How To Install A MicroAir EasyStart Soft-Starter On A Coleman Mach 8 RV Air Conditioner

[@hobie18m]

Thank you for this! The step by step was PERFECT. The only setback came when I thought I remembered what you said but forgot one step and had to re-do a wire connector. So, I brought my phone onto the roof of my Airstream and re-watched each step. I did a couple of things differently on purpose -- but mostly just the placement of zip-ties. I would have never thought to zip-tie the EasyStart to the frame, in addition to the 3M tape. Great idea. Just like you said, I couldn't zip tie both ends due to the foam block. I would have wondered what-the-heck to do with the now-loose capacitor. I zip-tied like you did, but also bent and re-fasted the metal tape that held the combo previously. I didn't use a zip tie on the EasyStart power cord. I found I could snake it under the compressor legs and that held it very nicely. I was moving this EasyStart from an older Mach8 that failed, so all my connectors were already in place. I was able to work them through the existing opening, but it wasn't easy.

[@47Banjoman]

I LOVE the fact that you are helping this young lad learn mechanical and electrical skills. He'll thank you for the rest of his life.

[@philfr212]

EasyStart should pay you for this service video. Their instructions for the Mach 8 are a bit of an afterthought.

[@kirkfarley8516]

TOTALLY AGREE!

[@ashleycuellar7203]

*Works great **Fastly.Cool** compact and Easy to install*

[@adventuremanintheclouds8968]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. You just saved me a bunch of time pulling wiring diagrams and whatnot. I owe you a beer.

[@RobRoyse]

Thanks for taking the time to do this video. It was definitely helpful to me. My Mach 8 units are low-profile, but they are "First Gen/Style 1" units and the capacitors are inside the box. It took me a while (too long) to orient myself to it vs. your video, and things went much faster once I realized the start capacitor was "hidden" below the run capacitor inside the box. If I had traced wires earlier, I would have realized this. Also, I think there is room for SIGNIFICANT improvement in the original instructions from Micro Air, plus my install kit didn't have the correct parts for my specific install. I hope this helps someone else down the line. Thanks again!

[@kirkfarley8516]

ES instructions are pretty decent, but definitely not clear in an area or two. Plus no phone support anymore ;-/ All they need is a 5 minute video or a couple pics.. SMH.

[@alstuart]

Darren, thank you for installing the EasyStart on our air conditioners. They have been working flawlessly, and now we can run both air conditioners on a single 3500 watt generator as long as we are careful not to use othe high amperage devices like the microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, etc. It was a pleasure meeting you and Cody.

[@MyRVWorks]

Well Alan, I do want to thank you for choosing us to do the install. And thanks for allowing us to make a video of the install as well. Hope you enjoyed your time up here thank you for being such an awesome customer!

[@KstrSM15]

Thank you SO much for this video!! Just installed one on my camper after watching you. (Hardest part was climbing up and down the ladder.)

[@gitayost6846]

Thank you so much for creating this video. I watched it multiple times, acquired the tools and then used it as my step by step guide to install my MicroAir Easy Start. I don’t have electrical experience but this and my other research gave me the confidence to proceed. Thank you!

[@kirkfarley8516]

A picture is worth a thousand words. Great instruction, especially since there is zero phone support from Micro air. Thanks.

[@MyRVWorks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leebiggs2844]

Thanks Darren! This really helped with the install on my new to me RV with the Mach 8! Hope you're enjoying the weather as we took the cold/rain/storms with us when we left for Florida last week from Marysville! I really needed this to keep my dogs cool when we're NPS camping/boondocking. Semper Fi!

[@joeowen1429]

Darren, the additional Condenser cooling fan I added onto the bottom rear of my Norcold 1200 fridge has a similar 'soft start' feature. That fan is from a computer server cooling application and draws 1 amp of 12v current, but the really cool thing is that the fan takes maybe 4 seconds to come up to full RPM due to the 'soft start' circuit built into it. I sent you photographs of the installation a few weeks ago and noted an instant improvement in fridge temps! The slow start feature makes great sense especially in low voltage parks (

[@steelpix]

You do quality work. No short-cuts.

