MICRO-AIR EasyStart FLEX 398 - Bluetooth Soft Start Kit for Home Air Conditioner, RV & Commercial Use, Works with Generators, Reduces Power Surge, Efficient Start-Up - Up to 6 Tons

Very pleased! I do suggest changing your capacitor when you add anything like this to your HVAC system. They do go bad just like light bulbs or batteries as an example. Also make sure all connections are secure as this will cause failure on many components. Installation ease will vary on units. Following the instructions is a must. If you’re not sure have a licensed electrician/HVAC technician do this for you. My 4 ton unit had a 98 amp inrush, now after it’s 26 amp after EasyStart learning curve (chose to do the 7 starts). This is an efficient energy savings. Had no problems with my Heat pump prior to installation of the EasyStart except with my 13000 watt generator. The generator will now start my system from eco mode. Size of the EasyStart forced me to mount externally. If you mount it with screws, exercise caution so you don’t drill or run a screw into any components behind it. Please don’t add this to your unit if you have a problem as this is a start assist device. It will probably help to some degree but can’t fix preexisting problems and will have the potential to damage your EasyStart. When the unit starts now on commercial power, I have no flickering lights in my house (been that way since it was installed). Slightly lowered my running amps. So, between inrush and running amps I believe it’s a good value for the money. Take amperage readings before and after to see for yourself. Downloaded the app and compared its readings to Fluke meter. Pretty much spot on. Time will tell the rest. Hope this helps with your decision to purchase.

Do what it’s supposed to. Reduced my starting amps on a 4 ton AC unit from 105 amp to 25 amps. Now I only need a 14kW generator to run my entire home. Easy install.

Bought this soft-start until to allow us to run our AC off our portable generator (8.5Kw running watts on propane). Haven't test that yet, but will soon. So far, running normally off line voltage, I'm impressed. I went from 167 start up amps to 32 start up amps. That is an 80% decrease! Within 7 learning cycles, this unit decreased startup amps from 54, to 44 to 38 and finally settling at 32-33 amps. I mean, wow! I did replace my start/run cap with this one, which is an OEM-spec replacement: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S033F9C?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title I read that it's a best practice (though not mandatory) to replace your start/run cap in conjunction with installing this soft-start. The start/run cap takes a beating during normal operation and if yours is more than a few years old and/or you live in a very hot climate like we do, it's recommended to replace it. I replaced the cap and ensure the AC started normally before installing the soft start. I've only had the product installed for a few days on our Carrier 5-ton heat pump/AC model CH14NB060-A, but so far, so good. I'm comfortable working with high voltage wiring but don't know much about AC/heat pump units. So, I did my homework to ensure I didn't make any very stupid and very expensive mistakes. I have to say that Micro-Air's customer service is really great. The wiring diagram they had on their website for my unit was confusing to me and I couldn't really understand it. I emailed customer service and within a few hours I had a customized response from a real human being. He sent me the attached wiring diagram and clearly explained in the email that even though this was not my make/model, the wiring was identical and to just follow the diagram. He was right. The install took just a few hours, taking my time. I had to mount the unit outside of my AC compressor unit as there wasn't enough room inside the control box for the soft start unit. Even if you have to pay an AC technician or electrician to install this for you, it's totally worth it. The fact that we can now run our AC on our generator is a game changer for us.

Had a new 5 ton heat pump unit installed and I put the EasyStart on within 15 minutes of the HVAC guy leaving. Instructions are clear making this install super easy. The soft start of the HVAC is really nice and quiet.

So I have had this item since February of 2025, and I installed it at the beginning of March. It has been running like a champ and has done everything as advertised, including lowering the bill. So why the one star? Well, I live in Death Valley and the temperatures get really, really hot. It is now the beginning of November, and my AC unit died out. I use the Bluetooth and it says everything is running properly. I remove the cover, and there is brown sludge at the bottom of the Micro-Air unit. So I call and am told that I have to fill out a form and wait for someone to call me back, with no estimated wait time. So, although this seems overly dramatic, I did say DEATH Valley. If this had happened during the summer, it could be dangerous. Less than a year and this goes out, and the Bluetooth says all is good, and the electronics are slimed in sludge, and I have to wait because tech help is so busy, you have to wait in line.