important to compressors, why doesn’t each unit come with one already installed?
At one time, all single-phase air conditioning, heat pump, and refrigeration compressors were equipped with hard start devices at the factory. Several years ago, however, manufacturers decided to discontinue that practice for most air conditioners and heat pumps in an effort to reduce costs. Refrigeration compressors, on the other hand, were considered to be so critical to homeowners (due to potential food spoilage, etc.), that hard start devices continued to be installed to ensure reliable starts time after time. With a Kickstart device installed on your air conditioning or heat pump compressor, you can rest assured that your unit will start reliably with the least amount of stress each and every time.

Are Kickstart hard start devices UL Recognized?
All Kickstart devices are UL Recognized in the United States and Canada.

Are Kickstart hard start devices approved by major compressor and equipment manufacturers?
Yes. These approvals are in writing.

What is the life expectancy of a Kickstart device?
Since Kickstart hard start devices use standard components approved by manufacturers (i.e. potential relay and start capacitor), the normal life of a Kickstart hard start device will be the same as the normal life of the components it utilizes; generally 5-7 years or 500,000 starts. All Kickstart hard start devices currently come with a 3-year warranty.

Who makes Kickstart hard start devices?
RectorSeal holds exclusive patent rights for all Kickstart products. These products are assembled in the USA and abroad.

Home Owners FAQ's

What do Kickstart devices do?
Kickstart hard start devices utilize a capacitor/relay combination to allow your air conditioning and heat pump compressors to start with maximum efficiency thus reaching normal rated speed at up to ten times faster than compressors with no hard start device installed. During start-up, a typical compressor motor with no hard start device installed has an electrical efficiency rating (also known as "power factor") of less than 50%. That means only 50% of the available power is being utilized to start the unit. Under those conditions, the compressor has to work much harder and is exposed to a lot of excess heat that is generated with each and every start. With a Kickstart device installed, the electrical efficiency is boosted to over 98% enabling all of the available power to reach the compressor for smooth, fast starts.

What are the benefits of having a Kickstart device installed on my air conditioning or heat pump compressor?
The two main benefits of installing a Kickstart hard start device are:

1. Life extension of your compressor
   By reducing the duration of "inrush" current, Kickstart hard start devices minimize the amount of damaging heat that compressor windings are otherwise subjected to during start-up. Over time, this reduced stress on insulation, wiring, and other critical components of the compressor has the effect of increasing its reliability and extending its useful life.
2. Reduced "light flicker" during compressor start-up
   Air conditioning and heat pump compressors (especially those with higher SEER ratings), often produce the undesirable side effect of "light flicker" when they start-up. Because the Kickstart hard start device brings the compressor to rated speed up to ten times faster than normal, energy consumption is minimized and noticeable "light flicker" is usually completely eliminated.

If hard start devices are so important to my compressor, why doesn’t my unit come with one already installed?
At one time, all single-phase air conditioning, heat pump, and refrigeration compressors were equipped with hard start devices at the factory. Several years ago, however, manufacturers decided to discontinue that practice for most air conditioners and heat pumps in an effort to reduce costs. Refrigeration compressors, on the other hand, were considered to be so critical to homeowners (due to potential food spoilage, etc.), that hard start devices continued to be installed to ensure reliable starts time after time.
Because the average homeowner is unaware of these developments, the makers of Kickstart have teamed up with your local HVAC service contractor to make sure you have the information you need to take the best care of your air conditioning equipment. With a Kickstart device installed on your air conditioning or heat pump compressor, you can rest assured that your unit will start reliably with the least amount of energy consumption and stress each and every time.

What is the life expectancy of a Kickstart device?
Since Kickstart hard start devices are constructed with high quality components that are used extensively throughout the industry and approved by major manufacturers, the average life expectancy is comparable to the life expectancy of those components; generally 5-7 years or 500,000 starts. All Kickstart hard start devices currently come with a 3-year warranty.

Why should I choose Kickstart?
Kickstart is the only hard start device that is patented, UL Recognized in the U.S. and Canada, and approved by major compressor and equipment manufacturers for permanent installation. Kickstart is also the only pre-assembled, 2-wire, easy-to-install hard start device that utilizes the superior sensing capability of a potential relay in combination with a start capacitor. Kickstart devices work on all single-phase PSC and CSIR air conditioning, heat pump, and refrigeration compressors (1-5 horsepower; 208V to 265V).

Why is the glue stitched versus a straight glue edge across the seam between the foam and the shell?
Structurally the polyurethane glue is not needed. The shell and foam is a form fit. It takes over 200 lbs of pressure to press the foam into the shell. To position the foam, the shell has “spikes” molded into the underside of the top, and then a high-strength durable hot melt adhesive makes sure that the foam is held in place for the life of the product.

The 3" sides are not flat to provide more strength for the shell. The indentions on each side of the shell increases the pads structural strength. In combination with its dense foam core, the design brings the pad its incredible weight capacity.

With these indentions, by design we have stitched the polyurethane glue to the surface of the indented edges simply for esthetics. Hugging each edge to the foam makes it uniform, neat, and structurally sound.

Will there be insects, bugs or bees nesting between the foam and the shell?
The foam has an insecticide formulated inside of it and we do not anticipate any type of insects, bugs or bees finding the ArmorPad as a home.

How do I properly install the product to achieved the F rating needed?

Follow the correct UL design for that particular application.

Can you help me find a UL system that meets my field conditions?

Use the Firestop Solution Guide to fill in the information for your field and application conditions.

I need documentation for my local official. (inspector/architect/engineer/GC)

Product Data Sheets and the correct UL design or Engineering Judgment is what the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) is typically looking for.

Do I need to be licensed to install firestop?

No – However, contractors can become UL or FM certified by following the proper procedures / guidelines presented by FM & UL. All FS manufacturers typically provide a recognition of training document stating the contractor is trained to properly install that manufacturers product.

Do you offer training/certification for your products and how can I get it?

Yes – RS offers two trainings twice a year at the corporate in which the contractor receives a “Recognition of Training” document. We do not certify. FM & UL can certify a contractor. Contractors can be trained by a recognized RS employee or sales rep at their office. RectorSeal Academy provides you access to free, unlimited courses you may attend on your own schedule and complete at your pace.

SDS question about V.O.C. content and common hazards.

Most of our WB sealants and Sprays contain less than 10 grams / liters of VOC’s in our formulation.

Is your product LEED compliant?

We do offer Leed credits for our products. The amount of Leed Credits depends on the location of the project.

Where is your product made?

Majority of our products are made in Houston, TX

What is the largest diameter PVC/CPVC/ABS/PEX pipe that I can use caulk on before using a collar?

Largest DWV (drain waste & vent) for concrete and gypsum wallboard assemblies is 2 in. - We can do up to 3 in. DWV PVC in wood framed chase wall assemblies.

What is highest temperature that this product is rated for?

If we have a 4 hr. UL approved design then that means our products have been exposed to 2000 F.