[@WelshDesigns]

Watched this video, and with the directions Micro Air provided I was able to install this on both my units with no problems. Only think I did “wrong” was putting on the connectors before threading the wires through the grommet. That made it very hard to get the wires through. second time, I left off the connectors until after threading them through the grommet. Otherwise, it was fairly straightforward. Watching this sure helped me understand what the directions were trying to tell me. Thanks!

[@Mark_Lawler]

Thank you for the step-by-step instructional video that matched the type of air conditioner my rig has. Much more helpful than the instructions that were included with the unit. Much appreciated!!!

[@dougb2793]

I leave the Start capacitor in place and tie back the wires. I also save the PTCR device. When I sell the RV, I can put the A/C back to original and move the Easy Start to my next RV instead of having to buy another one. My Easy Start is on my third RV now.

[@dancingskeleton]

Thank You, I'm not handy but was able to follow along and install successfully.

[@lishster]

Also love the groovey reference! LOL

[@SuperLchilds]

One of the best you tube rv videos very knowledge mechanic would consider driving from California Oregon boarder to have you refurbish my small Motorhome

[@thedocotrL]

Thank you for the video. It really helped, especially since my AC unit iss the same one. I did a couple of things a little differently. Drilling through the AC hosing is not that dangerous but, I slipped a small piece of sheet metal between the roof and the AC unit just to be on the safe side. The MicroAir unit I received had plastic sheathing around the four wires rather than the braided sheathing in your video. This made it stiffer and too hard to fold up inside the junction box. I left it outside and used wire ties to secure to the big bundle of wires coming out of the junction box. It lies flat and I have no worries about it interfering with the fan. I also left the start capacitor in because the strap securing it and the other capacitor would have been loose IMHO. I struggled getting the large wire tie through the second hole in the MicroAir unit. Fortunately it was just close enough to the edge of the AC housing that I was able to get my finger under the AC unit and push it up and through the second hole. If not close enough, or fingers not long enough, then a thin piece of wood or something similar should work. Just look down through the hole to make sure the wire tie is lined up. After the five 10 minutes learning periods using shore power, I tested it on my Honda EU2200i generator that I had just converted to propane (GenConnex). Worked like a champ.

[@lishster]

I grew up in Louisiana too! Very cool. Love your video's!

[@MyRVWorks]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@rodzent]

Very nice. Brings reality to the original instructions!

[@QuintChiro]

Putting one of these on our mobile office AC…looking forward to no longer tripping the generator!

[@BKKKevin]

Do you really need to cut and remove the start capacitor?... Just unplugging it and shielding the wires would allow you to remove the EasyStart to move to a new rig... Seems better to make the install reverseable ...

[@adventuremanintheclouds8968]

Good idea

[@gingermadden6617]

Thanks for helping me with my soft start

[@Snowmonkeypablo]

Thanks for a simple step by step installation on my new mach 8.keep up the info on repairs and electrical issues we all face.

[@rachaelb9164]

Best assistant ever. I’ve actually thought of coming up there just to have you look at my RV. Know of any good places in the Portland area?

[@michaellumia1497]

Another AWESOME video - many thanks. Was thinking about the drilling to zip-tie the microstart unit and you might want to consider sliding a piece of sheet metal under the area to be drilled just to add another layer of protection.

[@hyper-1]

You are the best I've seen yet. Keep the videos coming! Cheerz

[@lionsrv]

I like your channel. Wish you were closer to Hubbard, Or

[@koolhandluke2009]

Great information and love they way you present the information. Please keep feeding us.

[@MyRVWorks]

A double sreving for all! Thanks for watching and I do plan on making many more videos as I come across repairs.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

This what I heard& learned....With the EasyStart you need to start your air conditioner 5 different times, while giving 3 minutes in between restarts for the compressor to equalize. With the regular "SoftStartRv" model u don't have to worry on this. What do u think...

[@jandblawncare8570]

You should go on a road tour! My brand new rig would keep you busy for a couple days...awning works intermittently from the one touch control panel, manual awning switch wont work at all and the Smart Arm controller works just fine. Looking to add solar and a bank of Lithium batteries and adding 2 of these Micro airs, one to a Furrion and the other to a Dometic

[@CasitaRvLife]

Excellent video

[@robertrozzell6770]

Two questions. First, why didn't you pick up your metal shavings vs blowing them around in the top of the ac box. Second is why zip ties vs sheet metal screws? Great videos, they help me a great deal.

