Micro-Air EasyStart Flex - HVAC soft start kit

[dnewton3]

Just a quick review of my new product for my HVAC.

https://www.microair.net/products/easystart-flex-home-ac-soft-starter

I have a 10 year old "ol skool" (PSC motor) outdoor condenser unit. It runs OK but it starts HARD (nearly sounds like a .410 shotgun when it kicks on; been like that since day one). I had installed a "hard start" cap a few years ago, and while it did make the starts a little quicker, it was still noisy and hard hitting upon start up. Being at the end of the power line distribution, it also really dimmed the lights when it kicked on; annoying.

I installed this new product today (super easy; well stated instructions and several YT videos). Pretty simple for Joe Average DIY stuff. Appears very well made, etc. The kit is super complete with everything you'd need, including connectors, zip ties, whip protector, etc. It does not lack for quality. I mounted mine outside the unit; was going to be too tight inside the control panel area. But it is rated for outdoor use and comes with a nice long whip, so just drilling a hole for the whip made simple work of it.

I will say, it has massively cut down on the start up surge (like nearly 2/3 less amp draw for the inrush!), and a lot quieter upon start up.

I will give it a 9 out of 10 (only deducting 1 point for the high cost). But if it helps make my condenser unit last longer, and it most certainly starts and runs quieter, it was worth what I paid for it. It's worth considering if you have a PSC or ECM compressor motor system.

NOTE: it is NOT designed for inverter driven motors; do NOT install on such a system.

 

[Hall]

will give it a 9 out of 10 (only deducting 1 point for the high cost). But if it helps make my condenser unit last longer, and it most certainly starts and runs quieter, it was worth what I paid for it.

Which is it, knock it for the high cost, but "it was worth what I paid for it" ?

 

[Rand]

wow $400

Seems abit steep.

 

[mitsuman47]

Thanks for the review.

I have an older system (2003?) that runs well but definitely dims the LED lights in the house when it kicks on. I keep up with cleaning both coils and preventatively change the cap every 5ish years. I’ve had to change the contactor once due to ants being in the wrong place at the wrong time when the unit tried to kick on. Other than that it has been very reliable. Hoping to get several more years out of it, and I’m considering one of the Micro-Air units to reduce the start up surge.

 

[DCDG]

Just a quick review of my new product for my HVAC.

https://www.microair.net/products/easystart-flex-home-ac-soft-starter

I have a 10 year old "ol skool" (PSC motor) outdoor condenser unit. It runs OK but it starts HARD (nearly sounds like a .410 shotgun when it kicks on; been like that since day one). I had installed a "hard start" cap a few years ago, and while it did make the starts a little quicker, it was still noisy and hard hitting upon start up. Being at the end of the power line distribution, it also really dimmed the lights when it kicked on; annoying.

I installed this new product today (super easy; well stated instructions and several YT videos). Pretty simple for Joe Average DIY stuff. Appears very well made, etc. The kit is super complete with everything you'd need, including connectors, zip ties, whip protector, etc. It does not lack for quality. I mounted mine outside the unit; was going to be too tight inside the control panel area. But it is rated for outdoor use and comes with a nice long whip, so just drilling a hole for the whip made simple work of it.

I will say, it has massively cut down on the start up surge (like nearly 2/3 less amp draw for the inrush!), and a lot quieter upon start up.

I will give it a 9 out of 10 (only deducting 1 point for the high cost). But if it helps make my condenser unit last longer, and it most certainly starts and runs quieter, it was worth what I paid for it. It's worth considering if you have a PSC or ECM compressor motor system.

NOTE: it is NOT designed for inverter driven motors; do NOT install on such a system.

I have heard good and bad on the soft starts mainly good for easing the load on portable generators. I read and watched some reviews they were short lived maybe a QC issue but I wouldn't be hesitant with installing one myself. Let us know how it performs long term. Hard start kits aren't the best in most situations, I had one HVAC contractor always pushing to sell one quick (300-400 bucks) where they're good end of life equipment looking to push a season or 2 tops which is questionable but some ride the wave and get lucky. Some Goodman units require them because of their compressor design or certain installed expansion valves, if the line voltage is low or refrigerant lines are long. Otherwise on equipment with good electrical health the hard start kit is just adding additional heat and stress on the compressor windings.

 

[RBT]

Just a quick review of my new product for my HVAC.

https://www.microair.net/products/easystart-flex-home-ac-soft-starter

I have a 10 year old "ol skool" (PSC motor) outdoor condenser unit. It runs OK but it starts HARD (nearly sounds like a .410 shotgun when it kicks on; been like that since day one). I had installed a "hard start" cap a few years ago, and while it did make the starts a little quicker, it was still noisy and hard hitting upon start up. Being at the end of the power line distribution, it also really dimmed the lights when it kicked on; annoying.

