Easy Start any negatives? Void warranty?

[fishbisquit]

Hey Everyone,
Looking at installing an easy start this Spring. In our 2018 sport16 the AC is really really loud, espcially when the compressor kicks in. I've read that the easy start really helps with compressor noise. Wondering if others have found it helps? Also really like the idea of getting a generator in the future and having the option of running the AC with it.

If these easy starts are so great why don't AC manufacturers build them into the units? Why do they have to be installed secondary? Are there negatives, do they hurt the AC units?

Cheers,

[moosetags]

We (actually, SuEllyn) installed an Easy Start unit just about a year ago. It has worked flawlessly. We have used it extensively. We have over one hundred nights of Airstream camping on it. We have used it on shore power and on our Honda 3000 generator.

As to your question about the warranty, I don't have a clue whether of not the installation of the Easy Start voids the warranty. Our unit was about three years old when we installed the Easy Start, so it didn't matter. My guess would be that Dometic would void the warranty for any alteration done to the unit.

As to why Domectic doesn't build their units with Easy Start from the factory, my guess would be that they would have to raise the price slightly. That would probably be unacceptable as most consumers are pretty stupid and would balk at paying the higher price for the unit.

Brian

[wulfraat]

There are no downsides to easy start. Dometic themselves sell an earlier version of a soft starter branded as Dometic.

If there is a failure of the AC, and warrantee is in question, you can simply remove the easy start device and return the AC back to factory, if needed.

[StPierre]

There is a negative to the Easy Start when you use a Honda 2000 , it will not run the compressor at higher elevation. I wish I did more research on this ,as most my camping is above 4000 ft

[NoResults]

It looks like your research should of been on generators. From what I understand the newer Honda will work. If not sell it and get a larger unit or another Honda and hook them together.

The Easy Start is a great product but will not cure all ills. Dave

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

There are no downsides to easy start. Dometic themselves sell an earlier version of a soft starter branded as Dometic.

If there is a failure of the AC, and warrantee is in question, you can simply remove the easy start device and return the AC back to factory, if needed.

Wulfraat is dead on. No worries about easy start.

[Wconley]

I’ve installed them on two A/Cs and have been happy. As for your reason for installing them, there will be a slight reduction in the “thump” you hear when the compressor kicks in. However the volume when running doesn’t change at all. If this is the only reason you have for an Easy Start, I’m not sure I would spend the money.

[rmkrum]

Generator engine power output, no matter what the fuel used, will drop off as altitude increases. As the Overkill Engineering Department Head, I opted for a 3400W Champion Dual Fuel Inverter genset that lives in the truck bed when we travel. It would have to be seriously high altitude to run out of power with that setup, plus an EasyStart installed in the already out of warranty Air Conditioner....

[hhendrix]

Many A/S dealers install the easy start (we have two) and it is usually the same dealer that services the dometic warranty. Think about it.

BTW, we had the heat side of one of our A/C's and I thought it would be a simple fix. Nope, the A/C units are not serviceable and they threw away a perfectly good unit and installed a new under my extended warranty. Also, they reinstalled my easy start in the new one at no charge.

[VaTravelers]

I had 2 Micro Air Easy Starts installed during my JC warranty visit on my 2017 International. They work great and I can run one off my Eu2000i with not problem. I was told they void the Dometic Warranty but that was not an issue since mine was just about to run out. They do start softer and are quieter when they do.

[ejami5]

Hi Fishbisquit, when I purchased my then new 2017 20' FC, the A/C was insanely loud (much more so than my 2015 non-ducted International) in addition to the vibration from the floor that I could feel through my shoes. I spoke to the MicroAir folks at the 2018 International rally this past summer and they pretty much said what Wconley already posted. It will help with the initial start but probably not with the noise while running. I'm now on my 3rd new Dometic A/C unit on the FC and (thank goodness) it is not as noisy as the first 2 units but (sadly) still not quieter than the International.

[cazual6]

I just had mine installed from AS LA. They stock those items now at their shop.

I've turned it ON using shore power at my house, but everything I've about EasyStart has been positive.

[Glenn T]

Originally Posted by StPierre

There is a negative to the Easy Start when you use a Honda 2000 , it will not run the compressor at higher elevation. I wish I did more research on this ,as most my camping is above 4000 ft

I think that the AC in the 16' Airstream is smaller. It might draw less power.