[@wheelinclam]

Great channel. Super helpful. Strangely, i just let channel play and watch in the background.

[@Tryke_Ryder]

Thanks for using the flush cutting nippers. I have shredded my hands on more than one occasion with the sharp points left on tie wraps from badly cut ends!!

[@kevinmchugh5456]

Great job

[@711693]

To be safe, I'm curious why you didn't discharge the capacitor? Especially with your helper and the metal magnet pickup stick moving around.

[@2texandreamchasers287]

Enjoyed the detailed install. Met A friend of yours, Kim, at Athens Texas, at a level 1 RV technician class. You have a lot of fans here. A few new ones too. I also read the article about you in Workkamper News.

[@MyRVWorks]

Hey, thanks for the shout-out. Tell Kim to study hard and get back up here LOL. Hope you enjoyed the article, just trying to be an inspiration to others LOL

[@TheRemyD]

How was the course? I was thinking of going there

[@2texandreamchasers287]

TheRemyD - it was good and very intense for me. It was a full week of learning the high points. Gives you basic knowledge and information to go as far as you want to. I did it so that I can do more of the repairs on my RV. I actually am now a Level One RV technician and RV inspector. I am going back the middle of December for my Level Two RV Inspector’s certification. I highly recommend the course.

[@TerrydeAlaska]

Great video, something I do when working in the air or on a roof, is to take along an empty 5 gallon bucket, works great for tools, parts and then trash as well.....

[@MyRVWorks]

A great idea, I'll do that when I don't have my son with me lol

[@leighsheppard8614]

True, but a bucket won't go fetch the extra tie-wraps for you! :-)

[@fredporter6383]

Great job, Darren! One more to go... Thanks

[@daviddion3731]

GREAT VID! Very detailed and easy to follow. Super job!

[@starhopper457]

Darren - I know this vid is 4 years old but I am curious if you have recently installed a soft start on a Furrion A/C?

[@INTERVENTIONALRADIOL]

Great video Darren. I have the exact same ac in my RV (actually 3 of them). One of the front bolts that hold the cover to the ac is just turning. I'm unable to take that cover off. Seems like the nut to that bolt has loosened and is turning with the bolt. Any suggestions on how to remove that bolt?

[@MyRVWorks]

I have come across this a time or two. I just take my Dremel and cut the head off of that Bolt. There's a nutsert on the opposite side of that that, in your instance, is just spinning and spinning so there's no chance you will ever be able to get that off. I have the tool to reinsert a nutsert but if you don't have that then a larger threaded bolt could bite into some of the steel there and hold that in place.

[@INTERVENTIONALRADIOL]

@@MyRVWorks Thanks for the advise. I never miss a video you put out. You carry a wealth of knowledge and I am sure it has helped many of us viewers. Keep up the great work.

[@jimhansel1503]

Hello Darren, I have issue with the newer Coleman mach 8 you are using in this video. The condenser fan wont turn on when the unit turns on. The compressor turns on for a bit and the blower motor but not the condenser fan. I installed a new control board in it, and a new condenser fan but it still does not work. I have tested both of the capacitors and they test good. I can not find much information on this unit. Can you give me some incite as to what to check next? What activates the condenser fan? Thank you.

[@qa7177]

Really like your videos, wanting to put one of these on my AC.

[@MyRVWorks]

We've done a few and it's really neat to see them run air conditioners off of a simple generator.

[@setht.1181]

What a fantastic video. Thank you,

[@cirrus820travelers9]

Love watching your channel. Very informative & funny. Installed one on our 15k rear unit. Works great! We've been up north not needing to operate either unit. Now we're in hell - hot, humid SW Fla. Have questions about our front 13k unit. It's "Zone 2" on the Dometic and was showing E1 error. Turned off breakers, unplugged RV. Nothing worked. Held temp & mode simultaneously to reset error. Now nothing shows zone 2. How do I find ac? Been surfing multiple places to resolve. No luck yet.