I installed this new product today (super easy; well stated instructions and several YT videos). Pretty simple for Joe Average DIY stuff. Appears very well made, etc. The kit is super complete with everything you'd need, including connectors, zip ties, whip protector, etc. It does not lack for quality. I mounted mine outside the unit; was going to be too tight inside the control panel area. But it is rated for outdoor use and comes with a nice long whip, so just drilling a hole for the whip made simple work of it.

I will say, it has massively cut down on the start up surge (like nearly 2/3 less amp draw for the inrush!), and a lot quieter upon start up.

I will give it a 9 out of 10 (only deducting 1 point for the high cost). But if it helps make my condenser unit last longer, and it most certainly starts and runs quieter, it was worth what I paid for it. It's worth considering if you have a PSC or ECM compressor motor system.

NOTE: it is NOT designed for inverter driven motors; do NOT install on such a system.

I installed one of these as well but be aware that a lot of HVAC guys don’t like them as they can cause problems with the compressors. Yes it is quieter but I was told may not be good for the unit. I was disappointed because it cost about $400 plus my time.

 

[DCDG]

Would be nice to bypass it while on utility power and send 24v with a RIB when connected to generator power through a transfer switch. it is doable but gets involved with a 4PDT contactor. And guaranteed to void any warranty.

 

[dnewton3]

Which is it, knock it for the high cost, but "it was worth what I paid for it" ?

Had it been cheaper, it would be a 10/10. Still, I'm overall satisfied.

 

[dnewton3]

I installed one of these as well but be aware that a lot of HVAC guys don’t like them as they can cause problems with the compressors. Yes it is quieter but I was told may not be good for the unit. I was disappointed because it cost about $400 plus my time.

I'd be curious about what you've heard about it causing issues for the compressor. What specifically is the issue it causes? Mine being a PSC unit, I cannot fathom any harm comes from the soft-start. Perhaps the control boards in an ECM unit might not like the kit in the long term?

I did a search can find nothing which would indicate it's an issue. To the contrary, most of them debunk the myth that these are harmful. It certainly is stressful on a compressor to have such hard starts repeatedly over its entire life without the soft-start. Most of the complaints or concerns are about the high cost of unit and professional install. I would argue that a $400 device which can perhaps double the life of my compressor is worth it, at least to me. And the professional install is NOT a necessity if you have any skills that the average DIY guy would have.

https://duckduckgo.com/?ia=web&origin=funnel_home_website&hps=1&q=will+a+soft-start+controller+harm+a+PSC+driven+HVAC+compressor?&atb=v376-1

 

[tom slick]

I installed that unit on my HVAC a couple years ago so I could have AC while running a generator. No issues so far.

 

[DCDG]

I'd be curious about what you've heard about it causing issues for the compressor. What specifically is the issue it causes? Mine being a PSC unit, I cannot fathom any harm comes from the soft-start. Perhaps the control boards in an ECM unit might not like the kit in the long term?

I did a search for "HVAC soft-start aid harm to compressor" and can find nothing which would indicate it's an issue. To the contrary, most of them debunk the myth that these are harmful. It certainly is stressful on a compressor to have such hard starts repeatedly over its entire life without the soft-start.

i think more of a compatibility issue with certain control board units guessing units with heat pumps or compressors requiring high torque start up.

 

[RBT]

I am not an HVAC tech but apparently it heats the compressor on start up. The guys who do our HVAC work install Carrier and Bryant, they are a father and son business that have been in business for almost 50 years and I tend to believe them. We have two zones and I will be removing the soft start on the heat pump AC unit based on the advice. They did acknowledge an advantage if you have to use a generator. I am simply relaying what I was told. Probably a situation where I installed sometching I did not sufficiently understand. In my defense, when I did it both my mother and mother in law were very sick with conditions that required electricity at all times, so I wanted to make sure we always had power when they stayed with us. So I probably rushed and it was a stressful time. They have both since passed so when I get to it I can remove the remaining one.

 

[DCDG]

I am not an HVAC tech but apparently it heats the compressor on start up. The guys who do our HVAC work install Carrier and Bryant, they are a father and son business that have been in business for almost 50 years and I tend to believe them. We have two zones and I will be removing the soft start on the heat pump AC unit based on the advice. They did acknowledge an advantage if you have to use a generator. I am simply relaying what I was told.

I can see the reasoning and logic behind it.

