How To Install A Soft Start Kit On A Air Conditioner | Run Home AC With A Generator | MicroAir

In this video I show you how to install a soft start kit on your home air conditioner so you can run your air conditioner using your portable generator. The Micro-air soft start kit lowers the in rush amperage so that you can power it with a generator. Hard start kits are not always the best solution, especially when installing a larger units. Soft start kits are capable of lowering in rush amperage more than hard start kits and will also help preserve your compressor. All of that being said, you will still need a generator capable of whatever amperage the soft start kit brings the air conditioner down to.

Tools and soft start kit in the video:

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Blessings,
Adam

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[ronpearl]

Subscribed. This was exactly what I was looking for and nobody else had it for homes. Thank you!

[royagrusa]

I installed an Easy Start on my 2.5 ton Trane unit and the results were less than expected, I get frustrated when devices do not work as advertised, I also stated this in a comment on youtube. I was very disappointed, however Micro Air reached out with very highly qualified techs and even a design engineer.
The problem was NOT theirs but with their great customer service they took on the problem of getting my inrush current down to acceptable levels.

My unit has a non-bleed TXV and they have come up with an engineering fix to get my inrush down. GEEZE they even offered to help me change out the TXV if

Micro-Air is a great company to do business with, they do stand behind their products!!!

Thanks for reading this,
Roy Agrusa

[MrUtubeobia]

Just installed one on my 4 ton ac and went from 121 to 34 starting amps, and my 8kw Generac handled it just fine. Totally recommend.😊

[ramyarj]

Just installed these on two units with this video's help. Hasn't blown up yet. Thanks!

[FloridaFamilyLife]

The best video on YT showing the exact wiring, clear and straight forward. Thanks. Great Job.

[reddtmann]

Wow, very easy install.. Hvac Tech here I'm impressed!

[slidewaze]

They really work well. Same situation here. 4 ton A/C.
It's nice that the soft start allows the indoor blower and outdoor fan to start a few seconds before the compressor. On Generator it gives it time to ramp up a little just as the compressor starts.
Great video. Clear and concise. Thanks for putting this up.

[codek]

I watched a dozen videos on this soft start including the manufacturers, yours was by far, to me, the most clear and to the point. I now have confidence to finally install mine. Thanks for the video.

[OscarRodSeedsofG]

Thank you for your great video; I learned a lot from it. I do have an observation, and you may have taken care of it off camera. but you touched the capacitor. You know what you are doing and were careful not to touch the bare connections, but a novice might not know that the capacitor holds a lot of power (even when the power is off) that can even kill.

[rcinfla]

MicroAir Easystart is a combo soft start and hard start modification. Should have shown start current after the five training cycles with the actual selected start current showing on sixth startup. Allow 5 mins off time for compressor refrigerant pressures to equalize between training starts. Typically achieve 60% to 70% reduction in startup surge current on compressor. Training should be done on grid, not with generator.

A hardstart kit is just a momentarily large start cap placed across compressor run cap during the half second startup. It is intended for low AC line voltage situations or long wire runs to compressor. It actually increases startup current.

Softstart is a like a 'light dimmer' that ramps up the voltage during the half second startup. With both hard start cap boost and softstart dimmer ramp, the hard start cap is also voltage ramped so it gives the torque boost without the sudden surge current to compressor start winding of a normal hard start kit.

After the start up, the run current is as normally seen before installing MicroAir. The MicroAir does not effect run current. It is bypassed with a relay after the about half second startup cycle to prevent excessive heating of voltage ramp triac.

[intrepidad]

Adam,
My son and I just finished installing the Micro Air ASY-368-X48 Soft Start gizmo on our 4 ton A/C unit. We followed your instructions to a "T" and the results are as follows:
The IRA before was at 76.9, after the gizmo was installed it dropped down between 30.4 and 33.i Amps.
The running Amps before was between 12.8 and 13.1 and it dropped down to 10.9 Amps after the gizmo.
We attached ours to the side of the A/C unit and put a hoodie over it so that the intense south Florida sun does not bleach out the decal or make the clear plastic cover brittle over the years ( also it protects it from the rain).
We could have not done this without you, thank you so much for posting your informative, detailed video so a layman like myself could accomplish this.
Thank You and GOD BLESS YOU!

[Jim]

I just installed the system on my American Standard Gold Series 3 ton heat pump. (I gave the full description in the event someone else has the same system) You're directions were very clear and precise. I really appreciate your informative video. Thanks 👌 👍

[Wattshappening]

HVAC pro here.
Hard start kits are for a different task completely they are for aging weaker compressors to give them an extra kick in the butt to start.
Think of it like coffee
Your regular capacitor set it is the regular coffee. Which is great for most people. But some people need that extra jolt with a shot of espresso as well. That’s the hard start.

This is like switching to decaf.

[tamichamberlain]

Love this! I'm widowed and am trying to figure out how to wire by cabin for a generator and this was the next video. The other one helped also. Thank you for making so simple a "girl" can do it. LOL I'll definitely be watching more if you have any for making wiring simple for this girl.

[rodeobob]

I installed one a couple days ago and it works great. I have a 4 Ton unit and when starting only pulls 22 Amps now. We can run our central air on a generator no problem . I bought the Flex Bluetooth model.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[JWOOD]

Thanks man … Had no ideal hooking a generator to your house was this easy!!

[herrero]

Thanks for the vid. Bought the same easy soft start kit and hired a licensed HVAC to install it on my 4 ton Rheem for $65. IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM with my Wgen9500 on propane (11200/8500) generator. We’re now ready for the next act of nature here in Texas.

[rogerpearce]

Read instructions, thought man, this is complicated. Watched your video, hooked up no problem & it works great. They need to pay you & put your video on their website. Crystal clear, simple and accurate. Great job my friend. Just tried out today, ran whole house, including 3.5 ton a/c, 2 refrigerators & a freezer on 12k peak portable generator. Saved me thousands of $$$.

[losrubios]

Thanks, we just installed a couple of Tesla Powerwall 2 storage batteries and I wanted a soft start kit to reduce the amp draw when the batteries are running our 3.5 ton Ruud package air conditioner during peak energy hours when the Tesla Gateway switches our home over to off-grid battery-only mode. After finding and watching your video, I bought the same model of soft starter and installed it today. Very easy to do and seems to work as advertised. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[guavaball]

hey Adam thanks for the videos on setting up a generator for your house. I followed your lead and it was far less intimidating plus the soft start was amazing. I'm able to run my 4 ton a/c plus 2 large screen tvs, refrigerator, 2 computers, stereo and lights and 3 battery backups on a 7000watt running inverter generator.