Another pointer about the EMP Shield, it has to be installed on a 20amp double pole breaker. It can be shared with one or two branch circuits, but it has to be a 20amp double pole breaker.
Doc. We put a new HVAC system in. The installers said not to put a soft start on because the Compressor has stages. It always starts on the lowest stage.
Last April I installed a Micro Air Soft Start on my 4 ton AC unit and dropped starting amps from 86 to 32. The Soft Start unit also acts as a surge protector for the AC unit compressor. I have a whole house surge protector on my meter too. I would also advise to buy a couple spare capacitors for your AC unit. That is the most likely failure to happen and you can replace it yourself in minutes. On line they are only $17 - $50. Easy install and save a ton over calling and HVAC company for service.
I put the Micro-Air on my 3 ton AC unit 4 years ago and never a problem. My inverters can start up the AC unit now too! Great Investment especially if you use Solar
The capacitor on an HVAC system helps start the system, not by delivering a sudden jolt of power, but by absorbing it. If the capacitor was not there, the two phase power on both sides of the electric motor would cancel each other out and the motor would not spin. But with a capacitor on one leg, that one leg creates a magnetic field that is a little weaker on that one side of the motor during the time it takes to fill up the capacitor. If you neighbor keeps popping caps, the motor is over drawing current and it sound like its time for him to replace the compressor or get a new unit. He will probably see a big reduction in his power bill after that gets fixed.
You are close but a little off. The current isn't weaker per se but lagging behind due to the phase shift caused by the cap. ELI THE ICE MAN. The cap caused current to lag voltage by 90 degrees in one leg, and current and voltage will be in unity on the other leg. This difference causes a rotating magnetic field in the field windings of an induction motor which in turn creates a field in the squirrel cage rotor which then latches onto the field of the stator with a smaller difference called slip. The greater the slip the greater the torque produced. No cap required in a 3 phase induction motor, only in a single phase induction motor.
The main benefits of the soft are for alternative power sources, IE batteries and generators, and for utilities that charge a peak demand charge. Your kw usage will be about the same since the starting current is for such a brief time it doesn't really change your usage.
Doc, I am very green when it comes to knowing anything about this electrical stuff so this is probably gonna be a very stupid question and I apologize ahead of time. This soft start system that you put on the outside of the AC unit. Does it also work for the furnace? I usually lose power in the winter time and just need my furnace to kick on. Does the soft start work for that or do I need to buy a separate soft start for just a furnace?
I had a new 2 ton A/C system installed years ago. Nice to be inside dining with family on a hot day for a change. But, there was an annoying dimming or flicker of our lighting when the compressor kicked on. So I installed the "Flex" unit recently. Wonderful! No dimming! No "Bang" on compressor startup. The compressor noise during "Run" is quieter, too. I don't have first hand experience of what a hard start would do in regards to the above results I got from the soft starter.
Another pointer about the EMP Shield, it has to be installed on a 20amp double pole breaker. It can be shared with one or two branch circuits, but it has to be a 20amp double pole breaker.
Doc. We put a new HVAC system in. The installers said not to put a soft start on because the Compressor has stages. It always starts on the lowest stage.
I would call email microair and ask.
Last April I installed a Micro Air Soft Start on my 4 ton AC unit and dropped starting amps from 86 to 32. The Soft Start unit also acts as a surge protector for the AC unit compressor. I have a whole house surge protector on my meter too. I would also advise to buy a couple spare capacitors for your AC unit. That is the most likely failure to happen and you can replace it yourself in minutes. On line they are only $17 - $50. Easy install and save a ton over calling and HVAC company for service.
I put the Micro-Air on my 3 ton AC unit 4 years ago and never a problem. My inverters can start up the AC unit now too! Great Investment especially if you use Solar
That's great to hear - it really does make a difference!
Very good info. My mind has been changed on EMP protection.
My solar setup is too expensive to leave unprotected
The capacitor on an HVAC system helps start the system, not by delivering a sudden jolt of power, but by absorbing it. If the capacitor was not there, the two phase power on both sides of the electric motor would cancel each other out and the motor would not spin. But with a capacitor on one leg, that one leg creates a magnetic field that is a little weaker on that one side of the motor during the time it takes to fill up the capacitor.
If you neighbor keeps popping caps, the motor is over drawing current and it sound like its time for him to replace the compressor or get a new unit. He will probably see a big reduction in his power bill after that gets fixed.
You are close but a little off. The current isn't weaker per se but lagging behind due to the phase shift caused by the cap. ELI THE ICE MAN. The cap caused current to lag voltage by 90 degrees in one leg, and current and voltage will be in unity on the other leg. This difference causes a rotating magnetic field in the field windings of an induction motor which in turn creates a field in the squirrel cage rotor which then latches onto the field of the stator with a smaller difference called slip. The greater the slip the greater the torque produced. No cap required in a 3 phase induction motor, only in a single phase induction motor.
Great information Doc thanks
The main benefits of the soft are for alternative power sources, IE batteries and generators, and for utilities that charge a peak demand charge. Your kw usage will be about the same since the starting current is for such a brief time it doesn't really change your usage.
Have a Emp shield on house truck and generator love your videos doc
Glad they help
Good info. I just decided to get a soft start for my unit. Thank.
Welcome...
My installer said I don’t need one because I have variable speed that starts up slow
Cool item. Trane XR series already does this too.
Thanks Doc
Doc, I am very green when it comes to knowing anything about this electrical stuff so this is probably gonna be a very stupid question and I apologize ahead of time.
This soft start system that you put on the outside of the AC unit. Does it also work for the furnace?
I usually lose power in the winter time and just need my furnace to kick on. Does the soft start work for that or do I need to buy a separate soft start for just a furnace?
It really is ONLY for heat pumps.
Doc when the balloon goes up how would you get your broadcast out?
Is this soft start for heat pump only? I don’t think my compressor runs on my gas furnace when heat is on.
Which is better the hard start or soft Start? I was looking to have a hard start installed.
Soft start if you want to use a generator to run your HVAC, but it’s much more expensive.
Thanks. I don't have a generator. It's the hard start for me.
I had a new 2 ton A/C system installed years ago. Nice to be inside dining with family on a hot day for a change. But, there was an annoying dimming or flicker of our lighting when the compressor kicked on. So I installed the "Flex" unit recently. Wonderful! No dimming! No "Bang" on compressor startup. The compressor noise during "Run" is quieter, too. I don't have first hand experience of what a hard start would do in regards to the above results I got from the soft starter.
Is the soft start protected from surges?
Anything actively tied into you power LOOP / system.
Jumpin jigawatts that was informative 😂
Thanks