AC - EasyStart vs HardStart with numbers

[Mustang65]

I happened to watch the latest SAILING video from "Gone with the Wynns" and they have a comparison (with numbers - AMP's) of the EasyStart vs HardStart vs Basic AC startup SPIKE. I found the results interesting.

The comparison starts at about the 5:23 minutes into the video and runs to about 9:00 minutes.

Will I go out and buy one, not really I only run the AC on shore-power.

Let me know what you think.

https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/air...oning-sailboat

Don


My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Sundancer330]

That was an interesting video, I follow the Wynns adventure weekly. That soft start kit may help boondockers running off a smaller generator that otherwise would not be able to start an a/c unit.

[Atlee]

Since I already have 2 EU2000i's, I'll probably pass right now. However, should one fail, I'd probably go the Soft Start route befor replacing it.

[bdreinv]

Since we camp at 7000' in the summer. Champions tech support informed us are 3500 watt inverter generator will not start are 15000 BTU ac unit.So Micro air will be installed by May, will let you know how it works.Thanks good video!

[vcbice]

At 6700ft elevation our 2400W Yamaha started our 13,500 AC unit. I am surprised a 3500W would not start a 15k unit.

Sent from my SM-P580 using Tapatalk

[shrpshtr]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

Since we camp at 7000' in the summer. Champions tech support informed us are 3500 watt inverter generator will not start are 15000 BTU ac unit.So Micro air will be installed by May, will let you know how it works.Thanks good video!

Sounds to me someone at Champion is trying to play it ultra-conservative. I have a HF 3500w generator and it starts my Coleman 15k AC and NEVER spikes above 15amps. I know I'm not above 7000' but there is NO WAY it spikes above 25-28amps because of an elevation difference. Or did they indicate the Champion's amp rating drops below 25amps at that elevation?

shrp

[bdreinv]

Will be in Prescott Az over Memorial weekend I believe there around 6000'. Maybe better see if the ac works there first! Thanks

[vcbice]

Originally Posted by shrpshtr

Sounds to me someone at Champion is trying to play it ultra-conservative. I have a HF 3500w generator and it starts my Coleman 15k AC and NEVER spikes above 15amps. I know I'm not above 7000' but there is NO WAY it spikes above 25-28amps because of an elevation difference. Or did they indicate the Champion's amp rating drops below 25amps at that elevation?

shrp

The generator makes less power at altitude, by quite a bit.

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[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by shrpshtr

Sounds to me someone at Champion is trying to play it ultra-conservative. I have a HF 3500w generator and it starts my Coleman 15k AC and NEVER spikes above 15amps. I know I'm not above 7000' but there is NO WAY it spikes above 25-28amps because of an elevation difference. Or did they indicate the Champion's amp rating drops below 25amps at that elevation?

shrp

At 7000' the drop if I remember was 21%. Hope Champion was wrong! Thanks

[SkyBound]

Alright guys, time for someone to invent a turbo'd generator. Who's with me?

[geezerbob]

My Champion 2800/3100 would struggle to start (would kick out every other start attempt)our 13.5 a.c in a 2016 23rlsw. I added a soft start capacitor and that solved the issue.
We are at 1000 ft above sea level
Bob

[RAurand]

I have had a Micro-Air Softstart going on my 3rd summer. For the last 2 summers I didnt have any issues starting my AC with (1) 2000 watt Yamaha inverter Generator. We do quite a bit of boon docking and sometimes I will have both 2000 watt Yamahas running in parallel. The Micro - Air was a great investment for boondocking.
Use AIRSTREAM in the coupon code and get about $40.00 off.

