Soft Start Killed Compressor! UNEDITED Central AC Service Call for No Air Conditioning Revealed!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2023
- Compressor Killed by Soft Start? MUST WATCH this unedited Central AC service call for NO Central A/C
⚠️Do not attempt to install this repair if you are not qualified and/or trained working with gas equipment.⚠️
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The headline was a bit misleading. Reading it, it implied that the Soft Start "killed" the compressor, meaning it failed and required replacement. In reality, it shut down power to the compressor and faulted out, but the compressor itself was fine. And as some have noted already, was protecting the compressor from over current due to dirty coils, and I believe it was an undersized soft start for this particular unit.
The soft start killed the compressor. Those are the fax it kill the power to the compressor that is more factual.
Facts* and no those aren’t the facts. Killed the compressor means damage and replace. This was not the case. The soft start went bad due to amperage
@@PipeDoctor wow what a pathetic attempt to play on words to prove you are correct. Are you a participation trophy graduate??
Sad, but thanks for revealing your nature and character. Makes it easier not to waste my time thinking I may learn something.
No, the soft start kit worked and as a so called professional, why did you not troubleshoot the soft start and call the company?
Because a soft start kit are awesome in protecting the windings from high current loads. My 20+ year old Bosch table saw has a soft start kit and is a dream to use anywhere because it will not trip a 15 amp ckt.
Th click bait implies that soft start kits damage compressor and therefore I would not use one. A bit of a drama queen tossing the SS kit off to the side, yea my hero removed the bad, bad SS kit...Pffft..
@@PipeDoctor Hi sir. When someone reads or hears that something has been "killed" we always take it as that the part has been severely damaged or destroyed. Killing the compressor is different than killing the power TO the compressor.
@@PipeDoctor Most soft starts also act as a surge protector could have been a surge maybe a lightning strike somewhere else caused the soft start sacrificed itself. I know you wanted to get clicks and views knew bunch of people would react to the video headline 118k views LOL. If the customer is never going to use a generator why replace it I agree remove it.
That soft start wasn’t the correct one for that unit. The amp load finally killed the soft start. That unit needs the 16-32 model. I install these all the time when I install generators and had this issue with the first one I installed thought were the same but were not. Learned the have max ampacity ratings as well and will give out prematurely
Agreed 👍
Testament of quality.....I noticed manufacture date as week 37 of 2019...if that unit worked for 4 years as undersized equipment, I can only give praise
I saw that as well, the nameplate rating of the soft start was 08-16 FLA and the nameplate rating for the outdoor unit was 25.3 FLA. The soft start was undersized. It didn’t fail, it shut down from a continuous overcurrent condition, hence the one flash per three seconds indicating “Over Current” fault. The meter indicated it was using 19.4 amps.
I believe these are sold primarily in the RV industry to enable a 5KW generator to operate 2 ~14k btu units to operate on the limited power available when boon docking.
@@wtaylorhudson3702 Actually, they've been selling these (all soft starts, not just this one) for at least 15 years maybe longer. We use them on a lot of HVAC units at ATT equipment buildings so as to reduce surge loads on backup generators to keep them from shutting down to overcurrent conditions when the HVAC cycles. They've since started to become popular with the SureStart aftermarket add-on soft-starts brand on solar homes and off-grid home conversions so as to not have the extra expense of having to replace legacy hvac units with more efficient split systems when converting. They're great products, but having the proper size installed works best...
A soft start works great if sized and installed correctly. They also extend compressor life, if you think otherwise you need to go back to school.
Exactly.
wrong
Soft starters are used throughout industry in high-draw electric devices to prevent them from failing so hard.
Soft starters are a genius invention.
@@troy3456789 No there not, use the proper size generator. When your compressor comes up with a blown start winding you wont think so.
Pity to lose the soft starter. I wouldn't run my AC without one. Next time you might want to check the product manual to see why the starter decided the compressor needed to be turned off before disposing of an expensive upgrade.
He needed to clean that nasty plugged up condenser coil. It probably would've resumed working fine with the soft starter if he did.
Lol your A/C might not run with one.
Next time think twice before installing the thing.
@@RadioRich100 I love the people like yourself who know nothing dispensing "advice." It extends the life of the compressor. They may also have installed it because of the solar power to draw down current if it was whole house solar. The majority of wear is incurred when it starts due to the heat generated by power that is REDUCED with one.🤡🤡🤡
@@independenttntn3276 I know alot about itand can tell you its unneccesary junk
On the DIY Solar Forum we recommend Soft Starters for anyone that wants or needs to operate a central A/C system on an inverter when utility power is down. MicroAir Easy Start and HyperEngineering are both good brands. MicroAir seems to be more sophisticated as far as diagnostic codes but then it costs more also. The HyperEngineering unit that you removed was too small for that old, inefficient compressor. Its rated for 8-16 RLA, NOT 20. Model 16-32 is what should have been installed. Others in the comments below noticed the same thing. I think you were a little too quick to judge the product and call it junk.
