*! ! ! ! ! PLEASE READ THIS ! ! ! ! ! :* EasyStart sizing recommendations have changed since the publication of this video. Please visit the sizing tool on the Micro-Air website at the following link: www.micro-air.com/tools/easystart/modelselectorv3/step1.cfm
I currently have 3.5ton unit, but planning for 4ton unit size up very soon. What happens if I use the X72 (4ton) model to run my current 3.5 ton unit condenser? Or, can I run a 4ton unit with the X48 model indefinitely? Wondering what was changed or found that bumped up the 4 ton units to a X72 recently.
@@danmeyo Hello Dan and thank you for your previous purchases. The dividing line between the X48 and the X72 does have some flexibility in it. There is no doubt an X72 will work on a 3.5 ton, albeit less optimal, and an X48 is likely (but not guaranteed) to work on a 4 ton. The design differences are company proprietary, so they cannot be discussed here. Thank you again for your business.
@@MicroairNet Thank you very much for such fast answer! This is more than what I wanted to hear. I can let my mind at ease knowing x72 can run my 3.5 ton unit. Thanks again
Hi MicroAir! Do you have a promo code for a fellow NJ resident considering model ASY-368-X48-BLUE for a 3 ton compressor or can I stop by your Allentown facility to purchase and say hello?
My EasyStart installation was far from textbook, after I followed the install procedure to the letter, I had a red fault light. After texting with product support, I realized my ACs wiring may have been reversed from the factory. With guidance from Roger at tech support, he was able to verify my diagnosis and provide an alternate wiring solution. These folks were patient and very understanding. Can't say enough good things about their expertise and customer goodwill!
I installed an ASY-368-X48-BLUE on my 3 ton A/C unit last week. I’ve been in the HVAC business for over 40 years. I’ve seen a lot of changes to the equipment over the years but the Easy Start has been one of the best ideas in years. I haven’t liked the way the compressor started since the day I installed the system. It works fine but is noisy on startup. The kind of noise that makes you think, “That has to be shortening the life of the compressor”. The Easy-Start was extremely easy to install and there is no change to how the unit is operated. A customer would not see any difference in the way they use the system. The compressor starts quietly now and the startup amperage went from 83A to 25A. Awesome! Thank you so much for making this device.
Just a follow-up - After installing the EasyStart, I pulled the trigger on a new inverter generator. I purchased a duel fuel (gas/propane) GENMAX 9000iED. I did the break-in, converted to a floating neutral, and did my whole house test. Because of EasyStart, I can run my entire house, with all steady state and cycling loads (all lights, ceiling fans, TVs, computers, bathroom fans, 3 ton AC for the house proper, mini-split for the garage, 2 refrigerators) with no load management required. Additionally, with minimal load management, coffee pot, microwave, air fryers, hair dryers can all be run. House AC, oven/stove, clothes dryer does require load management. But the important thing is the house AC can be run just fine on the generator WITH all of my normal creature comfort's and on propane. No more bad gas/gas storage issues. Thanks Micro-Air for a terrific product.
Been thinking of doing the exact same thing. Same generator etc. watched a very lengthy video designed for HVAC techs by this same guy about the Micro Air. It was awesome. I even understood most of it. BTW some claim there is no data to prove the soft start kit will lengthen the life of my compressor BUT that’s not why I need it. It can’t start my 4 ton heat pump without it!
@@mikegainsley1479 *disclaimer, I'm not an electrician* I would recommend getting a generator that specifically comes designed and with instructions to convert to floating neutral if you're going to connect a portable generator to your house. If it's not designed for it, it's probably not a DIY type thing and you have to reeeeally know what you're doing. I got a Westinghouse 11500 that comes with instructions, all you do is disconnect a wire and put a new sticker.
Your presentation was professional, clear, well thought out and easy to understand. You stayed on topic and did not wonder off into other topics only then to 45 seconds later return to your main talking point. That Bluetooth APP is wonderful. What a great product you're installing. Thank you.
Just purchased and installed my second easy start. First one was on my last home with a 3 ton ac. No issues there and worked perfectly with my generator. My new home has a 5 ton ac and the LRA label stated 157 amps. I didn't have a chance to actually test it but after the install and learn process, the peak amps on start up went down to 32! Wow is about all I can think to say. Again I should have no issues using my generator and running my ac. Thanks!
Best thing I ever bought. Working flawlessly for 10 months now. 26 starting amps on my 3 ton and 9.6 running. Easily turns on a/c unit with my 12kw generator for whole house a/c during hurricane Ian.
The best starting device I have ever seen in my 40 years as an AC Tech! I would advise to checking your uf/ microfarads with a meter on the existing capacitors and see if they are up to the manufactures value. All capacitors lose value over time and age with usage. No system should ever be close to let alone exceed LRA. Locked rotor amps. I have always installed starting devices on new equipment, because it gives longer life of the compressor. It's controversial over the term easy start or hard start. They both do the same thing with a large capacitor and potential relay in the circuit. All Trane units are designed with these and some others as well. But most do not incorporate this technology. I do not recommend using a second device on a system with one on it!
Hi and thanks for your comment. As it turns out, hard starts and soft starts are TOTALLY different. Hard starts are nothing more than a start capacitor with a switching device. EasyStart is a very sophisticated, microprocessor controlled soft start device that orchestrates a complex, closed-loop electronic sequence via high-voltage and high-current semiconductor devices to gently ramp-start and accelerate the compressor with up to 75% reduction in starting amps. For further details and deep dive into the differences, please check out the video at this link: th-cam.com/video/7Gim96oyczw/w-d-xo.html
Just today installed an EasyStart on my 3 ton unit. Locked rotor amps listed as 77, read 89 using a clamp on. Close enough. On first learning start - 44.5. After last learning start - 27.5. My HVAC guy had not heard of EasyStart before I contacted him. Said he was ordering one for his house today and will start recommending it to his customers. Now I can replace my old Troy Built 13500 with a much more efficient dual-fuel inverter generator.
Two additional recommendations. Scroll compressor slurp up an initial larger amount of oil on initial startup. You should allow compressor to run a minute or two to disperse the oil initially sucked up into compressor head. Several short start-run cycles can log too much oil in compressor head causing oil slugging on compressor. When mounting EasyStart in electrical compartment it is a good idea to check the sheet metal screw clearance on back side of sheet metal. Driving a too long sheet metal screw into condenser coil will give you a very bad day causing a refrigerant leak in condenser.
This product is the greatest invention since sliced bread, kudos to the inventors, I have a Rheem 3 ton AC unit that had a LRA of. 77 amps and 12.5 amp normal run for fan, after installing the micro air 368 easy start, I went from a LRA of 77 amps down to 24.2 LRA and normal fan run down to 5.4 amps, just completed a test and was able to start the AC with my 7250 W Predator generator
Due to your video I bought a Micro-Air EasyStart for my 3 ton A/C unit. My standby gen of 13KW is now way oversized, but means we don't have to economize much in a power outage situation. Thank you for a great product.
What an excellent video!!! I have a 4ton Carrier unit with a LRA max value of 117. I’d love to be able run my A/C on generator power. Knowing that my wife and kids are home, safe, and comfortable during a natural disaster (like our FL hurricanes) while I can’t be there (First responder)is a great peace of mind. I look forward to getting one of these soon and installing it behind the access panel. I wonder why more AC installers/technicians don’t offer to sell these units as a add-on item? Seems like this would be a great option. Again, great video, well spoken and articulate demonstration.
I’m a believer in this technology. I installed one of the units on my RV rooftop AC units and was able to run it on a 15 amp garage outlet. Now looking to buy one for my home AC and new Camper.
Hello, just purchase my EasyStart 5 ton unit Oct. 2022. I had all the crimping tools and connectors to install it already. My 15 year old original Westinghouse compressor made a loud bang! noise at start up every time it came on. The inrush current exceeded its limit. After installing a hard start kit the inrush was below it limit, but still BANGed on start up. Once I removed the hard start kit and installed Micro-Air EasyStart 5 ton model the compressor. The compressor fan starts up first and after about 10 seconds or so the compressor starts up Ever so quietly. You almost don't hear starting. From Inside the house it would startle me with each cycle start. Now it is whisper quite inside the house house. I hear the compressor fan more than anything inside the house - no more scary bang ! Worth every penny. My hope is this will extend the life of our A/C unit. It would be nice to have the actual wiring schematic drawing beside the photos on line. So between the online photos and the verbal instructions on this video, I was able to figure out the wiring. I used a variable drill bit to drill a new hole in the electrical box and an external wiring connector to go through my electrical compartment as the EasyStart would not fit inside. 4 self tapping sheet metal screws to mount the EasyStart outside, and done. When the old compressor is at its end of life, it can just be transferred to the new compressor. This is something they should point out, added value that it can be used on your new unit, and you don't have to buy another one. Thank you for the great product video. p.s. After the EasyStart install, I can easily start and run this 5 ton compressor from the Tesla Solar inverter and Powerwalls without any startup assistance from the grid power!
Glen - Thank you for your comment and for your business. Yes, if you ever did want to move the EasyStart to another HVAC system, all you have to do is re-initiate its relearn process via the app.
Nice video. I just installed the EasyStart 368 and it's working well. They only issue I had was connecting the app. There's no documentation telling you what to type in for the Bluetooth ID connection. I finally found another video on TH-cam that tells you to just type in "EasyStart_" then press the Connect button. The app will find and connect after that.
7/22/2023 I installed two of them on my Goodman 3 ton ac units. From 79amps drop down to 25 to 28 amps according to the blue tooth app. These things are sweet love them thank you. I found out about these soft starts when talking to the electrician who installed our home generac generator. All these years and never knew about this item. I could kick my self in the ass. Anyway thank you hooked them up today and running great. Thanks.
AC units have a dual capacitor, one is for the compressor (herm) and one for the fan. There is no switching between starting and running so its neither a start or run capacitor its just a capacitor that creates a out of phase line so the motor will work on single phase.
you are right about phase shifting a second winding. If there is no switching and cap stays in circuit for both start and run than it's a normal run cap, right?🤙
Great video. Really helped me out setting up my X48 for my home's 3 ton AC unit. You can't live without AC down here in Florida. My Great Comfort AC unit did not match the diagram. I suspect the previous owner made modifications. But went from 44 peak amps on first learning mode to 25 peak amps at final learning. Just enough that I can run it off my generator now in case of power outage. I suspect the capacitors on my AC are junk. Main cap is a cheap one. And second one is leaking cap juice. I'm gonna swap both out and have it re-learn after the swap, see if it goes even lower. Thanks!
Watching this video helped me install my easy start. The manual talks about a yellow wire but no mention of a purple wire. Anyway this video helped me to complete my installation with confidence that all was well. My unit is a Raheem 5 tons and rated at start amps of 144. My clamp meter could not capture the start amps but now I am at 2 learn starts, With a peak of 51.3 and live at 11.6.
You’ve sold me on this! Where I live in Florida we experience a few power interruptions each year and even though I have a 5500K generator I can’t run my 3 ton unit. The money I spent on a window shaker to use in those times I could have purchased the Easy Start and use my split system. Your explanation was very educational. Thanks
A little late to the Micro-Air party, but living on the Gulf Coast of Florida with the forecast of a robust hurricane season, I had our Micro-Air installed earlier this year on a 2014 3.5 ton A/C unit. Hooked up my DuroMax 9000iH generator today (sister-in-law and hubbo live in Houston and are 5 days into no power) and thanks to Micro-Air, and DuroMax, I ran the A/C, Fridge, Ceiling fans, outlets, etc., without a hiccup. Very cool to have the generator running, turn on the A/C, hear the generator surge for a second and then having full A/C on a very hot, humid (heat index of 104 today) day on the Gulf Coast. THANK YOU Micro-Air for this video and your product!
@@PureBlueAgave Good morning- I reached out to my electrician. He’d never heard of an Easy Start, but he sent 2 guys over, I gave them the installation instructions and they got it done with no problem. Dramatically reduced A/C start up amps. They said they can’t figure out why every A/C doesn’t have an Easy Start.
I also greatly enjoyed your discussion with Bryan at HVAC School. Your technical explanations convinced me that these devices were right for my home. Thanks, Matteo!
Did you get those installed, if so how have they been running? I also have a 4 ton and a 5 ton heat pump. My question was if I could use these on heat pumps, mine are brand new.
Thank You, it was a great video explaining all the details. I plan on purchasing one shortly. I have an old 5 Ton Trane 36 year old AC and I'm not quite able to purchase a brand new one just yet. My electric bill over $900.00 dollars. I hope that this will reduce my electric. Of course the electric company is price gouging when the country is in despair. Thanks again
Hi and thanks for your comment and for your business! Just to make sure this is clear and you are not disappointed, although EasyStart will dramatically reduce the startup current spike that your compressor draws during its first second of operation, EasyStart does not affect the compressor's current and power consumption during steady-state running. Therefore, EasyStart will not reduce your kWh consumption (i.e. energy use). However, if you live in an area where your electric utility charges what is know as a "demand fee" for peak power consumption during certain (high-demand) times of the day, then EasyStart would reduce and perhaps even eliminate those fees. I hope this makes sense.