[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by geezerbob

My Champion 2800/3100 would struggle to start (would kick out every other start attempt)our 13.5 a.c in a 2016 23rlsw. I added a soft start capacitor and that solved the issue.
We are at 1000 ft above sea level
Bob

Geezerbob which soft start kit did you use? Thanks

[geezerbob]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

Geezerbob which soft start kit did you use? Thanks

I texted Dometic with the serial number and mfg date of our 13.5 ac and they gave me the number of the hard or soft start capacitor. I don't remember where I Purchased it but it was approx. $20 to $30 and easy to install.
The ac info is under the outside shroud on top of the ac on the camper and just inside the ceiling grill on the ac The capacitor number that I looked at on a vendors web site like Camping world or ?? was not the same number that I got from Dometic. I have 3312302.007 written down but don't trust that get the one that Dometic says fits your ac. I have been reading where some people are happy with another brand that they paid $100 plus for. My short term memory and lack of notes may not be helpful for you i'm afraid.
Bob

[SkiSmuggs]

Thanks to the OP. I've had my Micro-Air for a year and now feel compelled to finally install it for this summer.

[ifallsguy]

Originally Posted by geezerbob

I texted Dometic with the serial number and mfg date of our 13.5 ac and they gave me the number of the hard or soft start capacitor. I don't remember where I Purchased it but it was approx. $20 to $30 and easy to install.
The ac info is under the outside shroud on top of the ac on the camper and just inside the ceiling grill on the ac The capacitor number that I looked at on a vendors web site like Camping world or ?? was not the same number that I got from Dometic. I have 3312302.007 written down but don't trust that get the one that Dometic says fits your ac. I have been reading where some people are happy with another brand that they paid $100 plus for. My short term memory and lack of notes may not be helpful for you i'm afraid.
Bob

So all you did was replace the start capacitor? If that's all that's needed, then the price of the Micro-Air kit is a rip off, unless they have something else to justify the price. Also where do I find the serial number and mfg date? Thanks.

[geezerbob]

Originally Posted by ifallsguy

So all you did was replace the start capacitor? If that's all that's needed, then the price of the Micro-Air kit is a rip off, unless they have something else to justify the price. Also where do I find the serial number and mfg date? Thanks.

The location of the ac info is in my post. I don't know what the other soft start kit is composed of.

[bdreinv]

Not according to Micro Air video, that's what I thought too! Just ordered Micro Air, type in AIRSTREAM 50 bucks off.

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by ifallsguy

So all you did was replace the start capacitor? If that's all that's needed, then the price of the Micro-Air kit is a rip off, unless they have something else to justify the price . . .

There's a HUGE difference between what a start cap does and the Micro-Air. If just replacing a start cap happens to work for a given situation, then it shows only a very small, several amp reduction in inrush current was needed for success. Lucky situation.

However, for those who need a 10, 20, or 30 amp reduction in inrush current for success, then the Micro-Air is your ONLY option---unless you want to purchase a 2nd generator. For these folks the $250-$300 cost of the Micro-Air is worth every penny. MUCH cheaper than purchasing another generator! Not to mention the significantly reduced wear and tear (load) on the generator everytime the compressor starts with the Micro-Air in circuit. The start cap does very little in this regard.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by CampNow

There's a HUGE difference between what a start cap does and the Micro-Air. If just replacing a start cap happens to work for a given situation, then it shows only a very small, several amp reduction in inrush current was needed for success. Lucky situation.

However, for those who need a 10, 20, or 30 amp reduction in inrush current for success, then the Micro-Air is your ONLY option---unless you want to purchase a 2nd generator. For these folks the $250-$300 cost of the Micro-Air is worth every penny. MUCH cheaper than purchasing another generator! Not to mention the significantly reduced wear and tear (load) on the generator everytime the compressor starts with the Micro-Air in circuit. The start cap does very little in this regard.

Well said CampNow.
Just to really show you how well the Micro-Air works. I test ran my AC on a 2000 watt Yamaha inverter Generator putting away in ECONOMY mode. Just to test it, I had a regular extension cord plugged into the 120V outlet on the generator and the other end of the extension cord connected to my 30 Amp plug. When the Air conditioner compressor kicked on, the generator didn't even overload, Without the Micro-Air, the generator would overload every time.
I agree, the Micro-Air really is the ONLY way to go.

Here is a great video explaining what it really does:
They compare normal, a hard start cap and the Micro-Air. Watch what happens on the bottom current meter.

https://haimoinhat.net/video/soP0uZFd0nQ/video.html