Okay
Most of us HVAC techs were not taught anything about soft start devices in school or on the job until recently. Now that our power grid throughout the USA is getting some age on it, becoming very unreliable, the crazy weather adding to the problems, everyone getting solar systems, they are becoming more popular…real fast. I have three on my 52,000W solar system alone. All different brands. They all work great when you install the correct model. We always carried hard start kits on the truck. We installed those for everything from hard to start compressors to dimming lights. You don’t know what you don’t know.
Many recent Micro Air soft starts also have a blue tooth connection. So the app would have shown the unit error for the homeowner and would have helped you with your diagnostics quicker.
Micro-Air is beta testing a new model 398 that is a “one size fits all” model, stay tuned.
Never heard of a soft start kit, although the first thing I would do would be to replace the Dual cap and add a hard start regardless,, add a 24v tdr in line with your contactor.( inspect contacts)
That should eliminate a heavy draw of amperage.
Wow, what a complete screwed up diagnosis of the issue. If you could read the Soft Start flashes 1x/ 3 seconds it was telling you that the Soft Start was sensing the compressor was over ampering (20+ Amps on a 25.3 RLA Compressor below recommend specs but shows issues). My First indicator would have been to check the Dual Run capacitor (wouldn't have been hard to pop it out while you were rewiring everything). Also, the amount of air coming out of the top of the condensing unit should have been your first clue of how dirty the coils were. Lastly, the tenants called you because you installed the equipment 15 years ago. Did you mount the condensing unit that close to the wall?? I bet the manual even gives you minimum spacing requirements for unit breathing. Looks like the Soft Start device is working properly, not sure if I can say the same for HVAC Tech.
You sound like a whiny chick who i kicked out of my bed last night.
You're completely right Brad. Glad someone on here knows what they are talking about, instead of just calling something they clearly don't understand..a 'hockey puck' and removing it without verifying if there was an actual need for it (like the solar system the house has), and cleaned it FIRST. If he had just admitted his mistake, I might have subscribed, but no way following someone that insults someone for simply informing them they made mistakes in their diagnosis.
@@PipeDoctoryou sound like a completely incompetent “tech” that’s overpaid for uneducated guesses.
The guy is right . The problem is no air. Chuck the softstart problem solved. Home owners deal with the soft start.
Its not the techs job to deal with that as its not part of the A/C unit. His job is to get it working, not play with its accessories.
1.- wrong soft start for that type of unit (undersized for 5 Ton AC) 2.- I noticed the manufacturing date of the soft-starter as Week 37 of 2019, we are now in 2023.....that is a testament of the quality of the product...imagine how many cycles that soft-starter goes thru every year, being undersized and taking that beating....lol
agreed
Can’t wait for the solar panels to try and start the unit w/out the soft start.
I saw they have solar. I wonder if the soft start was so their batteries can handle the inrush current of the A/C.
I expect it would more for bring the starter load within the inverters surge capacity.
Yeah, but without the soft start module, it uses 4 times more power to start the compressor.
Who installed the soft start kit if you've been servicing this home for the past 15 years?
Most likely, the company that installed the solar.
If it were mine I'd came out yelling, "I GOT A HOSE I GOT A HOSE!" Just to get out of cleaning that wool blanket off the coils lol.
Overall, do you recommend a Soft Starter? If so, how much do they run to install?
Put the proper soft start on the unit and save the customer some money on her monthly electric bill. Soft start devices are NOT STUPID!
Oh yeah? On a old R22 unit it is.
@@PipeDoctor nope electrical load is same regardless of gas used. Regardless of age, the energy bill reduction for folks like me on a fixed income all adds up.
You so considerate of your customers..../s
Not going to save money no utility measures demand rates by the second. It's measured over 15 min period unless the unit draws 100 amps for 15 minutes not going to increase the bill. The only reason to have one is if you are using solar, or a generator.
@@PipeDoctor Why is that? Not starting an argument...it's just interesting to me. Also, R22 is all but dead, correct? I live in Vegas, so maybe R22 units are dying faster here vs. elsewhere.
