AC Hard Start Recommendation Request

On an RV air conditioning compressor, what do y'all recommend for a hard start kit? I also see BB has a very pricey, but no doubt good device to help manage AC startup loads: https://battlebornbatteries.com/shop/easystart-364-3-ton-soft-starter/ and I'm interested if you have experience with that. Options?

KG6S said:

On an RV air conditioning compressor, what do y'all recommend for a hard start kit? I also see BB has a very pricey, but no doubt good device to help manage AC startup loads: https://battlebornbatteries.com/shop/easystart-364-3-ton-soft-starter/ and I'm interested if you have experience with that. Options?

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That is the one! I set up 2 Honda EU2200Si generators on our 5th wheel to replace an EU3000Si that pooped its inverter.
Fired them up in parallel & started the AC. On compressor start the EMS tripped. Oh my!
Ordered the Hutch Mountain Easy Start 364 from Amazon, & installed it. Now I can run the AC on 1 EU2200Si & the EMS doesn't even flinch.
PS. It learns your compressor startup current profile over 5 startups. Each startup yields a surge reduction maxing out @ about a 75% reduction after the 5 starts.

The EasyStart is fundamentally different from a typical hard start kit. The hard start is basically a larger capacitor that gives an extra "kick" to help overcome pressure and start the compressor quickly. It takes the edge off the starting current but doesn't really change how it works overall. It can make a difference on the margins (almost enough vs enough) and is really simple and cheap with no "learning" requirements or cycle frequency limitations. The Easystart takes almost the opposite approach - it gradually ramps up power and speed so the compressor can start without a sudden surge in power. This lowers the startup current requirements to only a little higher than the running current. Downside is it's a lot more expensive and complicated.

In the HVAC industry I work in, the company 5-2-1 makes a start kit akin to commercial refrigeration capacitor/relay packs. It uses a potential voltage relay combined with a matched capacitor kit. They are more expensive than the “hard start” cheapies, but far less than the easystart setups.
In reality, the best setup would be to get inverter compressors that run dc 3phase motor’s... but that isn’t happening soon.
easystart looks to be a good product, and repair parts are readily available. 521 only makes 240v stuff... I’m sure selecting the correct potential relay and start capacitor for the compressor in the unit would be nearly as good as an easy start, but MUCH more difficult to source what is needed.