Generator Question

The Easystart is for sure not just a hard start cap. It does a microprocessor controlled staged start of the a/c and reduces the startup current to about 1/3 vs a small decrease with a hard start cap.

Neither one has any effect after startup, so if the small decrease from the hard start cap is enough to get your genny to hang in there then use that, if not get an Easystart.

I don't like plugging in a hot load so I use StephenH's procedure and close the 30A breaker instead.

I installed an Easystart recently and it works great.  It was easy to put in, easy to go through the learning curve, and works as promised.  I tried to run our AC with our Champion 3400W duel fuel, using LP which yields 3100W, before installing the Easystart.  It could start it, but it struggled.  Now, it works very well.  I notice that with the Easystart, the fan starts up and is running while there is a brief delay for the AC to gradually come on.  Seems to be much easier on the compressor as well as the generator.

The Easystart is designed to turn on the blower first. That takes your inverter generator out of low rpm "eco" mode before compressor startup. That way you have the benefit of less fuel consumption and quieter operation while the a/c is not running. It's probably not needed for a 3kw genny but a 2kw needs to be at full speed to startup the compressor.

Sorry LA, when I said "it's probably not needed for a 3kw" I meant the preliminary startup of the blower to take the genny out of eco mode, not the soft start sequence itself. That it certainly sounds like you need for your particular generator.