Your stupid if you think it lowers your electic bill
I installed a soft start on my older 3.5 ton unit, and it ran well for about 30 days, then the compressor stopped. I hadn't had the unit truly professionally checked in 19 years. I removed the soft start, and the compressor came back on, but ran for a long time before it would cool the house. I ordered a new capacitor to be safe, and installed it. The next day the unit iced up, so called in the original installer to check the charge. 22 ounces low. In the meantime, I had returned the soft start, and got the refund. Now I'm figuring the soft start was not defective, it actually sensed a problem with the compressor because of the significantly low charge. I may reinstall one again next summer, as well as have the tech back to see where the charge is going into next summer.
Thanks for sharing your experience
If your unit is about 20 years old, think about replacing the systems and get something more efficient and save money on electric bills and needless repairs!
I need help!! I decided to try to install one of these myself. I open up the condensing unit panel only to discover there’s no contactor for the compressor or condenser fan. Just a transformer, run capacitor and an electronic board. Does that mean I don’t have a contactor??? Ty.
Soft start, as you know, should pull about 25 amps. I have one that allowed the generator to power the HVAC and, the bonus, the lights no longer blink when the compressor kicks on. On my Am Std, the LRA was huge before.
Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow
@@PipeDoctor Stay tuned for more click-bait?
I'm super confused. You did a video on a icm 870 softstart, but call this one junk. Can you elaborate? Are there good and bad softstarts?
Finally a great question. As I am fairly new to soft starts and the technology, it pays to learn something new everyday. Stay tuned for part 2 - coming tomorrow n
He's a bs'er?
My Wife passed her drivers test. She got 18 out of 20. Two people Jumped out of the way.
LOL
😂
Nothing wrong with that soft start. It was cutting out on over current, 21 amps is right at the fault limit for the 16 amp unit. Good chance it worked until the coil started getting dirty. I'd be willing to bet they have some kind of battery back up for their solar, possibly a PowerWall to go along with the Tesla and that's why it was installed.
Those SureStarts are actually really good units. They are just a bit pricey compared to all the others that are on the market now.
Agree. I think that soft start device was actually protecting the compressor due to the amp draw. 22 running amps is not normal so it cut the compressor.
Stay tuned for the follow up video
I saw the panel had solar equipment stickers… that 130amp surge will knock out any backup inverter
Exactly. There was a reason it was installed... Solved the problem of getting the compressor running, but created a whole new one.
Your first mistake is calling a plumber to do hvac. Been in hvac for years and never understood why plumbers think they are hvac experts. Superheat, subcool, and microns are a long way off.from sewage
I'm glad I watched this...I'm getting a transfer switch put in so I can hook up a backup generator because we lose power quite often..Part of that process is a soft start for the AC. I was concerned at first until I saw the soft start failed and didn't actually damage the compressor.
did you go back and turn the faucet off? :)
Gfreat service call!! **BUT** ever thought that maybe the soft start unit actually SAVED the unit? they fault out on high current.. that dirty coil very well could be why it was shutting down the compressor.. and the soft start unit was actually protecting the compressor.. I get it, the customer was hot but those pressures were way up there and the current pull was high as well as the discharge temp from the condenser.. ill bet it wouldve continued to run if you sprayed down the coil (well if their hose faucet worked)....
Maybe. Only time will tell
I also think the soft starter was falsely getting the blame here.
@@PipeDoctor Not really, because you removed the soft starter.
When it dies the customer will call again and time for a new AC unit $$$$$$ I live in Phoenix I know how this industry works.
@@Mike-01234yep. He left it with a wool rug on the condenser. He didn't bother asking the customer about a working hose bib.
Another great job Mike 😊
you did not shut off the hose water valve ... client may find out the bad way later on
The soft start was there for a reason. To start the AC system when theres no grid power.
Im not even an HVAC guy and know this.
The softstart is the weak link in the system as designed. So its best to replace that first.
The soft start starts the fan first and then cranks up the compressor. The max draw is lowered significantly in order for either solar power or a generator will be able to start it.
Im more than certain that SunNow solar system installed that softstart kit for the homeowner.
I think HVAC companies need proper training on homes equipped with solar/grid tied systems
Wrong SureStart model was installed. Also, that "SureStart stupid thing" was protecting the compressor by shutting it off. You may be good at general AC work, but you definitely need a bit more education in the soft starter side of the business. These SureStart devices are EXCELLENT at what they do, provided the correct one is installed AND the compressor unit is properly maintained....both of which were not done in this case. On a side note, if the correct model had been used on this unit, and you removed it like you did, by running the compressor without it with the coils being filthy as they are, you are now actually doing damage to the compressor by forcing it to run without the protection of the SureStarter cutting off the compressor when it's filthy and working hard.
thanks for your feedback.
So you saying I shouldn’t add a soft start to my AC unit? I want to run my air back feeding my house with my generator, when the power is out.
