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micro air soft start

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RoyVal
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6:21a, 5/17/24
AG
well with the storms and power outages yesterday, and talking to a guy about running his AC on a portable generator, I thought this would be a good time to share my experience with a Microair soft start. I installed one of these a few years ago on my 4 ton AC.

It took my start up amps from 125 down to 32. Amazing little box. Just thought I'd share if anybody is looking into generators today because you lost power yesterday.

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SharkinAg
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2:28p, 5/17/24
AG
Cost and install difficulty?
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TXAG 05
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3:04p, 5/17/24
AG
Interested in this as well.
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RoyVal
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3:19p, 5/17/24
AG
here is where I bought mine. Their customer service is really good and the installation guide made it a breeze to install.

https://www.microair.net/products/easystart-368-6-ton-soft-start-motor-starter-for-115-and-230v-ac-motors
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YZ250
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4:01p, 5/18/24
I installed mine several years ago as well. I have the same meter too. It dropped my starting current down to 24-26 amps for a 4 ton unit. Can't remember the cost. Maybe around $300 back then.
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bam02
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10:35p, 5/18/24
AG
Are there any benefits to this besides potentially using a generator?
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P.H. Dexippus
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In reply to bam02 • 8:21a, 5/19/24
AG
Supposedly makes cycling easier on the rest of the equipment, increasing longevity even when not using a generator
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TXAG 05
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In reply to YZ250 • 9:40a, 5/19/24
AG
YZ250 said:
I installed mine several years ago as well. I have the same meter too. It dropped my starting current down to 24-26 amps for a 4 ton unit. Can't remember the cost. Maybe around $300 back then.


My unit is a 4 ton, what size generator are your running. Mine is 9000 starting/7250 running. Quick math says getting the A/C starting amps to 26-30, that would be big enough to run it.
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YZ250
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10:14a, 5/19/24
9500 run 12500 start

I think you should be good. Once running my ac draws 13 amps. If you're using a 30 amp connection you won't be able to run anything else.
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TXAG 05
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11:35a, 5/19/24
AG
Good to hear. Mine is 50 amp. Just didn't want to order and install the thing and still not be able to run the A/C
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YZ250
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12:57p, 5/19/24
For the install I bought an enclosure for it and mounted it on the side of the house near the AC. I wanted a little more protection. There are four wires you have to connect. I had to extend the length of them.
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V8Aggie
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1:46p, 5/19/24
AG
Dropped from 109 to 35 here.
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TXAG 05
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11:29a, 6/1/24
AG
Wired mine up this morning, went from 109 down to 29.8 starting amps.
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ForeverAg
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10:22p, 6/2/24
AG
Do these ever go on sale? Unfortunately we have 3 ac units for our home so this would get really expensive for me.
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YellAg2004
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In reply to ForeverAg • 11:59a, 6/3/24
AG
I have an ASY-368-X48 Blue new in box that I purchased for our townhome but never got around to installing before the AC ended up dying. I had Enviromax (now Wise Guys) install a Trane-branded soft start on the new compressor, so I had no need for the MicroAir unit anymore.

I missed the 60-day return window, and we've since moved to a new house with a 5-ton compressor, so I need the X72 model for this house.

It's good for up to a 4-ton unit and is listed for $369 new.

If anyone is interested in capitalizing on my circumstances, I'll sell it for $200. As I said, it's new in box and has never been installed.

ETA: Sold to Whoop Delecto
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Whoop Delecto
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2:06p, 6/3/24
AG
Thank you YellAg2004!
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Whoop Delecto
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9:20a, 6/4/24
AG
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rilloaggie
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In reply to Whoop Delecto • 11:14a, 6/4/24
AG
I don't think this code works anymore. I ordered one last week and it didn't work then.
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Whoop Delecto
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12:19p, 6/4/24
AG
Sale ended May 15th but they have 15% off twice a year. Black Friday and Spring (April). Posted in response to ForeverAg asking if they ever go one sale.
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RoyVal
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In reply to YellAg2004 • 5:59p, 6/4/24
AG
YellAg2004 said:
I have an ASY-368-X48 Blue new in box that I purchased for our townhome but never got around to installing before the AC ended up dying. I had Enviromax (now Wise Guys) install a Trane-branded soft start on the new compressor, so I had no need for the MicroAir unit anymore.

I missed the 60-day return window, and we've since moved to a new house with a 5-ton compressor, so I need the X72 model for this house.

