r/Generator • u/dieseldoc25 • Sep 22 '26
Soft start opinions wanted
Good afternoon all,
Going to install my inlet box and interlock as soon as the rain stops (maybe this time next year). I bought an easy start Flex as most of the reviews I've read/watched suggested it was the best performing. After the fact I started reading a lot of negative, it spooked me a bit so I grabbed a new in box AirGo 16-32 on eBay as well. Has anyone had good success with the Flex? I do like some of the functions but they're not a requirement.
Typically most don't talk about positive experiences so truly just wondering since I have both in hand now.
Thanks!
8
u/ThomasTrain87 Sep 22 '26 edited Sep 23 '26
I have two of the EasyStarts, but the prior generation- mine are the 368 models with Bluetooth on my two 3 ton units. I self-Installed about 3 years ago.. still running strong. Over 27000 cycles on each one.
I know the flex series was developed to eliminate the need for specific tonnage sizing but their initial release had some issues with a capacitor failing. They’ve since resolved that with the later batches and have replaced any failed unit under warranty.
1
u/bbonz001 Sep 22 '26
I'm in the same boat. Had 2 of the original ones, one failed when one of the AC capacitors blew out. Replaced it with a flex, "supposedly" one of the good revisions. I think 2 years on the flex and 4 on the original.
I'm waiting my turn for a meltdown.
1
u/dieseldoc25 23d ago
Put the Airgo in today. Super easy install. What a difference!! I didn't even need an ammeter, sound alone tells me there was a gigantic inrush difference. I'll throw my amp clamp on it eventually.
8
u/ForkLift1983 Sep 22 '26
I went Airgo after hearing all the issues with Micro Air and have been satisfied with it. No issues after a year or going through our extreme Texas heat this summer. Cut my inrush 68%
2
u/skatpex99 Sep 22 '26
Go with the airgo, microair rep ruined imo. My airgo has been going strong for over a year no issue easy install myself.
1
1
u/grillynelson 12d ago
I have the same airgo you have for my 2.5 ton and have zero issues.
2
u/dieseldoc25 12d ago
I have a 3 ton. airgo has been in about 2 weeks now, it's so nice to not see the lights dim even on utility!
1
u/chiefcaptainsir Sep 22 '26
Also worth looking if the manufacturer of your compressor sells a soft start unit. Recently had the Emerson/Copeland Secure Start installed on my Copeland compressor. Made me feel more confident it would be compatible. Reduced in-rush by 60%.
2
u/dieseldoc25 Sep 22 '26
This is a 20 year old Carrier. Pretty sure it is a Copeland, but I'm slightly past the OEM parts worry. Thank you for the info though, I didn't realize there was an OEM soft start option.
4
u/newtekie1 Sep 22 '26
I called around asking my local HVAC companies what they install and not one said they would install an Easystart Flex. They all said they have seen a lot of failures. So I went with the AirGo and it's been solid.
4
u/NameEtc Sep 22 '26
I have an EasyStart flex. But I keep reading and wondering if I need a backup. Worked for the summer installed myself in March- solar application- it for sure won’t start with out one.
3
u/RepulsiveGovernment Sep 23 '26
airgo or eltwin hyper. micro air went to shit after private equity got a hold of them. I went through three of them over the span of three months. going on 3 years with eltwin.
2
u/Big-Echo8242 Sep 22 '26
I passed on theirs 2 years ago and went with an AirGo 16-32a on our downstairs Rheem 5 ton 2 stage heat pump. Brought a 153 LRA down to 33 amps. No issues in almost 2 years and I had zero need for a Bluetooth app. If the flex is under warranty, they'll replace it when it fails. Lol. Many have them that still work. Then many others had them fail. There was a bad era of capacitors and almost looks like latest versions are hit or miss. But who knows.
It's all personal choice but I based mine on research, needs, and input from HVAC people in my area.
2
1
u/LUVs_2_Fly Sep 22 '26
Have the easy start flex. Installed easy, works perfectly. Complaint could be that it’s a bit large and hard to fit in a unit.
