Hard Start vs Soft Start

Shane826 · 03-17-2017, 11:34 AM

After the windstorm we had last week that left us without power for 5 days I'm thinking about buying a generator. If I do, I want it to be able to run out TM as well to get a bit more use out of it. I keep seeing on the generator reviews that they recommend adding a "hard start device" to help the generator start the A/C. Never heard of those. I see people on here talking about a "soft start" to do the same thing, I kinda get what those do. Are these terms interchangeable, are they using "hard start" incorrectly, or is there a difference between the two? Thanks!

Padgett · 03-17-2017, 04:06 PM

No. "Hard Start" is usually just a biggr starting capacitor. OTOH "Soft start" refers to an electronic device that ramps up the load and reaches a lower peak than the compressor alone. A Hard Start cap will still pull 40A on starting while a Soft-Start will limit the surge to about 20A. 40A may stall most 2K generators while 20A is within their reach.

OTOH a Hard-Start cap is less than $10 while a Soft-Start is more like $200.

And on the gripping hand, a soft-start is liable to extend the compressor life so win-win.

Make sense now ?

ps the WH3250RVC should be here on Monday. Have a 15,100 btuh AC waiting to try it.

Shane826 · 03-17-2017, 08:52 PM

So it sounds like a hard start doesn't really do much for allowing a generator to start the A/C... What 15k A/C do you have? I'm looking to upgrade to the Atwood Air Command this spring. I'm eagerly awaiting your test on the generator.

RottieMom · 03-17-2017, 09:21 PM

Shane, check out the EasyStart device made by MicroAir. On their website they have a good video which shows what a hard start will do for you and what their device will do. I just installed the EasyStart last weekend. While I haven't tried it out with my generator yet, when I turned on the air cond using shore power I could tell how much smoother the start was. Once I get the TM back out and test with the generator I'll report back on performance.

klpauba · 03-18-2017, 05:53 AM

You may also want to consider the Gen-Pro Sure Start. It has worked well for me and is about $80 less.

Brittany Dogs · 03-18-2017, 12:17 PM

The micro-air and likely the Gen pro both needed to be "trained" with like 10 cycles with your generator. So trying it out on shore power first might skew the learning profile.

RottieMom · 03-18-2017, 01:05 PM

Brittany Dogs, that's not correct with MicroAir. With the EasyStart device they specifically tell you to start your A/C five times while on shore power for the device to learn your unit. Then, use it with a generator.

Padgett · 03-18-2017, 02:23 PM

I "trained" mine that way - five starts on shore power with five minutes between each before gen and have had no issue since.

klpauba · 03-18-2017, 02:55 PM

... as did I with the Sure Start ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padgett

I "trained" mine that way - five starts on shore power with five minutes between each before gen and have had no issue since.

Brittany Dogs · 03-19-2017, 09:21 AM

Yes, I stand corrected. I made my comment from my memory which... Probably isn't as good as it once was. Yesterday I went to the micro-air web site since someone here said they had a YouTube video now and when they mentioned the shore power training, the light went off in my head that is what I did. I purchased mine a two years ago before the video was out. The video is quite good for their first one.

But yes, shore power first, then generator.

Strangely enough though, my instructions said to train it between 10-11 times. The manufacturer probably realized little is gained after five times.

Regardless, the unit works completely as advertised and I was then able to get ways from needing to parallel two 2000's which had to run at full bore.

The only problem I have run into is if the TrailManor is completely in the sun (high solar load) and it is above say 88 or 89 degrees, if the power cord is in the sun and if the generator is also sucking hot, humid air, the whole system is out of margin and I experience a brown-out. The micro-air then shuts down the compressor and tries to restart after 6-7 minutes. Then the process repeats where I brown out after the compressor is on for like 3-4 minutes.

Once I replaced the Honda 2000 with the 3000, on the exact same conditions at the same campsite, the problem immediately went away. So that tells me the problem is with the Honda 2000 where it was running at max and I was out of margin.