Just installed some EasyStarts on 5 ton AC

Mkgough said:

In theory yes, but it is more for light dimming and mainly so you can run it off a generator as the startup amps are reduced and delayed to spin up the compressor to avoid the amp spike that overwhelms generators. ROI is not a thing as I saw no change in my bill.

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Won’t change your bill

This is a benshaw
I put a lot of these and I appreciate the reduced shock loading on parts
Less worn out motors pump and fan problems
I don’t like lifting them and mounting them on racks however….
Quite heavy

It won’t save money in Electricity
It just reduces the starting torque if motors cut down inrush current and slows down the start up a little

There are other more crude ways to get the same effect but electronics make starting especially high inertia loads much easier on equipment

Now they are catching on in residential applications
Good idea floe lots of things
Just so long as it’s reliable product

DPC said:

Big unit
You would need a big generator

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I use a 12,000 watt DuroMax and ran fine, could probably go down to the 9000.

RDuke said:

It always said it was an over current condition.

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Where did it say that? Was it the model that has fault LEDs or the BT model? Because unless I am missing something, the BT app does not tell you what the fault is.

Quattrohead said:

I do not need mine anymore, anyone want to make a reasonable offer on it?

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What exact do you have ? I am not happy with my unmonitored device

keepsake said:

What exact do you have ? I am not happy with my unmonitored device

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ASY-368-X48 BlueTooth

Texas-Mark said:

I put one of these MicroAir units on my 4 ton unit a few months ago. It has been working fine. I would check the app every once in a while, but stopped looking at the app regularly when I was at about 600 starts. It showed 0 faults at that point.

I looked at the app today because I have not looked at it for quite a while and it showed a total faults of 2 (after 1150 starts). I looked around the app and did not see anywhere where it shows what those faults actually were. Note: I have Power Interruption turned off under fault control, so it's not that I then walked to the back of the house where I lost BT connection. After I went back to the other room and connected again, it then said 3 faults. The unit it's self shows no faults. One more popped up after I lost BT connection again for a total of 4. All during the same run cycle.

So what the heck? Is there some way to see what faults it's actually counting? Could the faults be due to glitches with the BT, because how could the count go up by at least two during the same run time when all is good?

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I finally heard back from MicroAir (after I sent a report from the app). They claim that all 4 faults are due to the compressor overload switch opening. This of course makes no sense to me because at least 2 of the 4 faults popped up during the same run cycle. What are the odds that I would have that issue on the one day and one run cycle that I just happened to look at the app? And I have had no more faults since. The only issue I had that day was with the BT disconnecting because I had gotten out of range a couple times. IMO it seem more likely that a BT glitch when causes the app to register a fault when there really isn't any. Note: I don;t know if the unit has any memory, or if only the app keeps track.

My condenser unit is new (like 6 months old) and I was watching it like a hawk the first few months. I have HVAC certifications, so I know what to look for. The compressor is running fine and sweating fine, etc. I'm just not buying their explanation.

Anyone know if doing a re-learn clears out all of the prior faults?

After receiving the first "explanation" from them, I sent MicroAir a response similar to what I posted above and this was their response.

"Hello, Mark it makes perfect sense to us there is nothing wrong with your Easy Start. We have reviewed all the information and reviewed the report every thing shows No Easy Start Issue. When the compressors overload opens there is no power to the compressor the overload switch has opened the circuit. Since Easy Start is wired directly to the compressor circuit when the overload opens the Easy Start is not powered. This is why there was no connection This case is now closed have a great day."

This also makes no sense because once again, it would mean than on the one day and one run cycle that I decided to take a look at the app, my compressor magically went into overload 4 times and has not done it again. What are the odds of that? I would say it's a statistical impossibility. Note: I was not trying to tell them that the Easy Start was defective or anything, I was just trying to get a valid explanation for what caused the mysterious faults. And isn't the EasyStart also supposed to prevent an immediate restart on power loss (since they claim it would have lost power)? I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if the compressor had stopped during that one cycle, especially if there was any delay restarting.

Sounds like maunfacturers just want to ignore us, close case asap
My experience with hyper start was a waste of my time.
Their unit failed after 4 years when my hvac lives alot longer than 4 years

1201 said:

Do these affect the longevity of the HVAC unit at all?

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Depends what you include in encompassment of longevity.

The Easystart reduces the mechanical stress during startup of the compressor and greatly reduces the wear and tear on the electrical contactor contacts from high compressor startup surge current.

The large capacitance electrolytic based start capacitor (big black capacitor visible inside Easystart box) is less reliable than the foil based Run capacitor. It can be replaced easily. It is same start capacitors type found in most pool and sprinkler pump motors.

Easystart will mask a bad foil Run capacitor in air conditioner. If Run capacitor goes bad, the BT Easystart Run current readout will show a higher run current. When Run capacitor goes bad the run current on compressor will increase and the power factor will degrade. Normally, without an Easystart, a bad Run capacitor will prevent compressor from starting up. Compressor just buzz-grunts and blows overcurrent protection breaker.

Easystart does some electrical checks for excessive current draw which can help to protect compressor. It has a three-minute short cycle timer that holds off compressor restart when there is a short utility power glitch. This will prevent scroll compressors from starting back up in reverse compression which causes compressor overheating and possible compressor damage.

Overall, I would consider it a benefit to compressor longevity.

I keep a spare start and run capacitor on hand and change them as preventative maintenance every 1-2 years.

RCinFLA said:

Depends what you include in encompassment of longevity.

The Easystart reduces the mechanical stress during startup of the compressor and greatly reduces the wear and tear on the electrical contactor contacts from high compressor startup surge current.

The large capacitance electrolytic based start capacitor (big black capacitor visible inside Easystart box) is less reliable than the foil based Run capacitor. It can be replaced easily. It is same start capacitors type found in most pool and sprinkler pump motors.

Easystart will mask a bad foil Run capacitor in air conditioner. If Run capacitor goes bad, the BT Easystart Run current readout will show a higher run current. When Run capacitor goes bad the run current on compressor will increase and the power factor will degrade. Normally, without an Easystart, a bad Run capacitor will prevent compressor from starting up. Compressor just buzz-grunts and blows overcurrent protection breaker.

Easystart does some electrical checks for excessive current draw which can help to protect compressor. It has a three-minute short cycle timer that holds off compressor restart when there is a short utility power glitch. This will prevent scroll compressors from starting back up in reverse compression which causes compressor overheating and possible compressor damage.

Overall, I would consider it a benefit to compressor longevity.

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Thanks for that thorough explanation.

RCinFLA said:

I keep a spare start and run capacitor on hand and change them as preventative maintenance every 1-2 years.

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I also replace the contactor every year or two. All are inexpensive items and cheap insurance.