Try cost justifying investing in some solar panels with a 5 to 11k inverter and if you can afford it, some backup batteries. There are Federal and some States have Tax credit incentives to help with the costs. Over time reducing that $900 bill will pay off. Avoid financing where they put a lean on your house. Some dealers call it something else but its a lean. Either pay cash or get a conventional loan or a home Refi line of credit. Also, as a low cost option, having upgraded insulation and attic fan could help a bit as well. Hope that helps.
@@capobiancg l live in Las Vegas, NV. I installed an attic fan and remote wireless thermometers in my attic and outside under the eaves always in the shade. I wanted to document how well the attic fan worked. Much to my surprise, my attic never got as hot as the outside air, was always cooler, even at 5pm the hottest time of the day, even during weather alerts and warnings for extreme heat. 🌞 So, I never turned my attic fan on. Why would I want to replace cooler air with hotter air? This totally surprised me. I just ignored the attic fan. In hindsight, obviously, I wish I had benchmarked the air temps before buying and installing the attic fan.
I installed both of these today on my 4ton and 2ton compressors and let me say, they work and do exactly what they say they do. The 4Ton Unit went from around 95-100 amps on start down to 39.4. The 2ton went from 58 to 24.3, absolutely amazing. The compressors are quieter, and start more gently. I can easily start both on my 24kw whole home generator now without any bogging down or lights flickering. This product is well made, and does what it is advertised to do. Took me 2 hours to install both, I have a bad back so I took about 45 mins worth of breaks, if I was myself from 30 years ago this would have been a 30 minute job to install 2. Very easy to install and well worth the money spent.
Just installed a 368 w/ BT on a 4 ton yesterday. Incredible difference in machine dynamics from before to after. Eliminated light dimming in the house during startup which is nearly imperceptible now from even the closest point in the house to the outdoor unit.
This looks like a great product. Soft starts are the way to go. Besides limiting current spikes, it should also lengthen the life of not only the compressor but of many of the parts of the system. Maybe you could develop a sister product that works with the blower fan(s).
Don't need one for the "blower" as most condenser fan motors / evap. motors are ecm and or x13 motors witch use 3phase vfd/inverter witch is what the easystart is for the compressor.
@didyuknow ...And many of those ECM condenser fan motors are changed to old-school PSC induction motors, once the customer finds out what the replacement ECM motor is going to cost. 🙄
I bought one a couple of months ago and installed it yesterday. It reduced starting amperage from 72 A to 24 A. Verified through the Bluetooth app and also via our Sense app. It did what it said it was going to do. Worth every penny
Just ordered two of these for my 2 and 4 ton AC units so i can take the strain off of my Generac 24kw whole home generator. The 4 ton is old and pulls 117 amps during start and the generator runs it, but it bogs down hard. These should eliminate the bogging and the lights dimming on generator.
I saw a video on YT from Gavin’s Garage and he installed a Easy Start. He has a 5 ton Carrier AC and powered it with with a Honda EU7000 which as (5500 running watts) and it ran fine. He also started the 5 ton unit with a Powerhorse 7500 watt (6500 running watts) and it also ran fine. I assume he would only be able to run the A/C unit only and nothing else on those 2 generators.
Before installing EasyStart on my ancient (15 year old) 4 ton Rheem compressor, LRA inrush measured at 123 Amps. After installation and the prescribed 5 learning starts it has dropped to 38.1 Amps. 69% reduction! Not planning on using generator power as our power here in Oregon almost never goes out. Hoping this keeps the compressor working for a few months or years longer. There wasn't enough room inside the electrical box area of the compressor, so I've attached it to the outside of the housing with neodymium magnets :) The casing is rated for outdoor use so should be ok is my understanding.
@@gsftom a year on and it’s still a great product. The build quality, the customer service and the fact that it does what it says it does. All of the stuff that I was able to come to a conclusion on the first day I had it. Eat shit.
I was coming to ask the sizing question that is pinned at the top. Good job in that, it seems we are off to a great start. I'm looking forward to buying a much smaller generator now so this will pay for itself on that purchase. Thank you!
You should really highlight the brownout, over voltage and power interruption features of the EasyStart in your literature more. This protection is why I bought your brand over others. Utility power isn't as reliable as people think and it is very hard on compressors.
Matteo, you are obviously very knowledgeable on all things AC & electrical and these amazing soft start devices. Excellent video and explanation. Just bought the x72 Blue for my 15 year old Rheem 4 ton unit. Not for the usual use-case of needing to run on generator power or on a solar inverter, but to hopefully give my compressor an easier start to extend its useful life and hopefully delay the inevitable.
You can also just buy a hard start assist kit for 20-50$ which would do the same thing. This 370$ device really isn’t necessary at all. Especially if you aren’t operating a generator. Call your local hvac company and just have them install a hard start kit.
@@brandonstephens1447 Thanks for the info, I was originally heading in that direction, however my local hvac company quoted me $375 to install a hard start kit! So, I decided to do my own research on the subject. I’m an electrical engineer and handy with electrical things so I initially bought a 5-2-1 hard start kit myself but decided against installing it in favor of the easy start. The last thing a functioning compressor that’s older needs is additional torque and a voltage kick (unless the rotor is already locked and unable to start then a hard start may be necessary). The easy start is a lot more gentle on the compressor’s internal components at startup and hence my decision to install it instead of a hard start.
About a year ago I successfully installed (on the 1st try) an EasyStart on my 2 Ton & 3 Ton A/Cs, and one on a neighbor's 3 Ton A/C. They've all work great. I am able to start and run both my 2 & 3 Ton units using either my fuel injected Honda EU7000is (running on gasoline) or my carburetor fed Harbor Freight 9500W (running on natural gas). I use my much, much quieter Honda only at night, while during the day I parallel my Honda EU7000is & HF 9500W. Paralleling is only possible because both generators are inverter type, 220 Volt AC, with 2/3 pitch windings. When running only 1 generator I must always sequentially start my 3T first followed by my 2T second to prevent generator overload shutdown. Even though my 2T & 3T units are side by side, one generator is located next to & connected to the 3T, while the other generator is located 200 feet away connected to my main AC service entrance panel. I converted both the Honda & the HF generators to run on natural gas using "US Carburetion" kits but because natural gas has considerably less power than gasoline, only the HF generator can start my 2T & 3T units while running on natural gas. While running on natural gas my Honda EU7000is can start one A/C but not both. Since my natural gas regulator low output pressure is 4 psi, I used 2 parallel 3/4 inch diameter flexible hoses to connect the regulator output to the generator located 200 feet away. Using parallel 3/4 inch hoses is much cheaper than a single 1.25 inch diameter hose, and the 3/4 inch hoses are easier to store when not in use. Even though I had to mount the EasyStarts external to all units due to inadequate internal clearances; I wondered about your video's recommendation to install them within the A/C compressor/condenser contactor/capacitor metal box. I noticed that I must be within 20 feet of the externally mounted EasyStart units to get the Bluetooth app to connect. If I had mounted the EasyStart within the A/C contactor/capacitor metal box, would that have reduced the Bluetooth transmitter/reception range?
Hi Rex. Thanks for EasyStart application summary and for you business. Regarding your question, when the EasyStart mounted inside of a typical outdoor condensing unit's electric box, our testing shows that a typical smartphone will get about 20-30ft of Bluetooth range when within line of sight. Around corners and through windows, the range is obviously less. Any grounded metal enclosure does act partially like a Faraday Cage, so putting any radio transceiver into a metal box will of course reduce the reception by a varying degree, depending on the design, shape, and material of the enclosure.
@@MicroairNet , has your company considered other way to extend the transmission range? (offer an external antenna that one can mount remotely or the technology some WiFi devices use whereas the transmission is coupled onto the A/C line wiring ! (This would bring the range easily indoors !)
@Douglas Montgomery; Micro-Air has not considered methods to extend the existing Bluetooth transmission range since this access is only meant for as-needed diagnosis and upgrades. However, in the future we are considering adding Wi-Fi connectivity, which might allow for the EasyStart device to connect to the home's Wi-Fi network (rather than directly to your smartphone). This would then allow you to access the EasyStart from any other location where your smartphone was still within range of the same network, thus significantly extending the range.
Installed the unit on my 3 ton Bryant AC/heatpump. No issues with the installation using this video and the downloaded instructions. I also used the connectors kit which for 12 bucks is worth it. According to the Bluetooth app my new inrush amps are averaging 26.5 with a running amps of 7. My bryant manuals say their avg is 76 inrush and 16 running. I'm letting it run all weekend and next up is the test with my a-ipower 7100 generator. There is no noticeable decrease in sound upon startup (actually, now my compressor 'thumps' upon startup) however my primary purpose is to run off gen power....
*next day update* I successfully ran my a-ipower 7100 using the easy start today. I did 5 starts of my ac using the propane power which has a reduction of load to 6400 w peak and 5100 running. My generator handled the load quite well, both at high speed and econ mode. Average running load on my generator display was 3000w, which was the ac running (again, a bryant 3 ton unit) my GE refrigerator and all home lighting, etc. The BT app showed a inrush amps of 23 avg and running amps of 6 avg. I'm really happy with these numbers as I can run in eco mode and save fuel.
Heavenly LED lights inside to tell the condition of the unit sounds like you need to mount it on the outside of the unit so you can see what the problem might be rather than inside
I wanted my compressor to last as long as possible. I also wanted less Amp draw at start up to lower my electricity cost. I wanted to run a smaller generator during hurricane season that doesn’t take as much fuel to run per hour due to higher amp draw. I believe I will also like the Bluetooth capability so that I can Monitor my AC consumption. I first heard about it from a friend who installed it on her RV and started to use a smaller generator off grid.
Thanks for a very helpful video. I installed my new EasyStart a little over 2 days ago using this video as a guide. My inrush current went from a measured 74 Amps to 25-28Amps as reported by easystart. It is operating in the Arizona heat, over 110deg. Since install, the compressor has run 146 times as reported by the app. One odd thing: The very first start after install resulted in a fault, and a red led. No big deal, this quickly cleared on the next start, the unit completed the learning process on subsequent starts, and it ran the rest of the day (installed late morning) and overnight without issue (some 60 starts, fault count 1). Sometime the following morning, the fault count reported by the app increased to 4 (3 new faults). I never saw any red led display and the unit always seems to function fine. The following morning, the fault count increased to 7 (3 new faults), again with no sign of any problem with the unit or the operation of the system (that I observed, you can only stand out in 110deg and watch the unit cycle for so long). Anyway, EasyStart seems to be working well, but I have no idea what these faults might indicate or if I should care. It will be interesting to see if the fault count goes up by another 3 tomorrow morning.
Hi David and thank you for your comment and for your business! EasyStart has many recoverable faults, like those that may be caused by very brief power interruptions from your utility. The fact that EasyStart recovered and kept going means all is likely fine. If however the fault count becomes excessive and you are concerned, please feel free to upload your EasyStart's data to Micro-Air using the Diagnose screen in the app. A support person will analyze it for you and let you know what is going on.
@@MicroairNet Thanks. 2 additional faults this morning, seems to be something that happens at near the same time each day. I don't think I'll worry about it. I am now up to 196 starts and it's working great.
@@davidwolfenbarger7383 how old is this unit??? It could be the old CONTACTOR is in in poor shape and on its last leg. Take the time to order spares while the unit is running and before maintenance turns into an emergency repair. Replace bot new Cap + Contactor for total reliability at less than $50 - Your attention to smart details has payed off!!👍 The extreme lock rotor peak curent is was causes wear on consumers electricals. Adding smart unit prevents that issue, just like light dimmers made light bulbs last forever.... same principale of 21st century managed current.
@@jasonrhoades9270 Hello Jason and thank you for your question. The EasyStart is designed to last the life of your air conditioning unit. You can even move it to a new unit, and reinitiate its first-5-start learning process. Yes, you can install them as an add on to all of your new installations.
Mine just came in today. Installing it this weekend. I have a 8000 starting watt generator. It struggled to start my 3.5ton trane unit. I shut it off immediately to not harm anything. I was bummed out to see how inflated 10K plus generators have gotten. You could buy 2, 5K units for less than 1 single 10K, wilddd. 2 years ago a 12K was right around $900, now its close to $1,700. I found this for under $400 perfect solution. My A/C unit only draws 4200 watts after it gets started so with just a couple Tv's and Ceiling fans my Generator shouldnt ever be over 75% utilization. My home is very VERY well insulated so even in the harsh summer maintaining the house at 70f it never runs more than about 8hrs a day.
Just got my Soft Start today for my 5 ton. I’m going to DIY it this week. Everything makes sense, except the top of the capacitor. Hoping it makes sense when I take a close look. Black - L1, white - L2, brown to compressor (spliced), orange to top of capacitor (I think the HERM terminal).
Hi Willie and thanks for your business! Yes, you have it correct. As I mentioned in the video, be careful not to connect the EasyStart's ORANGE wire to the wrong terminal of the run capacitor, especially if it is a "dual" run capacitor with 3 terminal clusters. The compressor's start winding connection is always on the "HERM" terminal of the run capacitor, as you already mentioned. That is where the EasyStart's ORANGE wire should also be connected. Regading the EasyStart's BROWN wire, that will be spliced to the run winding wire (whatever color your system's internal wiring uses) after you disconnect this run winding wire from its contactor terminal (typically labeled T2 or T3, which is the switched L2 output of the contactor). In place of the run winding wire will go the EasyStart's WHITE wire on the same contactor terminal. Then you splice the freed run winding wire all by itself to the EasyStart's BROWN wire. Hope this helps.