 

[4wd]

I am not an HVAC tech but apparently it heats the compressor on start up. The guys who do our HVAC work install Carrier and Bryant, they are a father and son business that have been in business for almost 50 years and I tend to believe them. We have two zones and I will be removing the soft start on the heat pump AC unit based on the advice. They did acknowledge an advantage if you have to use a generator. I am simply relaying what I was told.

Same - my HVAC guy is 2nd Gen - and honestly more technical than the dad who trained him well - a decade back …
(Pop shoved him in Texas attics to learn reliably ) …
He put a soft start on my 2 stage - along with several other enhancements …
Have always been on NG for heat …

 

[dnewton3]

I could understand where the older type soft-start units may have been an issue. I don't think it's true today. I think, like many subjects, old information is leaking into current-tech conversations. This is akin to talking about lubes from previous API iterations; as if the conditions from yesteryear still apply today.

The old soft-start units from most companies had to be properly selected for size; they were made specific to the tonnage rating, and not "universal" like the one I bought. And therefore, if one was installed and not sized correctly (for the load), it could cause issues with the windings (either too little boost at too slow a rate, or too much; neither is good). But this new unit is a "flex" system; it can cover from 1.5 up to 6 ton units; a very wide range. It can achieve this because it is "self learning"; meaning it will sense the amp loads and tailor it's output to best control the ramp up. Essentially, these new ones are not from older generations, and do a much better job. I understand the basis for the complaints of the old designs, but that topic is moot today because the new technology avoids the pitfalls of improper application.

Hence, when some HVAC company which has been in business for 50 years says "don't use a soft-start", it may well be because they have experienced failures with older designs and simply given up any willingness to use them in today's terms. Not unlike a trusted old mechanic who simply believes that "CH-4 oil will always be the best diesel oil, because it's got more stuff in it."

I can attest that the start-up is MUCH easier on the unit now. The former violent and very loud start is gone; that has to add longevity to the compressor.

I view it as no different than the topic of hard starts upon acceleration in your car. Rather than revving up the motor and dumping the clutch to shock the drivetrain, this topic is akin to a new method to match power delivery to the load and ease the clutch out in a controlled fashion. Not unlike Goldilocks; not too little or too much - just right.

To each their own. I'm happy with my installation. YMMV.

 

[ka9mnx]

I installed one of these as well but be aware that a lot of HVAC guys don’t like them as they can cause problems with the compressors. Yes it is quieter but I was told may not be good for the unit. I was disappointed because it cost about $400 plus my time.

They apparently don't understand how soft start works.

 

[RBT]

They apparently don't understand how soft start works.

These guys do.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Motor soft starters are common in Industrial use. I have no idea how it could be bad, its easier on the motor, and not sure how a controlled start could heat up the compressor, but I am not a ME so not my area of expertise.

I will say $400 is cheap compared to what a Industrial soft starter costs.

 

[dnewton3]

I, too, don't understand the "heats the compressor on start up" complaint.

Compressors by nature get hot; that's part of the adiabatic process after all. But, the whole point of the soft-start system is to REDUCE the amp load at start-up. That can only have one effect; LESS HEAT. Not more heat. The complaint is counter intuitive.

Also, some of you may not realize that heat pump compressors actually have heater elements inside them to warm the oil in the crankcase. So, if they need heat in the crankcase in heating mode, then how can "heating the compressor" be detrimental.

The more I read about these "complaints" about soft-starts, the more I realize it's uninformed hooey. As I said before, there's a large bucket of misunderstanding and misinformation about these new soft-start systems and how HVAC compressors work in general. If a person cannot accurately and articulately describe HOW they believe the soft-start causes failure, I just have to assume it's ol' skool shade-tree blabbering.

 

[97K15004WD]

I mentioned on another thread about soft starts (SS) and the harmonics. During the start-up, the units can produce harmonics exceeding 25%. IEEE519 wants to see less than 3% from a device and less than 5% total on a system.

I have captured many waveforms showing this huge increase of harmonics when the equipment starts. It is short term however, and once the SS contactor closes, the harmonics end - at least on the units I work on.

The "heats the compressor" is legitimate due to the harmonics. It depends on how long the SCRs are on-line and how much the harmonics are heating the windings. The heating of upstream transformers and other equipment windings is the main concern relating to the harmonics I look for. The time frame of the SCRs is due to the design of the unit whether it has a bypass contactor built in or not.

Not mentioned is the effect on the condenser fan - it heats those windings also. SCRs work great on resistive loads (lighting, heating) but on inductive loads they can create heat.

This is the analyzer I use to capture harmonics:

https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/electrical-testing/portable-oscilloscopes/mda-550

Is there a link you can post about the product you bought? I'm curious about it