No
ive put a hundred of sure starts in on generator jobs and solar jobs to lower starting amps of ac they are required in such applications i would check if they have solar or a gennie they are like a smart hard start kit they are pricey my fav hardstarts is the ones called kickstart
I saw some solar company stickers on the meter and hardware, so yea, especially if there's battery backup on the system I'm thinking the softstart is needed.
Stay tuned for part2
Side question. What color is that 911TS in the garage at the start of the video?
When you come back, look for a lockout kit on the electrical panel. The previous homeowners might have set it up for using a portable generator, which would explain why the soft start kit was installed.
As others have said, sizing of those is critical
Tesla batteries on the wall of the garage. Solar on the roof
Great video! I gotta know what kind of pup you got there with you at the end?? Is that a Golden Dachshund?
That hyper engineering soft start jacked my unit up too. Ordering a micro air now. Mine was sized correctly just failed. Luckily it didn’t mess up anything
amazing . 67 amp draw . I never knew that . What size start would I need for a 120 v 12 amp motor ?
110/120 volt? IDK 🤷🏻♂️
So what happens when the family loses city power and they need to power the unit with a generator? No chance of doing that now huh?
Wrong
@@PipeDoctor Man, that is a 5TON unit. with over 120AMP LRA. You'll need like a 30K Watt genie. However, I would def. ask the customer what they wanted and give them the choice. Good job keeping that unit running so long. It may have another 15 years left in it.
Are soft starts good? Been looking at them for generator power.
Yes
Found this video by chance. I'm in Australia where those soft starters (and hyper engineering) first began. Panasonic Australia used them by default for any single phase Panasonic wall split or ducted. Fujitsu Australia used them for larger units if customers complained ceiling lighting dimmed or any other power drain problem but quickly developed their own system. I replaced a lot of hyper starts from 2002-2014, they all seem to fail eventually, but just the same all capacitors fail eventually too - especially the 2 in one caps. I probably had more call outs for 6 year old capacitors than anything else before I left the industry. When they changed capacitors for the awful smelling fluid to veg oil failure rates were higher in them than anything else for that 10 year period. Since 2012 though everything is a DC inverter 3 phase so no more hyper starts, no more capacitor failures - everything PCB or DC fan motor related. Now I just sell truck trays, canopies and service bed/canopies and just use the AC for my own comfort, so no more fixing them
Nothing like just being able to use the AC and not have to fix it daily. Enjoy retirement from the HVAC trades:)
I've seen 40 y/o capacitors still working but they were huge and had better dielectric insulation and more oil coolant!
@@PipeDoctor Yeah, I started off on military bases in 1992 doing central plant chillers and cold/freezer rooms. I downgraded to commercial A/C for 3 years, then downgraded again to be trained in mini splits - but that employer also did marine and coolrooms. Not fun doing midnight call outs to butcher shop fridges or ships just docked. Got to go on some cool ships at least, included frigates and subs. Ended up self employed doing mainly domestic and small stuff but I got sick of it - especially being in ceiling crawl spaces on a hot summers day, or 20' long extension ladders needed for small commercial roof unit access.
Were did you get your watch. Looks cool
thats an iWatch
Love the tools you have available. The smart sensors for reading the pressures, the iPad app and the multi meter
It's great to hear that you appreciate the tools I use in my videos!
Been servicing that 0roperty for 15 years! Who installed it?
came home and the fan capacitor blew melted the wire ,, I replaced it but the temperature comes out at 72 now ,, could the compressor have gone bad ??? compressor comes on , heat comes out of fan but hot in house?????
something electrical. maybe thermal overload.
@@PipeDoctor it was a refurbished ac I just bought ,, the wiring was all wrong my friend came over and re wired it works great now ,, thanks . the speed control wire was not hooked up for the exhaust fan so it was running at a high speed and when the new capacitor was hooked up properly the condenser would not come on ,, crazy .. its amazing how just wiring can fool you to think the fan is bad or the condenser is bad .. and they zip tied the compressor wire to metal and it would ark and spark when starting up
Removed expensive upgrade without discussing replacement with correct device and also left hose bib on.
I had that same brand soft start installed 4 years ago so I could run my 12KW generator. Starting amps is 75 and running amps are 15 and the generator doesn't lug down much at all when it starts. If you have the wrong size soft start, it will not last which is what appears to have happened here.
Crazy
I told her at the Beginning of Summer, the Fur Coat has to GO but she ignored me and Mikey Pipes had to be called cutting into her maximum spending budget. 😬👍
Lol 😂
Calling Soft Start a HOCKEY PUCK is like Calling Mikey a HACK
Well let’s just say this soft start was a hockey puck
Turn the water faucet back off outside. 😎👍
Damn. If I don’t show it I get yelled at!
