Micro Air Easy Start vs 2 x generators?

[Sleepy]

Thanks Ray:

Somehow, I missed your second post with links. A true wealth of information, thank you so much for sharing.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

Chris, I thought that was the case but did not trust my memory. No breaker labeled for converter.

A main, a general GFIC, one for microwave, one for water heater, and one for AC.

So, in an attempt to remove the converter from the equation, I removed the two 30 amp fuses (12 volt). Then I only turned on the main breaker, and the breaker for the AC.

I have made every attempt to remove any drain from the supplied electricity other than the air conditioner.

Its an older camper, maybe newer campers have a separate breaker.

Its great to be able to share thoughts. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

One way to be sure the converter isn't charging the battery, disconnect the battery...

[Smokewagonokc]

Watch this video on YouTube. Step by step on install. I use my Honda 2000 and it works great with my 15 btu ac. https://youtu.be/cjLzqmUmTcM

[Bluepigs]

I installed two micro air easy starts on a 13,500 BTU at a 15,000 BTU air conditioner on my fifth wheel. It was easy. I can run both of those air conditioners off of my two generators hooked in parallel. The generators are Honda EU2200i. You will not be sorry if you install micro you’re easy starts on your air conditioners.

[Half Ton Heavy]

I just do not think a 79cc generator, no matter what it’s rated, has the sack to run an ac, especially on propane.
I am glad I didn’t go down this road, earlier I was going to buy the champion 2500 dual fuel and a microair and give it a shot.
I didn’t want to roll the dice so I went to Lowes, $850 using their credit card, got me a firman dual fuel 3300/3000 that runs the ac great on propane hooked up to the bbq port. Electric start too.
79 lbs vs 38, but I can handle that. Nice not having to add a $300 device on an air conditioner to get it to run. I will say, it might come in handy for some of the sloppy power in some rv parks though.

[KenS999]

As mentioned earlier not all 2 kW generators are created equal. Start by comparing CC size of motors between your model and the Honda. Also compare running watts and surge watts ratings between the two. In many cases you will find your 2kW model is subpar to the 2kW Honda in the specs. Also consider the fact that when you are running your air conditioner, even using the Honda, you will likely not be able to run much else. I received the above information first-hand from a technician affiliated with Micro Air. Hope this helps.

[Kev494]

I installed mine on Sunday the 4th, if you follow the instructions online you cant go wrong. You are only dealing with 4 wires and only 2 get cut and spliced. Just find the model of your A/C unit and make sure the components match yours.
I have a Honda 2200i and it works great!

[NJKris]

Sleepy, what is your elevation? **edit: Nevermind, I just reviewed your posts and see you are just under 1000 ft) I just read a review on Micro Air website, same generator as you have and it worked with the soft start at 1,000 ft.

I performed the start up procedures and tried an A-iPower SUA2000iV 2000 watt / 1600 watt-running generator and it started and ran the AC, at about 1000' above sea level.

I also saw a review from a guy running a similar Champion 2k watt generator as mine with 80cc engine no problem, so I have hope!

[RET.LEO]

Do both. Easier on the A.C. and the 2nd inverter/genny will give you plenty of power when needed. You won't need both all the time, just when running your A.C. and another high energy device

[jfc317]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

Just so you know...I bought and installed the Easy Start on my RV 13.5K AC. Unfortunately, my AI-power 2K generator will not operate the Air Conditioner.

I contacted the mfg of the Easy Start, and I was told that they used the Honda 2K generator to design the Easy Start, and other 2K generators may not operate the AC using the easy start.

So, according to the mfg, if you are using any generator other than the Honda, your generator may, or may not operate the Air Conditioner.

Mine would not.

Hope this helps.

I experienced the same with my micro air install. After trying a Champion 2k and a Yamaha 2k my 13.5 Dometic ac would not start. Micro Air said they only tested with Honda 2000 or 2200. They should tell you that up front.
Hondas have a larger 120cc engine. Most other 2k inv gens only have a 79cc engine. So $1100 dollars later, I have a new honda genny and a working ac.
No guarantee your ac will run with the 2k Champion even with the softstart.
We do have a Champion 3k that runs the ac just fine but, at 100+lbs, it was getting to be too much for dw and I to move around. She can move the Honda, solo.
My 2 cents

[NJKris]

If it comes down to it, I'll just bring both generators. At least the 'whump' on startup will be gone, and there will be less of a strain on start up, maybe even be able to run the pair in eco mode. I've read some reviews of the Champion 2k being able to start it, and a few like yours where it didn't work. I'm gonna roll the dice that the one extra cc of engine size will make it happen!

[AlanMoor]

I have a Honda eu2000i (13 amps max) and a 15K A/C. The Honda would not start the A/C with a SoftStart installed. The stinker was that I first tried the Honda when it was not very hot outside, and I couldn't tell that the compressor was not kicking on (but it sounded like it was). I think the SoftStart was protecting it, and it would automatically retry every 3 minutes. Once I tried it when it was hot and realized it wasn't cooling, I saw on the Bluetooth app that there were a bunch of faults. The A/C draws right at 13 amps, maybe just below that. I have breakers for everything else, including the converter, and they were all off when I was testing with the Honda.

I bought a Generac 3,0000/2,3000W (19.2 amps max) generator from Menards ($749-11% rebate) and it runs it with no problem. I had all the lights, converter, and TV on. I didn't have the fridge turned on but it doesn't use much in propane mode. I didn't try the microwave at all; I'm sure it would fail if the A/C was on. I'm very impressed with the Generac; I can't tell the weight difference, and it is quieter. It is a little bigger. I took better care to break it in properly just because it wasn't a Honda thought!

[AlanMoor]

Originally Posted by ciditad

I'm debating between buying 2 small generators and run them parallel or installing a Micro Air Easy Start to reduce the wattage needed to start my 19BHLR 15k BTU AC while boondocking or dry camping. After watching a bunch of YouTube videos and reading some posts here I think the Easy Start is probably the way to go. I'm no mechanic or electrician but I can read instructions and done minor household electrical work. Anyone done this think it was really difficult and needed an RV mechanic to do this?

To answer the original question - I doubt you'll have a problem with the install. Find the video/instructions for your A/C and you'll probably be good. Just as an aside I e-mailed MicroAir on July 4th and they answered me within a few hours, and actually answered my question intelligibly! It's the only interaction I've had with them, but I am impressed with the company.

[NJKris]

So I installed the EasyStart soft start on my Coleman Mach VIII 13.5k btu A/C. Worked fine on shore power. Decided to drag drag out my Champion 2k inverter with 90cc engine. No go. Every time A/C tried to start, gen would bog down a bit, and the compressor would never fire up. It would do this approximately every 3 minutes when it would attempt to cycle again.


On both gens hooked up parallel, it runs fine. But then again, it would have worked fine without soft start using both. So the only benefit I've gotten is somewhat quieter starts for 300 bucks.


edit: I am at 507' elevation.

[NJKris]

Ok, it is providing one more benefit: Even though I have to run both generators, I can run them in economy mode, which is much quieter and more efficient. So not a total loss.

[NJKris]

ok, this is really weird. after running on both gens for a while (10 min), i shut down one gen and tried again. it worked this time. Then tried other gen by itself, worked again!

[5picker]

Isn't there a 'learning cycle' for the soft start?

[High Country Duramax]

Yes on the learning cycle. Takes 5 starts of ac compressor to optimize. It’s stored in memory after that.

[Smokewagonokc]

My Honda 2000 works fine with mine.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Isn't there a 'learning cycle' for the soft start?

Yes. Those were done on shore power as advised.