Micro-Air EasyStart Flex - HVAC soft start kit

[97K15004WD]

Is someone has one that has failed and is willing to post up pictures, I'd like to see one up close.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Is someone has one that has failed and is willing to post up pictures, I'd like to see one up close.

Some quit transmitting power and generate error codes, some fill with condensation, one was filled with what the owner described as "brown capacitor fluid", one burned to a crisp, others are reported to just quit. This is in the Facebook group Generators: portable generators to power entire house. The primary offender seems to be the MicroAir Flex.

 

[dnewton3]

UPDATE:

@97K15004WD this may be of interest to you

In a quest to understand the topic of harmonic distortion risk, I did email them yesterday. They responded this morning. I will say that is impressive customer relations, and the answer they gave was reasonably detailed. I believe, based on their answer, that any fear of a long-term degradation of my compressor motor from the Flex product is completely unfounded. I do not have the ability to "test" the product in this manner, but I accept their detailed answer as enough to assuage any concerns about the product.


Here is the reply:

Thank you for your detailed question regarding harmonics and the EasyStart Flex in relation to IEEE 519 standards.

The EasyStart Flex is engineered to provide a smooth, controlled start for single-phase HVAC compressor motors by gradually ramping up the voltage and current during startup. This approach significantly reduces inrush current, which is the primary cause of light flicker, generator overload, and mechanical stress on the compressor.

Addressing Harmonics:

• The EasyStart Flex uses advanced microprocessor-based algorithms to manage the startup sequence. Unlike some basic soft starters that may abruptly chop or modulate the AC waveform (potentially introducing significant harmonic distortion), EasyStart Flex is designed to minimize electrical noise and harmonics.
• The device’s intelligent learning process optimizes itself to the specific compressor, further reducing the risk of introducing harmonics that could affect other equipment or cause overheating.
• All EasyStart units undergo rigorous quality control and are UL approved, ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards.

Relation to IEEE 519:

• IEEE 519 is a recommended practice for harmonic control in electrical power systems, focusing on limiting harmonic distortion to protect equipment and maintain power quality.
• While the EasyStart Flex is not specifically marketed as an IEEE 519-compliant harmonic filter, its design inherently minimizes the introduction of harmonics during the start cycle. It does not operate continuously as a variable frequency drive (VFD) would, but rather only during the brief startup phase.
• The risk of compressor or fan motor overheating due to harmonics is extremely low with EasyStart Flex, as it does not introduce significant harmonic content into the system. Its operation is fundamentally different from some lower-quality soft starters that may use less sophisticated control methods.

Summary:

• EasyStart Flex is engineered to avoid the common pitfalls of poorly designed soft starters, such as excessive harmonic generation and associated overheating risks.
• It is a trusted solution in the industry, with over a decade of engineering refinement and positive customer feedback.

If you have a particularly sensitive application or require detailed harmonic analysis, I recommend consulting with a qualified electrical engineer.

I'll note again that this product only is active during a very short duration; less than 1 second during the ramp up. Given their explanation above, and the fact that the product actually REDUCES amp draw by a very significant amount during that period, I have to think there is essentially zero risk of this product causing a heat or harmonic failure mode of a compressor (or fan) motor.


If someone sees it differently, I'd certainly entertain opposing views. But we have to accept, without evidence to the contrary, that this Flex does not induce significant concerns of harmonic distortion and the associated risks of heating, etc.

 

[97K15004WD]

Sent DM

I would ask them what the failure effect mode is. IOW, if the unit fails, what is the impact on the compressor motor on the next start with the failed unit.

My biggest concern with this unit would be it fails, and you don't know it failed.

And the next time the compressor is called for, the compressor motor is stalled, overheats, and dies an early death because it can't start rotating under load without the starting circuit being functional and operating nominally.

Look at the "five whys" of this potential failure and it's impact on your system, and the cost associated with each.

 

[97K15004WD]

I found this one that was open. This one has three relays and a rated capacitor (3-step).

I doubt it's the same, but it's only one that I can find a picture of that is exposed. Which is kinda strange to me.

Regardless, if anyone opens one of the Micro-Aire units, I would love to see inside it.
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