SoundGuy wrote:
high5 wrote:
Has anyone installed a 521 compressor saver on an AC unit? I know hard start 'boosters' are popular but, I haven't seen anything about the 5-2-1 compressor saver. They are usually installed on residential units but they do make a kit for 1 to 3 tons (12,000 - 36,000 btu). It looks like a good low cost alternative to the $300 Micro-air EasyStart unit. They both substantially reduce compressor start current.
The 5-2-1 Compressor Saver is clearly a hard start kit as is a Supco SPP6 but the Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit is not. Testimonials from those here on rv.net who have installed the Easy Start on their roof top A/C unit indicate this does solve the problem of successfully and repeatedly being able to start & run a 13,500 BTU A/C using a 2K genset such as the Honda EU2000i. If that's your intention the Easy Start is the solution I'd be looking at.
That is my intention and I've seen the EasyStart testing. It clearly is the superior unit but with a cost/benefit issue. In the tests I saw, using equipment capable of capturing very quick peak inrush current measurements, the 521 3-wire reduced peak current by almost 50%. That reduction plus the addition of a delay relay for the fan, brings the starting current well within the capability of a 2000W inv-gen. The total for a 521 3-wire/fan delay mod is ~$50. The EasyStart reduced inrush by 70%+ but the $320+ cost may not be required to achieve the desired result. If the EasyStart was more affordable, I'd buy it in a heart beat - it's a remarkable piece of engineering.