@@PipeDoctor of course, we wouldn't have it any other way!
😂😂😂😂😎👍😂😂😂😂
I saw that too! I even rewinded the video to make sure I thought I saw him leave the hosebib on. I did.
How can you be so hypocritical…You try to sell a soft start on 1 service call, and because another breaks down, it’s a junky hockey puck? All of the $400 “soft starts” are the same. It just got toasted from high current. 5 tons on a soft start??? Hire a electrician before you and Peter put the entire Panhandle out of power and try to shade the blame?!?! And you already had ure “brand” on it??
Hell he had his sticker on the unit, he may have sold the hockey puck to begin with 😅
You are absolutely correct. According to the model number that Soft Start may have been too small. HyperEngineering does make another larger single phase model. They probably should have installed that larger one.
@@bentleyjarrard885
My employees get tiered of me being right all the time. After a while you will get used too it.
I guess you missed the punch line with the 15 others who thumbs up the video. Stay tuned for part 2 and THANKS for watching and commenting.
Hey Pipes since your getting into biz in Florida, what tankless electric HW heater would you recommend? Property is in Naples or I would give you a call.
Check out eMaxx
Call a licensed plumber
I noticed they had a solar panel box next to the outdoor unit. If you removed the glorified hockey puck and they had whole house batteries aaaaand did not put something in return. You might have cost them upwards of 15k. Or the inverter unit.
The soft start is so the intial amp draw does not kill the batteries.
The soft start has a reset button, you don't have to throw it on the ground.
Plus the 130v max means it's using so much electricity VS what is was using with the Power Factor Correction device.
The main problem with PFC like capacitors it proper sizing - under or over sizing can cause problems.
Good Active PFC with addional capacitors in parallel not only stabilize voltage but also reduce the reactive power used of the grid.
The meter on a house measures the reactive power used from the grid & they bill according base on kwh.
Given that electricity is energy & energy is neither created nor destroyed , we are wired into a system of generate,harness energy & the waste it thru transmission.
The actual power comes to the hot wire & is returned thru the neutral and the amount of resistance our wiring insulation release back into thin air is what we get billed for.
did the owner re-route their dryer's exhaust? nothing chokes out a coil like link. i've used stakes and garden fabric to build effective barriers. this may not be the issue here - but that coil brought back memories :)
Yeah
I totally get branding. I also have beef with a recent HVAC branding issue. We hired a contractor to finish our basement. The HVAC guy who they hired to adjust ducting for the finish scratched off all the name and contact info of the company who installed the furnace and AC. He put his own branding sticker on. I get it, however as a homeowner who paid to have a furnace and AC installed only 4 years ago, and have it still under warranty, I need that info if there are warranty issues. Unless this new HVAC guy is going to take over the warranty from the original install…which I doubt. Anyway, annoyed the shit out of me and I won’t be calling that new guy back
The name and number to avoid is now right there!
Notice the house had solar and the soft start allows the compressor to run off lower amps making it possible to power the entire house off-grid.
not anymore 🤣
Those soft starts are wonderful. They do have a failure rate just like anything else. Shouldn't bad mouth what you don't know.
how high is the failure rate though? anything over 10% is a problem IMO
@@Lewdacris916 I've had probably 10:1 caps over soft starts failure rate on equipment with a soft start installed. Nothing is perfect even had some sure switch failures but I still believe strongly in them. Voltage monitors also especially in problematic areas due to u/o voltage issues.
I did mini split repairs in Australia, the pansonics had the soft start - the rest of the unit was solid as in copeland scroll, good electronics, good capacitor. If I got a service call to one of those panasonics it was either the hyper engineering soft start fail, mice eating wiring or the indoor unit louvre snapped. Fujitsu made their own soft starter after testing hyper engineering for a short time and a breakdown with them was usually capacitor or compressor. LG, Daikin and Sharp fixed speed non inverter pre 2005 - always capacitor. Funny anything made before 2000 hardly ever had a capacitor fault but it became a plague of bad caps from 2000-2010. I know why, because they changed them from something very toxic to veg oil, so it's still always the weak point in single phase fixed speed systems. But it is possible to make a more reliable soft starter, fujitsus own in house design they ended up using had way less failures than hyper engineering's white boxes.
Another armchair technician who completely missed the point.
Point is “customers Central AC stopped working “
The soft start killed the compressor.
I removed it.
Central ac now working.
Don’t be a dick.
Soft start kits are junk; use only a good hard start kit.-
Have you ever seen a bad capacitor when not working right suck enough power to brown out the house. We have this house overloaded to start with
. It doesn’t trip the breaker but will steal all the power when it kicks on? It’s like 1 second. Long enough to restart my router other devices stay on. Hopefully just fixed it with new capacitor. AC Dimming lights is closest video I can find on it. 🤞🏻
What's up with that rusted drier?