[@curlyhum1276]

thanx, when you tested , did it do ok?

[@theinvernesshomestead9415]

I sure appreciate your videos. I have a 2021 fiver with the zone thermostat. Went crazy in zone two and can't get in for service for months. FR sent me a new one I installed it and it still shows zone 2 110 degrees. I assume the next step is the sensor? Thank you again. Wish you were in florida.

[@wk7060]

Darren, need your input on what unit is better, the MicroAir EasyStart or the Soft Start RV. Thanks.

[@schiedler1978]

Hi I have a dometic low pro ac on a 2014 palomino I turn AC on the other day there's only a hum and nothing on fan side so I turn off switch right away I pulled access cover inside if i spin fan by hand then turn on ac and fan both work good so iam kinda thinking capacitor but weird thing is we were in 105 degrees last weekend after a half hour it would just stop fan ac everything give it a while off then u could spin fan and get it to run again maybe after half hour or so. Am I on the right track should I replace one capacitor is there more I should do or ???? Thx for any tips love your vids just found you and am about to try the power lube on a stubborn swinntech

[@williamfry6087]

Just discovered my AC will not start on the generator that puts out 1900 watts, I need this.

[@wk7060]

Darren, would adding a Soft Start to a unit be good just for making less stress on the unit and compressor, even if not wanting to run from generator power?

[@timzimmerman543]

Hope you got and answer long before now. That's one of the reasons I added mine. Plus in many cases, the install gets you extra warranty from Micro-Air.

[@wk7060]

@@timzimmerman543 Thank you for your reply, never heard anything to this point.

[@jeffreybozeman7283]

Great detail and is Dakota available for my job?

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

your son just wasted the cable ties ,,,,,,, LOL

[@terrygreen2484]

Darrin, I know this is an old video but I found it interesting that you mounted the MicroAir lying flat underneath the fan. I did the exact same thing and ended up getting rain water inside the case which destroyed the electronics. MicroAir stated it was my fault for placing the unit lying down and I was out of luck for a replacement under warranty. I haven't replaced the MicroAir and wonder if the SoftSartRV unit from Network RV would be any better? Thoughts?

[@JirafaBo]

In the video he said this is the suggested location. Im hoping you raised a fuss, they are meant to be outside and exposed to elements so they should work in that way. Disappointing, I may choose another brand if that's the customer service you get for $350 a pop. I need 3 of them!

[@terrygreen2484]

@@JirafaBo The company never responded to multiple emails.

[@boburton8183]

@@terrygreen2484 sounds awesome.... id' call em, but you probably already have. everyone swears my rv company (Vanleigh) has the best customer service but I can't get an email reply to save my life. calling works every time.

[@JirafaBo]

@@terrygreen2484 I just looked it up. In their install video they do mount it on the side, but it's a much roomier unit than the low profile Mach 8. I wonder where do they suggest mounting it on a Coleman Mach 8. Seems to me it's a bad design if they can't handle the weather, but are to be mounted inside an ac unit on the roof of an rv.

[@terrygreen2484]

I originally left a voice mail and the company never returned my call. If I ever decided to install a similar product….it sure would not be this one.

[@JosephBrown83805]

Yes it was valuable! One question, what does the top fan do on this newer version? Pull air out?

[@MyRVWorks]

Yes, on these units they have the fan blade that you see on top that is running a constant speed to move the air across the condenser fins. And then the other fan, that is for the evaporator coil, can be run on different speed settings.

[@silaslongshot941]

In your opinion, would it be worth it for the slightly restricted airflow, to put screen around the openings of the cover to keep mud dauber wasps ( a plague in SE USA) out of the works? Some of those jokers built several pods on the condenser fan of our AC, and when we turned it on we thought the AC unit was coming off the roof because of the off balance fan, so I screened that unit to keep 'em out. Didn't seem to change any functionality of the AC unit.

[@qrevere5546]

Any tips for securing an ultralite on your home property for hurricane prep if you have no garage for it?

[@genimcnutt]

Is this soft starter also recommended for a basement heat-pump air conditioner?

[@kevincarlin604]

How many BTU s was this Mach 8. I see Cubs, and Plus and other models from 9200 to 15K units called Mach 8.

