Micro-Air EasyStart installation

[WhereStream]

A Micro-Air EasyStart just arrived in yesterday's mail!

Before I get started, any advice from EasyStart installation veterans? I'd like to take advantage of the AirForums base of know-how.

Also, I'm having a hard time figuring out which part of the Micro-Air instructions applies to my Dometic AC.

My Airstream is a 2017 19-footer, and the AC was replaced under warranty in 2019. It appears to be a low-profile version of the Dometic lineup.

The directions, though, are not clear.

[Farmer Dan]

I installed them on both of my Dometic ACs on my 2019 Globetrotter 27'. YouTube is a good source for DIY. It's not a difficult job. Be sure to ID the wires by color and location.

Dan

[Tyler2you]

Hi,

When I did the SoftStart installation on my GT, I contacted the company and they told me there were 3 versions of the Dometic Penguin II Heat Pump used on recent AS Trailers. A 13.5K and 15K both with a circuit board and relay in the electrical box and another model without the circuit board/relay.

I went up on the roof and pulled the cover off the AC to see which one I had and the SoftStart technician sent me an installation diagram specific to my unit. He also agreed to talk me through it on the phone if I had any issues.

Maybe the MicroAir folks can do the same for you.

[Fungus]

1. Safety first. Find a safe route on and off the roof. I placed a padded ladder against a street-side window gutter. It was the best spot to gingerly walk on the ribs even though it was far away from the action.
2. The butt-splice connectors are too small. I used WAGO connectors, then wrapped the levers with tape.
3. Place as many tools on the roof as you think you might need. Have a helper nearby to fetch other tools as necessary.
4. I lashed the big box to the frame of the AC with zip ties.

Installation was simple enough even for this moderately handy old man.

To repeat: safety first.

[Tyler2you]

The most difficult part of the install for me was getting the wires through the grommets and into the electrical box. They were packed full already. I ended up drilling another hole through the side of the box and putting in a snap-in grommet to protect the wires. Once that was done, the rest was a piece of cake.

[mojo]

And while you're up there...you may want to cover any of the open slots on the sides with chicken wire. Keeps birds and squirrels from making nests up there.

[Bill M.]

Mine is a Dometic replacement put in 2 years ago. I got up on the Micro Air website and carried the portable computer out next to the Airstream and worked through it.

[WhereStream]

Thanks. That's something I'd not thought of.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by mojo

And while you're up there...you may want to cover any of the open slots on the sides with chicken wire. Keeps birds and squirrels from making nests up there.

Ha! Not a bad idea ...

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Tyler2you

The most difficult part of the install for me was getting the wires through the grommets and into the electrical box. They were packed full already. I ended up drilling another hole through the side of the box and putting in a snap-in grommet to protect the wires. Once that was done, the rest was a piece of cake.

I went and got a snap-in grommet this morning from Ace Hardware down the street. Thanks for the heads up.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Fungus

1. Safety first. Find a safe route on and off the roof. I placed a padded ladder against a street-side window gutter. It was the best spot to gingerly walk on the ribs even though it was far away from the action.
2. The butt-splice connectors are too small. I used WAGO connectors, then wrapped the levers with tape.
3. Place as many tools on the roof as you think you might need. Have a helper nearby to fetch other tools as necessary.
4. I lashed the big box to the frame of the AC with zip ties.

Installation was simple enough even for this moderately handy old man.

To repeat: safety first.

Thanks, Fungus. I learned a good how-to-get-on-the-roof technique from one of Luv Subbin's videos (pad the arch above the door, and lean the ladder there).

I also use Wago connectors ... learned about those from a Luv Subbin video, too.

I bought some STRONG (declares the label) double-sided tape, and some sheet-metal screws, but I may go with zip-ties instead, as you did.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Farmer Dan

I installed them on both of my Dometic ACs on my 2019 Globetrotter 27'. YouTube is a good source for DIY. It's not a difficult job. Be sure to ID the wires by color and location.

Dan

I found an excellent how-to video by someone (only saw his hands!) who works for Hutch Mountain, which sells an installation kit. I don't know if the video applies to my particular Dometic, though.

Surprisingly, Micro-Air's own how-to video is OK ... not great.

