MicroAir Easy start failure

[GMFL]

UPDATE!
I spoke with Kevin from MicroAir this morning (what a super nice guy!). He said phone were down yesterday.
He asked a few questions about my power situation at the time of my problem. Outside temp and elevation were also of key interest. He seems to think that I have a bad start CAP and that would be a super easy fix.
Anyway. Just thought I would give an update as to the Great device I received this morning and progress toward getting my MicroAir back into service.

[5150mike]

Originally Posted by GMFL

UPDATE!
I spoke with Kevin from MicroAir this morning (what a super nice guy!). He said phone were down yesterday.
He asked a few questions about my power situation at the time of my problem. Outside temp and elevation were also of key interest. He seems to think that I have a bad start CAP and that would be a super easy fix.
Anyway. Just thought I would give an update as to the Great device I received this morning and progress toward getting my MicroAir back into service.

Thank you for the post, this is a pita for you but really helpful, I know when I install mine I am NOW going to leave the old parts in place and use spade connectors, for easy
reversal if needed. Mike

[PecanMan5]

Mine Slow Start quit in less than a year. I had a HVAC pro (not an RV guy) check it out. My Dual Start/run capacitor was totally dead. Replaced it and it again works great. He says low voltage kills these capacitors.

Also, the dual use capacitors used in the penguins are hard to find. We replaced with separate ones, just tie wrapped them together. Real estate is tight.

[GMFL]

Kevin just emailed me back after sending him photos and advices me to send the Easy Start in for repair. I will send it out on Monday.

[djbar]

I did same as GMFL. Just disconnected stock start cap and PTC and left them in place just in case I needed to remove/repair the EasyStart sometime down the pike.

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by djbar

I did same as GMFL. Just disconnected stock start cap and PTC and left them in place just in case I needed to remove/repair the EasyStart sometime down the pike.

Man. I removed the parts both times I've installed one. DOH!. What a smart idea to leave in place like you both did. I'm going to put mine BACK in! And change the install to blade connectors like Ronnie did...making it easy to take the Micro Air out of surface. Score one yet again for this forum.

[kpm]

Originally Posted by pcskier

Man. I removed the parts both times I've installed one. DOH!. What a smart idea to leave in place like you both did. I'm going to put mine BACK in! And change the install to blade connectors like Ronnie did...making it easy to take the Micro Air out of surface. Score one yet again for this forum.

It makes a warranty repair much easier too

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by GMFL

but I’m not that smart.

I’ve gotten into trouble more than once, thinking I was.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by pcskier

Man. I removed the parts both times I've installed one. DOH!. What a smart idea to leave in place like you both did. I'm going to put mine BACK in! And change the install to blade connectors like Ronnie did...making it easy to take the Micro Air out of surface. Score one yet again for this forum.

Well, I wish I could do that, but I threw away the PTC (or whatever). I wonder where I might get a new one just to have in reserve?

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by RFP

Well, I wish I could do that, but I threw away the PTC (or whatever). I wonder where I might get a new one just to have in reserve?

Rob, I'll see if I kept the parts from both my installs...or just my last one. If I have both sets, I'll be happy to send you one. Let me dig around in the garage. Otherwise, I'm sure Ronnie can chime in and tell you exactly what's needed.
Peter

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by pcskier

Rob, I'll see if I kept the parts from both my installs...or just my last one. If I have both sets, I'll be happy to send you one. Let me dig around in the garage. Otherwise, I'm sure Ronnie can chime in and tell you exactly what's needed.
Peter

Well Dang. I only have one baggie of parts. On my last install, I must have tossed the parts since I already had a backup set from my earlier trailer.
Anyway, here's is what remained...A start capacitor, and the smaller part...no idea what it is.
Here are pics to show the specs/part numbers. Pretty cheap to acquire I imagine. I think having available is a good idea...as Easy Starts just became popular last couple years, surely we'll start to see failures, that's just life. Being without AC could be a real tripwrecker at times. If Ronnie didn't have the parts left on his, he would have had an unhappy family. I don't think you can just run to Home Depot for this stuff.

Ronnie, for your next assignment, come up with an Easy Start "Bypass Switch" for when we aren't on a generator or 20 amp home service and just want to use the AC without the Easy Start! Run the wiring and switch/switches down through the interior cover so we can just choose from inside!

[GMFL]

Shipping the unit off to MicroAir today.

[GMFL]

Talked with Roger today as he was looking at my Easy Start 364 I sent in for repair. Turns out.............
THE EASY START DID NOT FAIL!!!!

