Frequently Asked Questions
What does an EasyStart Soft Starter do and how does it work?
1. How an A/C compressor motor normally starts: When power is first applied to the motor it creates a magnetic field that presses against a rotor to start it spinning. The rotor is connected to the compressor and these components have mass so it takes time and energy to get up to speed. Compressor motors are designed to normally draw as much energy as needed to get up to speed quickly. This means under normal conditions, the motor will draw a large surge of current when it starts up. The amount of current draw is specific to each type of motor, and this specification is called Locked Rotor Amps, or LRA. This is the maximum current the motor will draw as designed by the manufacturer. During a normal start, your compressor will draw this current from the supply. Or try to. An RV rooftop 16 KBTU compressor is rated around 50 to 60 amps LRA. A typical 2000 watt inverter generator is rated at 2000 watts peak which is about 16.7 amps at 120 volts AC. There is no way the generator will start a load that draws four to five times its peak rating! 2. How the EasyStart Soft Starter resolves this: The solution is to reduce the peak LRA and this is what the EasyStart soft starter does. EasyStart is connected directly to the compressor motor and reduces the power surge that occurs on start. How? It does so by controlling the power supplied to the windings of the motor on each AC cycle. EasyStart gradually increases the current until the compressor is running at full speed. Reducing the motor’s current draw increases the time it takes for it to get up to speed, creating a very smooth start that reduces the peak current by 50 to 70%. An RV rooftop 16 KBTU, 120-volt compressor can now start with under 20 amps of current. With home and marine air conditioning units, the numbers are slightly different but the soft starter works the same exact way.
Which EasyStart Soft Starter Do I Need?
For all RV Rooftop Air Conditioners, and stand-alone Marine units, use our EasyStart Breeze Soft Starter. A Bluetooth option is available for real-time fault analysis and diagnostics. For all Home Air Conditioners, use our EasyStart Flex Soft Starter
Will EasyStart Work on a Two-Stage Compressor Motor?
Yes, EasyStart is fully compatible with two stage air conditioning systems or heat pump systems. Download the PDF to get a link to our installation articles.
What Is The EasyStart Bluetooth Module?
EasyStart soft start models that end with -BLUE include our built-in Bluetooth module for remote troubleshooting assistance. The Bluetooth module is designed to provide diagnostic feedback to installers at the A/C unit and to our engineers if needed. Please note that the Bluetooth module does NOT allow you to control your A/C unit as that is a function of the thermostat and A/C control board. It serves only as a sophisticated diagnostic feature. EasyStart Soft Starter Bluetooth Features: Troubleshooting Module •Available via our free smartphone app (both iPhone and Android) •On-the-spot diagnostics for installers and owners •Built-in technical support submission feature allowing remote diagnostics at Micro-Air •Troubleshoot issues remotely and safely, no disassembly needed •Convenient on-demand firmware updates OTA when available •Need to move EasyStart to a new air conditioner? Our simple remote one touch process allows our soft starter to "learn" the unique properties of the new unit's compressor
EasyStart Installation Kit (what do I need to install it?)
The EasyStart Universal Installation Kit is designed for customers who are installing an EasyStart soft starter for a Home, RV, or Boat. The EasyStart Universal Installation Kit greatly simplifies installation of an EasyStart soft starter because it includes all the components required to get the job done. This kit is suitable for both professionals and DIYers and contains the most commonly used components, so you don't have to worry about not having the items you need to complete the job. Will AC Manufacturers Install EasyStart Soft Starters? The air conditioning market is a tough market where the typical AC unit costs only $600. Adding cost is sometimes a hard sell until the market accepts that this technology is needed. There is no tradeoff for using EasyStart, you get all the functionality with the low current starts. We are working with several companies now to incorporate it into their products. You might just see those results soon!
What Type of Warranty Does The EasyStart Have?
The Micro Air EasyStart Soft Starter has a Limited Warranty Micro Air EasyStart (the “Company”) expressly warrants new products sold by it to be free from manufacturing defects for a period of two (2) years from the date of delivery to the original purchaser of our product (“Purchaser”). The Purchaser must notify Company of any defect or malfunction in writing delivered by overnight delivery or certified mail and received within the warranty period in order to secure repair or replacement of the product and, if purchased from Company, the Purchaser must return the product to Company at Purchasers expense so that it is received within one day of the expiration of the warranty period. The remedies of repair, refund or full replacement shall be the sole remedies for any warranty claim at Company’s discretion. The Purchaser expressly, voluntarily and knowingly waives the right to claim any implied warranty and any and all claims for consequential damages, which are expressly excluded from this warranty. Any law or court decision of a court of competent jurisdiction requiring the implied warranty of merchantability or any other warranty expressly waived herein, is limited in time to the length of this express written warranty. This Warranty is ineffective if the Purchaser or any user damages the product in his/its possession or fails to use the Product as directed, misuses or abuses the product, submits the product to unreasonable use or otherwise uses the Product in a manner other than as intended. Disputes, if any, arising under this warranty shall be resolved solely and exclusively in the agreed sole court of competent jurisdiction: the Superior Court of New Jersey, County of Monmouth. Claims under this Warranty shall be permitted only if a party suffers “actual damage.” Actual damage is limited to the cost of the product purchased. Consequential damages are excluded from this Warranty. The parties agree to apply New Jersey law to any disputes between them. Attorneys’ fees, if any, shall not be subject to recovery but shall be borne by the respective parties in the event of filing of any legal action or claim by a consumer or other party claiming under this limited Warranty or in any other lawsuit or claim. This Warranty is not assignable and shall attach only to our original Purchaser.
Will installing an EasyStart void a factory warranty?
Some RV owners have concerns that their installation of an EasyStart 364 might in some way void the manufacturer´s warranty on their rooftop AC unit´s compressor motor. That is 2 years for Coleman and Dometic models. Legally, it shouldn´t. But you never know what a manufacturer might assert. Micro Air EasyStart is confident that its product cannot damage your compressor so we “extended” our warranty to your compressor. And you don´t need a NEW compressor to enjoy our Double Down protection. You can refer to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/magnuson-moss-warranty-federal-trade-commission-improvements-act) and the voiding of warranties for adding an aftermarket part. In summary: The aftermarket part must have a causal effect to void the warranty. Micro Air EasyStart offers a FREE Extended Warranty, worry no more! Please reference our EasyStart™ 364 RV Rooftop Soft Starter Double Down Extended Warranty for more information and coverage. If purchased, this Extended Warranty shall create certain rights and duties between the parties which shall be in addition to and shall not be exclusive of the Limited Warranty appearing on the Company website.
EasyStart Flex Specifications and Comparison
EasyStart Breeze Specifications and Comparison
Generator Sizing Guide