Just completed my install. Couldn't be happier! I love the Bluetooth. Can check the status from inside my home, by a window adjacent to the unit. Thanks again!
one last question, the specs on this generator, 7500 Running Watts and 9500 Peak Watts; is this ideal for my environment?. All I need is the AC when power goes out, plus one refrigerator and one freezer in the garage. Or should I consider a 9500 Running Watts and 12500 Peak Watts. The difference in price is about $300.
Installed one today on an oxbox by trane 4 ton unit. Stopped the flicker of lights in my house. I'm not sure what the initial start was, but I think the microair easy start is doing what it is supposed to do. I'll be connecting a 13k duromax generator. I'm hopeful that it will run the entire house, including the A/C. Will follow up once I have it running.
Matthew, I purchased the Duromax tri fuel recently and I am running on N.G. which reduces your wattage and amperage I have to say so far I am not impressed with the micro air 368-48 I am only seeing 38 amp in-rush amps . My surge amperage is only 35 on the geny, yes it runs it but if anything else starts at the same time I am thinking it may cause damage . AC 3 ton and is 3 years old. Just a heads up. I am dealing with Barry from tech support right now and wondering if they can explain why I am see such high amps. I actaully installed hard start and was at 36 amp Just Fyi
@@matthewr704 hey Matthew I got with Matteo and right now it is a work in process and going in the right direction he explained it to me as being a sliver or post stored Spike. It's inherent to some compressors unfortunately mine is one of them and that's why I have that reading as is but he says not to worry as that is just such a minute part of it. I will keep you posted but I feel much better now knowing that
@@jeffh9288 also have a tri fuel running on NG. I’ll test is as soon as i get back in town! My oxbox is brand new. 4 ton. I think the inrush was 119 before i installed. And I’m down to 42. Not sure if the generator will be able push it, but we’ll see.
I’ve just decided to purchase a portable generator, the wgen2000, and luckily came across this technology. It makes my purchase of the generator all the more sweet and I purchased an easy start to sweeten the deal!
I love my EasyStart - I have the ASY-368-X72-BLUE for my Trane 4-ton unit. Before EasyStart - Peak Current Inrush = 133.9 Amps / After EasyStart = 35.5 Amps Running amps 16.5 I am very happy with the EasyStart and find it well worth the money. Thanks, Guys!
I installed the Easy Start on my 5-ton Trane XR13 (2008) A/C and, to my surprise, this particular A/C came with an OEM hard-start installed. Once I removed the hard start I found space behind the side panel and mounted the Easy Start, ran the wires into the electrical area, and found that it was very easy to make all the connections. I did receive specific instructions from the Tech Support team at Micro-Air - thank you. I have definitely noticed a difference on how my A/C performs now. I do have a couple question though - why do the values for the Last Start Peak (A) range from 35.5 to 42.3 over 48 starts and what causes this?
Hello and thank you for your comment and for your purchase. It is typical for the starting amps to vary from start to start, by up to +/- 5A. This is because of internal system temperature conditions and residual refrigerant pressures, both of which will vary depending on time-of-day environmental temperature and how long the system was off since its last operational cycle. Thank you again for your business.
Hi and thank you for your comment. As it turns out, run capacitors always discharge very quickly (less than 0.1 sec) after power is removed because both legs are connected across the run and start windings. Given that is 4 to 5 ohms max, a (large) 50 MFD run capacitor will discharge (with 5 RC time constants) in 1.25ms.
@@MicroairNet Thanks for the reply and info but a DIY'er does not know that and should not be sticking their fingers around any capacitor. unless it has been discharged. Just my opinion.
Looks like a great product. Should there be a safety comment about working around sizable capacitors due to their stored energy? Maybe explain how to discharge a cap before working around one.
Hello and thank you for your comment. As it turns out, the run capacitor automatically and quickly discharges through the motor windings start-to-common-to-run after the contactor opens or the power is turned off to the condensing unit. You'd have to touch it almost immediately after power was removed to get electrocuted. Beyond this, any OEM-installed hardstart kit (i.e. a start cap) may have to be discharged before removal (as part of the EasyStart installation) if it does not have a bleed resistor (which most do). Only start caps without bleed resistor can hold charge and are potentially dangerous. Nevertheless, it is always safe practice to short the capacitor terminals with an insulated handle screwdriver after turning off AC power.
I agree. I have an electrical background so first thing turn off circuit breaker to the HVAC. Short out caps with an insulated screw driver. Also I found on my unit there is another power circuit going to the attic unit which does also provide 120volts to the outside condenser unit EVEN thought the cutoff switch is disconnected. So look into that circuit breaker as well.
It was easy to install, works Great. I bought it for my generator to run to house ac (9000 watts peak with 7200 running). Works great I would buy it again.
Hello, I see cheaper price for the one without the Bluetooth feature. Is it okay to buy this unit or better to buy the Bluetooth feature? Are there any differences in other features that not mention internally?
Hi and thank you for your question. The ASY-364-X20-IP is only meant for 115V (RV and marine) applications, so it is not appropriate for a 230V home A/C unit as shown in the video. The ASY-364-X36-BLUE, ASY-368-X48-BLUE, and ASY-368-X72-BLUE handle 240VAC and all only come with the Bluetooth feature. The Bluetooth models are therefore more robust as a result since they have to handle 240V.
when he did the momentary power loss test the amp meter was still indicating a current draw of 19 amps the same amount as in normal mode. SO looks like the box allowed the compressor to start again without a delay.
This type of product has been on the market for over 20 years. These name brand start kits can be purchased for $35-$75 from a local HVAC supplier. Basically you’re paying over $300 for a Bluetooth option that helps you absolutely 0.
Hi jmccOutdoors. What you're stating isn't entirely true. A "start kit" as you call it for $35-$75 is actually a "hard start". That is an entirely different and a far inferior device as compared to EasyStart, which is a "soft start". Please check out this video for a full explanation on the differences: th-cam.com/video/7Gim96oyczw/w-d-xo.html
Just installed the EasyStart X48 on my 3.5 ton Rheem AC. LRA dropped from rated 109 down to 28.1 after 5 learned starts. Very happy. Anxious to hook up my generator through an interlock 30amp breaker to see if it will actually run the AC. Could be close with 6250 running watts and 8500 starting watts. Have to wait and see.
Great directions. I installed it today. I spent more time on the bluetooth connection than on the actual installation. 5 stars on the product. 1 star on the bluetooth. There was the oddest coupon in the box. "If you bought this on Amazon, you paid too much." Weird.
Hello and thanks for your comment and feedback. The coupon you mentioned definitely did not come from Micro-Air, so we'd like to investigate that; from whom did you purchase the EasyStart? Also, what was it about the Bluetooth connection that you did not like? Thanks in advance.
Thanks for this most excellent video. I installed my X48-Blue on my old 4 ton unit earlier this year. Was able to start/run everything on my 7kw run/8.75kw start generator with no problems. Just had new 4 ton unit/system installed last week, and re-connected & re-learned the EasyStart. The start amps now for the most part are around 40 amps (LRA amps listed as 109). However, I have noticed a couple of starts at ~75 amps which I do not understand. I will send the data again to Micro-Air next week. Barry in customer service has been helping me. I am concerned that my generator will not start this unit if 75 amps is required. Hurricane season is upon us…was without power for 10 days last year because of Hurricane Ida, so that is why I purchased a generator and EasyStart. Do you have any idea why the required amps would almost double from 40 to 75? Again, it is not all the time; I just happened to check it at random today. Thanks again for the video.
Hi and thanks for your compliment and your comment. Yes, please upload the data to Micro-Air using the Bluetooth app and Barry and I will have a look. Sometimes, an occasional, narrow current spike might occur at the tail end of the startup, and the app will report them since it is always looking for the worse single-cycle (8.3ms) peak. But don't despair since a single-cycle peak won't impact your generator. It's the broader peaks (three cycles {50ms} and more) that affect your generator, and EasyStart has already reduced these from 109A to 40A in the case of your system. If we see anything, we'll report back to you. We might want you to do a relearn, but don't do that yet until we check it out.
@@MicroairNet Thanks so much for writing back…and on a Sunday! I am impressed! And thanks for your explanation of these ‘peaks’…hope that is all that this is. If the Micro-Air is faulty, I am happy to buy another one. I will send the data later today. You see, I live in the NOLA area, and don’t want to be without power for 10 days ever again. My generator is a tri-fuel Champion, and I run it on natural gas; gasoline was/is impossible to get after a hurricane. Thanks again for your most excellent video. As I told Barry, your product is so well made, and it is made right here in the USA! Hope to hear from y’all this week.
@@williamallen5369 The only thing they wrote back is what you see in their reply about it being only 8.3ms and should not be an issued with my generator starting it; guess I will have to do another run test on gen power to find out. I have heard no more from them. FYI, I have another Micro-Air on order for my 3 ton upstairs unit. I do like the reduced starting amps for my 4 ton, and you can definitely hear the difference in startup between the two. I do believe it can only help extend the life of the compressor.
Great video. Can you please tell me if this easy-start system also works on mini-split a/c units ?? I currently own a 2 ton mini-split unit and I believe I will be ordering the ASY-368-X48-BLUE. Please let me know before I order. Thank you much.
Hello and thank you for your question. Since almost all mini-split systems use what is known as an "inverter-driven" or "BLDM" compressor motor, they are variable-speed and they already ramp-start themselves with little to no current surge. Therefore, EasyStart is *not* compatible with such systems and should not be installed. Hope this helps.
Just installed mine and the LRA was 77. After 5 starts it's 23 amps. A 70% drop in current on a 3 ton ac. Running current is 7 amps. Hopefully it'll drop the electric bill a little. I installed it so I can run my home ac using two EcoFlow Delta Pro's.
Than you for getting back to on the Pool pump application. SaD, that it can’t be done. As I am in the process of purchasing 2 EasyStart units for my 4 and 2 ton AC units. Can I also use the EasyStart for the blower motor?
Hi again Pablo. Thank you very much for your business. You will be very pleased with the huge startup current reductions you will enjoy on your 4-ton and 2-ton A/C units. Just to be clear, the pool pump *can* be outfitted with an EasyStart, but Micro-Air does not have the resources to support such an application. If you have the necessary knowledge and you know your pool pump's internal wiring diagram, go for it. Regarding the blower motor on an indoor or outdoor A/C unit, EasyStart is not necessary. This is because these blower motors are what is known as variable-torque (unlike a compressor which is constant-torque). These motors only draw only 2-3 amps when running, and their startup current is only about 3x that. Therefore, the startup amperage savings isn't going to gain you much. Beyond this, EasyStart isn't designed to start a motor as slowly as a blower motor would require. Therefore, Micro-Air does not recommend that you install an EasyStart on a blower motor.
Ok video. Some of the details are lacking and different that the installation instructions from MicroAir from their website. MicroAir needs to shoot a new video to match the instructions and make proper connections clearer. I shouldn't have to cross my fingers and hope it works when tuning it on by following the manufacturers instructions and installation video. Also, the Bluetooth connection sucks!!! You have to be within ~10ft to get a signal and it provides no history. Even my cheap Bluetooth headphones connect to my phone in the garage from the opposite end of the house or in the basement. It did bring down by LRA from a rated 95 to 26 on my 2002 Rheem.
Matteo, I didn't hear you mention in your video whether or not installing this device will save money on my electric bill and if this can be calculated. I would think with the reduced LRA, there could be some significant savings.
Hi and thanks for your comment. As it turns out, the energy (kWh) saved by soft starting is not significant enough to impact that portion of your electric bill. This is because the startup is over and done with in about 1 second, so the difference in energy consumption is minuscule. The steady-state running amps (and thus that energy consumption) are unchanged. What might make a difference in your electrical bill though is if you live in an area where your electric utility company charges you for what is known as "peak demand" (kW). In such areas, reducing and/or eliminating the LRA spike will in fact save you money on your electric bill on that particular line item. Not all electric utilities charge for peak demand though for residential customers, so it may not apply to you.
Thank you Matteo for your excellent video. I have a Rheem Model RA1642AJ1NB 3.5 ton ac unit. For warranty purposes I want to have my ac maintenance company install your ASY-368-X48-Blue EasyStart. Their service manager has no problem doing it, but is somewhat concerned about how it would affect the condenser fan motor because he says it supposedly already is fitted with its own soft start by the manufacturer (he did mention it is similar to an X13 type motor). Would this be an issue or require a modified installation of your EasyStart. Would appreciate a response that explains the reason in a way I could pass on to the ac service manager. Thank you kindly.
Hi Victor. Thank you for your question and for your compliment. Interestingly enough, upon looking up your RA1642AJ1NB, all the "old" literature online indicates that the condenser fan motor is a typical AC induction type. However, some of the more recent spare parts lists for your model do indicate that the condenser fan motor was upgraded to an ECM motor, as your service manager is indicating. Thankfully, regardless the type of condenser fan motor, it has nothing to do with EasyStart. The EasyStart wiring only affects the compressor motor. Care must of course be taken with any installation to not disturb the fan motor wiring, but in your case the wiring of EasyStart should be totally identical. Your system should have a standard run capacitor (not a dual type) since the ECM condenser fan motor does not require a run capacitor.
