Micro Air Easy Start & Generator Learning Process

[2edgesword]

I wanted to share my experience with the Micro Air Easy Start and hopefully help others avoid a potential issue with the installation and operation.

First I want to say the device does do what it claims to do, allow you to start/run a roof top A/C unit (13.5K in my case) with a small 2K watt generator. My issue developed when trying to then run the A/C on shore power.

Micro Air recommends taking the unit through the learning process while connected to shore power but the instructions add "Installations that do not have access to utility power can do the learn process on a generator, but with some risk of improper learning and it is not recommended on very marginal power sources." I interpreted (apparently improperly) the "risk of improper learning" as a failure to start/run the A/C using generator power after going through the learning process.

Unfortunately shore power wasn't available to me at the time of the installation and a Yamaha 2400IHSC generator was used. That said the learning process appeared to go successfully and afterwards I was able to start and run the A/C on the generator. Success...

Fast forward to my first camping trip and attempting to start/run the A/C on shore power. Unfortunately I found out that in some cases if the "learning" procedure is done using a generator the A/C may fail to start on shore power. When attempting to start the A/C the fan would start but after a few seconds the compressor fails to start.

I double checked all the wiring connections to be sure none of the wiring disconnecting while traveling. Having checked all the wiring the A/C compressor still failed to start. At that point I disconnected the Easy Start from the system, reconnected the original wiring and the A/C is running on shore power.

Also make note that there are three LEDs on the unit that actually identify errors. If you have an issue make note of which LEDs are lite. That information can be helpful in troubleshooting a problem.

I don't share this as a knock against the Easy Start device. It really does what it claims to do. But I would HIGHLY recommend that you do the learning process on shore power as recommend in the instructions to avoid running into a similar situation. I don't know if my situation is 1 in a 1000, 1 in 100 or 1 in 10 but be prepared for the possibility if you go through the learning process on a generator and at the first opportunity (not at the first necessity) check operation on shore power.

As for me there is a way to return the unit to the factory settings (delete the prior learning) so the unit can relearn the A/C system while connected to shore power (switching a jumper, powering on the unit then switching the jumper again so that it is in fresh learning mode). It requires opening the box to do it so I need to confirm I can do that myself without voiding the warranty. If not I'll have to send the unit back to Micro Air to do the reset.

Anyway, just an FYI for those that are doing a future installation.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Hopefully going to factory defaults will solve your problem. I have the competitor, the SoftStart from Network RV. It didn’t require a learning process and works great on Shore and Generator power.

You should probably give the people at Microair a call and discus the problem discuss it with them...good luck.

[2edgesword]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

Hopefully going to factory defaults will solve your problem. I have the competitor, the SoftStart from Network RV. It didn’t require a learning process and works great on Shore and Generator power.

You should probably give the people at Microair a call and discus the problem discuss it with them...good luck.

I had email correspondence with them and they are very responsive. Actually I learned about the LEDs and the faults they can identify from them.

Probably the only point of clarification I would have like to have seen in the instructions rather than the "risk of improper learning" is a mention of this as a potential problem. As mentioned when the A/C unit did start when using the generator (my ultimate objective) after going through the learning process with the generator I had no idea that improper learning could mean the A/C might fail to start the A/C on shore power. Unfortunately I didn't discover the potential for that issue until I needed A/C on shore power.

Live and learn.

[Racinforthefinish]

Sorry you are having this problem and it is good information that may help someone else avoid this mistake. I went with the SoftStart mainly because it was simpler to me in not having to do the learning curve.

[Rustic Eagle]

One advantage I found preforming the initial Micro Air 'learning' from shore power is that my A/C starts/runs a little quieter now when connected to shore power.

Works great with my Yamaha 2400 IHSC unit as well.

Bob

[JFlightRisk]

Excellent explanation of your experience with it. Thanks for bringing it to the Forum. That just might save some folks a fair degree of aggravation.

[Rustic Eagle]

I came across this recent "campsite" (my favorite mod install location) installation video of the Micro Air Easy Start product that I felt was easy to follow and informative .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6H_sUguUN4

Bob

[TCNashville]

I posted that same video in another thread and it is an excellent source of info. I just received my Micro Air unit today and plan on doing the install as soon as the weather permits. Great info to know about not doing the learning process on the generator. Question, my camper is in a storage facility and there is an outside GFI outlet I can access. Not sure if it's 15 or 20 amp. I have enough 12ga extension cord to reach the outlet and plug that into the camper via an adaptor. Is this enough power to start my 15k Coleman A/C to do the learning process?

