Coleman-Mach 48000 Soft Start

[ChiToones]

I'm considering installing a soft start on my Coleman-Mach 48000 A/C unit. After a little searching, it looks like there are three main products available: SoftStartRV, Micro-Air Easystart, and Coleman-Mach Soft Start Control Kit. I've seen comments on the first two but few on the Coleman-Mach. I'll probably get the Coleman-Mach because it's designed for my unit and it's cheaper than the other two. But, before I pull the trigger, I'd like to hear from y'all about your experiences with any/all of these products. Thanks in advance for anything you can share.

 

[Vicr]

I'm a retired electrician of 38 years and after some research I selected the Micro Air Easy Start and after two years of use it does the job with no issues. Electrons don't care what brand equipment they go thru, they do what they do so the Coleman-Mach brand won't perform any differently (unless it's designed differently) than the Micro-Air unit.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Why are you considering adding one? Because you have a generator too small to get it going, or because you think you need one?

 

[ChiToones]

I have a couple of reasons to add a soft start:

My inverter generator is 2,200W peak/1,800W running. It will run the A/C but not much else.

I also use an Oupes Mega 2 power station rated at 2,500W that usually trips when starting the A/C.

Additionally, the makers of the soft starts (if you believe the marketing) claim that adding one will extend the life of the compressor and lower overall power consumption.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

I designed electrical systems for over 35 years. Last 21 for top 15 in US private electrical contractor.
A soft start will do nothing for your generator. It already starts the AC. As far as your power station, it “might” help it start the AC. Power consumption? No not going to cut that back. Make your compressor last longer. Maybe slightly, but not much.
A soft start is basically a switch that turns off and on with pulse width to the power. So on and off for a few cycles. The same number of amps run through the motor, but over a longer period. That way, the breaker and the generator do not heat up as much. As for your power unit, I say maybe because it has electronic switch that trips at certain amperage. Since I’m not really into electronics, I can’t tell you how those switches react with pulsed amps.
Just my opinion. If your inverter generator can be paralleled to another just like it, that is what I would do. Or, if your power unit can tie with your inverter and share the load, that might work as well. The unit “must” share the load with the generator to work.
Hope this information helps you.

 

[dwaynebmsg]

I agree with Kevin about paralleling. The cost of a second 2200 watt will be much less, the 2200 will weigh less, probably be quieter, if you only need to run one A/C, be less expensive to operate, and if one won't start, you still have a back-up.

 

[ChiToones]

Thanks for your replies. Maybe getting a second generator makes sense...