Installed a Micro-Air Soft Start today
So there's a backstory first --- When I bought my 1160, I got it 6mos old used. Original owner bought it stripped - no AC, no gen, not even any TVs. I got a helluva deal on it, and first thing I d...
Forum Discussion
Start the air with an inverter and then switch over? I don't think any transfer switch will operate that seamlessly while under load. Maybe I am wrong. Never tried it.
Any inverter being used to energize the air conditioning circuit would have to be integrated into the factory transfer switch or have a transfer switch of its own. I haven't seen any $300 inverters with built in transfer switches that are rated high enough. Most of the large cheap Chinese inverters when tested don't come close to handling their claimed surge ratings.
Inverter or generator it needs to be able to overcome the high inrush amperage. Also with an inverter you need a big enough battery bank and cabling that pulling down that high load won't kill line voltage sending the inverter into trouble and shutting it off.
Initial starting of the air conditioners compressor isn't the entire story. Unless your air is running flat out 100% duty cycle the compressor cycles off and on. Each time the power source is required to overcome the inrush amperage of stating the compressor again. A warm system may start easier initially but as heat rises in the unit and wiring so does the resistance. A hot compressor and wiring may be harder to start than a cold one.
A better start cap may be a good way to go if you are close. They are cheap and easy to install. If that doesn't do it for you the easy start could be a great way to go.
Any inverter being used to energize the air conditioning circuit would have to be integrated into the factory transfer switch or have a transfer switch of its own. I haven't seen any $300 inverters with built in transfer switches that are rated high enough. Most of the large cheap Chinese inverters when tested don't come close to handling their claimed surge ratings.
Inverter or generator it needs to be able to overcome the high inrush amperage. Also with an inverter you need a big enough battery bank and cabling that pulling down that high load won't kill line voltage sending the inverter into trouble and shutting it off.
Initial starting of the air conditioners compressor isn't the entire story. Unless your air is running flat out 100% duty cycle the compressor cycles off and on. Each time the power source is required to overcome the inrush amperage of stating the compressor again. A warm system may start easier initially but as heat rises in the unit and wiring so does the resistance. A hot compressor and wiring may be harder to start than a cold one.
A better start cap may be a good way to go if you are close. They are cheap and easy to install. If that doesn't do it for you the easy start could be a great way to go.