Error code in the Easy Start system showed power failure problem.
The way Roger explained it to me was....
Hello Ronnie,

Do you have a solar powered inverter system on board or a surge suppressor? Yes I’m running a Progressive Industries hardwired 30 amp

I am going to clear the memory and send the unit back to you for reinstallation. You will need to re-learn the compressor as though it is new when you install it. If the learning process goes well, run the compressor on AC mains power for ½ hour or so and let me know if there is any problems.

There was several power interruption faults that were the cause of the last several failed start attempts. The surge suppressor can cause such a problem even if it normally works without EasyStart since EasyStart is much more sensitive. It is also possible that re-learning can fix the problem since it updates several learned parameters is uses to make measurements.
Best regards,
Roger

Even though I never had a voltage drop at the panel per my Fluke meter or an error code on the AC thermostat or an error code the Progressive Industries surge suppressor wired remote, the Easy Start caught/ sensed a problem in the system and shut down.

[GMFL]

That’s what Roger said anyway... and he’s got my beat on the soft starter knowledge.

[lsbrodsky]

I think this raises a good point covered in other threads recently. I do not use my EMS when connected to the generator because I initially had problems due to no neutral grounding plug. Then I just stopped using the EMS for that and my little Honda, with the Easy Start, runs the A/C just fine.
But, if I am on campground AC with my EMS in service, they are telling you that the power supply could have issues that the EMS is not faulting and you are not seeing an EMS error code. It is way too hard to get up on the roof, take things apart and look at the Easy Start error codes. I wonder what the solution is?
Larry

[pcskier]

Good to know. Hmmm. I don't get it. He is saying there were 'power interruptions,' but your EMS didn't throw any code stating that? So while not a 'failure' technically, the Easy Start sensed a power condition that the AC unit itself, and your EMS, did not deem to be critical, which suggests to me it was not a 'critical' condition...but the Easy Start shut down. Maybe the Easy Start is a little 'too sensitive' from a realistic standpoint?

I only have the info that you have from the email, so my question back would be...was the Easy Start on a 'permanent lockout' or would it have worked again had the power condition cured itself? Or would you have had to reset it (you can do that by moving a jumper and restarting, then moving the jumper back and re-learning)?
Hopefully it won't happen again, but if it does, what do they suggest you do?

[57Vintage]

I would be curious to see what MicroAir defines as power failure. Is it an interruption of power, low voltage? How long does the interruption/low voltage have to last to cause the system to shut down?

If the surge protector shows no errors I would wonder if startup of another system in the trailer caused their unit to determined inadequate power for your AC.

Just speculating

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by pcskier

Good to know. Hmmm. I don't get it. He is saying there were 'power interruptions,' but your EMS didn't throw any code stating that? So while not a 'failure' technically, the Easy Start sensed a power condition that the AC unit itself, and your EMS, did not deem to be critical, which suggests to me it was not a 'critical' condition...but the Easy Start shut down. Maybe the Easy Start is a little 'too sensitive' from a realistic standpoint?

I only have the info that you have from the email, so my question back would be...was the Easy Start on a 'permanent lockout' or would it have worked again had the power condition cured itself? Or would you have had to reset it (you can do that by moving a jumper and restarting, then moving the jumper back and re-learning)?
Hopefully it won't happen again, but if it does, what do they suggest you do?

Peter,
Because my unit was brand new when I first installed the Micro-Air EasySTART....“My” hope is that there has been some slight change in the electrical conditions of the AC unit over a period of time (maybe Break-in?). If so...... maybe that change would cause the EasySTART’s initial 5 start Learn Process of my unitto not be correct??? I’m not sure....
Roger has instructed me to reinstall the EasySTARTon my unit and see if problem occurs again which tells me either (A) the EasySTART is sensing a true electrical problem that would be post EMS and pre EasySTART or (B) The EasySTART has a problem that Roger was not able to replicate at his shop.
Either way the codes have been cleared and hopefully the Relearn process solves the issue. If not the PLAN is to send the unit back for evaluation again.....

Side note: Because of this problem I deemed it now nessesary to purchase a new Extend And Climb ladder to travel with. I purchased the 12.5’ 300lbs rated Pro series with carry bag to leave in the back of the truck.
Is carrying a ladder with us when we travel “OVERKILL”..........
Only if you don’t need it.

[kpm]

Did you get your Easy Start reinstalled? If so, how did it behave?

[GMFL]

I have not got it back yet.... we were out camping all last week and I expected it to be here when we arrived home yesterday, but it was not. I’ll send them an email this morning and see if they have shipped it out.

P.S. my AC worked flawlessly all last week 90+ degree heat without the EasySTART.