Tecumseh

Tecumseh is a manufacturer of hermetically sealed compressors and condensing units for refrigeration and air conditioning, operating as Tecumseh Products Company LLC (Ann Arbor, MI). Founded 1934 by Ray W. Herrick and Charles Floyd Sage, Tecumseh, MI. Jointly owned by Mueller Industries affiliates and Atlas Holdings (acquired 2015, a disclosed purchase price). One of the world's largest independent hermetic compressor manufacturers. Product range: reciprocating (1/15–35 HP), scroll (2–10 HP), rotary (up to 1 HP), condensing units (1/5–12 HP). SupplyHouse.com carries AE, AJ, AK, AW, AG, AL, AV, AZ compressor series plus service parts (capacitors, relays, overloads).

Product Lines

Tecumseh Reciprocating Compressors

AE/AE2: Household/light commercial, R-134a/R-513A, 115V, ~1,168–6,422 BTU. Models: AE1153E-212-J7 (3,419 BTU), AE1183E-677-J7 (6,422 BTU), AE1022E-212-J7 (4,528 BTU).
AJ/AJ2: Light/commercial low-medium temp, R-134a/R-513A/R-290(AJ2), 115V, -10°F to 55°F evap, high start torque. AJ150AT-434-J7 (9,009 BTU).
AK/AK2: Medium temp commercial, R-22/R-404A, 208-230V. AK166ER-B37-J7 (6,200 BTU, R-22).
AW/AWA: Low/med/high temp commercial, R-404A, 208-230V. AWA2460ZXD: 1.5 HP, 51.27 cc displacement, POE oil 1,141 cc, 86A LRA, 83 lbs.
AG: Heavy commercial, R-290 (world's first reciprocating R-290 up to 7 HP), 200-230V 3Ph, ~61,000 BTU.
AL: Med/low temp commercial, R-290/R-454C/R-455A (low-GWP).
AV/AVA: AC/high temp, R-22.

Tecumseh VSC Scroll Compressors

Commercial refrigeration, R-404A, 2–10 HP. Drop-in replacement for competitive scrolls (standard footprint, rotolock connections, compatible tubing orientation). Replaced VSA series (cross-reference available).

Tecumseh Rotary Compressors (RG/HG)

Heat pump/AC, R-454B and R-32 (in development), up to 1 HP, 9,000–24,000 BTU, 110V or 220V. Also available in R-22 and R-410A.

Tecumseh PAC/PAC3 Condensing Units

1/5–12 HP outdoor condensing units. Refrigerants: R-22, R-407C, R-404A/R-507, R-134a, R-410A. Voltages: 115-60-1 through 575-60-3. UL listed. Standard features: molded plastic base, filter/sight glass, LP/HP controls, accumulator, crankcase heater, receiver.

Tecumseh Compressor Service Parts

Start caps: K146-55 (324-389 MFD, 165V), K146-28 (270-324 MFD, 165V), K146-04 (270-324 MFD, 110V). Run cap: K150-03 (15 MFD, 370V). Relays: K71-41, K71-19, K71-20, K71-34. Overloads: K90-54, K90-16, K90-69, K90-35.

Why Contractors Specify Tecumseh

One brand covers household refrigerators through heavy commercial walk-ins. TSelect online tool filters by refrigerant, capacity, voltage, phase, and market. Tecumseh-to-Tecumseh cross-reference maps superseded models to current replacements. ESP Guidebook covers capacitors/relays/overloads by compressor model. Warranty: 60 months from manufacture or 12 months from authorized wholesaler sale. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. UL listed on condensing units.

How to Choose a Tecumseh Compressor

Key variables: refrigerant, evaporating temperature application, voltage, phase, BTU capacity. AE series: household/light commercial, R-134a, 115V. AJ series: low-medium temp commercial, 115V, R-134a/R-290. AK/AW: medium/commercial temp, 208-230V, R-22/R-404A. AG: heavy commercial 3-phase. VSC scroll: 2–10 HP commercial, R-404A, drop-in compatible. Use TSelect or Quick Select Guide to match capacity. Use Tecumseh-to-Tecumseh cross-reference for superseded models. Verify refrigerant, voltage, and BTU from the failed compressor nameplate before ordering.

FAQs

Who owns Tecumseh?
Jointly owned by Mueller Industries affiliates and Atlas Holdings (2015 acquisition, a disclosed purchase price). Founded 1934 in Tecumseh, MI by Herrick and Sage. Now headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI.

What is the Tecumseh compressor warranty?
60 months from manufacture or 12 months from authorized wholesaler sale, whichever first. Up to 5 years of shelf-life protection for distributor inventory.

What is TSelect?
Tecumseh's online product selection tool. Filter by type, refrigerant, capacity, voltage, phase, and market to identify the correct current model. System selector for condensing units also available.

What refrigerants do Tecumseh compressors support?
R-134a, R-513A, R-22, R-404A, R-507, R-407C, R-410A, R-290 (AJ2/AG), R-454B, R-32, R-454C, R-455A. Verify specific model compatibility before installation.

What is the difference between the AE, AJ, AK, and AW series?
AE/AE2: household/light commercial, R-134a, 115V. AJ/AJ2: low-medium temp commercial, R-134a/R-290, 115V. AK/AK2: medium temp commercial, R-22/R-404A, 208-230V. AW/AWA: low/med/high temp commercial, R-404A, 208-230V.

What service parts does Tecumseh make?
ESP line: K146 start capacitors, K150 run capacitor kits, K71 relay kits, K90 overload kits for Tecumseh hermetic compressors. ESP Guidebook maps compressor models to correct service parts.