- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
A/C Question...soft start
Posted on 7/25/23 at 10:00 am
Posted on 7/25/23 at 10:00 am
Are these things worth it? I have 2 units and the one on my bedrooom side of the house starts very abruptly. So much so that it will wake me up occasionally. I am wondering if adding a soft start is worth the money? Thanks.
4
Posted on 7/25/23 at 10:09 am to TDTOM
If your lights in the house dim and you hear that big thump, then yes a soft start will ease that initial power draw. Can cut down that initial amp draw by 50-70%.
People use them all the time for allowing Central AC's to run off smaller sized generators.
People say soft starts will reduce wear and tear on the compressor, but some also say it may void warranty etc.
IMO they are good if you need them for specific purposes like a generator or want to quiet down the intial startup.
MicroAir is one brand, about $350 and has a bluetooth app where you can monitor. There are others about $150 without the extra bells and whistles. Very easy to install.
People use them all the time for allowing Central AC's to run off smaller sized generators.
People say soft starts will reduce wear and tear on the compressor, but some also say it may void warranty etc.
IMO they are good if you need them for specific purposes like a generator or want to quiet down the intial startup.
MicroAir is one brand, about $350 and has a bluetooth app where you can monitor. There are others about $150 without the extra bells and whistles. Very easy to install.
Posted on 7/25/23 at 10:12 am to Taffeta
quote:
If your lights in the house dim and you hear that big thump
There is a thump, but no dimming of lights. Maybe I should wait until my units are out warranty.
Posted on 7/25/23 at 10:20 am to TDTOM
Any idea how long your copper lines are ?
What ton is that unit ?
What is the outside diameter of the big copper line ? Use a crescent wrench like a caliper, then measure jaw spread.
What brand is the outside unit ?
What ton is that unit ?
What is the outside diameter of the big copper line ? Use a crescent wrench like a caliper, then measure jaw spread.
What brand is the outside unit ?
This post was edited on 7/25/23 at 10:27 am
Posted on 7/25/23 at 10:35 am to TDTOM
I want to put soft starters on my AC units, they are older Trane units and will need to be replaced in the near future but I think the LRA on the larger unit is 93. I don't think a soft starter would void a warranty unless they could prove the soft starter was the cause of failure, plus they are easily removed. Think one issue is that modern condensers are loaded with electrical circuits and micro-controllers now and it might be harder to install a soft starter without causing an errant code to trigger.
Posted on 7/25/23 at 11:09 am to TDTOM
There are two main brands. One is half of the other. The cheaper one doesn't give you bluetooth access but still has a diagnostic feather. IMC180 is the cheaper/better of the tow. I think it's $180.
Posted on 7/26/23 at 9:21 am to TDTOM
quote:
There is a thump, but no dimming of lights…
Following this thread because Mine does the same thing.
Posted on 7/26/23 at 9:23 am to Contender54
Being in a boat that is leaking water, you may be looking for a bigger bail bucket instead of plugging the hole.
Posted on 7/26/23 at 9:57 am to EF Hutton
It does seem like they are a good way to extend the life of a unit.
Posted on 7/26/23 at 11:58 am to TDTOM
Here’s my write up on Micro Air soft starters. Worth every penny - reduced LRA by about 70% and no sign of the compressor turning on from inside the house.
LINK /
The thump you’re hearing is a combination of the coil closing and the inrush hitting the compressor. The soft starter will make your unit significantly quieter on startup and for a coworker of mine it made all his units quieter when running as well.
LINK /
The thump you’re hearing is a combination of the coil closing and the inrush hitting the compressor. The soft starter will make your unit significantly quieter on startup and for a coworker of mine it made all his units quieter when running as well.
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News