Added Soft Start to Central AC

[Kliza]

I thought I would share my experience here with being able to run my single zone central AC unit.

When I hooked the truck up to the house the I was able to power all of the major circuits with the exception of the AC unit, I live in Texas this is a requirement .

We decided to hook up soft start module to the unit and now I am able to have my AC powered by the truck. The initial read of the compressor during startup was ~42A without the soft start. Even though this is only for a very short period of time it was enough for the truck to overload and shut the generator down. With the soft start the AC's initial draw is about ~14A to ~22A and then drops to ~9A while running. The soft start is a learning system so as the AC continues to cycle I expect the range to even out even more.

I did not trying the AC with the fridge circuits but I don't think they will be an issue unless they are both on the same legs of the panel. I have not looked at this yet.

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[Way2qk4u2c]

I did the same thing ? absolutely incredible to run my whole house off the truck which included AC and my pool pump and every internal circuit. I love this truck!

 

[FrankThompson]

What transfer switch did you all use? I don't like the ones where you have to split out the covered breakers. This is mainly for the fact that we don't have a garage and the breaker box is in the master bedroom (previous owner converted garage to a room).

 

[Kliza]

What transfer switch did you all use? I don't like the ones where you have to split out the covered breakers. This is mainly for the fact that we don't have a garage and the breaker box is in the master bedroom (previous owner converted garage to a room).

I won't get into that topic here since it has already been covered at nauseum on the other pages.

 

[biggreg]

I thought I would share my experience here with being able to run my single zone central AC unit.

When I hooked the truck up to the house the I was able to power all of the major circuits with the exception of the AC unit, I live in Texas this is a requirement .

We decided to hook up soft start module to the unit and now I am able to have my AC powered by the truck. The initial read of the compressor during startup was ~42A without the soft start. Even though this is only for a very short period of time it was enough for the truck to overload and shut the generator down. With the soft start the AC's initial draw is about ~14A to ~22A and then drops to ~9A while running. The soft start is a learning system so as the AC continues to cycle I expect the range to even out even more.

I did not trying the AC with the fridge circuits but I don't think they will be an issue unless they are both on the same legs of the panel. I have not looked at this yet.

What brand/model soft start module did you use?

Thanks

 

[Way2qk4u2c]

What brand/model soft start module did you use?

Thanks

I installed the micro air east start. Have to install the appropriate model amp for your application.

 

[biggreg]

I installed the micro air east start. Have to install the appropriate model amp for your application.

Thanks! It's just a good data point to hear what works well.

 

[Kliza]

What brand/model soft start module did you use?

Thanks

My AC contractor picked this out for me. I just told him I wanted a soft start.

https://www.eltwin.com/competencies/soft-starter-hyper/soft-starter-hyper-single

 

[capkmo]

I thought I would share my experience here with being able to run my single zone central AC unit.

When I hooked the truck up to the house the I was able to power all of the major circuits with the exception of the AC unit, I live in Texas this is a requirement .

We decided to hook up soft start module to the unit and now I am able to have my AC powered by the truck. The initial read of the compressor during startup was ~42A without the soft start. Even though this is only for a very short period of time it was enough for the truck to overload and shut the generator down. With the soft start the AC's initial draw is about ~14A to ~22A and then drops to ~9A while running. The soft start is a learning system so as the AC continues to cycle I expect the range to even out even more.

I did not trying the AC with the fridge circuits but I don't think they will be an issue unless they are both on the same legs of the panel. I have not looked at this yet.

Hi Kliza, I have a 3.5Ton AC unit and tried the SoftStartHome. It definitely makes the AC run quieter while on shore power but the breaker in the truck trips before the Air Con can fully turn on in my home even with all other breakers in the house off. Any ideas or thoughts on how you got yours working?

 

[Rah150]

Hi Kliza, I have a 3.5Ton AC unit and tried the SoftStartHome. It definitely makes the AC run quieter while on shore power but the breaker in the truck trips before the Air Con can fully turn on in my home even with all other breakers in the house off. Any ideas or thoughts on how you got yours working?

You 3.5 ton AC is probably too big. What is the LRA on the nameplate? Mine is 77 LRA and with the soft start I get it below 15 or 20A on startup.

 

[capkmo]

I believe it’s 109 LRA if I’m reading this right

 

[Rah150]

Does your soft start have an app which tells you what the LRA is? I have a Microair and I can pull up the app when the AC starts and it records and learns the LRA.
The Microair I believe also states that it can reduce the LRA by 75%.
If yours can do similar then that could get you just under the 30A limit of the Powerboost.

 

[capkmo]

Does your soft start have an app which tells you what the LRA is? I have a Microair and I can pull up the app when the AC starts and it records and learns the LRA.
The Microair I believe also states that it can reduce the LRA by 75%.
If yours can do similar then that could get you just under the 30A limit of the Powerboost.

It does not (SoftStartHome)
Maybe I’ll swap out for the other unit.
thank you so much for taking a look and sharing information

 

[JoeRedFly]

Used an AirGo Softstart on our 3.5T. Just another option.

 

[capkmo]

Used an AirGo Softstart on our 3.5T. Just another option.

Did that work with the PowerBoost as well? I guess SoftStartHome just can’t cut it!

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