AC Soft Start

follow up rookie question:
what good does a soft start do if not going to be used with a generator?

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reduce noise on start-up as well as provide longer compressor life.

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This is it in part because the unit is close to the bedroom.
Also, the installer suggested using window units with a generator as opposed to trying to run the AC along with items on other circuits.

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My buddy ended up with one he didn't need and I've been sitting on it. I might install it this weekend. Looks like a 15 minute

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I’d definitely make use of it if it was free. It’s better for the compressor on startup and if it’s a MicroAir it’ll allow you to keep a much better eye on your unit. You’ll get real-time data and can keep track of any faults and number of starts. Will it make a huge difference? Maybe, maybe not but if it’s free might as well use it.

LINK

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Also, the installer suggested using window units with a generator as opposed to trying to run the AC along with items on other circuits.

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That’s mainly because of the inrush of the compressor on startup, which the soft starter directly negates. Depends on sizing of equipment and such but that’s generally why electricians default to saying not to power central AC with a generator.

my compressor was hard starting and dipping the lights on the house slightly when it kicked on

i also wanted to run the AC on a generator

soft start was the solution to both

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Curious to see what the app might tell me.

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Follow the link up there and you'll see some screenshots from mine. My kitchen unit is a 2003 R22 and is still kicking with the soft starter on it. The app told me it had 5 faults (after nearly 13k starts) and it allows you to send the data to the manufacturer and they can tell you what the fault is. 3 were power outages but 2 were underspeed. Not sure what causes that but the MicroAir shuts the unit off for about 5 minutes then restarts it. It's nice to have those protective features and know I am extending the life of that old unit.

I noticed in your original post you have a 2-stage unit. The MicroAir will still work but the wiring will be slightly different than a standard single stage unit.