EasyStart for AC

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   I was pretty sure there was one. After all, it is on the AC side, not the DC side.

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StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Topic: EasyStart for AC Posted: 29 May 2020 at 4:04pm
	I was pretty sure there was one. After all, it is on the AC side, not the DC side.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 29 May 2020 at 3:40pm
	Glad to hear there’s a breaker for it.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

vbdomenico Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 19 Apr 2020 Location: Kansas City, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Posted: 29 May 2020 at 1:06pm
	I was looking at the breakers wrong, there is a breaker for the converter.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 28 May 2020 at 2:34pm
	That was the normal non answer answer. The autotransformers used to start big industrial motors work the other way around. They start with a lower than normal voltage to the motor which allows it to get started with lower current. Then it switches to a higher voltage once operating. If the Hughes device actually started the a/c at a higher voltage it would draw more current from the generator to compensate. But I don't think it does, there is a bit of a lag before it kicks the voltage up. What might help is that transformers are big inductors so store energy and resist changes in current flow for a short period. That might help handle the a/c compressor inrush current. Try it and see, it won't hurt anything.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 28 May 2020 at 1:39pm
	Not sure. It may help by boosting the voltage. That would lower slightly the amperage needed to start the AC's compressor. Whether that would be significant enough remains to be seen.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

vbdomenico Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 19 Apr 2020 Location: Kansas City, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Posted: 28 May 2020 at 1:02pm
	I take it that mean that the Autoformer can help the generator run the AC, but just slightly? Offgrid, I will recheck the breaker box, maybe I was looking at it wrong. Thanks

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 28 May 2020 at 8:41am
	I don't know if there is any benefit to using the Autoformer when running the generator. I have not tried it. I think that would be a question for Hughes since they would have the technical data that I don't. Edit: I emailed Hughes to ask and will post their reply when it arrives. Edit: This is the reply I received from Hughes: Hello Stephen, From what I understand, the autoformers just need normal AC voltage coming in via the 30 A or 50 A plugs and if that detected voltage is low (113 v or lower) then the unit will boost it by 10% on the output side. If the voltage is above 113 v the autoformer is only boosting it by 2%. I am not 100% on any special types of inverter generators or things that might adjust the sine wave of the power, etc. These typically go either at the pedestal or just before your transfer switch if you are hardwiring them in. They can be used on generators. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Powering Your RV Adventure! Best Regards, Brett General Manager
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

mjlrpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214	Posted: 28 May 2020 at 7:24am
	I can attest to the a/c surge changing with different conditions in temperature etc.. I was surprised to find that I was able to start my a/c unit with one 2000 watt honda genny the first time I ever tried it. It started up, cooled, then cycled. It was a nice spring day. A week or so later, I couldn't get it to start no matter what. I don't recall if the temp was higher, but that's probably the difference since I don't normally run anything else while it's between trips. I guess to say you CANNOT start the a/c with a 2000W genny isn't completely true. I guess the truest statement is what offgrid said " If you want to be confident that you can always get the a/c running regardless of temp conditions or short cycling then get the Easystart". I just put an easy start in, and can run off one honda genny, or a 15 amp plug. I'm going to change over to a 20 amp plug so I can run the fridge, or watch t.v. with the a/c on.
	2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 28 May 2020 at 5:42am
	The inrush current at a/c startup is over very quickly so yeah, you are missing the peak with the app, and you miss it with a peak hold ammeter too. Its higher than you think. There is no efficiency or noise benefit after startup from the Easystart. If you want to be confident that you can always get the a/c running regardless of temp conditions or short cycling then get the Easystart. If you want to be confident that you can always keep it running even at high altitudes or if you want to be able to run anything else at the same time then get the second generator. Good question on whether the autotransformer helps with startup. Autotransformers are used all the time to reduce inrush and startup currents in big industrial motors, so it might help. Try it and see. Weird that WFCO would remove the circuit breaker for the converter. Since its an integrated product I suppose they could obtain a listing for it without that but boy what a crummy place to save a couple of bucks. Can you take a photo of your panel and post it?
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

vbdomenico Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 19 Apr 2020 Location: Kansas City, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Posted: 27 May 2020 at 10:21pm
	Thanks Stephen, 1 - I was not using the Autoformer with the generator, is there a benefit to doing so? 2 - I was monitoring usage on the app while the compressor turned on and off, it only went to 15 amps but you are right, it could have missed the initial surge, it seems to update about every second or two; 3 - I have a 2020 190. I do not see a breaker marked for the convertor, just a 15 amp fuse?; 4 - I bought my r-pod to keep traveling for work, I will be going anywhere and everywhere in the lower 48. Already have to be in Florida in July, so yes I will be in extreme temps. Leaning towards installing one, either that or add a 2nd generator in parallel. I can't deal with hot weather!