It was an electrolytic cap. However I switched to a .22 uF 250 v non electolytic cap and left out the resister and put the mov in parallel with it. It works like a charm. I was so stoked.
I put a varistor across the load (110vac motor)and it improved a bit. As far as the RC network I'm not sure what you mean. I used a 1uF and a 22 ohm then a 100 ohm . They both fried.I had them across the load like you stated.
I have a preloaded counter that I use to shut off a relay . It works great until I run 110vac through the contacts of the relay.Then it makes the counter load up various numbers that it pulls out of the sky. I have tried to isolate the relay with an opto isolator and with diodes and transistors...