Would you recommend installing this on a 3ton ac unit using a portable generator 12,500/9500 watt. Or install a hard start? bc the generator has more power? I'm leaning towards a soft start since the generator will have power being drawn from other things around the house limiting how much more power that it can provide at the time of ac start up. I am under the impression that a soft/easy start is better for lower or less power generators to start the ac compressor.
Hello and thank you for your question. Even on a generator that was already large enough to start an A/C without anything added, we would recommend the EasyStart over a hard start because of the exact reasons you cited and what was also mentioned at the end of the video. With EasyStart installed, you can have more appliances running in the house whenever the compressor goes to start, there is much less stress on the compressor during any start (i.e. on generator or utility power), and there is less stress on the generator during a compressor start.
The tonnage and model type listed at the very beginning of the video does not match what your Website tells me I should use for my 4 ton air conditioner. I consulted your support line also, and they told me I should use X72 model.You're listing at the beginning shows I should use an x48.
I have a three-ton, two-stage Lennox compressor model XC16S036; I have just ordered your model ASY-368-X48-BLUE. Are there any unique settings or learning I need to follow to install the Easy Start on my system? I would appreciate any insight I can get. Your video was fantastic, and it described every detail. Hoping I can install the unit without hiring an electrician or HVAC fellow. I appreciate your response.
Hi and thank you for your comment and for your business. I'm glad you asked beforehand since there is one extra step you should take *after* you install your EasyStart. The installation wiring is no different. Since your 2-stage system uses a special scroll compressor with a bypass valve, you need to make sure that the EasyStart does its learning with the compressor operating at HIGH capacity. The system will typically start the compressor at low capacity, and then switch to high capacity if called to do so. Therefore, it is important that while EasyStart is averaging the *running* current during the first 5 minutes of the first 5 starts/runs, you should make sure your thermostat is set to its LOWEST temperature setting. This causes your thermostat to engage "Stage 2", and this will cause your outdoor system to switch this bypass valve and cause your system to run at high capacity. So, make sure the first 5 starts and stops are done with the thermostat set to its lowest point, and that each start/run lasts more than 5 minutes (say 6 min). After doing this, you can restore the thermostat to its regular setting and let your system and thermostat cycle normally on an attainable and comfortable setpoint. Hope this helps!
Hi David and thank you for your comment. I found your Amana system's manual online, the ASXC18 series. It confirms that your system has the same 2-stage Emerson Copeland scroll that Abbas' has, which is the type with the internal bypass solenoid. As with his, when learning the EasyStart, make sure the thermostat is set very low so both the Y1 and Y2 outputs get energized (i.e. both stages are being called). Beyond this, your Amana also has feedback to a special circuit board from the compressor's start winding. This might present a problem for you since when we see this feature, it sometimes means this control board inside the outdoor will not tolerate the 5-sec to 3-min delay that EasyStart may impart on the compressor startup. In other words, the circuit board might think something is wrong with the compressor because it did not start right away, and then it will shutdown power to both the compressor and EasyStart (which are wired inline), resulting in nothing ever running. To deal with this, we added a selectable feature to EasyStart that can be invoked from its smartphone app, so if you do run into this issue, contact help@microair.net to find out how to use it. Hope this helps.
Hello and thank you for your comment. Please go to www.microair.net to find out more about the product. If you would like to locate an installer/dealer near you, please visit www.microair.net/pages/find-a-dealer. Thank you again for your interest.
I'm not interested in operating my AC unit on a generator, but I am looking for ways to quiet the outside condenser unit. My house being just 4 years old was built with the unit just 3 feet from a bedroom window. Dumb. When it starts, it's very loud and sounds like a train wreck and is a disturbance to the quiet bedroom. I was thinking of adding a compressor sound blanket as well. Would the Micro-Air make the starting noise more quiet? Living in Arizona with a 5-ton keeping 2400 sq. ft. home comfortable.
Hi and thanks for the question. As a matter of fact, YES, the EasyStart will quiet the noise that the compressor makes when it starts up! This was an added benefit that we never thought mattered until our (RV) customers started telling us about it in droves. It works the same on a home A/C unit too. EasyStart of course does not affect the noise that your compressor makes when it is up and running steady-state. It only affects the start-up noise.
I used tarp elastic bands with hooks. My EasyStart did not fit inside. I did not want to screw into cover because every time you service AC unit the cover is removed and placed on the ground.
I'm sold! Great video. My only concern is what happens when I have my unit serviced and the tech takes off the panel and has no idea of what a MicroAir Soft Start is and how it works. What then?
Hi Steve. Thanks for your comment and your excitement for EasyStart. You'd be surprised how many A/C installation/dealers Micro-Air already sells EasyStart to, and how many more are already aware of the product. It's now over 10 years old and it's been in high volume production for over 5 years. Word has certainly spread. Worst case, the EasyStart is clearly labeled, so your A/C tech will likely ask you about it or look it up online before doing anything further.
@@MicroairNet Thanks for the quick response. Surprisingly enough I've had a tough time finding HVAC tech's that were familiar with Soft Start. Most of them knew about hard start. I'm in Central Texas and the closest distributor for Micro Air home units is over 200 miles away in Houston. Last year was a record year for sales of portable generators in Texas. I think this is mostly due to "Snowmaggeden" in Feb '21, Huge disaster for home owners mostly due to our antiquated grid. We now are seeing news reports warning homeowners to expect more brownouts and blackouts due to the expected high temps this summer caused by the problems we had in 2021. Throw in the hurricanes that hit Texas (i.e. Nicholas 2021 100,000 without power) and a weak grid it's no wonder that generator sales are up.
@@MicroairNet about to pull the trigger on one of these. I have an whole house battery system that is able to start the AC, however, my AC is a 2-stage 5-ton Trane XR17. I know these don’t work on Variable speed compressors, but wondering if it will work on a 2-Stage.
@danksu04 Thanks for the question. The short answer is YES, but your system will require some special steps on your part after installing EasyStart. Long explanation ahead!... Yes, the EasyStart ASY-368-X72-BLUE will support your 5-ton Trane 2-stage XR17, but there is a special step you must take when you "learn" the EasyStart during its first 5 starts after installation. The reason is your 2-stage system uses a special Emerson Copeland Scroll compressor (only 1) that has a secondary pressure solenoid that controls how much the compressor is actually pumping. It doesn't change the compressor's speed, but instead it simply changes how much its rotating scroll pumps. So when your thermostat calls for the second stage to run (the Y2 wire gets energized in addition to Y1), the compressor will energize this solenoid, pump more refrigerant, AND therefore draw more current (energy) while running. Note that the amount of current that the compressor draws while starting will NOT be higher because the internal electronics of your XR17 system prevent the second stage from getting energized during startup (Y1 energized), and only lets Y2 pass through after a short delay. Note that under normal conditions when your room temp only goes 1 or 2 degrees above the setpoint, your thermostat will only energize Y1 (without Y2) and your compressor will only need its first stage to operate (i.e. special solenoid will be OFF). THIS is how the Trane XR17 2-stage saves you electricity! It's actually quite a nice design. So what does this mean to you? Simple. Install the EasyStart per the normal instructions and wiring. NOTHING changes there. BUT, when you go to run your system for the first time, make sure you set your thermostat's setpoint temperature to ***at least 5 degrees below the current room temp***. By doing this, your thermostat will energize BOTH Y1 and Y2, and will force your compressor's 2nd stage to run. Let the compressor run for at least 5 minutes EACH TIME you start it up for the first 5 STARTS after EasyStart installation. The EasyStart learns your compressor's STARTING behaviors during the first second or two during and after startup, but it then deliberately waits 5 minutes to learn and "lock in" your compressors RUNNING behaviors after everything warms up and - more importantly in your case - the second stage is definitely engaged. This is why you need to make sure each learning start lasts at least 5 minutes. Hopefully this makes sense. Please contact help@microair.net if you have any further questions.
I just installed a 368 for my 3 ton Trane. I didn’t think I could run my heat pump in heating mode with my Westinghouse 9500/12500 portable generator. Installation went great. The heat pump has a LRA of 74 amps. The easy start 368 according to bluetooth app is now starting at 16 amps ( HUGE REDUCTION). I did not measure anything with a clamp meter but trust the bluetooth reading is close. I have not tried running on my generator yet but. Today my unit running on both heat mode and cool mode is running at between 16-17 amps. I thought the heat pump uses a lot more amps in heat mode. Heat strips are not being used because not that cold outside but it is about 50F and the heat will come on tonight thermostat set at 71F. The buletooth app shows still a 16-17 amp inrush when heat pump comes on in heat mode. I’m ignorant when it comes to understanding all of this but. Can I expect to be able to use my heat pump ( in heat mode) with my generator Also? I didn’t think I would ever be able to heat my house with heat pump on generator power. Is there other loads from the heat pump in heat mode that I need to consider? I have other heat sources that we use in a power outage but if I can use the heat pump heat mode now too. That is HUGE. Is there a significant difference in amp draw on a heat pump is cooling vs. heating mode? The compressor start amps in cooling vs. heating … well it doesn’t look like a difference at all both modes are now starting 16-17 amps and running continuously at about 7amps. Cooling and heating seem to perform the same. All this is on utility power. I have not tested with the generator yet but generator would run the heat pump in cooling mode even before I installed the 368 but it had a big bog down on each start and a big reason I went ahead and bought the 368. Any thoughts? Did I gain an added benefit of being able to also heat my house now with the easy start?
Hi and thank you for your comment and for your business. The answer to your questions is a resounding YES. EasyStart provides the same startup current reduction for your compressor during both heating (reverse-cycle) and cooling operation. A "heat pump" is simply an A/C compressor system that has the ability to reverse its refrigerant flow via a solenoid valve, which flips the functions of the indoor heat exchanger (i.e. coil) and the outdoor heat exchanger. The compressor's operation, rotational direction, and wiring are identical in both modes. Now, the amount of current that your compressor will draw while *running steady-state* (i.e. after the startup is long over with) will depend on the environmental conditions inside and outside your home. Typically while operating in heat (pump) mode, the compressor might draw a little bit more than while in cool mode. But, on a very hot summer day, cool mode could certainly draw more than heat mode on any winter day. Given the difference is typically not more than say 10-20%, if your generator size is not marginal, it will be able to power your A/C heat pump in either mode of operation. Hope this helps. Thank you again for your business.
Since installing this on an AC unit seems like a no brainer, why aren’t the Micro-Air EasyStarts incorporated into every, or at least some, AC unit that’s manufactured?
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*! ! ! ! ! PLEASE READ THIS ! ! ! ! ! :* EasyStart sizing recommendations have changed since the publication of this video. Please visit the sizing tool on the Micro-Air website at the following link: www.micro-air.com/tools/easystart/modelselectorv3/step1.cfm
*Roger, that!*
I currently have 3.5ton unit, but planning for 4ton unit size up very soon. What happens if I use the X72 (4ton) model to run my current 3.5 ton unit condenser?
Or, can I run a 4ton unit with the X48 model indefinitely? Wondering what was changed or found that bumped up the 4 ton units to a X72 recently.
@@danmeyo Hello Dan and thank you for your previous purchases. The dividing line between the X48 and the X72 does have some flexibility in it. There is no doubt an X72 will work on a 3.5 ton, albeit less optimal, and an X48 is likely (but not guaranteed) to work on a 4 ton. The design differences are company proprietary, so they cannot be discussed here. Thank you again for your business.
@@MicroairNet Thank you very much for such fast answer! This is more than what I wanted to hear. I can let my mind at ease knowing x72 can run my 3.5 ton unit. Thanks again
Hi MicroAir! Do you have a promo code for a fellow NJ resident considering model ASY-368-X48-BLUE for a 3 ton compressor or can I stop by your Allentown facility to purchase and say hello?
My EasyStart installation was far from textbook, after I followed the install procedure to the letter, I had a red fault light. After texting with product support, I realized my ACs wiring may have been reversed from the factory. With guidance from Roger at tech support, he was able to verify my diagnosis and provide an alternate wiring solution. These folks were patient and very understanding. Can't say enough good things about their expertise and customer goodwill!
I installed an ASY-368-X48-BLUE on my 3 ton A/C unit last week. I’ve been in the HVAC business for over 40 years. I’ve seen a lot of changes to the equipment over the years but the Easy Start has been one of the best ideas in years. I haven’t liked the way the compressor started since the day I installed the system. It works fine but is noisy on startup. The kind of noise that makes you think, “That has to be shortening the life of the compressor”.
The Easy-Start was extremely easy to install and there is no change to how the unit is operated. A customer would not see any difference in the way they use the system. The compressor starts quietly now and the startup amperage went from 83A to 25A. Awesome!
Thank you so much for making this device.