It's good for up to a 4-ton unit and is listed for $369 new.

If anyone is interested in capitalizing on my circumstances, I'll sell it for $200. As I said, it's new in box and has never been installed.

ETA: Sold to Whoop Delecto
dang...just saw this. good deal!
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rilloaggie
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8:22a, 6/16/24
AG
Got mine installed yesterday. Install was a complete breeze, took maybe 20 mins, and that was me taking my time and double/triple checking things and working slow. 5-ton American Standard unit now pulls 34.1 amps!
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bam02
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8:27a, 6/16/24
AG
Man I should have jumped on the one someone was selling above. I'll be looking for these to go on sale. Our main unit is right outside our living room and drives me nuts every time it kicks on.
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MGS
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In reply to P.H. Dexippus • 2:34p, 6/16/24
P.H. Dexippus said:
Supposedly makes cycling easier on the rest of the equipment, increasing longevity even when not using a generator
Any downsides?
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P.H. Dexippus
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In reply to MGS • 5:12p, 6/16/24
AG
$$$
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pull-mark-bird
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In reply to MGS • 8:52a, 6/19/24
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pull-mark-bird
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In reply to MGS • 8:53a, 6/19/24
MGS said:
P.H. Dexippus said:
Supposedly makes cycling easier on the rest of the equipment, increasing longevity even when not using a generator
Any downsides?
So basically, what the Micro air soft start will do is, on startup it will start the fan first, then gradually ramp up the start of the compressor. Versus factory method, fan and compressor, full steam ahead at once, thus the massive amperage to start.

Downside, upfront cost, per soft start $350 plus min, I believe is the cost now

Will you see a cost saving on energy use- NO.

Will you see more longevity in your unit- I think so.

I had one on my 12 yr old Goodman, 3 ton STARTING amperage went from 71 amps down to 25 amps.

I since replaced the Goodman, with a Trane XR15. I haven't hooked the Micro air back up to it yet, but I will. All that involves is a relearn
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YellAg2004
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In reply to rilloaggie • 11:39a, 6/19/24
AG
rilloaggie said:
Got mine installed yesterday. Install was a complete breeze, took maybe 20 mins, and that was me taking my time and double/triple checking things and working slow. 5-ton American Standard unit now pulls 34.1 amps!
Is this the starting (peak) amps or running amps?
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rilloaggie
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In reply to YellAg2004 • 2:32p, 6/19/24
AG
Starting. Running was around 11 if memory serves. ETA screenshot from the app.


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P.H. Dexippus
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4:49p, 7/2/24
AG
In case anyone is having a hard time sourcing one, I picked up a ASY-368-X48 Blue locally today for $345+ tax
https://firstsourceenergyinc.com

I also see that as of July 1st, it looks like Micro-Air has gone to a one-size-fits-all business model and no longer advertises the different size soft start based on HVAC capacity. Now they sell the "EasyStart Flex Home AC Soft Starter" which looks to be the old x72.
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cena05
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4:55p, 7/2/24
AG
Why wouldn't AC companies offer this as an option from the start?
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cbminers
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4:10p, 7/25/24
AG
Anyone have a recommendation for someone on the north side of Houston / The Woodlands who would do a good job installing one of these for a reasonable price?
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Dill-Ag13
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In reply to cbminers • 4:18p, 7/25/24
AG
Do you have a plug on your house/panel? Might be worth having an electrician do it all.

It is an easy DIY if you are handy, just turn off the breaker, discharge the capacitor and check voltage and nothing unsafe about it.
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Dill-Ag13
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In reply to cena05 • 4:19p, 7/25/24
AG
cena05 said:
Why wouldn't AC companies offer this as an option from the start?


$$$$, my brother in law did have a hard start installed as part of his Lennox install
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88agswin
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In reply to cbminers • 5:59p, 7/25/24
AG
cbminers said:
Anyone have a recommendation for someone on the north side of Houston / The Woodlands who would do a good job installing one of these for a reasonable price?
Give us a call...we will install it for you.. Wise Guys Heating & Cooling. you order the Micro Air online from Amazon and let me know when you get it and we will come install it. $204 out the door 346-482-2691 Jim Wolf Class of '88!!
[URL]http://wiseguyscooling.com [/URL]
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cbminers
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In reply to 88agswin • 7:25p, 7/25/24
AG
Thank you for the response. Consider yourself hired. I will let you know when the parts arrive.
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