Micro-Air Easy Start Issues

[Loren Colson]

Hello Everyone! This is my first post in Air Forums. We recently got at 2020 Globetrotter 23FB that has a 13.5k BTU Dometic air conditioner. I was told that I could run this off of a Honda eu2200i generator if I had an Easy Start. Looking in the forums, it looks like a lot of folks are running this setup. I bought and installed an Easy Start and it worked just fine on shore power. I did the "learning" phase of 5 on-off cycles on shore power before trying out my generator. Unfortunately, when I try to run on my generator I get an "E7" error code on my Dometic thermostat and the air conditioner never kicks on. I contacted Micro-Air and they had me take pictures of my installation, walk them through my setup, etc., and they've concluded that it must be my generator is underpowered. But that seems strange, right? Other folks are using this setup with beefier air conditioners and they say it works just fine. I tried turning off EVERYTHING else at the breakers, including inverter, converter, fridge/freezer, water pump, furnace, outlets, etc. So there should literally be no power draw except my air conditioner, but still get the "E7" code. My generator is not on eco mode and displays no warning lights of being overdrawn, etc. We do have a surge protector installed that displays "open ground" when connected to the generator, so I'll be troubleshooting that next and grounding my generator with a bonding plug. Any other thoughts? I'd hate to buy a second generator since the reason I got the Easy Start was to prevent that in the first place.

[jaybauman]

I have 2 Honda eu2200i generators and I installed Easy Starts on both AC units (13.5. and 15k). I can run either AC unit on either air conditioner, or I can run both units with the parallel kit installed. I confirm it is possible.

Is your Honda generator running on gas or propane? Do you have the ECO mode turned off? What is your elevation?

And maybe most importantly...are you sure your water heater is not pulling electricity?

And most importantly of all...make sure you have turned off the circuit breaker for your converter. If your generator is charging your batteries, then the AC might struggle to kick on.

[Nelson428]

Originally Posted by Loren Colson

Hello Everyone! This is my first post in Air Forums. We recently got at 2020 Globetrotter 23FB that has a 13.5k BTU Dometic air conditioner. I was told that I could run this off of a Honda eu2200i generator if I had an Easy Start. Looking in the forums, it looks like a lot of folks are running this setup. I bought and installed an Easy Start and it worked just fine on shore power. I did the "learning" phase of 5 on-off cycles on shore power before trying out my generator. Unfortunately, when I try to run on my generator I get an "E7" error code on my Dometic thermostat and the air conditioner never kicks on. I contacted Micro-Air and they had me take pictures of my installation, walk them through my setup, etc., and they've concluded that it must be my generator is underpowered. But that seems strange, right? Other folks are using this setup with beefier air conditioners and they say it works just fine. I tried turning off EVERYTHING else at the breakers, including inverter, converter, fridge/freezer, water pump, furnace, outlets, etc. So there should literally be no power draw except my air conditioner, but still get the "E7" code. My generator is not on eco mode and displays no warning lights of being overdrawn, etc. We do have a surge protector installed that displays "open ground" when connected to the generator, so I'll be troubleshooting that next and grounding my generator with a bonding plug. Any other thoughts? I'd hate to buy a second generator since the reason I got the Easy Start was to prevent that in the first place.

Try the grounding plug and give your surge protector a few minutes to cycle before turning your AC on at the thermostat. Start with your AC off till your surge protector has made it’s cycle usually takes less than 5 min. I’d guess and say less than 3 takes mine about 2 minutes to cycle then turn your AC on at the thermostat. Good luck.

[wulfraat]

I see you are in Boise. Boise is at just under 3,000ft elevation. Remember that with combustion engines (non turbo) you lose ~3% power per 1,000 feet of elevation. So you are running more in the 2000w range max with that genset.

That being said you should still be able to run the AC if all other breakers are off on your power panel (including converter and hot water heater)

[Loren Colson]

Originally Posted by jaybauman

I have 2 Honda eu2200i generators and I installed Easy Starts on both AC units (13.5. and 15k). I can run either AC unit on either air conditioner, or I can run both units with the parallel kit installed. I confirm it is possible.

Is your Honda generator running on gas or propane? Do you have the ECO mode turned off? What is your elevation?

And maybe most importantly...are you sure your water heater is not pulling electricity?

And most importantly of all...make sure you have turned off the circuit breaker for your converter. If your generator is charging your batteries, then the AC might struggle to kick on.