Just a follow-up - After installing the EasyStart, I pulled the trigger on a new inverter generator. I purchased a duel fuel (gas/propane) GENMAX 9000iED. I did the break-in, converted to a floating neutral, and did my whole house test. Because of EasyStart, I can run my entire house, with all steady state and cycling loads (all lights, ceiling fans, TVs, computers, bathroom fans, 3 ton AC for the house proper, mini-split for the garage, 2 refrigerators) with no load management required. Additionally, with minimal load management, coffee pot, microwave, air fryers, hair dryers can all be run. House AC, oven/stove, clothes dryer does require load management. But the important thing is the house AC can be run just fine on the generator WITH all of my normal creature comfort's and on propane. No more bad gas/gas storage issues. Thanks Micro-Air for a terrific product.
Been thinking of doing the exact same thing. Same generator etc.
watched a very lengthy video designed for HVAC techs by this same guy about the Micro Air. It was awesome. I even understood most of it.
BTW some claim there is no data to prove the soft start kit will lengthen the life of my compressor BUT that’s not why I need it. It can’t start my 4 ton heat pump without it!
HOW do you wire for this...converted to a floating neutral...please explain
@@mikegainsley1479 *disclaimer, I'm not an electrician* I would recommend getting a generator that specifically comes designed and with instructions to convert to floating neutral if you're going to connect a portable generator to your house. If it's not designed for it, it's probably not a DIY type thing and you have to reeeeally know what you're doing. I got a Westinghouse 11500 that comes with instructions, all you do is disconnect a wire and put a new sticker.
@@Benjamin-rq1fiWhere did you find the Westinghouse 11500 tri fuel in stock?
@@JetFire9 I got it on Amazon around July 9th before it went out of stock there.
Your presentation was professional, clear, well thought out and easy to understand. You stayed on topic and did not wonder off into other topics only then to 45 seconds later return to your main talking point. That Bluetooth APP is wonderful. What a great product you're installing. Thank you.
Just purchased and installed my second easy start. First one was on my last home with a 3 ton ac. No issues there and worked perfectly with my generator. My new home has a 5 ton ac and the LRA label stated 157 amps. I didn't have a chance to actually test it but after the install and learn process, the peak amps on start up went down to 32! Wow is about all I can think to say. Again I should have no issues using my generator and running my ac. Thanks!
Do you have to discharge the run capacitor before removing wiring?
Did you notice any energy bill reduction after installing this soft start?
Best thing I ever bought. Working flawlessly for 10 months now. 26 starting amps on my 3 ton and 9.6 running. Easily turns on a/c unit with my 12kw generator for whole house a/c during hurricane Ian.
The best starting device I have ever seen in my 40 years as an AC Tech! I would advise to checking your uf/ microfarads with a meter on the existing capacitors and see if they are up to the manufactures value. All capacitors lose value over time and age with usage. No system should ever be close to let alone exceed LRA. Locked rotor amps. I have always installed starting devices on new equipment, because it gives longer life of the compressor. It's controversial over the term easy start or hard start. They both do the same thing with a large capacitor and potential relay in the circuit. All Trane units are designed with these and some others as well. But most do not incorporate this technology. I do not recommend using a second device on a system with one on it!
Hi and thanks for your comment. As it turns out, hard starts and soft starts are TOTALLY different. Hard starts are nothing more than a start capacitor with a switching device. EasyStart is a very sophisticated, microprocessor controlled soft start device that orchestrates a complex, closed-loop electronic sequence via high-voltage and high-current semiconductor devices to gently ramp-start and accelerate the compressor with up to 75% reduction in starting amps. For further details and deep dive into the differences, please check out the video at this link: th-cam.com/video/7Gim96oyczw/w-d-xo.html
Just today installed an EasyStart on my 3 ton unit. Locked rotor amps listed as 77, read 89 using a clamp on. Close enough. On first learning start - 44.5. After last learning start - 27.5. My HVAC guy had not heard of EasyStart before I contacted him. Said he was ordering one for his house today and will start recommending it to his customers. Now I can replace my old Troy Built 13500 with a much more efficient dual-fuel inverter generator.
Two additional recommendations. Scroll compressor slurp up an initial larger amount of oil on initial startup. You should allow compressor to run a minute or two to disperse the oil initially sucked up into compressor head. Several short start-run cycles can log too much oil in compressor head causing oil slugging on compressor.
When mounting EasyStart in electrical compartment it is a good idea to check the sheet metal screw clearance on back side of sheet metal. Driving a too long sheet metal screw into condenser coil will give you a very bad day causing a refrigerant leak in condenser.
This product is the greatest invention since sliced bread, kudos to the inventors, I have a Rheem 3 ton AC unit that had a LRA of. 77 amps and 12.5 amp normal run for fan, after installing the micro air 368 easy start, I went from a LRA of 77 amps down to 24.2 LRA and normal fan run down to 5.4 amps, just completed a test and was able to start the AC with my 7250 W Predator generator
Have you seen any changes on your electric bill?
Due to your video I bought a Micro-Air EasyStart for my 3 ton A/C unit. My standby gen of 13KW is now way oversized, but means we don't have to economize much in a power outage situation. Thank you for a great product.
What an excellent video!!! I have a 4ton Carrier unit with a LRA max value of 117. I’d love to be able run my A/C on generator power. Knowing that my wife and kids are home, safe, and comfortable during a natural disaster (like our FL hurricanes) while I can’t be there (First responder)is a great peace of mind. I look forward to getting one of these soon and installing it behind the access panel. I wonder why more AC installers/technicians don’t offer to sell these units as a add-on item? Seems like this would be a great option. Again, great video, well spoken and articulate demonstration.
*Florida man also here: They'd rather have it prematurely die and sell you a new Obama-approved, max-profit system.*
I’m a believer in this technology. I installed one of the units on my RV rooftop AC units and was able to run it on a 15 amp garage outlet. Now looking to buy one for my home AC and new Camper.
Hello, just purchase my EasyStart 5 ton unit Oct. 2022. I had all the crimping tools and connectors to install it already. My 15 year old original Westinghouse compressor made a loud bang! noise at start up every time it came on. The inrush current exceeded its limit. After installing a hard start kit the inrush was below it limit, but still BANGed on start up. Once I removed the hard start kit and installed Micro-Air EasyStart 5 ton model the compressor. The compressor fan starts up first and after about 10 seconds or so the compressor starts up Ever so quietly. You almost don't hear starting. From Inside the house it would startle me with each cycle start. Now it is whisper quite inside the house house. I hear the compressor fan more than anything inside the house - no more scary bang ! Worth every penny. My hope is this will extend the life of our A/C unit. It would be nice to have the actual wiring schematic drawing beside the photos on line. So between the online photos and the verbal instructions on this video, I was able to figure out the wiring. I used a variable drill bit to drill a new hole in the electrical box and an external wiring connector to go through my electrical compartment as the EasyStart would not fit inside. 4 self tapping sheet metal screws to mount the EasyStart outside, and done. When the old compressor is at its end of life, it can just be transferred to the new compressor. This is something they should point out, added value that it can be used on your new unit, and you don't have to buy another one. Thank you for the great product video.
p.s. After the EasyStart install, I can easily start and run this 5 ton compressor from the Tesla Solar inverter and Powerwalls without any startup assistance from the grid power!
Glen - Thank you for your comment and for your business. Yes, if you ever did want to move the EasyStart to another HVAC system, all you have to do is re-initiate its relearn process via the app.
Nice video. I just installed the EasyStart 368 and it's working well. They only issue I had was connecting the app. There's no documentation telling you what to type in for the Bluetooth ID connection. I finally found another video on TH-cam that tells you to just type in "EasyStart_" then press the Connect button. The app will find and connect after that.
Man this is the exact same A/c model and easy start as mine. All wired exactly the same. This never happens, thank you for making this.
play the lotto
7/22/2023 I installed two of them on my Goodman 3 ton ac units. From 79amps drop down to 25 to 28 amps according to the blue tooth app. These things are sweet love them thank you. I found out about these soft starts when talking to the electrician who installed our home generac generator. All these years and never knew about this item. I could kick my self in the ass. Anyway thank you hooked them up today and running great. Thanks.
AC units have a dual capacitor, one is for the compressor (herm) and one for the fan. There is no switching between starting and running so its neither a start or run capacitor its just a capacitor that creates a out of phase line so the motor will work on single phase.
you are right about phase shifting a second winding. If there is no switching and cap stays in circuit for both start and run than it's a normal run cap, right?🤙
What an awesome product Matteo. I’m seeing ~66% decrease in LRA in-rush current and no more loud buzzing sound on startup! Nice work.
Great video. Really helped me out setting up my X48 for my home's 3 ton AC unit. You can't live without AC down here in Florida. My Great Comfort AC unit did not match the diagram. I suspect the previous owner made modifications. But went from 44 peak amps on first learning mode to 25 peak amps at final learning. Just enough that I can run it off my generator now in case of power outage. I suspect the capacitors on my AC are junk. Main cap is a cheap one. And second one is leaking cap juice. I'm gonna swap both out and have it re-learn after the swap, see if it goes even lower. Thanks!
Watching this video helped me install my easy start. The manual talks about a yellow wire but no mention of a purple wire. Anyway this video helped me to complete my installation with confidence that all was well. My unit is a Raheem 5 tons and rated at start amps of 144. My clamp meter could not capture the start amps but now I am at 2 learn starts, With a peak of 51.3 and live at 11.6.
You’ve sold me on this! Where I live in Florida we experience a few power interruptions each year and even though I have a 5500K generator I can’t run my 3 ton unit. The money I spent on a window shaker to use in those times I could have purchased the Easy Start and use my split system. Your explanation was very educational. Thanks
Have you tested the product with your generator?
A little late to the Micro-Air party, but living on the Gulf Coast of Florida with the forecast of a robust hurricane season, I had our Micro-Air installed earlier this year on a 2014 3.5 ton A/C unit. Hooked up my DuroMax 9000iH generator today (sister-in-law and hubbo live in Houston and are 5 days into no power) and thanks to Micro-Air, and DuroMax, I ran the A/C, Fridge, Ceiling fans, outlets, etc., without a hiccup. Very cool to have the generator running, turn on the A/C, hear the generator surge for a second and then having full A/C on a very hot, humid (heat index of 104 today) day on the Gulf Coast. THANK YOU Micro-Air for this video and your product!
And just to clarify… today was my first test of the system. Didn’t need it yet, but relieved to know it all works- thanks to Micro-Air…
@@cliff9745 - Who Installed of for you? I'm on the gulf coast as well and NO one has ever heard of this
@@PureBlueAgave Good morning- I reached out to my electrician. He’d never heard of an Easy Start, but he sent 2 guys over, I gave them the installation instructions and they got it done with no problem. Dramatically reduced A/C start up amps. They said they can’t figure out why every A/C doesn’t have an Easy Start.
Brilliant! I've got two of these things coming (one 48 and one 72) for my two older heat pump units. This will be very helpful!
I also greatly enjoyed your discussion with Bryan at HVAC School. Your technical explanations convinced me that these devices were right for my home. Thanks, Matteo!
Did you get those installed, if so how have they been running? I also have a 4 ton and a 5 ton heat pump. My question was if I could use these on heat pumps, mine are brand new.
Thank You, it was a great video explaining all the details. I plan on purchasing one shortly. I have an old 5 Ton Trane 36 year old AC and I'm not quite able to purchase a brand new one just yet. My electric bill over $900.00 dollars. I hope that this will reduce my electric. Of course the electric company is price gouging when the country is in despair. Thanks again
Hi and thanks for your comment and for your business! Just to make sure this is clear and you are not disappointed, although EasyStart will dramatically reduce the startup current spike that your compressor draws during its first second of operation, EasyStart does not affect the compressor's current and power consumption during steady-state running. Therefore, EasyStart will not reduce your kWh consumption (i.e. energy use). However, if you live in an area where your electric utility charges what is know as a "demand fee" for peak power consumption during certain (high-demand) times of the day, then EasyStart would reduce and perhaps even eliminate those fees. I hope this makes sense.
Try cost justifying investing in some solar panels with a 5 to 11k inverter and if you can afford it, some backup batteries. There are Federal and some States have Tax credit incentives to help with the costs. Over time reducing that $900 bill will pay off. Avoid financing where they put a lean on your house. Some dealers call it something else but its a lean. Either pay cash or get a conventional loan or a home Refi line of credit. Also, as a low cost option, having upgraded insulation and attic fan could help a bit as well.
Hope that helps.
@@capobiancg l live in Las Vegas, NV. I installed an attic fan and remote wireless thermometers in my attic and outside under the eaves always in the shade. I wanted to document how well the attic fan worked.
Much to my surprise, my attic never got as hot as the outside air, was always cooler, even at 5pm the hottest time of the day, even during weather alerts and warnings for extreme heat. 🌞
So, I never turned my attic fan on. Why would I want to replace cooler air with hotter air?
This totally surprised me. I just ignored the attic fan. In hindsight, obviously, I wish I had benchmarked the air temps before buying and installing the attic fan.
I installed both of these today on my 4ton and 2ton compressors and let me say, they work and do exactly what they say they do. The 4Ton Unit went from around 95-100 amps on start down to 39.4. The 2ton went from 58 to 24.3, absolutely amazing. The compressors are quieter, and start more gently. I can easily start both on my 24kw whole home generator now without any bogging down or lights flickering. This product is well made, and does what it is advertised to do. Took me 2 hours to install both, I have a bad back so I took about 45 mins worth of breaks, if I was myself from 30 years ago this would have been a 30 minute job to install 2. Very easy to install and well worth the money spent.