I'm going up on the roof to take off the AC cover and have a look around (and maybe take some pix). Maybe I can match a video to what I see when I get up there.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Tyler2you

Hi,

When I did the SoftStart installation on my GT, I contacted the company and they told me there were 3 versions of the Dometic Penguin II Heat Pump used on recent AS Trailers. A 13.5K and 15K both with a circuit board and relay in the electrical box and another model without the circuit board/relay.

I went up on the roof and pulled the cover off the AC to see which one I had and the SoftStart technician sent me an installation diagram specific to my unit. He also agreed to talk me through it on the phone if I had any issues.

Maybe the MicroAir folks can do the same for you.

Mine is a 13.5k unit, but slightly different than the original. When it was replaced under warranty, the dealer did not give me any info or an owner's manual on the new one, so not sure exactly what I have.

I will try to determine the precise model when I do a recon on the roof. I'll likely call Micro-Air after I do. Thanks for the idea.

[Tyler2you]

One more thing I remembered I ran into when I did mine. When I pulled the lid off the electrical box, I ended up tearing some of the weather seal/insulation trying to get it free. I ended up running to Lowes and grabbing a package of Frost King AC weather seal that worked well to replace the torn sections. Hopefully you won't have an issue. Good luck!

[FredWilma]

Originally Posted by mojo

And while you're up there...you may want to cover any of the open slots on the sides with chicken wire. Keeps birds and squirrels from making nests up there.

And also while your up there tighten down the bolts that are mounted in rubber vibration housing that bolt the motor to the frame. They are notorious for working loose. That can ruin your day while traveling.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Tyler2you

One more thing I remembered I ran into when I did mine. When I pulled the lid off the electrical box, I ended up tearing some of the weather seal/insulation trying to get it free. I ended up running to Lowes and grabbing a package of Frost King AC weather seal that worked well to replace the torn sections. Hopefully you won't have an issue. Good luck!

Thanks!

I've seen two videos so far in which I noticed someone tearing the seal and wondered what to do if that happened.

Appreciate the tip on where to find a replacement.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by FredWilma

And also while your up there tighten down the bolts that are mounted in rubber vibration housing that bolt the motor to the frame. They are notorious for working loose. That can ruin your day while traveling.

On a camping trip last year, the AC started making all kinds of noise. When we got home, I got up there and found the curious bolt — no nut, uses a rubber grommet instead — had worked loose. Found it lying there.

I got a longer bolt, ran it through the grommet and attached a nut on the other side. Not to tight, but tight enough, it appears, to keep it in place.

I will give all that an eye after I do the EasyStart install.

Thanks for the reminder.

[FredWilma]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

On a camping trip last year, the AC started making all kinds of noise. When we got home, I got up there and found the curious bolt — no nut, uses a rubber grommet instead — had worked loose. Found it lying there.



I got a longer bolt, ran it through the grommet and attached a nut on the other side. Not to tight, but tight enough, it appears, to keep it in place.



I will give all that an eye after I do the EasyStart install.



Thanks for the reminder.

Great idea with longer bolt and an actual nut. I will steal! Thank you !

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by FredWilma

Great idea with longer bolt and an actual nut. I will steal! Thank you !

I used a nut with a nylon insert, so it was less likely to loosen and wander off. I did not do the nut tight, as apparently the design is for some flex to let the fan motor bounce around a bit under use.

I used the nylock-nut just to keep the bolt in place.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Tyler2you

The most difficult part of the install for me was getting the wires through the grommets and into the electrical box. They were packed full already. I ended up drilling another hole through the side of the box and putting in a snap-in grommet to protect the wires. Once that was done, the rest was a piece of cake.

Getting the wires through the grommet into the electrical box proved too much. I took out the old grommet and slipped the additional wires through.

I tried to insert a split grommet but could not get it to close and fit, so I wrapped the wires with electrical tape, then two pieces of bicycle inner tube, then a bit more electrical tape. That should do the job.

Mine unit, it turns out, already had a start capacitor (and a companion little piece of something). I removed both.

Had to be careful to sort out which wires were which. Helped greatly that I had written out step-by-step wiring instructions, printed those out and took it up on the roof.

I mounted the EasyStart and fed the wires through (and re-gooped where they entered the air box) one day, then did the actual wire connections the next. Making the connections went faster than I expected.

It works!

Doable as a DYI project, but I can see why people take advantage of installation offers at Airstream rallies.