Inverter Will Not Start A/C Compressor w/Micro Air Installed
Just an FYI for anyone having problems starting the compressor on their Micro Air Easy Start equipped a/c unit with their inverter. It may not always be a current/voltage issue.
Even though our Xantrex Prowatt SW2000 inverter met all the continuous/inrush/LRA current and voltage needs of our 11k BTU Dometic Penguin II with the Micro Air Easy Start installed, it would not start the compressor. The Xantrex is rated at 1800w/15a continuous, 3000w/25a surge. The 11k BTU Dometic Penguin II requires 9-11a continuous. Inrush/LRA is only 14.6a with the Micro Air installed. No voltage drop issues: 12.6v at inverter input under 120a load. Our battery bank consists of a 200ah Lifepo4 battery pack with a 200a BMS.
Talked to Micro Air. Their engineer said the Xantrex may be distorting the waveform under load causing the Micro Air to fault just when it attempts to start the compressor. Wasn't able to confirm this with a scope, but it seems like a reasonable assumption. The Micro Air operates just fine on shore and generator power.
We replaced the Xantrex with an Aims 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter. The Aims powers our a/c compressor flawlessly. Performed repeated compressor start/stops. Also, ran the compressor continuously (via battery) for 30-60 min. at a time. Zero issues.
Even though our Xantrex Prowatt SW2000 inverter met all the continuous/inrush/LRA current and voltage needs of our 11k BTU Dometic Penguin II with the Micro Air Easy Start installed, it would not start the compressor. The Xantrex is rated at 1800w/15a continuous, 3000w/25a surge. The 11k BTU Dometic Penguin II requires 9-11a continuous. Inrush/LRA is only 14.6a with the Micro Air installed. No voltage drop issues: 12.6v at inverter input under 120a load. Our battery bank consists of a 200ah Lifepo4 battery pack with a 200a BMS.
Talked to Micro Air. Their engineer said the Xantrex may be distorting the waveform under load causing the Micro Air to fault just when it attempts to start the compressor. Wasn't able to confirm this with a scope, but it seems like a reasonable assumption. The Micro Air operates just fine on shore and generator power.
We replaced the Xantrex with an Aims 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter. The Aims powers our a/c compressor flawlessly. Performed repeated compressor start/stops. Also, ran the compressor continuously (via battery) for 30-60 min. at a time. Zero issues.