[@redc8783]

Are these good for a couch that is a single AC?

[@MyRVWorks]

It's not a function of the number of air conditioners you have. It's a function of how you're going to start that air conditioner regardless of how many you have.

[@redc8783]

@@MyRVWorks thanks I figure it out later when I watch other videos, I didn’t quit know there purpose, now I do may install one on my 18 Vegas later. Again thanks Red

[@qrevere5546]

I'd have overshot every darn one of them holes lol.

[@Challway]

I wish you were in NE Florida! I need some help.

[@larmo5980]

what kind of help do you need? I will be in north florida in a few weeks

[@MyRVWorks]

I actually have something in the works that might get us over there. Stay tuned might have a big surprise announcement in the spring.

[@chuckken3438]

Should have just left all the factory stuff in there and tied it off...that way, it could be reversed very easily if and when you sell your rig and want to take it off.

[@Mikesroadtrip-ec5kp]

My colors on my softstart don't match your colors.

[@MililaniJag]

Great info! Why dont AC OEMs use soft-starts? Will box restrict airflow? Do RV residential refrigerators need soft-starts? Thx!

[@MililaniJag]

@@greco2189 Does an aftermarket soft-start void OEM warranty? Appreciate the reply! Thx!

[@MililaniJag]

@@greco2189 They would never know.....Hopefully "they" dont watch your vids!! lol. Thx!

[@MyRVWorks]

I would imagine the OEM's are not installing these is because not every air conditioner needs them. If you're plugged into Shore power all the time you would not benefit from the soft starter. Soft starters work in the area where you're running with a generator.

[@joeowen1429]

@@MyRVWorks Not so fast - true for the high amperage draw upon initial compressor startup, but the soft start actually prevents the "slam" sound on some units that occurs when the compressor is energized. If that occurs at night while sleeping, you'll wonder what just slammed into the coach! Ask me how I know!

[@badbob8394]

Use a drill stop.

[@LamokaDave]

Is there any advantage the installing the easy start from an A/C longevity perspective even if not needed for generator use

[@joeowen1429]

I think the soft start feature would be kind to the compressor startup circuit; any sudden high amperage draw places demands on parts that eventually will suffer from that constant surge of startup current.

[@superdave8115]

I have one of these Coleman Mach 8's on my Travel Trailer. The compressor starts with such a thud that it sometimes wakes me up at night. Would this soft-start make it start up with less of a jolt?

[@joeowen1429]

Yes

[@gregsmith984]

Are the AC units the Coleman Mach 8 plus cub?? Thanks

[@jimfrazer5428]

Smoked salmon

[@qrevere5546]

My boy would be trying to promote his YT channel throughout the entire video, lol.

[@unclelala4216]

If your using 30 pound 2 sided tape, that would have been plenty.

[@ruddyb49]

Blame the space Aliens

[@RussellBond13]

To much talk = over complicate information. It’s not that hard.

[@MyRVWorks]

Oh it's you again! Why are you even watching my channel? Obviously you are so much better than all of us you don't need my information. I'm going to stick with the thousands of other commenters that are appreciative of the information I provide and how I provide it. Those are the ones that are driving me to make videos that explain things. You 1% experts need to not watch this because you already know it. Since you are such an expert I think we would all love to see you make a video and explain it as an example on how I should do it.

[@koolhandluke2009]

@@MyRVWorks lol well said Darren

[@RussellBond13]

Well to start with I never said I was better than anybody and Not sure who all of us are, my comment was only directed at you. I watch because you have some good info you just tend to ramble on sometimes making things more complicated. Apparently you’re not to good at excepting constructive criticism. Listen to some instead of getting defensive and you will make your channel better.

[@harryhughes7326]

Darren, just keep doing what you're doing, and ignore the naysayers. I love your..."too much talking" approach, lol.

[@hatteraslabuf]

Since you like to give constructive criticism, Russell . . . then, you will ‘accept’ some from me! Learn to use the two similar sounding words ‘accept’ and ‘except’ properly.

[@djgodden]

Closer camera to begin with. Too much of the picture is other stuff. Other wise, nice presentation.