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Topic ClosedMicro-Air easy start
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Micro-Air easy start
    Posted: 04 Aug 2020 at 6:27pm
The a/c fan runs continuously, the compressor cycles on and off as needed to keep the rpod cool. The compressor is what needs high current to run, and even higher to start. You can tell when the compressor starts and stops by listening to the change in sound and the change in load on the genny. The fan doesn't take much current at all to run.

The easystart does a great job helping in starting the a/c. compressor. It will not help run the a/c compressor at all once its started, the genny has to be able to do that on its own.  If your genny can already start the a/c compressor but can't run it once started and you're expecting the easystart to help run it then you will be disappointed. Just want to be sure we're clear on the difference. 

The easystart instructions are good and if you have any questions they are pretty responsive. The hardest part is that you are on the roof doing this. Lay a piece of plywood up there so you don't damage the rpod roof and be sure to have a stable ladder. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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neufox47 View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 2020 at 12:09am
It’s definitely the start (restart) that is causing the overload. When it is hot out and the sun is on the roof it is more likely to kick off. Seems like the restart of the compressor after using it for a bit also takes more wattage than the first start. It works at 1300 feet but not reliably above 4K. The generator “seems” like it is catching up but not fast enough to avoid an overload. The generator voltage will drop to 70 or so then get back to about 100 before overloading. Seems like the genny just isn’t quite fast enough to catch up.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 2020 at 5:56am
Originally posted by neufox47

It’s definitely the start (restart) that is causing the overload. When it is hot out and the sun is on the roof it is more likely to kick off. Seems like the restart of the compressor after using it for a bit also takes more wattage than the first start. It works at 1300 feet but not reliably above 4K. The generator “seems” like it is catching up but not fast enough to avoid an overload. The generator voltage will drop to 70 or so then get back to about 100 before overloading. Seems like the genny just isn’t quite fast enough to catch up.

Thanks for the clear explanation. That is what I thought was happening but its good to be sure. The problem is that once the condenser and evaporator sides of the a/c build up a temp differential from running they also build up a refrigerant pressure differential. Then the compressor has to overcome that pressure differential to start the second (and following) times.

The easystart will solve that problem for you, I'm sure. It brings the starting current load on the compressor way down. 

Before you install the easystart one question though. Have you tried taking that generator out of "efficiency mode" and seeing if it will start the compressor that way? As you say its crazy that a genny that size won't start a 13000 btu a/c. Maybe the designers have gone overboard trying to save fuel by idling the generator too low in efficiency mode so it doesn't have enough energy stored in its rotating mass to get through a/c startup. Try it and see if you haven't, that might solve your problem without needing the easystart. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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neufox47 View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Aug 2020 at 10:48am
Yea, it is / was out of efficiency mode.
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Chopperbob View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2020 at 8:48am
I just had one installed at Micro-Air in NJ.  Nice folks.  On a really hot and muggy day a Honda 2000 generator started the A/C and ran it in eco-mode, no problem.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2020 at 9:33am
Originally posted by neufox47

Yea, it is / was out of efficiency mode.

Well I guess we have to chalk this one up to brand rental then. Westinghouse was once long ago a company and brand with a great reputation, but that company no longer exists.  Now there is am entity called Westinghouse Licensing that grants rights to use that brand to all sorts of companies for all kinds of products of varying quality and performance levels. Oh well....
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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neufox47 View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Aug 2020 at 12:04pm
We installed the soft start in about 30 minutes. Was pretty easy, just had to follow the directions / diagrams. Start is far softer now, we’ll see how it does at 4,500’ when it is 90 plus this weekend.
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neufox47 View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2020 at 11:36pm
Generator and soft start worked well up at 6,000 + feet in 90 plus temps in full sun. The baby slept well during his naps!
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6417 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 8:42am
Thanks for the report. I installed one and have been very happy with it as well. I think the manufacturers should incorporate this technology in the units when they are built. If it were done at that time, the price per unit would likely not be much more, but the ability to run on generators would be worth the difference.
StephenH
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 9:14am
The easystarr is a good device but it is just a patch covering up the real problem. 

Modern inverter based variable speed compressor systems have very low startup current requirements. So new high SEER mini splits and central air conditioners do this already. What we need is for the RV a/c manufacturers to get out of the stone age and implement some modern high efficiency technology. Their stuff is still pretty much 1960's tech. 

Its not like the new systems are more expensive either, you can buy a 12kbtu/hr high efficiency minisplit for less than a Dometic Penguin. The RV a/c market is ripe for the entry of some disruptive technology I think. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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