I do alot of stand-by generator installs, and have installed many of that exact "soft start" module. They work great, for reducing the inrush current (and thus, not overloading the genset on start-up), AND they reduce the physical starting torque (the forces exerted on the compressor and piping) of the condenser compressor. Have yet to see one fail, if it was initially properly sized. It appears that one wasn't.
The problem(s) with the unit is this video was NOT really due to the "stupid soft start thing" (your terminology), it was due to the apparent total LACK OF MAINTENANCE on the condenser. Lack of maintenance caused the soft-start to fail, causing the intermittent compressor run issue. The soft start's don't fail if your compressor (condenser) is properly maintained. They will, in fact, increase the life of the condenser units.
Lack of maintenance and wrong size. So yeah, it was a stupid soft start thing that killed the compressor.
@@PipeDoctor Stick to plumbing
@@PipeDoctor Excellent video, but I must express that it seems somewhat disrespectful to technology and science to discard and throwing items as you did without proper examination. I understand that your expertise primarily lies in plumbing, and that electronics and electrical engineering are distinct fields. However, embracing new knowledge is crucial, and showing disregard/disrespect may not foster learning, which is equally important as aspects like "branding." Observing the AC unit in your video, it appears to be in poor condition and in dire need of either a soft or hard start mechanism. In past this necessity likely led someone to install a soft start device, although they chose one that was undersized. While it functioned for a time, it was inevitable that it wouldn't last indefinitely. Therefore, I suggest considering the installation of a correctly sized soft or hard start device for their system, as the old system might fail unexpectedly. Thanks
So how many of them have you sold?
@@RadioRich100 I don't "sell" them, per se. I do recommend them to the people I've done GenSet installs for. I give them the info and a link, and they purchase direct.
I've done 6 or 7 installs of the soft-starts in the last 2 years. All are performing flawlessly.
Next time take your start amp reading, then read run and common at the same time. You will notice that when you have the correct size capacitor that those two readings will be identical. This indicates a balanced field and also serves as a dynamic test without math. Try it
It’s extremely useful when you are unsure of the correct cap size
Thanks for the tip!
@@PipeDoctor on a four wire setup you need both commons and run.
The owners need to buy a micro-air soft start. That's a lot better unit and will cut their power bill way down and even let the owners use a smaller generator to power their house or rather the main items you want to power when there's an outage. A hard starter will draw more power and you might need a lot bigger generator to get your AC to function all because of the inrush / startup amps and the run amps.
You are so full of it, those things will not save money, protect the compressor or any other nonsense Im reading on here. If anything they will damage the compressors start winding and destroy your unit. Get the right size generator and stop re engineering A/C units
I've got that same soft start on my unit😱, my unit is only 2.5 ton so maybe ok?
Maybe
So I'm confused, is he saying the soft start device was the issue, or did the device do what it was supposed to do, which is take the fail, saving a costly compressor replacement? Also, was he calling it "stupid" because he doesn't like that the unit has a soft start? I only say that because I've heard soft starts help extend the compressor's life, which, in turn, could reduce his maintenance visits/fees, and as he said, "leave money on the table".
I 100% call the stickers on my devices lol, I assume they have some familiarity with it.
That fur coat has 2 fur coats
Sale on Fur coats
installed a Micro-air 368-48x-bluetooth (3.5 ton) and dropped amps from 113 start to 25 start. and by the way i was in commercial dishwasher repair (restaurants) for 30 years and sometimes used only mailings to send my sticker and a short note to JUST SAVE STICKER FOR EMERGENCY.. well guess what so many people thought i was there to service before. So as new management (or homeowners ) come in, they first called me.....I used an expensive sticker and it paid for itself and a lot more
Thanks for sharing
Hello, did you use a generator if yes what wattage might be good for a 3.5 ton ac. Thanks
Misdiagnosed, failure to understand the in-rush current readings, and just threw out a soft-start device that was doing its job to prevent damage to the compressor because of dirty coils. The compressor is now overworking itself because the protection was removed, and he couldn't find a hose. This guy is a clown, I now know to avoid the Pipe Doctor at all cost for any HVAC work.
Suck it bruh 😎
They have a solar installation, the difference between 130 amps, and 65 amps at start can make a huge difference. Soft start should have been replaced, not just eliminated? The fault could have been from the compressor being so dirty.
The condenser unit was installed too close to the wall.
You said you put freon in it the first time and the second time you come out and looked for the leak, my question is why did you not look for the leak after the first time?