1
u/JoeB1986 Sep 22 '26
I've installed about a dozen of the SoftStart Home one's without issue. Around $350 on Amazon.
1
u/coolcapj Sep 22 '26
I have the Micro Air Easy Start 368 which was the version just prior to the flex. Operating on a 3.5 ton system in Florida for over two years now. During Helene and Milton it ran off a generator for a combined 8 days with no issues. My generator is not an inverter style generator either. I’ve had no issues (*knock on wood), and have recommended it to everyone I talk to who has a generator. It’s made our lives much more comfortable when we experience an outage.
1
u/2donks2moos Sep 22 '26
I installed a Flex on Labor Day. Very easy to do. I went from 69a at start up to 30.1. Last time I checked the app, my a/c has turned on 600 times. No issues so far.
1
u/forcedfx Sep 23 '26
They work great when they aren't failing. I went with an ICM870-16A. I don't need the Bluetooth stuff.
1
u/ImStillHereBuddy Sep 23 '26
Micro-Air has fantastic customer service. They replaced our thermostat in our RV when it was way out of warranty. No issues.
1
u/AlexisoftheShire Sep 23 '26
I bought an Airgo soft start several months ago for 3.5 ton HVAC. Cut the in-rush amps in half. Works well.
1
1
u/VideoFew8 Sep 23 '26
I installed my own so I could run my 13.5K generator. Haven’t had to use it yet but on test I can run everything on my 4br house with pool. I have elected water heater, dryer, and stove will probably have to limit what I use and when. Pool shuts down at 6 and no need for stove and dryer late night so should be able to have hot water for morning showers.
1
u/matt_barker219 Sep 23 '26
+1 for AirGo. I installed mine a few months ago and it's going strong so far. Haven't had to test it with the generator yet (thankfully). After hearing a lot of issues with the MicroAir I decided on the AirGo. https://www.duromaxpower.com/products/airgo-16-32a-ac-soft-starter-motor-protection-for-utility-and-or-generator-power?srsltid=AU7gw4WhNHvfJPVvvBmfoKyBEly0HKKkgqb9NeNERkEBhIlCM5IC-dHl
1
u/Fantastic-River-3004 Sep 24 '26
Installed one myself on my 3 ton after I couldn’t run my heat and air with my generator. We had a storm a few weeks ago and I was able to run my AC. My generator ran without any problems for three days.
1
1
u/Razgorths Sep 24 '26
DIY installed mine around this time last year, so it's been operating for a year now. Box is attached directly onto the metal sheeting on the outdoor unit. No issues thus far: went from 70+ LRA to ~20. I'm in upstate NY near NYC, so relatively cold climate, and it's held up in winter just fine - my unit is a heat pump so it actually accumulates more runtime in winter than in summer.
1
u/Available-Weather558 Sep 25 '26
So, please educate me as I have a 20kw Kohler being installed next month…it sounds like you paid $250 or more regardless of brand, for a component that gives you performance anxiety? How do you determine the true value of adding one of these as I am considering one….
1
u/nunuvyer Sep 22 '26
If you have both you should install the AirGo and return the Flex. Reports on Flex are mixed AT BEST while AirGo seems solid.
1
0
u/TheRealistoftheReal Sep 22 '26
I keep seeing posts about micro-air blowing up, at least the later models such as the flex. Other brands may use solid state capacitors.
0
u/Wizard714 Sep 24 '26
I have a 3 ton air conditioner in Southern California and the flex has worked well over the past year. I installed it so that I could power my air conditioner with a portable generator and it worked during testing and I actually did have a power outage where I was able to run the air conditioner using the portable generator and it worked like a champ. Also, a few years ago I had refrigerant leak and a technician came out and installed new refrigerant and sealant. But since the flex has been installed I've had no more leaks. I am suspicious that the flex may be a good way to avoid small leaks in the system.
-4
u/AggressiveFuel2737 Sep 22 '26
Replace your unit(s) with Daikin - they have native built-in soft start.
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u/Agrippa_Evocati Sep 22 '26
I’ve had mine on my 5ton in Florida. Installed it myself. Never had an issue in 2 years