Coleman Mach 1497-6881 RV Air Conditioner Start CapacitorThe main job of capacitors is to store electrons to provide start-up energy for your air conditioner, they build up a charge when electricity runs through them by swapping electrons between the two conductive plates inside. Because of their capacitors, air conditioners do a little magic trick every time they start up. Your A/C unit actually requires a great deal more start-up energy than is available through your homes wiring, so the capacitor is added to the circuit to give an electrical jumpstart at the same moment that your air conditioner is drawing power from the electrical grid. Together, these two electrical sources provide the right amount of juice to your air conditioner.Signs of a Bad CapacitorOne of the primary signs of a faulty capacitor is the air conditioner struggling to start or failing to turn on, indicating that the capacitor is unable to provide the necessary startup energy.