Because customer didn’t care.
That dirty condenser coil should of been the first thing you checked!
Stay tuned for part 2
@@PipeDoctor Will do.
I like how he left the faucet open 🤣
I have heard mostly positive reviews on certain brands of soft starts, but agree that was probably not the correct size for that unit. Maybe it was the video frame rate, but I noticed the condenser fan didn't seem to be running as it should have. Was it just the video frame rate illusion? 🤔
Wrong size
Good Vid, but calling it stupid when it was saving the client money for years probably and keeping the motor from spiking every time it turns on was not a bad thing. Things break though. HVACs break too! lol. thx
I’m sure you know that these soft starts have been around a long time. They use them on units for RVs. It failed because someone installed the wrong one . Maybe installed by the solar company. I have the correct one for mine, different brand, and never had a problem. My generator can easily run my 4 ton now. It could before but not without a huge groan. Branding, I use magnets. I’ve seen some of my original magnets from 31 years ago on refrigerators.
Nothing like seeing your own magnet or sticker from the 1990’s. Now that’s branding.
Hello, what wattage generator are you using. I have a 5000predator generator and wondering if I can use it for my 3.5 ton ac?
Where do you source your stickers from?
My printing company. Command Printing in Hauppauge, NY
I suspected the soft start device was undersized for the application once it was found. The devices are good, but only if correct application is followed. In this case the unit probably maxed out at 3.5 to 4 ton systems and was being asked to work on a 5 ton system. Think of it like putting a Lawnmower battery in your car, it might start it for a short time, but it is not strong enough for continued use.
Yes, it was grossly undersized
@@PipeDoctorsince you had been the service man on the unit for the last 15 years…. You installed it? Good job!
Is the MicroAir 368 Soft Start a good product?.
I'm personally using the exact same HyperEngineering Soft Start module Mike Removed (guess they do go bad) on my 4 ton Goodman and it works very well. Cuts inrush by 70% such that we are able to run the Air Conditioning on our Schneider 6848 XW+ Inverter with no problem. MicroAir368 is also one of the Soft Start products we often recommend on the DIY Solar Forum for members that need to operate central air on a split phase inverter when utility power is out.
I think so but if I recall it’s larger so more challenging to fit. You saw how compact the HyperEngineering box was, fit right in.
Thanks for sharing Bentley
A “soft starter” increases the efficiency and longevity of HVAC units and heat pumps. It reduces the in-rush current needed for compressors to start by 60%, thus minimizing potential damage to compressors from mechanical shock hard-starting current surges
That's really not true, your condenser fan and compressor motors will not last longer with a soft start. Whether it's less current over a longer period of time or more current for less time the power under the curve (read: heat) is the same. Soft-starters allow a generator to run the system more easily, allow for solar inverters to do the same, or keep the lights from dimming/flickering upon start up (much more common in older homes, especially those with split-bus panels). If you look at Micro-Air's own literature it shows the running amps are the same whether the soft start is used or it isn't so there is zero efficiency gain.
Sell a soft start , call it junk, then sell a hard start.All the time spent gabbing, should have been spent asking to get the hose working. Best racket after dentists.
blah blah blah....you still watched and then commented. so it worked. my channel is even better now.
Soft start's are a good idea for compressors, and mainly for generator use. So you can use your Heat Pump/AC with a simple 6K Watt Generator.
it wasn't dropping out the start winding power, so it's overcurrent until it safety drops out or opens the compressor overload.
you'll find the same problem with "universal" electronic start relays in refer gear too. lightning/power surge blows parts of the board and they get stuck sending start power out.
it's hard to beat a plain old mechanical start potential relay and capacitor, while they can arc weld the contacts, it generally hits overload fast or ends up tripping a breaker.
Multiple issues. Still the soft start killed the compressor
That dirty coil make have shortened that compressor's life already!
When you say "killed the compressor" do you mean that the compressor needed replacement? Or did the soft start prevent the compressor from starting? I'm confused. I'd like to put a soft start on our home so I can run our AC with our generator during a power outage, but this video has me concerned. Great video BTW@@PipeDoctor
So if the soft start was the incorrect one wouldn't a cleaner coil alleviate the problem. Proper maintenance although they just moved in but it's all about maintenance
okay
I really like your videos especially when you fire back on the keyboard warriors lol
Unfortunately I have something called interrupted service on my AC unit and the utility company can shut my unit on and off in a grid overload situation, No AC breaker in the house, just a Meter connected to another meter then to the disconnect then to the AC unit outside, This is annoying because I cant power my AC unit in a power outage back feeding via a inlet box, Can a HVAC or electrician undo this or do I have to get ahold of the utility company?
