HVAC Soft Starters -> Any Good?

[ng2951]

Bear with me, because I am having trouble posting here.

I have been reading about these devices called soft starters. They are microprocessor controlled devices that ramp the current to the compressor at startup during about the first second or two. It makes sure the compressor has enough current to function but not the high peak Locked Rotor Amps the compressor demands.

The big advantage is that when running a HVAC on one of these units it controls the LRA reduces it by about 70 percent. It learns how the compressor demands its startup current during successive 5 to 10 startups on shore power. Some claim, though I have not verified, that a 13.5KBTU HVAC can easily be started and run on a soft starter with a single 2000 watt inverter in eco mode.

There are several manufacturers of these units:

[TexasChaps]

ng2951 wrote:
Bear with me, because I am having trouble posting here.

I have been reading about these devices called soft starters. They are microprocessor controlled devices that ramp the current to the compressor at startup during about the first second or two. It makes sure the compressor has enough current to function but not the high peak Locked Rotor Amps the compressor demands.

The big advantage is that when running a HVAC on one of these units it controls the LRA reduces it by about 70 percent. It learns how the compressor demands its startup current during successive 5 to 10 startups on shore power. Some claim, though I have not verified, that a 13.5KBTU HVAC can easily be started and run on a soft starter with a single 2000 watt inverter in eco mode.

There are several manufacturers of these units:

I have the Hyper engineering one on my rv, works like a champ..
it does what it says and my generator on ECO setting will start the a/c with ease.

[ng2951]

As I researched these units, it sure seemed like Micro-Aire was selling a bunch to either manufacturers or equipment vendors.

Are those kits available without voiding warranties?

[Chris_Bryant]

The Dometic Smart Start II is basically a rebranded Micro-Air unit, as I understand it. They do make a huge difference in starting- no comparison to the capacitor start kits.

[ng2951]

Here is part II
Hyper Engineering

Micro-Air's Easy Start
Emerson also makes one but I have not been able to successfully post its URL.

Some forums claim that these soft starters are part of higher end HVACs. One says Dometic uses these on some of their HVACs. Others that have used these report the units cut light dimming, startup noise, enhanced longevity.

One thing seems pretty clear that adding one of these to a HVAC in the warranty period would likely void the HVAC warranty

Comments?