[Allen_C]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

I posted that same video in another thread and it is an excellent source of info. I just received my Micro Air unit today and plan on doing the install as soon as the weather permits. Great info to know about not doing the learning process on the generator. Question, my camper is in a storage facility and there is an outside GFI outlet I can access. Not sure if it's 15 or 20 amp. I have enough 12ga extension cord to reach the outlet and plug that into the camper via an adaptor. Is this enough power to start my 15k Coleman A/C to do the learning process?

Yes, you should be OK. I was able to start and run my a/c on my 15A outlet at home and was able to have the easy start learn effectively. I can now start it from shore, generator or Lifepo4 battery.

[Riich]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

I posted that same video in another thread and it is an excellent source of info. I just received my Micro Air unit today and plan on doing the install as soon as the weather permits. Great info to know about not doing the learning process on the generator. Question, my camper is in a storage facility and there is an outside GFI outlet I can access. Not sure if it's 15 or 20 amp. I have enough 12ga extension cord to reach the outlet and plug that into the camper via an adaptor. Is this enough power to start my 15k Coleman A/C to do the learning process?

I would say no.

12 gauge wire, if there is any length involved, is going to create quite a voltage drop. I would highly recommend waiting until you have good shore power close by and plug in with the RV power cord. Especially with a 15K AC unit.

[Allen_C]

Originally Posted by Riich

I would say no.

12 gauge wire, if there is any length involved, is going to create quite a voltage drop. I would highly recommend waiting until you have good shore power close by and plug in with the RV power cord. Especially with a 15K AC unit.

This is not correct! 12awg at 120v only has a 2% voltage drop in a 25' extension cord.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

snip..... Question, my camper is in a storage facility and there is an outside GFI outlet I can access. Not sure if it's 15 or 20 amp....snip

The Micro Air installation documents (Rev 1.00) I have state in reference to the 'five starts'.....; "We recommend that these starts are done on a 20 amp or greater utility power source with all loads in the RV turned off".

Personally, I would wait until you have a 30 amp power service available (shore power) for the learning process. I did my install and 'five starts' at a local campground w/30amp shore power service. After the 'learning' process I tested my Micro Air installation with my genny, worked great.

Bob

[Riich]

Originally Posted by Allen_C

This is not correct! 12awg at 120v only has a 2% voltage drop in a 25' extension cord.

He said he had "enough" 12 gauge extension cord to reach the outlet. How much cord is that? And how far is the receptacle from it's own source of power? With those unknowns I stand by my no answer.

[TCNashville]

Sorry guys I should've mentioned the length of the cord involved here which would be around 60' but I could move the camper to within 10' of the receptacle. Although I could probably do it at 10', I think to be absolutely sure I'll wait until I have 30 amp shore power to do the learning process and thanks for the concerns and comments. My real curiosity here is whether my Champion 2000w inverter generator will start my 15K unit. Fingers crossed!
I noticed in one of Bob's comments that all other power loads should be turned off to do the learning process. Since I'll be camping while doing this, I was wondering if running the fridge on propane during the learning process would be ok since it would be 12v.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

snip....Since I'll be camping while doing this, I was wondering if running the fridge on propane during the learning process would be ok since it would be 12v.

I'm not an electrical geek, but I think you should be ok.

In my case I grabbed a beer out of the frig 'then' turned the frig "off" (I wasn't on LP) and also the converter/charger breaker "off" during the 'learning' process..., plus any other 110v (non-A/C) power load breaker.

Bob

[craigav]

QQ for those of you with the Micro Air Easy Start, is there any advantage to having this installed other than for using the A/C with a small generator? In other words my built-in generator starts the A/C just fine, but if installing this adds to the life of the A/C then that would be good to know. ~CA

[JudyB]

I talked to my dealer techs whom I trust. They said its a waste of $$ as my genny handles start up well.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by craigav

QQ for those of you with the Micro Air Easy Start, is there any advantage to having this installed other than for using the A/C with a small generator? In other words my built-in generator starts the A/C just fine, but if installing this adds to the life of the A/C then that would be good to know. ~CA

I've heard that it can extend the life mechanically of the A/C unit though I don't see much regarding that on their website. I can say that my unit is much quieter during startup now compared to before. No loud thunk and shudder when it kicks in which is really nice on those nights we have to run the A/C late or overnight. It's basically the noise of the fan coming on now.

[GraftonGuns]

12 Ga. extension cord is good for 15 amps. DEPENDING on the length of the cord. Longer it is, the more ampacity o( or draw).you incur.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by JudyB

I talked to my dealer techs whom I trust. They said its a waste of $$ as my genny handles start up well.

Just curious, what brand/model/watt genny do you have?

Bob