Just installed a 368 w/ BT on a 4 ton yesterday. Incredible difference in machine dynamics from before to after. Eliminated light dimming in the house during startup which is nearly imperceptible now from even the closest point in the house to the outdoor unit.
I really like my Easystart. Had an electrician install it when he did my generator hookup to my service panel.
This looks like a great product. Soft starts are the way to go. Besides limiting current spikes, it should also lengthen the life of not only the compressor but of many of the parts of the system. Maybe you could develop a sister product that works with the blower fan(s).
Don't need one for the "blower" as most condenser fan motors / evap. motors are ecm and or x13 motors witch use 3phase vfd/inverter witch is what the easystart is for the compressor.
@didyuknow ...And many of those ECM condenser fan motors are changed to old-school PSC induction motors, once the customer finds out what the replacement ECM motor is going to cost. 🙄
I bought one a couple of months ago and installed it yesterday. It reduced starting amperage from 72 A to 24 A. Verified through the Bluetooth app and also via our Sense app. It did what it said it was going to do. Worth every penny
Just ordered two of these for my 2 and 4 ton AC units so i can take the strain off of my Generac 24kw whole home generator. The 4 ton is old and pulls 117 amps during start and the generator runs it, but it bogs down hard. These should eliminate the bogging and the lights dimming on generator.
I saw a video on YT from Gavin’s Garage and he installed a Easy Start. He has a 5 ton Carrier AC and powered it with with a Honda EU7000 which as (5500 running watts) and it ran fine. He also started the 5 ton unit with a Powerhorse 7500 watt (6500 running watts) and it also ran fine. I assume he would only be able to run the A/C unit only and nothing else on those 2 generators.
Before installing EasyStart on my ancient (15 year old) 4 ton Rheem compressor, LRA inrush measured at 123 Amps. After installation and the prescribed 5 learning starts it has dropped to 38.1 Amps. 69% reduction! Not planning on using generator power as our power here in Oregon almost never goes out. Hoping this keeps the compressor working for a few months or years longer. There wasn't enough room inside the electrical box area of the compressor, so I've attached it to the outside of the housing with neodymium magnets :) The casing is rated for outdoor use so should be ok is my understanding.
Just installed mine tonight. Great product!
U just installed it last night and its a “great product”? U can’t make this stuff up…
@@gsftom a year on and it’s still a great product. The build quality, the customer service and the fact that it does what it says it does. All of the stuff that I was able to come to a conclusion on the first day I had it. Eat shit.
I was coming to ask the sizing question that is pinned at the top. Good job in that, it seems we are off to a great start. I'm looking forward to buying a much smaller generator now so this will pay for itself on that purchase. Thank you!
You should really highlight the brownout, over voltage and power interruption features of the EasyStart in your literature more. This protection is why I bought your brand over others. Utility power isn't as reliable as people think and it is very hard on compressors.
Matteo, you are obviously very knowledgeable on all things AC & electrical and these amazing soft start devices. Excellent video and explanation. Just bought the x72 Blue for my 15 year old Rheem 4 ton unit. Not for the usual use-case of needing to run on generator power or on a solar inverter, but to hopefully give my compressor an easier start to extend its useful life and hopefully delay the inevitable.
You can also just buy a hard start assist kit for 20-50$ which would do the same thing. This 370$ device really isn’t necessary at all. Especially if you aren’t operating a generator. Call your local hvac company and just have them install a hard start kit.
@@brandonstephens1447 Thanks for the info, I was originally heading in that direction, however my local hvac company quoted me $375 to install a hard start kit! So, I decided to do my own research on the subject. I’m an electrical engineer and handy with electrical things so I initially bought a 5-2-1 hard start kit myself but decided against installing it in favor of the easy start. The last thing a functioning compressor that’s older needs is additional torque and a voltage kick (unless the rotor is already locked and unable to start then a hard start may be necessary). The easy start is a lot more gentle on the compressor’s internal components at startup and hence my decision to install it instead of a hard start.
They work great for us solar off-gridders. 6.25 Ton of heat pump total capacity.
Installed mine today/ It worked flawlessly off the bat.
About a year ago I successfully installed (on the 1st try) an EasyStart on my 2 Ton & 3 Ton A/Cs, and one on a neighbor's 3 Ton A/C. They've all work great. I am able to start and run both my 2 & 3 Ton units using either my fuel injected Honda EU7000is (running on gasoline) or my carburetor fed Harbor Freight 9500W (running on natural gas). I use my much, much quieter Honda only at night, while during the day I parallel my Honda EU7000is & HF 9500W. Paralleling is only possible because both generators are inverter type, 220 Volt AC, with 2/3 pitch windings. When running only 1 generator I must always sequentially start my 3T first followed by my 2T second to prevent generator overload shutdown. Even though my 2T & 3T units are side by side, one generator is located next to & connected to the 3T, while the other generator is located 200 feet away connected to my main AC service entrance panel. I converted both the Honda & the HF generators to run on natural gas using "US Carburetion" kits but because natural gas has considerably less power than gasoline, only the HF generator can start my 2T & 3T units while running on natural gas. While running on natural gas my Honda EU7000is can start one A/C but not both. Since my natural gas regulator low output pressure is 4 psi, I used 2 parallel 3/4 inch diameter flexible hoses to connect the regulator output to the generator located 200 feet away. Using parallel 3/4 inch hoses is much cheaper than a single 1.25 inch diameter hose, and the 3/4 inch hoses are easier to store when not in use.
Even though I had to mount the EasyStarts external to all units due to inadequate internal clearances; I wondered about your video's recommendation to install them within the A/C compressor/condenser contactor/capacitor metal box.
I noticed that I must be within 20 feet of the externally mounted EasyStart units to get the Bluetooth app to connect. If I had mounted the EasyStart within the A/C contactor/capacitor metal box, would that have reduced the Bluetooth transmitter/reception range?
Hi Rex. Thanks for EasyStart application summary and for you business. Regarding your question, when the EasyStart mounted inside of a typical outdoor condensing unit's electric box, our testing shows that a typical smartphone will get about 20-30ft of Bluetooth range when within line of sight. Around corners and through windows, the range is obviously less. Any grounded metal enclosure does act partially like a Faraday Cage, so putting any radio transceiver into a metal box will of course reduce the reception by a varying degree, depending on the design, shape, and material of the enclosure.
@@MicroairNet , has your company considered other way to extend the transmission range? (offer an external antenna that one can mount remotely or the technology some WiFi devices use whereas the transmission is coupled onto the A/C line wiring ! (This would bring the range easily indoors !)
@Douglas Montgomery; Micro-Air has not considered methods to extend the existing Bluetooth transmission range since this access is only meant for as-needed diagnosis and upgrades. However, in the future we are considering adding Wi-Fi connectivity, which might allow for the EasyStart device to connect to the home's Wi-Fi network (rather than directly to your smartphone). This would then allow you to access the EasyStart from any other location where your smartphone was still within range of the same network, thus significantly extending the range.
@@MicroairNet , Wifi..PERFECT (like my Nest thermostat) !. Thanks !
@@douglasmontgomery6315 yes. WiFi would make it another Game Changer
Installed the unit on my 3 ton Bryant AC/heatpump. No issues with the installation using this video and the downloaded instructions. I also used the connectors kit which for 12 bucks is worth it. According to the Bluetooth app my new inrush amps are averaging 26.5 with a running amps of 7. My bryant manuals say their avg is 76 inrush and 16 running. I'm letting it run all weekend and next up is the test with my a-ipower 7100 generator. There is no noticeable decrease in sound upon startup (actually, now my compressor 'thumps' upon startup) however my primary purpose is to run off gen power....
*next day update*
I successfully ran my a-ipower 7100 using the easy start today. I did 5 starts of my ac using the propane power which has a reduction of load to 6400 w peak and 5100 running. My generator handled the load quite well, both at high speed and econ mode. Average running load on my generator display was 3000w, which was the ac running (again, a bryant 3 ton unit) my GE refrigerator and all home lighting, etc. The BT app showed a inrush amps of 23 avg and running amps of 6 avg. I'm really happy with these numbers as I can run in eco mode and save fuel.
Heavenly LED lights inside to tell the condition of the unit sounds like you need to mount it on the outside of the unit so you can see what the problem might be rather than inside
I appreciate the video I’ve just recently ordered a micro air easy start for my residential condenser.
Maria: Thanks for coming on board as a customer! What is/are the reason(s) you elected to add EasyStart to your residential air conditioner?
I wanted my compressor to last as long as possible. I also wanted less Amp draw at start up to lower my electricity cost. I wanted to run a smaller generator during hurricane season that doesn’t take as much fuel to run per hour due to higher amp draw. I believe I will also like the Bluetooth capability so that I can Monitor my AC consumption. I first heard about it from a friend who installed it on her RV and started to use a smaller generator off grid.
Thanks for a very helpful video. I installed my new EasyStart a little over 2 days ago using this video as a guide. My inrush current went from a measured 74 Amps to 25-28Amps as reported by easystart. It is operating in the Arizona heat, over 110deg. Since install, the compressor has run 146 times as reported by the app. One odd thing: The very first start after install resulted in a fault, and a red led. No big deal, this quickly cleared on the next start, the unit completed the learning process on subsequent starts, and it ran the rest of the day (installed late morning) and overnight without issue (some 60 starts, fault count 1). Sometime the following morning, the fault count reported by the app increased to 4 (3 new faults). I never saw any red led display and the unit always seems to function fine. The following morning, the fault count increased to 7 (3 new faults), again with no sign of any problem with the unit or the operation of the system (that I observed, you can only stand out in 110deg and watch the unit cycle for so long). Anyway, EasyStart seems to be working well, but I have no idea what these faults might indicate or if I should care. It will be interesting to see if the fault count goes up by another 3 tomorrow morning.
Hi David and thank you for your comment and for your business! EasyStart has many recoverable faults, like those that may be caused by very brief power interruptions from your utility. The fact that EasyStart recovered and kept going means all is likely fine. If however the fault count becomes excessive and you are concerned, please feel free to upload your EasyStart's data to Micro-Air using the Diagnose screen in the app. A support person will analyze it for you and let you know what is going on.
@@MicroairNet Thanks. 2 additional faults this morning, seems to be something that happens at near the same time each day. I don't think I'll worry about it. I am now up to 196 starts and it's working great.
@@davidwolfenbarger7383 how old is this unit??? It could be the old CONTACTOR is in in poor shape and on its last leg.
Take the time to order spares while the unit is running and before maintenance turns into an emergency repair.
Replace bot new Cap + Contactor for total reliability at less than $50 - Your attention to smart details has payed off!!👍
The extreme lock rotor peak curent is was causes wear on consumers electricals. Adding smart unit prevents that issue, just like light dimmers made light bulbs last forever.... same principale of 21st century managed current.
@@MicroairNethow long do these easy starts usually last. As well can I install them as an ad on to all my new installs
@@jasonrhoades9270 Hello Jason and thank you for your question. The EasyStart is designed to last the life of your air conditioning unit. You can even move it to a new unit, and reinitiate its first-5-start learning process. Yes, you can install them as an add on to all of your new installations.
Thank you for the video. I used it and the PDF that came with the soft start to successfully install. Love the product!
Just ordered! Thanks for the great info.
Mine just came in today. Installing it this weekend. I have a 8000 starting watt generator. It struggled to start my 3.5ton trane unit. I shut it off immediately to not harm anything. I was bummed out to see how inflated 10K plus generators have gotten. You could buy 2, 5K units for less than 1 single 10K, wilddd. 2 years ago a 12K was right around $900, now its close to $1,700. I found this for under $400 perfect solution. My A/C unit only draws 4200 watts after it gets started so with just a couple Tv's and Ceiling fans my Generator shouldnt ever be over 75% utilization. My home is very VERY well insulated so even in the harsh summer maintaining the house at 70f it never runs more than about 8hrs a day.
Just got my Soft Start today for my 5 ton. I’m going to DIY it this week. Everything makes sense, except the top of the capacitor. Hoping it makes sense when I take a close look. Black - L1, white - L2, brown to compressor (spliced), orange to top of capacitor (I think the HERM terminal).
Hi Willie and thanks for your business! Yes, you have it correct. As I mentioned in the video, be careful not to connect the EasyStart's ORANGE wire to the wrong terminal of the run capacitor, especially if it is a "dual" run capacitor with 3 terminal clusters. The compressor's start winding connection is always on the "HERM" terminal of the run capacitor, as you already mentioned. That is where the EasyStart's ORANGE wire should also be connected.
Regading the EasyStart's BROWN wire, that will be spliced to the run winding wire (whatever color your system's internal wiring uses) after you disconnect this run winding wire from its contactor terminal (typically labeled T2 or T3, which is the switched L2 output of the contactor). In place of the run winding wire will go the EasyStart's WHITE wire on the same contactor terminal. Then you splice the freed run winding wire all by itself to the EasyStart's BROWN wire. Hope this helps.
Just completed my install. Couldn't be happier! I love the Bluetooth. Can check the status from inside my home, by a window adjacent to the unit. Thanks again!
