ACCA 2023 Expo - Micro-Air EasyStart Soft Starter Product Highlights

[@AnotherPilot1]

I just installed mine on a 16 year old R-22 condenser and it's awesome. I sent parameters for analysis and quickly received an answer. I am very pleased. It's nice to have this in place as a protection to my aged system.

[@kevincarlin604]

Simple explanation of what it is and how it works in a bit over 10 mins. Nicely done.

[@nymack66]

I use this on my home AC, this allows me to run my unit on my 8k generator. Awesome product.

[@campbellsoup4910]

Great breakdown and explanation of each question Nick Great job 👍🏻

[@troy3456789]

I would like to have put it inside, the cover but it seems like the box is too big. I mounted it on the house and that is okay. The question I have is "how long should I expect this soft starter to last, under normal operating conditions?"

[@nymack66]

Mine in place for over a year on my AC in Florida, no issues to report.

[@troy3456789]

@@nymack66 I am thinking that this soft starter takes the beating that our compressor normally takes when it would hard start. I could be all wrong about it since it has no moving parts. I'm just wondering if the caps or other components in it take a beating. I just wonder how long it should last until it fails under normal conditions.

[@MicroairNet]

Hi Troy and thanks for your comment. EasyStart is designed to outlast the life of your air conditioner. It can even be moved to a replacement air conditioner and "relearned" via its Bluetooth smartphone app.

[@troy3456789]

@@MicroairNet ohhh that is very good news. Excellent news. Thank you.

[@gtiraycer]

I have a 4 ton Lennox and some of your older videos/charts specify the X48 but when I use the model selector on your website it specifies X72. which one is correct? very confusing

[@MicroairNet]

Hi and thanks for your interest. The capacity ranges did change last year, so sorry for the confusion. The ASY-368-X72-BLUE is the correct model for your 4-ton system.

[@gtiraycer]

@@MicroairNet thanks for quick the clarification. are there any active discount codes that you can share?

[@MicroairNet]

@@gtiraycer Not at this time. Sorry.

[@dreednlb]

Same thing happened to me.

[@jjpfctx]

@@MicroairNet I also purchased the ASY-368-X48-Blue for my 4 ton 2 stage unit because that’s the Easystart that was recommended last year. Anyway to swap it for the correct ASY-368-X72-Blue?

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

Is there a difference between lock rotor amps and in rush amps?

[@viperexpress305]

So this device works full-time when using your home a/c unit & when generator is needed ? 🤔

[@MicroairNet]

Hello and thanks for your question. Yes, once EasyStart is wired in, it performs the same startup current reduction and continuous compressor monitoring when powered from generator, inverter, or utility. Obviously, when powered from generator or inverter, EasyStart's dramatic startup current reduction benefits you the most. But also the life-extension benefits of EasyStart when operating on utility power - which your A/C unit does most of its life - are also very significant. Also, it eliminates light dimming and reduces the startup noise when operating on any power source, including utility.

[@viperexpress305]

@@MicroairNet Thank you for the information. I'm going to try the 3-ton model. 👍

[@djsco5636]

@Microairnet, can this device be installed/wired with a Amana 2 Stage Condenser, specifically a ASX18? If so, where can I find the wiring diagram? Thanks!

[@MicroairNet]

Hello and thanks for your question. Your Amana ASX18 2-stage is typical for what is called 2-stage this day and age. It's actually a single compressor with 2 capacity settings that are controlled by a refrigerant solenoid valve at the top of the compressor body. Therefore, the EasyStart wiring is standard. No specific wiring diagram for your system exists, but if you want to get help, submit a support ticket to www.micro-air.com/contact_microair.htm with photos of your wiring diagram, and someone will draw in where the EasyStart wires and send it back to you. Thank you again for your interest.

[@alejandrocarrillo373]

On a 3 ton unit. Will there be any benefits on going with the x72 over the x48?

[@MicroairNet]

Hello and thank you for your question. No, there is no benefit with going with the X72 on a 3-ton unit. In fact, the optimized (learned) starting current with the X72 may end up higher than if you had purchased an X48 for your 3-ton. Hope this helps. Thank you again for your interest.

[@Broman973]

I have my 3.5 ton condenser wired with a SmoothStarter by Gen-Pro, but I like that the Easy Start can communicate stats via Bluetooth. Looking to swap, but don't want to compromise features or diagnostics it may have over the Easy Start. Can you provide a more detailed specification sheet for me to compare? The one I have is just a basic rundown for sales.

[@MicroairNet]

Thank you for considering EasyStart. Please examine our EasyStart Knowledge Bank for further documentation on the product, which should hopefully answer more of your questions. www.micro-air.com/kb_easystart.htm

[@aholmes6612]

2 Quick questions...is there any benefit to replacing the capacitor when installing the easy start and if Idon't, but replace the capacitor at a later date if it goes bad, will the easy start need to re-learn the system with a new capacitor? I just got the easy start but hadn't installed it yet. Thanks in advance

[@MicroairNet]

Hello and thanks for your question and for your purchase.. The EasyStart will optimize the compressor's starting amps during learning and will also record several other parametrics. Yes, as you are suspecting these are somewhat dependent on the run capacitor and its present condition. The good news is that if the run capacitor were to later fail, the EasyStart would detect this and start shutting down the compressor during steady-state running or even starting conditions. Typically it would be recorded as an "Overcurrent" fault. This is because a failed or failing run capacitor will cause BOTH the starting amps and steady-state running amps to increase. In some cases, these currents could increase quite dramatically, depending on the compressor's motor design. So, it's up to you if you want to replace your run capacitor now before EasyStart installation. There is some benefit to changing the run cap up front if you suspect is it failing since it can cause the compressor to draw more current while running and therefore waste more electricity. If you instead choose to wait until it fails and replace it down the road, we would recommend ReLearning the EasyStart, which is easily done from the Bluetooth app. Don't ReLearn unnecessarily though, unless you do change the run cap (later on) or if you are instructed to do so by customer support at a future time.

