RSD559 wrote:
Not trying to argue here, but what is the difference between an Easy Start kit and a hard start kit? Is there something more to the Easy Start? I've seen posts where people are running their 13,600 A/C with a 2000 watt generator. My Honda EU3000is wouldn't start my 13,600 without the hard start capacitors on the A/C. So they must be doing something!
If you have an RV a/c unit which your solo EU2000i is unable to reliably start (under all conditions) because of a LRA greater than ~50 amps then you have have 4 options (least to most expensive):
1) Purchase/install a generic, inexpensive hard start kit for $10-$30. An effective option . . . if your a/c unit does not have one already installed. Many units have OEM hard start kits already installed at the factory. These kits can potentially reduce the LRA approx. ~10 percent---enough to improve starting characteristics in some situations. If your a/c unit already has one installed and/or your unit still won't start reliably after installing one, then on to option #2.
2) Purchase/install the more advanced, micro-processor controlled, Micro Air Easy Start kit for $300 - $350. This kit comes highly touted by some here. If the MAES kit does reduce the LRA 65-75 percent as advertised, then it is, indeed, a miracle device :)
3) Replace your current RV a/c unit with a unit that has a lower LRA (<=50a) for approx. $550 (on sale) - $800.
4) Purchase another EU2000i to parallel with your existing EU2000i for $900-$1000. Note: paralleling two EU2000i only increases the total inrush current capability (necessary to satisfy the a/c unit's LRA) approx. 10 percent (vs. one EU2000i). On a/c units with LRA's as high as 60 - 65 amps, you may need to run both EU2000i's with the Eco mode off to reliably start. On RV a/c units with extremely high LRA's (65 - 70 amps) a paralleled pair of EU2000i's may have trouble reliably starting these units even with the Eco mode off.
For those who have not yet purchased a second EU2000i or a RV a/c unit, highly suggest the purchase of an RV a/c unit with a LRA of 50 amps or lower in order to forego the expense of hard/soft start kits and/or a second EU2000i generator.