Perfect, great explanation, this is why I was sold and will buy one today .20:31 - EasyStart Benefits while on Utility Power
one last question, the specs on this generator, 7500 Running Watts and 9500 Peak Watts; is this ideal for my environment?. All I need is the AC when power goes out, plus one refrigerator and one freezer in the garage. Or should I consider a 9500 Running Watts and 12500 Peak Watts. The difference in price is about $300.
Impressive little device! I'll be putting one of these on our new house.
I also agree What an excellent video!!! , thank you for taking the time to make this video
Installed one today on an oxbox by trane 4 ton unit. Stopped the flicker of lights in my house. I'm not sure what the initial start was, but I think the microair easy start is doing what it is supposed to do. I'll be connecting a 13k duromax generator. I'm hopeful that it will run the entire house, including the A/C. Will follow up once I have it running.
Matthew, I purchased the Duromax tri fuel recently and I am running on N.G. which reduces your wattage and amperage I have to say so far I am not impressed with the micro air 368-48 I am only seeing 38 amp in-rush amps . My surge amperage is only 35 on the geny, yes it runs it but if anything else starts at the same time I am thinking it may cause damage . AC 3 ton and is 3 years old. Just a heads up. I am dealing with Barry from tech support right now and wondering if they can explain why I am see such high amps.
I actaully installed hard start and was at 36 amp
Just Fyi
@@jeffh9288 Any update sir?
@@matthewr704 hey Matthew I got with Matteo and right now it is a work in process and going in the right direction he explained it to me as being a sliver or post stored Spike.
It's inherent to some compressors unfortunately mine is one of them and that's why I have that reading as is but he says not to worry as that is just such a minute part of it. I will keep you posted but I feel much better now knowing that
Sounds like you're probably getting the tri-fuel or just gas and propane I'm running the tri-fuel one and using it on natural gas
@@jeffh9288 also have a tri fuel running on NG. I’ll test is as soon as i get back in town!
My oxbox is brand new. 4 ton. I think the inrush was 119 before i installed. And I’m down to 42. Not sure if the generator will be able push it, but we’ll see.
I’ve just decided to purchase a portable generator, the wgen2000, and luckily came across this technology. It makes my purchase of the generator all the more sweet and I purchased an easy start to sweeten the deal!
How many Watts does your eGenerator put out Running watts?
I love my EasyStart - I have the ASY-368-X72-BLUE for my Trane 4-ton unit. Before EasyStart - Peak Current Inrush = 133.9 Amps / After EasyStart = 35.5 Amps Running amps 16.5 I am very happy with the EasyStart and find it well worth the money. Thanks, Guys!
I installed the Easy Start on my 5-ton Trane XR13 (2008) A/C and, to my surprise, this particular A/C came with an OEM hard-start installed. Once I removed the hard start I found space behind the side panel and mounted the Easy Start, ran the wires into the electrical area, and found that it was very easy to make all the connections. I did receive specific instructions from the Tech Support team at Micro-Air - thank you. I have definitely noticed a difference on how my A/C performs now. I do have a couple question though - why do the values for the Last Start Peak (A) range from 35.5 to 42.3 over 48 starts and what causes this?
Hello and thank you for your comment and for your purchase. It is typical for the starting amps to vary from start to start, by up to +/- 5A. This is because of internal system temperature conditions and residual refrigerant pressures, both of which will vary depending on time-of-day environmental temperature and how long the system was off since its last operational cycle. Thank you again for your business.
Your instructions helped me out alot, thanks 😊 just had mine installed today
I ordered my EasyStart Home AC. For my 5 ton Lennox air conditioner. Can’t wait to save money. Thanks.
Great video, I'm looking to purchase and install one of these on my unit.
I would recommend not sticking your finger in and touching the capacitor contacts. If it's charged, it could bite you bad.
Hi and thank you for your comment. As it turns out, run capacitors always discharge very quickly (less than 0.1 sec) after power is removed because both legs are connected across the run and start windings. Given that is 4 to 5 ohms max, a (large) 50 MFD run capacitor will discharge (with 5 RC time constants) in 1.25ms.
@@MicroairNet Thanks for the reply and info but a DIY'er does not know that and should not be sticking their fingers around any capacitor. unless it has been discharged. Just my opinion.
Agreed. Better safe than sorry.
Just asked my AC tech about soft starts yesterday .He said he didn't know much about them except they were used on solar installations .
Looks like a great product.
Should there be a safety comment about working around sizable capacitors due to their stored energy? Maybe explain how to discharge a cap before working around one.
Hello and thank you for your comment. As it turns out, the run capacitor automatically and quickly discharges through the motor windings start-to-common-to-run after the contactor opens or the power is turned off to the condensing unit. You'd have to touch it almost immediately after power was removed to get electrocuted. Beyond this, any OEM-installed hardstart kit (i.e. a start cap) may have to be discharged before removal (as part of the EasyStart installation) if it does not have a bleed resistor (which most do). Only start caps without bleed resistor can hold charge and are potentially dangerous. Nevertheless, it is always safe practice to short the capacitor terminals with an insulated handle screwdriver after turning off AC power.
I agree. I have an electrical background so first thing turn off circuit breaker to the HVAC. Short out caps with an insulated screw driver. Also I found on my unit there is another power circuit going to the attic unit which does also provide 120volts to the outside condenser unit EVEN thought the cutoff switch is disconnected. So look into that circuit breaker as well.
Great video and product. Thank you for sharing your invention. Definitely like this for my next off-grid project.
It was easy to install, works Great. I bought it for my generator to run to house ac (9000 watts peak with 7200 running). Works great I would buy it again.
Excellent video! Thank you for the information on EasyStart.
Just ordered my 368 will determine what size generator needed. Thank you much.
Hello, I see cheaper price for the one without the Bluetooth feature. Is it okay to buy this unit or better to buy the Bluetooth feature? Are there any differences in other features that not mention internally?
Hi and thank you for your question. The ASY-364-X20-IP is only meant for 115V (RV and marine) applications, so it is not appropriate for a 230V home A/C unit as shown in the video. The ASY-364-X36-BLUE, ASY-368-X48-BLUE, and ASY-368-X72-BLUE handle 240VAC and all only come with the Bluetooth feature. The Bluetooth models are therefore more robust as a result since they have to handle 240V.
when he did the momentary power loss test the amp meter was still indicating a current draw of 19 amps the same amount as in normal mode. SO looks like the box allowed the compressor to start again without a delay.
The custom ammeter was doing a peak capture, thus it never changes its readout until deliberately reset by pressing a particular button.
This type of product has been on the market for over 20 years. These name brand start kits can be purchased for $35-$75 from a local HVAC supplier. Basically you’re paying over $300 for a Bluetooth option that helps you absolutely 0.
Hi jmccOutdoors. What you're stating isn't entirely true. A "start kit" as you call it for $35-$75 is actually a "hard start". That is an entirely different and a far inferior device as compared to EasyStart, which is a "soft start". Please check out this video for a full explanation on the differences: th-cam.com/video/7Gim96oyczw/w-d-xo.html
11:00 Excellent choice of music!
Just installed the EasyStart X48 on my 3.5 ton Rheem AC. LRA dropped from rated 109 down to 28.1 after 5 learned starts. Very happy. Anxious to hook up my generator through an interlock 30amp breaker to see if it will actually run the AC. Could be close with 6250 running watts and 8500 starting watts. Have to wait and see.
So how did it go?
I'm curious too. I have a 3.5 ton and a B&S 6550 storm responder generator. Really curious if this will actually work.
Great directions. I installed it today. I spent more time on the bluetooth connection than on the actual installation. 5 stars on the product. 1 star on the bluetooth. There was the oddest coupon in the box. "If you bought this on Amazon, you paid too much." Weird.
Hello and thanks for your comment and feedback. The coupon you mentioned definitely did not come from Micro-Air, so we'd like to investigate that; from whom did you purchase the EasyStart? Also, what was it about the Bluetooth connection that you did not like? Thanks in advance.
@@MicroairNet I tried to call but the automated answering system gave me the online options then hung up. Do you have an email address?
@@flyingjeff1984 Yes, you can send an email to help@microair.net.
Thanks for this most excellent video. I installed my X48-Blue on my old 4 ton unit earlier this year. Was able to start/run everything on my 7kw run/8.75kw start generator with no problems. Just had new 4 ton unit/system installed last week, and re-connected & re-learned the EasyStart. The start amps now for the most part are around 40 amps (LRA amps listed as 109). However, I have noticed a couple of starts at ~75 amps which I do not understand. I will send the data again to Micro-Air next week. Barry in customer service has been helping me.
I am concerned that my generator will not start this unit if 75 amps is required. Hurricane season is upon us…was without power for 10 days last year because of Hurricane Ida, so that is why I purchased a generator and EasyStart. Do you have any idea why the required amps would almost double from 40 to 75? Again, it is not all the time; I just happened to check it at random today. Thanks again for the video.
Hi and thanks for your compliment and your comment. Yes, please upload the data to Micro-Air using the Bluetooth app and Barry and I will have a look. Sometimes, an occasional, narrow current spike might occur at the tail end of the startup, and the app will report them since it is always looking for the worse single-cycle (8.3ms) peak. But don't despair since a single-cycle peak won't impact your generator. It's the broader peaks (three cycles {50ms} and more) that affect your generator, and EasyStart has already reduced these from 109A to 40A in the case of your system. If we see anything, we'll report back to you. We might want you to do a relearn, but don't do that yet until we check it out.
@@MicroairNet Thanks so much for writing back…and on a Sunday! I am impressed! And thanks for your explanation of these ‘peaks’…hope that is all that this is. If the Micro-Air is faulty, I am happy to buy another one.
I will send the data later today. You see, I live in the NOLA area, and don’t want to be without power for 10 days ever again. My generator is a tri-fuel Champion, and I run it on natural gas; gasoline was/is impossible to get after a hurricane. Thanks again for your most excellent video. As I told Barry, your product is so well made, and it is made right here in the USA! Hope to hear from y’all this week.
@@papajohn3182 hello did you find out what the issue was?
@@williamallen5369 The only thing they wrote back is what you see in their reply about it being only 8.3ms and should not be an issued with my generator starting it; guess I will have to do another run test on gen power to find out. I have heard no more from them. FYI, I have another Micro-Air on order for my 3 ton upstairs unit. I do like the reduced starting amps for my 4 ton, and you can definitely hear the difference in startup between the two. I do believe it can only help extend the life of the compressor.
Following
nice presentation
looking into to buy one for my 2.5 ton home unit
thanks
Anyone else see that lizard run across the lawn at time code 8:16. Great product BTW.
Great video, very informative. Excellent choice of background music during wire splicing!
Great video.
Can you please tell me if this easy-start system also works on mini-split a/c units ??
I currently own a 2 ton mini-split unit and I believe I will be ordering the ASY-368-X48-BLUE.
Please let me know before I order.
Thank you much.
Hello and thank you for your question. Since almost all mini-split systems use what is known as an "inverter-driven" or "BLDM" compressor motor, they are variable-speed and they already ramp-start themselves with little to no current surge. Therefore, EasyStart is *not* compatible with such systems and should not be installed. Hope this helps.
@@MicroairNet Yes, this information was very helpful. Thank you 👍
Just installed mine and the LRA was 77. After 5 starts it's 23 amps. A 70% drop in current on a 3 ton ac. Running current is 7 amps. Hopefully it'll drop the electric bill a little. I installed it so I can run my home ac using two EcoFlow Delta Pro's.
Than you for getting back to on the Pool pump application. SaD, that it can’t be done. As I am in the process of purchasing 2 EasyStart units for my 4 and 2 ton AC units. Can I also use the EasyStart for the blower motor?
Hi again Pablo. Thank you very much for your business. You will be very pleased with the huge startup current reductions you will enjoy on your 4-ton and 2-ton A/C units.
Just to be clear, the pool pump *can* be outfitted with an EasyStart, but Micro-Air does not have the resources to support such an application. If you have the necessary knowledge and you know your pool pump's internal wiring diagram, go for it.
Regarding the blower motor on an indoor or outdoor A/C unit, EasyStart is not necessary. This is because these blower motors are what is known as variable-torque (unlike a compressor which is constant-torque). These motors only draw only 2-3 amps when running, and their startup current is only about 3x that. Therefore, the startup amperage savings isn't going to gain you much. Beyond this, EasyStart isn't designed to start a motor as slowly as a blower motor would require. Therefore, Micro-Air does not recommend that you install an EasyStart on a blower motor.
Ok video. Some of the details are lacking and different that the installation instructions from MicroAir from their website. MicroAir needs to shoot a new video to match the instructions and make proper connections clearer. I shouldn't have to cross my fingers and hope it works when tuning it on by following the manufacturers instructions and installation video. Also, the Bluetooth connection sucks!!! You have to be within ~10ft to get a signal and it provides no history. Even my cheap Bluetooth headphones connect to my phone in the garage from the opposite end of the house or in the basement. It did bring down by LRA from a rated 95 to 26 on my 2002 Rheem.
Excellent Video.
Im not electrician, but seams to be a great gadget.
