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Just installed some EasyStarts on 5 ton AC

Will Prowse

Will Prowse

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Man these things were expensive, but the install was quite easy. They absolutely need more pictures and someone to rewrite the manual though.

One of my condenser units had a coresense logic module, so I had to connect it to an off-grid system 240V supply, fire up the Bluetooth and change the settings before I installed it:
20240131_082843.jpgthen ran the cable in:

20240131_085900.jpg20240131_090220.jpg

20240131_091200.jpg


Then I fired up the units:
20240131_091623.jpg20240131_093308.jpg

Pretty good! They were pulling almost 100A before!

Then I mounted them on the wall:

20240131_093434.jpg20240131_093438.jpg20240131_095119.jpg
 

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Thanks for sharing.

I just installed an Outback radian which will be powering a 4 ton regular air conditioner. During testing In the winter, the Radian has no issues running the 4 ton AC. Supposed to not have an issue in the summer, but if it does, I would put an easy start in, and still not working go to a minisplit.

I have an Easy Start for a 15 k BTU AC on an RV build, and that cut the start up surge.
 
Are you going to hide your EP cubes behind a fence or do you have to keep them visible as part of advertisement deal?
 
HyperEngineering also makes a good soft starter. Costs a little less but doesn't have all the fancy diagnostics and blinky LEDS like the Micro-Air. I'm using a HE on a 4 ton, 2 stage Goodman. Has been very reliable.
 
AntronX said:
Are you going to hide your EP cubes behind a fence or do you have to keep them visible as part of advertisement deal?
Click to expand...
I don't have any deal actually, and didn't get paid for video. These companies know I won't agree to most things 😂 if my viewers want me to test and use them, and I make affiliate sales, then I make money. I don't have sponsorship contracts at all. Just couple nda's

If it's a no-name product, or new brand, I charge a ton tho
 
BentleyJ said:
HyperEngineering also makes a good soft starter. Costs a little less but doesn't have all the fancy diagnostics and blinky LEDS like the Micro-Air. I'm using a HE on a 4 ton, 2 stage Goodman. Has been very reliable.
Click to expand...
Very nice! I'll check it out
 
Will Prowse said:
Now I should be able to run these massive air conditioners off of small off-grid inverters. Going by my previous testing it should be able to power up with a single eg4 6000 XP
Click to expand...
There is other brand (Sure-Start/Eltwin/Hyper Engineering), which will cut the in-rush current by 65% at least. I like this soft-start due to its size (fits in the condenser electrical box) and pricing (about 1/3 less than micro air). I was able to reduce the in-rush current from 152A to 42A. They made 2 soft-start devices (one for below 4tons and other for 4 tons or more). Mine is 5 tons AC. Other benefit of installing soft-start is to prolong the life of the condenser motor, especially over 10 years old. Cheaper installing soft-start than replacing condenser motor.
 

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Last edited:
Will Prowse said:
Man these things were expensive, but the install was quite easy. They absolutely need more pictures and someone to rewrite the manual though.

One of my condenser units had a coresense logic module, so I had to connect it to an off-grid system 240V supply, fire up the Bluetooth and change the settings before I installed it:
View attachment 192432then ran the cable in:

View attachment 192433View attachment 192434

View attachment 192435


Then I fired up the units:
View attachment 192437View attachment 192438

Pretty good! They were pulling almost 100A before!

Then I mounted them on the wall:

View attachment 192441View attachment 192442View attachment 192443
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting. I plan to install one on our home AC unit this Spring.
 
faccnator said:
Surprised you just got these!
Click to expand...
Signature Solar sells them for $16,600 with 9.6Kw of Panels in a bundle.
I saw Joe Ordia Youtube review of them months ago, but got turned off by the 7.6Kw output of the Inverter and the 19.8Kwh battery bank size. Since Will has two of them ($33,000.00 worth) it's pretty close match to one Sol-Ark 15K with 8 x 5Kwh battery packs and 18Kw of panels.

Sol-Ark 15K with 40Kwh of Batteries and 19Kw of Panels = $29K
vs
EP Cube x2 with 40Kwh of Batteries and 19Kwh of Panels =$33K.

It's close but $4K is $4K.
 
robby said:
Signature Solar sells them for $16,600 with 9.6Kw of Panels in a bundle.
I saw Joe Ordia Youtube review of them months ago, but got turned off by the 7.6Kw output of the Inverter and the 19.8Kwh battery bank size. Since Will has two of them ($33,000.00 worth) it's pretty close match to one Sol-Ark 15K with 8 x 5Kwh battery packs and 18Kw of panels.

Sol-Ark 15K with 40Kwh of Batteries and 19Kw of Panels = $29K
vs
EP Cube x2 with 40Kwh of Batteries and 19Kwh of Panels =$33K.

It's close but $4K is $4K.
Click to expand...
I think he's referring to the soft starts. But yes the price difference is not that big.
 
Will, If I've been paying attention you didn't need to put a soft start kit on your A/C for the EG4 18k correct?
 
Will Prowse said:
Man these things were expensive, but the install was quite easy. They absolutely need more pictures and someone to rewrite the manual though.

One of my condenser units had a coresense logic module, so I had to connect it to an off-grid system 240V supply, fire up the Bluetooth and change the settings before I installed it:
View attachment 192432then ran the cable in:

View attachment 192433View attachment 192434

View attachment 192435


Then I fired up the units:
View attachment 192437View attachment 192438

Pretty good! They were pulling almost 100A before!

Then I mounted them on the wall:

View attachment 192441View attachment 192442View attachment 192443
Click to expand...
Nicely done.
I do hope you installed bushings or outdoor cable glands after you took thw picture!
 
Last edited:
HOU_Castle said:
There is other brand (Sure-Start/Eltwin/Hyper Engineering), which will cut the in-rush current by 65% at least. I like this soft-start due to its size (fits in the condenser electrical box) and pricing (about 1/3 less than micro air). I was able to reduce the in-rush current from 152A to 42A. They made 2 soft-start devices (one for below 4tons and other for 4 tons or more). Mine is 5 tons AC. Other benefit of installing soft-start is to prolong the life of the condenser motor, especially over 10 years old. Cheaper installing soft-start than replacing condenser motor.
Click to expand...
Well, since it appears Will is using Amana equipment, they have a lifetime unit replacement warranty if the compressor ever fails.
The ability to start up on a smaller inverter or generator is a key feature for the soft start.
 
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