Question Micro Air Easy Starts

[lostinfla]

I was contemplating installing easy starts on the ACs in the coach . For those running them, a question. Do you think it's worth the $ if running on 50a 99% of the time? Just wanting to ease the load on the units.

 

[gburgman]

They do extend the life of the units by ensuring good voltage and amps by starting the compressor after yhe fan.

I have 3 installed and run 2 on 30 amps w/o and issue, even with other loads.

I would opt for the Bluetooth ones that way you can monitor startup and runtime values

 

[Holdmybeer]

I can only tell you that before the soft start capacitor I couldn't turn on the microwave in my 30 amp coach while the a/c was running without an overload and trip at the pedestal. After, I can run the microwave or a toaster with the a/c running without issue.

 

[Neal]

I was contemplating installing easy starts on the ACs in the coach . For those running them, a question. Do you think it's worth the $ if running on 50a 99% of the time? Just wanting to ease the load on the units.

1000% YES. I will never have Dometic roof top A/C's without the easy/soft start. It seems the evidence shows those with them are far outlasting those without. Don't get the cheap knock-offs.

EasyStart Breeze RV AC Soft Starter for RV Air Conditioners

EasyStart Breeze technology reduces RV AC startup current by up to 75%, enabling RV owners to run their AC using a portable generator.

www.microair.net

Now if only I could find the instructions @Chuggs gave me long ago should I need to install a new one on a new A/C unit as mine are overdue for failure (knock on wood) but I'm glad mine lasted this long.

 

[Richpatty]

1000% YES. I will never have Dometic roof top A/C's without the easy/soft start. It seems the evidence shows those with them are far outlasting those without. Don't get the cheap knock-offs.

EasyStart Breeze RV AC Soft Starter for RV Air Conditioners

EasyStart Breeze technology reduces RV AC startup current by up to 75%, enabling RV owners to run their AC using a portable generator.

www.microair.net

Now if only I could find the instructions @Chuggs gave me long ago should I need to install a new one on a new A/C unit as mine are overdue for failure (knock on wood) but I'm glad mine lasted this long.

I agree. I don’t have proof of extending the life of the units, but I had to replace an AC last year and it was the only on without a soft start….

 

[redbaron]

I won’t be without the easy start. I too feel that the dometic air units last longer with these installed.

 

[lostinfla]

For those that have them, is bluetooth really worth the added cost? To me, the simpler route is usually the better choice, but not sure just why they would need monitoring.

 

[Neal]

No BT for me, don't care about it. Just want it to do its job of "soft starting." With that said, I have no clue what the BT offers with this unit, it's new after when I bought.

 

[stang37]

I purchased the EasyStart soft starts prior to my Canadian trip as we were informed most parks had 30 amp service only and that depended on them having electric service. (lots of outages & brown outs) They are well worth the money to me as I could run two Acs on 30 amp. However not the Acs and a microwave or cook top. You have to decide what you want on a 30 amp service. I do believe it has extended my Acs life as one of my units is the original 2016 unit. As far as bluetooth option probably not worth the cost since I have bluetooth units. Using the bluetooth you can see how many starts, amp draw starting and running and a couple other parameters. I was really surprised at how many starts an AC goes thru. (thousands) With bluetooth you can connect to the unit and then connect to EasyStart where they can see the unit and help diagnosis issues. Hopefully the OEM unit makes it thru this years trip.

 

[Richpatty]

I guess it depends on how nerdy you are. I love looking at stats and numbers and would love to have the Bluetooth. I love the Bluetooth on my VictronConnect equipment as well as my Microair thermostat…. I also have Bluetooth thermometers around. But that’s me.

 

[stang37]

I guess a question might be what is the expected life of a soft start? Mine are 5 yrs old. I haven't seen a post about one failing yet.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I like data and tech (have worked in or with tech entire career) but sometimes simpler is not only cheaper up front but easier and cheaper to maintain. We still have our 2014 coach where the most sophisticated electronics include the thermostats (separate for roof top units vs floor heat) and HWH controller board. HWH controller board is simple enough that when it needed servicing a couple years ago it was sent back to HWH and they repaired the board for a couple hundred $. Simple and basic switches on control panel.
2 of the three roof top units are original, one was replaced a year ago. No soft starts installed.
Have to admit that I considered soft starts, but with the track record we have seen with our Mach8 units, not sure it would be worth the time or cost to install something extra, and would not need to have Bluetooth to see the data.
We are overwhelmed with data, when it is enough? If the data isn’t actionable or doesn’t influence a data driven decision, does it make a difference?

 

[redbaron]

I don’t see the need for BT in these, so I went the standard route.

 

[Holdmybeer]

I like data and tech (have worked in or with tech entire career) but sometimes simpler is not only cheaper up front but easier and cheaper to maintain. We still have our 2014 coach where the most sophisticated electronics include the thermostats (separate for roof top units vs floor heat) and HWH controller board. HWH controller board is simple enough that when it needed servicing a couple years ago it was sent back to HWH and they repaired the board for a couple hundred $. Simple and basic switches on control panel.
2 of the three roof top units are original, one was replaced a year ago. No soft starts installed.
Have to admit that I considered soft starts, but with the track record we have seen with our Mach8 units, not sure it would be worth the time or cost to install something extra, and would not need to have Bluetooth to see the data.
We are overwhelmed with data, when it is enough? If the data isn’t actionable or doesn’t influence a data driven decision, does it make a difference?

I measure the value of tech and most anything else for that matter with an equation consisting of the value of whatever it is over the value of the p.i.t.a. factor. It's relative of course ( my p.i.t.a. threshold is low), but for me if the quotient is to the right of the decimal it's going back, getting canceled, or out the window. These forums are great for alerting RV'ers to potential p.i.t.a.'s. Pleather, DEF, TPMS, tankless water heaters, BMPro, JayCommand, some fuel cards, ...........
Jeff Bezos is one of the world's richest men on the planet because he did the math. If you build it as p.i.t.a. free as possible, they will come.