[@aholmes6612]

@@MicroairNet thank you for the reply. I'll juat have the capacitor replaced although it's only 2 or 3 years old. I'd rather have a new one with the easy start being installed. Again, thanks for the reply.

[@aholmes6612]

Which soft start would you suggest for a 4 ton York unit?

[@MicroairNet]

ASY-368-X72-BLUE

[@SnowBob302]

How close are you to the release of the board only for version?

[@MicroairNet]

Hello and thank you for your comment. The board-only version is now available to OEM customers only.

[@Z71__]

Since it is running at a lower current. Will this cause the unit not to run as efficient. Just asking because summers here in my area get over 110 degrees. Thanks

[@MicroairNet]

Hello and thanks for your question. What you are stating is actually not true. The EasyStart does not reduce the running/steady-state current of the compressor. All EasyStart does is throttle and gently apply the current and voltage applied during the brief 1-1.5 second startup in order to soft start it, accelerate it more slowly at first, in order to eliminate the normal in-rush current. Once this startup process is completed in less than 2 seconds, the EasyStart bypasses itself with internal high-current relays that re-connects the compressor directly to the input power, allowing it to run normally and consume the same running current.

[@Z71__]

@@MicroairNet Thank you guys so much for the response. My current LRA is at 109 for my Goodman AC unit. Do you think your product can withstand the hot desert summers? And also what would be the best way to install/insulate this since my unit location is at rooftop. Thanks

[@MicroairNet]

EasyStart would reduce your 109 LRA to about 35A (65-75% reduction). EasyStart can handle desert conditions, and has proven itself over and over under such conditions. It has even been used in A/C systems that are installed in military shelters in desert conditions. If you can enclose it in the systems electric box, that would certainly help relieve the extremes of a rooftop installation. If not, then EasyStart's IP65 and UV-resistant enclosure can handle the exposure. If you cannot fit it into the system's electric box, placing it underneath in a shadowed area never hurts.

[@Z71__]

@@MicroairNet Thank you for the response once again.

[@kennethpatierno6223]

Were do I by one need it for 4 ton a/c heat pump no one has them in pinnacle NC thanks ken

[@MicroairNet]

Hi and thanks for your comment. You can purchase EasyStarts directly at www.microair.net. Hope that helps.

[@mr.boniato6402]

Why are there so many bad reviews on Amazon saying this product dies? I am hesitant to buy this because of the bad reviews.

[@MicroairNet]

Thank you for contacting us. The initial release of our Easystart Flex soft starter was primarily targeted to a limited "pilot group" and an early-release group of customers in a high-participation area. An underperforming component was found to be failing in the field, but our technical support team has proactively resolved any issues. Our product includes a 2-year warranty with no registration needed. We have you covered.

[@seankilduff2038]

A 3 ton Bryant.....is that the x36 or x38?

[@MicroairNet]

X48

[@jitumishra3202]

Why don't we have this in India ?

[@MrFrenchHarp]

It monitors the fan motor or compressor “speed”???? Nope. It doesn’t monitor the CFM’s or fan/compressor speeds since it is different depending on unit seer ratings and all the many various brand related component options and or staging features. 🙄 Soft start monitors voltage and amperage and all related spikes, brownout sags, and locked rotor LRA durations and run load RLA differentials during operation and all readings in subsequent cycles in relation to the voltage levels supplied during the compressor operating from 0 to 100% designed output.. all to better optimize its design performance parameters. Also protects against short cycling with a 3 minute time delay from a shut off to next start up. Fan starts up separately on contactor actuation so the unit can better isolate the compressor readings without the fan motor amps mixing into the monitoring purposes of the soft start. Ultimate purpose? To lower the inrush amperage load on a generators peak kw output.. and as a side benefit it is less aggressive on the compressor windings and mechanical parts.. which can extend the compressor life span as well as the longevity of the contactor electrical points and the dual run capacitor.

[@Sam-ys4pc]

This is such B.S.

[@anonymousperson2578]

Why are you starting the fan first? The fan is only needed when there's heat to reject from the condenser (in cooling) Ideally, you want to start the compressor first for at least two reasons. 1. There's more available voltage and current to start the compressor first, which is harder to start with off grid power. 2. There's no heat for the condenser fan to reject for at least 15-20 seconds AFTER the compressor starts anyway, so delaying the start of the fan would save electricity by not starting it immediately too. I developed this protocol over two decades ago on my own system. #HVAC Engineer

[@MicroairNet]

EasyStart doesn't control when the fan starts, only when the compressor starts.

[@anonymousperson2578]

@@MicroairNet Ok, so there's your enhanced operating sequence upgrade.