In my experience, the Easy Start has been fantastic. My 20FC has a replacement AC made by Atwood. It was able to start on a Honda 2000i - the brochure even suggested it - but that was only with the generator's ECO switch turned off.

With the Easy Start, I can run AC easily in ECO mode. I've also used it at elevation without trouble. To me, the most useful feature of the Easy Start is the ability to run the refrigerator, converter and AC all at the same time on household power. That is, with nothing else on the circuit and a 30 to 15 amp adaptor right on the camper's 30 amp power cord. (No extension cords.)

Glenn

[banderabob]

Originally Posted by StPierre

There is a negative to the Easy Start when you use a Honda 2000 , it will not run the compressor at higher elevation. I wish I did more research on this ,as most my camping is above 4000 ft

It won’t run it in the flat of Texas either. Need at least the Honda 2200.....at least I’ve read a post that the 2200 is sufficient.

[JohnTF]

Easystart is a brand , and there are number of products that do the easy starting by using capacitors to store some energy to help voltage sag / or low voltage at source [ up to a point ] .
And every AC unit I've worked on already had starting capacitors in them .
Depending on the brand - easystart - using generally now , may have extra components in it , such as a relay that helps to keep the fan & compressor from coming on at the same time .
Some brands have more components in there units that have some control circuitry to monitor other aspects like if there is enough voltage in the 1st place and again depending on the brand , even more control circuitry for other factors that help the AC unit .
The 1st thing to do if you have issues / old or new , is to have the stock capacitors checked - even if new , there has been counterfeit / let alone bad quality in the electronics field for over 20 yrs.
If you have any abilities yourself , buy a couple capacitors for less than $10 each and add them yourself , if not spend the $50 - $150+ that the kits cost .
Do not wast money if you have one of the voltage monitoring - at the source units , like Progressive Industries - they do the monitoring & will shutdown power from a source that has issues , like low voltage , revers connectors etc.
Then either add some capacitors , or just buy the generic easy-start with the relay .
If you are ok with spending the extra money , then buy the monitoring system up front --- this is best , because now you are protecting the hole trailer electrical system , not just the AC unit .

[rmkrum]

The EasyStart unit from MicroAir is NOT a simple start capacitor. It is a microprocessor-controlled unit that ramps the start voltage to the compressor to prevent the heavy surge that normally occurs when full line voltage is applied to a 'stalled' AC motor. It learns the start characteristics of the compressor, controls fan start, and also monitors over-current conditions, low voltage, restart delays, and other issues at the compressor.

Please do not confuse this device with simple start capacitor kits, external surge protectors, Electrical Management Systems (EMS), and other electrical hardware. It's unique and is designed only for use with air conditioning units.

I'm a satisfied user, not associated with MicroAir, and an engineer...that actually understands how all this stuff works...on a technical level.

[wsrb]

I installed one a couple months ago and it’s working well. The installation was a little stressful being on top of the trailer but otherwise went per the instructions.

[Bill M.]

My Easy Start works just fine and the AC runs on my Honda 2000. We were around 4000 feet. Gas Honda with no modifications. Dry air, in the mid 90's. The generator seemed to be running very easily. 12 year old AC unit.

Yes, the compressor startup is quieter and smoother with the Easy Start even running on shore power. It reduces the "clunk" when the compresser kicks in but not the running noise level after it is going. I do not think the unit hurts the AC but have no way of knowing for sure. My guess is that it might help with the life of the AC rather than hurt it.

It would be an expensive modification for a small gain if you never run the AC on a 2000 generator or if you already have a big generator. But I have spent money in worse ways, I think.

People have run AC units for an awful long time without Easy Start's and I expect the AC companies think they work just fine that way.

[BAB]

I installed the MicroAir on both of my air conditioners. I think they are worth the money just to avoid the grinding cacaphony when the compressors kick on. I’m sure the campers around me probably appreciate NOT hearing the startup noise as well.

[Bgibbs]

I haven’t used the Easy Start, but I do have some info on the noise. If you do not have the doubled up gaskets on your a/c units it it likely that the units are actually touching the roof. I had both my units replaced this summer and the drain cups were touching the roof. One of the cups was actually broken. With two gaskets, there is adequate space between the bottom of the unit and the roof and the gaskets provide good noise and vibration deadening.