Who has an A/C soft start?

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does the reduced inrush of amps actually prolong the life by reduced wear and tear on the A/C compressor?

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It should. Soft starts are commonly used on large industrial motors to save wear and tear on the driven equipment.

Would this device be helpful on a variable speed unit? My compressor has been out since last week and hopefully the replacement is being installed today. I am considering buying whole new unit and would have put in a new variable sipped unit but my contractor told me they were back ordered for a couple months and obviously can’t wait that long. I saw the prior thread on this and asked about installing it on this current unit to try and get more time out of existing unit. He suggested that if I was going to swap to a variable speed soon, it would be waste because the variable speed unit wouldn’t benefit from this device. Is that accurate? Thanks for any input.

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Anyone ran one for a while? Work as advertised?
Installed yourself?

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My friend installed one himself about a year ago and claims that it works as advertised.

Here is a thread that bapple started that will be of assistance to you LINK. If I recall correctly he is an electrical engineer, has installed on his HVACs and provided great detail on their performance. I know several posters on H&G have DYI installed them and are happy with them.

I plan to install one after I change out my HVAC later this year as my intent is not to install an inverter driven HVAC system.

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ere is a thread that bapple started that will be of assistance to you LINK.

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PERFECT! thanks

I installed 3 almost a year ago. Zero noticeable difference in performance since then. Worst case scenario, they have no effect on your equipment; best case, they extend their life. Very impressed. Reduced startup current by ~70%. Results below. All units are relatively new (installed 2nd half 2018), dual stage. The 3 and 4 ton are 17 SEER, and the 3.5 ton is 14 SEER. All measurements via clamp meter with max function and are only the compressor.

4 Ton
LRA: 104 amps
Measured startup pre-soft start: 83 amps
measured startup post-soft start: 24 amps
Running amps (max): 12 amps

3 Ton
LRA: 83 amps
Measured startup pre-soft start: 65 amps
measured startup post-soft start: 17 amps
Running amps (max): 10.5 amps

3.5 Ton
LRA: 109 amps
Measured startup pre-soft start: [Can't find]
measured startup post-soft start: 20 amps
Running amps (max): 12 amps

ETA: I bought them on Black Friday - micro air had a good sale. I think it was something like 20% off.

ETA 2: I self installed, and it was easy if you are comfortable with electric work. First one took probably 20 minutes and the next two took maybe 10.

I installed a "Hard Start Kit" on both of my units to help my Whole House Generator on A/C start ups. I worked around Generators all my life and always referred to them as soft starts. they conversation between me and the A/C guys was very confusing. I kept calling it SS and he kept calling it HS. I see your link calls it a Soft Start

My Klein multimeter was measuring over 130 LRA when my 5 ton unit kicked on. Installed the Microair, and (after the 5 learning starts) it dropped to low 30's. I was amazed. My 10kw Champion trifuel generator is 8750 starting watts on my natural gas supply. It will start and run my 5 ton unit. Granted, I will have to be mindful of the other loads in the house when using the a/c, but for just over $2500 all-in (generator, soft start, interlock kit, 50amp plug and wiring) I am powering my whole house.

i have an electrician coming out this week to install a 'whole house' surge protector on the outside meter.

damn i wish i had seen this before now. maybe i can get him to do both.

If you can do just basic electrical work, you can install it yourself. I ended up sending the Micro Air tech guys the schematic and wiring pic of my unit. They replied with a marked up photo showing exactly what to connect/disconnect. Support was outstanding. I’m pleased with mine.