Matteo, I didn't hear you mention in your video whether or not installing this device will save money on my electric bill and if this can be calculated. I would think with the reduced LRA, there could be some significant savings.
Hi and thanks for your comment. As it turns out, the energy (kWh) saved by soft starting is not significant enough to impact that portion of your electric bill. This is because the startup is over and done with in about 1 second, so the difference in energy consumption is minuscule. The steady-state running amps (and thus that energy consumption) are unchanged.
What might make a difference in your electrical bill though is if you live in an area where your electric utility company charges you for what is known as "peak demand" (kW). In such areas, reducing and/or eliminating the LRA spike will in fact save you money on your electric bill on that particular line item. Not all electric utilities charge for peak demand though for residential customers, so it may not apply to you.
Wow Great vid info and product! Cant wait to understand if this saves me money on electricity while on utility.
That’s amazing, I’m ordering and going to put it on mine!
Thank you Matteo for your excellent video. I have a Rheem Model RA1642AJ1NB 3.5 ton ac unit. For warranty purposes I want to have my ac maintenance company install your ASY-368-X48-Blue EasyStart. Their service manager has no problem doing it, but is somewhat concerned about how it would affect the condenser fan motor because he says it supposedly already is fitted with its own soft start by the manufacturer (he did mention it is similar to an X13 type motor). Would this be an issue or require a modified installation of your EasyStart. Would appreciate a response that explains the reason in a way I could pass on to the ac service manager.
Thank you kindly.
Hi Victor. Thank you for your question and for your compliment. Interestingly enough, upon looking up your RA1642AJ1NB, all the "old" literature online indicates that the condenser fan motor is a typical AC induction type. However, some of the more recent spare parts lists for your model do indicate that the condenser fan motor was upgraded to an ECM motor, as your service manager is indicating. Thankfully, regardless the type of condenser fan motor, it has nothing to do with EasyStart. The EasyStart wiring only affects the compressor motor. Care must of course be taken with any installation to not disturb the fan motor wiring, but in your case the wiring of EasyStart should be totally identical. Your system should have a standard run capacitor (not a dual type) since the ECM condenser fan motor does not require a run capacitor.
This looks great. Thanks for sharing your info.
Would you recommend installing this on a 3ton ac unit using a portable generator 12,500/9500 watt. Or install a hard start? bc the generator has more power? I'm leaning towards a soft start since the generator will have power being drawn from other things around the house limiting how much more power that it can provide at the time of ac start up. I am under the impression that a soft/easy start is better for lower or less power generators to start the ac compressor.
Hello and thank you for your question. Even on a generator that was already large enough to start an A/C without anything added, we would recommend the EasyStart over a hard start because of the exact reasons you cited and what was also mentioned at the end of the video. With EasyStart installed, you can have more appliances running in the house whenever the compressor goes to start, there is much less stress on the compressor during any start (i.e. on generator or utility power), and there is less stress on the generator during a compressor start.
The tonnage and model type listed at the very beginning of the video does not match what your Website tells me I should use for my 4 ton air conditioner. I consulted your support line also, and they told me I should use X72 model.You're listing at the beginning shows I should use an x48.
Hello and thank you for your comment. Yes, the recommended capacity ranges were updated at the end of 2022, 6 months after this video was published.
I have a three-ton, two-stage Lennox compressor model XC16S036; I have just ordered your model ASY-368-X48-BLUE. Are there any unique settings or learning I need to follow to install the Easy Start on my system? I would appreciate any insight I can get. Your video was fantastic, and it described every detail. Hoping I can install the unit without hiring an electrician or HVAC fellow. I appreciate your response.
Hi and thank you for your comment and for your business. I'm glad you asked beforehand since there is one extra step you should take *after* you install your EasyStart. The installation wiring is no different.
Since your 2-stage system uses a special scroll compressor with a bypass valve, you need to make sure that the EasyStart does its learning with the compressor operating at HIGH capacity. The system will typically start the compressor at low capacity, and then switch to high capacity if called to do so. Therefore, it is important that while EasyStart is averaging the *running* current during the first 5 minutes of the first 5 starts/runs, you should make sure your thermostat is set to its LOWEST temperature setting. This causes your thermostat to engage "Stage 2", and this will cause your outdoor system to switch this bypass valve and cause your system to run at high capacity. So, make sure the first 5 starts and stops are done with the thermostat set to its lowest point, and that each start/run lasts more than 5 minutes (say 6 min). After doing this, you can restore the thermostat to its regular setting and let your system and thermostat cycle normally on an attainable and comfortable setpoint. Hope this helps!
Can confirm your unit will work properly on an Amana Model # ASXC180481BC (2 stage unit)
Hi David and thank you for your comment. I found your Amana system's manual online, the ASXC18 series. It confirms that your system has the same 2-stage Emerson Copeland scroll that Abbas' has, which is the type with the internal bypass solenoid. As with his, when learning the EasyStart, make sure the thermostat is set very low so both the Y1 and Y2 outputs get energized (i.e. both stages are being called). Beyond this, your Amana also has feedback to a special circuit board from the compressor's start winding. This might present a problem for you since when we see this feature, it sometimes means this control board inside the outdoor will not tolerate the 5-sec to 3-min delay that EasyStart may impart on the compressor startup. In other words, the circuit board might think something is wrong with the compressor because it did not start right away, and then it will shutdown power to both the compressor and EasyStart (which are wired inline), resulting in nothing ever running. To deal with this, we added a selectable feature to EasyStart that can be invoked from its smartphone app, so if you do run into this issue, contact help@microair.net to find out how to use it. Hope this helps.
Exelent video.. i need install one of this .. Can you provide the company information to hire them
Hello and thank you for your comment. Please go to www.microair.net to find out more about the product. If you would like to locate an installer/dealer near you, please visit www.microair.net/pages/find-a-dealer. Thank you again for your interest.
THANKS !
I'm not interested in operating my AC unit on a generator, but I am looking for ways to quiet the outside condenser unit. My house being just 4 years old was built with the unit just 3 feet from a bedroom window. Dumb. When it starts, it's very loud and sounds like a train wreck and is a disturbance to the quiet bedroom. I was thinking of adding a compressor sound blanket as well. Would the Micro-Air make the starting noise more quiet? Living in Arizona with a 5-ton keeping 2400 sq. ft. home comfortable.
Hi and thanks for the question. As a matter of fact, YES, the EasyStart will quiet the noise that the compressor makes when it starts up! This was an added benefit that we never thought mattered until our (RV) customers started telling us about it in droves. It works the same on a home A/C unit too. EasyStart of course does not affect the noise that your compressor makes when it is up and running steady-state. It only affects the start-up noise.
Hi
I am planning to install Easy Start for quieter compressor starting.
Thanks for answering my question.
Tank you brother..
I used tarp elastic bands with hooks. My EasyStart did not fit inside. I did not want to screw into cover because every time you service AC unit the cover is removed and placed on the ground.
I'm sold! Great video. My only concern is what happens when I have my unit serviced and the tech takes off the panel and has no idea of what a MicroAir Soft Start is and how it works. What then?
Find a new tech! Lol
Hi Steve. Thanks for your comment and your excitement for EasyStart. You'd be surprised how many A/C installation/dealers Micro-Air already sells EasyStart to, and how many more are already aware of the product. It's now over 10 years old and it's been in high volume production for over 5 years. Word has certainly spread. Worst case, the EasyStart is clearly labeled, so your A/C tech will likely ask you about it or look it up online before doing anything further.
@@MicroairNet Thanks for the quick response. Surprisingly enough I've had a tough time finding HVAC tech's that were familiar with Soft Start. Most of them knew about hard start. I'm in Central Texas and the closest distributor for Micro Air home units is over 200 miles away in Houston.
Last year was a record year for sales of portable generators in Texas. I think this is mostly due to "Snowmaggeden" in Feb '21, Huge disaster for home owners mostly due to our antiquated grid. We now are seeing news reports warning homeowners to expect more brownouts and blackouts due to the expected high temps this summer caused by the problems we had in 2021. Throw in the hurricanes that hit Texas (i.e. Nicholas 2021 100,000 without power) and a weak grid it's no wonder that generator sales are up.
@@MicroairNet about to pull the trigger on one of these. I have an whole house battery system that is able to start the AC, however, my AC is a 2-stage 5-ton Trane XR17. I know these don’t work on Variable speed compressors, but wondering if it will work on a 2-Stage.
@danksu04 Thanks for the question. The short answer is YES, but your system will require some special steps on your part after installing EasyStart. Long explanation ahead!...
Yes, the EasyStart ASY-368-X72-BLUE will support your 5-ton Trane 2-stage XR17, but there is a special step you must take when you "learn" the EasyStart during its first 5 starts after installation. The reason is your 2-stage system uses a special Emerson Copeland Scroll compressor (only 1) that has a secondary pressure solenoid that controls how much the compressor is actually pumping. It doesn't change the compressor's speed, but instead it simply changes how much its rotating scroll pumps. So when your thermostat calls for the second stage to run (the Y2 wire gets energized in addition to Y1), the compressor will energize this solenoid, pump more refrigerant, AND therefore draw more current (energy) while running. Note that the amount of current that the compressor draws while starting will NOT be higher because the internal electronics of your XR17 system prevent the second stage from getting energized during startup (Y1 energized), and only lets Y2 pass through after a short delay. Note that under normal conditions when your room temp only goes 1 or 2 degrees above the setpoint, your thermostat will only energize Y1 (without Y2) and your compressor will only need its first stage to operate (i.e. special solenoid will be OFF). THIS is how the Trane XR17 2-stage saves you electricity! It's actually quite a nice design.
So what does this mean to you? Simple. Install the EasyStart per the normal instructions and wiring. NOTHING changes there. BUT, when you go to run your system for the first time, make sure you set your thermostat's setpoint temperature to ***at least 5 degrees below the current room temp***. By doing this, your thermostat will energize BOTH Y1 and Y2, and will force your compressor's 2nd stage to run. Let the compressor run for at least 5 minutes EACH TIME you start it up for the first 5 STARTS after EasyStart installation. The EasyStart learns your compressor's STARTING behaviors during the first second or two during and after startup, but it then deliberately waits 5 minutes to learn and "lock in" your compressors RUNNING behaviors after everything warms up and - more importantly in your case - the second stage is definitely engaged. This is why you need to make sure each learning start lasts at least 5 minutes.
Hopefully this makes sense. Please contact help@microair.net if you have any further questions.
Man about 9:36 that’s a big lizard running across lol I had to stop and go back to make sure what it was great video for sure
I just installed a 368 for my 3 ton Trane. I didn’t think I could run my heat pump in heating mode with my Westinghouse 9500/12500 portable generator. Installation went great. The heat pump has a LRA of 74 amps. The easy start 368 according to bluetooth app is now starting at 16 amps ( HUGE REDUCTION). I did not measure anything with a clamp meter but trust the bluetooth reading is close. I have not tried running on my generator yet but. Today my unit running on both heat mode and cool mode is running at between 16-17 amps. I thought the heat pump uses a lot more amps in heat mode. Heat strips are not being used because not that cold outside but it is about 50F and the heat will come on tonight thermostat set at 71F. The buletooth app shows still a 16-17 amp inrush when heat pump comes on in heat mode. I’m ignorant when it comes to understanding all of this but. Can I expect to be able to use my heat pump ( in heat mode) with my generator Also? I didn’t think I would ever be able to heat my house with heat pump on generator power. Is there other loads from the heat pump in heat mode that I need to consider? I have other heat sources that we use in a power outage but if I can use the heat pump heat mode now too. That is HUGE. Is there a significant difference in amp draw on a heat pump is cooling vs. heating mode? The compressor start amps in cooling vs. heating … well it doesn’t look like a difference at all both modes are now starting 16-17 amps and running continuously at about 7amps. Cooling and heating seem to perform the same. All this is on utility power. I have not tested with the generator yet but generator would run the heat pump in cooling mode even before I installed the 368 but it had a big bog down on each start and a big reason I went ahead and bought the 368. Any thoughts? Did I gain an added benefit of being able to also heat my house now with the easy start?
Hi and thank you for your comment and for your business. The answer to your questions is a resounding YES. EasyStart provides the same startup current reduction for your compressor during both heating (reverse-cycle) and cooling operation. A "heat pump" is simply an A/C compressor system that has the ability to reverse its refrigerant flow via a solenoid valve, which flips the functions of the indoor heat exchanger (i.e. coil) and the outdoor heat exchanger. The compressor's operation, rotational direction, and wiring are identical in both modes.
Now, the amount of current that your compressor will draw while *running steady-state* (i.e. after the startup is long over with) will depend on the environmental conditions inside and outside your home. Typically while operating in heat (pump) mode, the compressor might draw a little bit more than while in cool mode. But, on a very hot summer day, cool mode could certainly draw more than heat mode on any winter day. Given the difference is typically not more than say 10-20%, if your generator size is not marginal, it will be able to power your A/C heat pump in either mode of operation.
Hope this helps. Thank you again for your business.
@@MicroairNet Thank You for the quick reply. Thanks for such a well thought out product. I’m Extremely Happy so far with you guys 110%.
Since installing this on an AC unit seems like a no brainer, why aren’t the Micro-Air EasyStarts incorporated into every, or at least some, AC unit that’s manufactured?