A/C soft start units

[AZMike]

It seems to me that Soft Start and Easy Start are the two most popular units and also get the most press coverage. I have seen many more brands listed (on Amazon, for one) that are much cheaper. In fact, I have seen units in the $150 range. Have any of you either used these other brands, and what is your opinion of them? I for one, cannot see the justification for charging such a high price for what seems like a fairly simple device, especially since the cost of the R&D and initial introduction to the market has long past been paid for.

[howson]

AZMike -- I can't directly answer your question, all I can do is provide a testimony from my personal experience with MicroAir's EasyStart. Both of the a/c units on my 315RLTS have one installed. The bedroom EasyStart developed an issue working with my Victron inverter and MicroAir took it back, sending a new unit with updated firmware as a replacement at no cost to me.

Howard

[AZMike]

AZMike -- I can't directly answer your question, all I can do is provide a testimony from my personal experience with MicroAir's EasyStart. Both of the a/c units on my 315RLTS have one installed. The bedroom EasyStart developed an issue working with my Victron inverter and MicroAir took it back, sending a new unit with updated firmware as a replacement at no cost to me.

Howard

Thanks, Howard. During my research I have been leaning toward the MicroAir.

[acoleman43]

It seems to me that Soft Start and Easy Start are the two most popular units and also get the most press coverage. I have seen many more brands listed (on Amazon, for one) that are much cheaper. In fact, I have seen units in the $150 range. Have any of you either used these other brands, and what is your opinion of them? I for one, cannot see the justification for charging such a high price for what seems like a fairly simple device, especially since the cost of the R&D and initial introduction to the market has long past been paid for.

I also installed a Micro-Air Easy Start on my AC. Works exactly as advertised. I am able to start AC with just batteries. With the Easy Start, the AC startup current is about 12-15 amps. Without the Easy Start it was about 30 amps.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Another microair customer here. Happy with it, does what it is supposed to do. You are right in that some of the knock off copies could be just as good for less money. But you also will be a bit of a guinea pig as well. It may be a quality copy, it may be a cheap copy. Hard to determine that prior to purchase. I'm sure the el cheapo producer pads their 5 star ratings.

[CasadeMike]

I have a Dometic Brisk II on our Imagine XLS. I was going to to with MicroAir, but then I learned that Dometic makes their own stoft start specifically for that unit. The benefits were that all the wiring was already pre-cut to the right length with the appropriate connectors, and it came attached to a metal bracket with pre- drilled holes that perfectly mounted it over the fan motor under the shroud using the existing motor fasteners. No need to find enough empty space to stick it in somewhere like the MicroAir. so far it's been working great.

[SD McCart]

I'm also planning to install the Micro-air soon. Is the Micro-Air EasyStart 364 Soft Starter ASY-364-X20-IP the model you recommend for a Solitude with the Colman Mach 15 AC's? Also for those that did the install already, did you order the install kit? It appears to contain things I already have around the house. I just need to correct size wire which I assume is on the install instructions. Inverters R US has them for $279.57 right now. Thanks

[howson]

I'm also planning to install the Micro-air soon. Is the Micro-Air EasyStart 364 Soft Starter ASY-364-X20-IP the model you recommend for a Solitude with the Colman Mach 15 AC's? Also for those that did the install already, did you order the install kit? It appears to contain things I already have around the house. I just need to correct size wire which I assume is on the install instructions. Inverters R US has them for $279.57 right now. Thanks

See https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...s-2019-315rlts

Howard

[AZMike]

Another microair customer here. Happy with it, does what it is supposed to do. You are right in that some of the knock off copies could be just as good for less money. But you also will be a bit of a guinea pig as well. It may be a quality copy, it may be a cheap copy. Hard to determine that prior to purchase. I'm sure the el cheapo producer pads their 5 star ratings.

Thanks, Scott'n'Wendy. That's an excellent point about being a guinea pig for an unknown or unproven product.

[vogey75]

I've got the microair easystart on both of my units. Wasn't a difficult install following the instructions and watching videos beforehand. Haven't had any trouble with them. Use both A/C's in Missouri during July heat with 30 amps at some campgrounds.
(attached pic of a screenshot from last year of app readings)

[AlexPeterson]

I've got the microair easystart on both of my units. Wasn't a difficult install following the instructions and watching videos beforehand. Haven't had any trouble with them. Use both A/C's in Missouri during July heat with 30 amps at some campgrounds.
(attached pic of a screenshot from last year of app readings)

Just for clarification: the current the app shows is only the compressor. The two fans in each unit do take a similar amount of power as the compressor. I was able to determine this by looking at the current reported by the Watchdog.

[Craig Carter]

I installed three Micro-Air Easy Starts a couple of years ago and they have worked flawlessly. Install is easy and they provide good instructions. I also ordered the "installation kits" to ensure I had everything needed. They weren't cheap but you can often find discount codes.

[BWSTGDS]

Today installed a soft start on the living room AC. Simple easy to follow instructions, and a nice youtube video is available.

Coleman Mach 1497-3601 on Amazon

I wish I could capture inrush current on my clamp meter, to check the before and after results, but it's the slower Fluke 325 that doesn't quite do it. I'm told the 376/377 will do it. Just for kicks, I set my meter to capture the Max reading. Starting the AC before the softstart, I measured 15A on the black compressor wire, and after the install, 11A. So it's probably doing it's job now.

Locked rotor current is almost 60A on these 15K 48000 series units. Hoping to be able to fire up the AC on the inverter during quick stops along the road for lunch or a break, otherwise, just looking to add longevity. Have not heard the clunk on start with this unit that I used to hear with my previous travel trailer AC, but I've only run the AC in the Solitude a handful of times to check function.




Installing a Soft Start in a Coleman-Mach Air Conditioner (youtube.com)

[rally]

did that AC unit have a heat pump?

[BWSTGDS]

No, sir......