Thanks for your response! It is running on gas and eco mode is turned off. I've turned off the breaker for everything else and it still doesn't start.

[Loren Colson]

Thanks! I'll try it out and let you know.

[LilPeanut]

If you have tried everything else, maybe it didn’t learn what it needed to. I had to reteach one of mine and it has been fine since. It’s first learning must have been a fail on mine so I took it off, did the reset of the microair, reinstalled and retaught it. Fine ever since.

[s1000pre]

Wait for the feedback from Micro Air, you might have a bad easy start. I have never heard of a bad one, just thinking outside the box. I have a 2021, I can start and run my 15k without EasyStart using my propane converted Genconnex EU2200i @ 890ft with lights and fantastic fan running.

[DCPAS]

Are you sure that the compressor started on the learning runs? The HVAC fan runs for 30 seconds or more before the compressor actually starts. Perhaps you might have shut it down before the compressor started?

[Buckless]

You may need to take a volt meter and check to see if your generator is putting out the correct voltage.
If voltage is low you adjust carburetor to increase motor RPM.
If voltage is high slow it down.
Just good to check.

Good Luck

[jonnie3]

You said you turned the fridge breaker off. I had the same problem using a 2500 W generator. I got the E7 error code on the thermostat. I didn’t realize that the generator was powering the refrigerator. Once I switched the fridge to LP mode I didn’t have any more problem. Not sure if that helps

[Red SandS]

Have you tried without the surge protector? If memory serves, I recall the manual with my protector stated that it is not meant for use with a generator.

[Loren Colson]

Originally Posted by LilPeanut

If you have tried everything else, maybe it didn’t learn what it needed to. I had to reteach one of mine and it has been fine since. It’s first learning must have been a fail on mine so I took it off, did the reset of the microair, reinstalled and retaught it. Fine ever since.

How do you reset it? Do you have to uninstall? Willing to do it, but seems like a pain...

[Loren Colson]

Originally Posted by Red SandS

Have you tried without the surge protector? If memory serves, I recall the manual with my protector stated that it is not meant for use with a generator.

I bought it used with the surge protector already installed. Not sure how to bypass it but I'll take a look

[Loren Colson]

Originally Posted by jonnie3

You said you turned the fridge breaker off. I had the same problem using a 2500 W generator. I got the E7 error code on the thermostat. I didn’t realize that the generator was powering the refrigerator. Once I switched the fridge to LP mode I didn’t have any more problem. Not sure if that helps

I turned the fridge completely off, but I could try switching it to propane

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Loren Colson

We do have a surge protector installed that displays "open ground" when connected to the generator, so I'll be troubleshooting that next and grounding my generator with a bonding plug.

Definitely fix this, then start trouble shooting. While this is normal, fixing all the warning codes you can should be the first step.

[link2dks]

Not sure if this is your problem or not. I have a Progressive EMS, not hard wired inside the trailer. When my Champion 4500 watt generator is plugged into the EMS then to the trailer the EMS stops any current flow if there is not a neutral- ground bonding plug plugged into a generator outlet.

You can buy one or easily make your own (search You Tube.)

Before I get any feed back I had the EMS in line only to see how many amps I was drawing from my generator.

Dave S

[SeeMore]

Originally Posted by Loren Colson

How do you reset it? Do you have to uninstall? Willing to do it, but seems like a pain...

It’s on their website (link below) - You have to open the Easy Start box/cover, change a jumper position, restart the AC once, change the jumper back to the original position, and then start the learning process all over again with 5 restarts.

The re-learn steps are required anytime you relocate the EasyStart to another AC unit.

http://www.micro-air.com/support-doc...Relearning.pdf

[GetawA-S]

Originally Posted by link2dks

Before I get any feed back I had the EMS in line only to see how many amps I was drawing from my generator.

Dave S

As long as the bonding plug is installed, I don’t see any issue with having the EMS in line. My first suggestion to Loren would be to watch the amps on starting up the A/C while on shore power. On mine, the fan pulls about 400 W and the easystart ramps the total up to about 1600 W, above all other users. The power draw is the most important data point here.

[VeloBuckeye]

For those who haven’t purchased their EasyStart yet, I recommend buying the new Bluetooth version—I believe it’s $15 more. One can reset it via the app instead of opening the unit up. The app also allows for diagnostics.