Soft Start? I was in the POOL!!!!!
Lol 😂
Changing furnace they say heat pump? I'm in Canada very cold do they work?
Depends on how cold
It gets
@@PipeDoctor Well -10 on a cold night -15 during the day -3 I'm a little worried Trudeau pushing this system as green just another Biden.
@glendekoker3682 Heat pumps serve as air conditioners in the summer and heaters in the winter, but their effectiveness as heaters is contingent on the outside temperature remaining above freezing. Given your residence in Canada, where winter temperatures often approach or drop below zero degrees Celsius, a heat pump alone may not suffice as a heating solution. To ensure adequate heating under such conditions, it's necessary to install a separate auxiliary heater within the heat pump's air handler. This addition enables the heat pump system to provide sufficient warmth even when external temperatures are below freezing.
The system runs alone and it warns when using gas electric bill high@@manclt704
I thought this video was about how much time he spends in his pool😂
LOL wow. That soft starter didn't fail. You did! I mean, you might have fooled the (new) homeowner, but looks like you totally misdiagnosed what was happening because you didn't take the time to learn about that device. I was able to read the flashing LED diagnostic info even with your iPotato filming it and you blew it. That soft start device says it detected an overcurrent in the compressor, which along with the high head pressure your gauges indicated, are symptomatic of a dirty condenser coil. That's about the only thing you got right in this diagnostic - is good you know what dirt looks like. lol
But you chucked a perfectly fine piece of equipment, in fact the very piece of equipment that was actually saving the life of that compressor, like it was junk! Your diagnosis was the only junk here!
Thaks for sharing. Whatever you say buddy.
Emerson sold those for Copeland compressors. They were made by Hyperengineering, the same mfr that you removed. They are required in Australia. Your ignorance is understandable but that you have no desire to learn is unforgivable. Those current limiting boxes are the best, if you install the right one, because size matters. I’ve had mine for a decade now and my lights don’t blink and my generator doesn’t big when either of my 3 tons start. So you need to read up on them because they are 100 times better than a hard start which is just a cheap way to break a compressor faster. But maybe that’s the point.
Maybe it is the point but what matters here is that THE CUSTOMER NEEDED CENTRAL AIR & I DELIVERED COMFORT. that’s not ignorance. That’s delivering a service. Thanks for sharing.
I think Australia need heavier power lines and more generating capacity! Utilities there are getting away with murder!
@@PipeDoctor Read the definition of ignorance. It means a lack of knowledge concerning a given subject matter. A genius could be called ignorant about automotive maintenance for example. Saying someone is ignorant of a certain subject is not necessarily calling them stupid. He merely stated his belief that you may be ignorant of the positives of soft starters and how they should be used properly.
CLEAN THE COIL AND PUT THE SOFT START BACK IN..
Didn’t work. Too small.
Phew! I had just ordered a soft starter for my unit. So, I freaked out when I saw the title to this video! Thankfully I read the many comments, and I am more confident. It is hurricane season, and, in the south, you never know when you'll have to run the ol portable gen. Thanks to all the folk here who talked about correct sizing, I have confirmation that I ordered the right size
Looks like the home has solar on it. It most likely has a battery backup. They add the soft starter to limit the inrush current to not stress the batteries or drain them. I'd reach out to the solar contractor on this. They probably backed up more than the batteries can handle.
Nice video.. is it really good to have a Soft Start install on your HVAC central air compressor? I have a 3ton.. need a good advise before I invest to get one installed. Thanks
It's funny when the soft start is working, because then all you hear is their praise.
He left the faucet open!
You said you have been doing this customer for 15 years. Whoever installed the condenser definitely did shotty work. Copper running exposed electrical box with whip, running wild and worse offense is pulling the condenser so close to the house that you can’t get to the coils.
I didn’t install the outdoor unit nor the soft start.
Okay looks like they put the wrong sized soft start amp load killed it. Second yeah that unit is from 2012 so I’d recommend a hard start one on a unit 10 years or older but it sounds fine once you pulled it I’d still recommend one. But yeah the soft start they used wasn’t even the correct size.
Thanks for sharing your insights! It's always helpful to hear from others who have experience with these units.
So why isn't the fan on the compressor working?
The video is over a year old. I would have to review it to give you an answer on that.
That air condition unit was not properly maintained. The soft start was not the problem.
Another great video! What do you recommend to clean the coils out? Also nice Porsche!
We use Nubrite buy new Calgon. It is the best it will eat anything I talk about it on the second video to follow video of this one.
Thanks! I just watched the second video.
I watched a video you don’t have to call names that soft start kept the unit running for so many years
the hockey puck you branded was intended for a 4ton unit, not 5ton..