Soft Start ?

[Jbecks]

One of my customers has asked me to install a soft start kit on his outdoor air condenser. Its a 2.5 ton Lennox ML17XC1-O30-230A02
Any suggestions on what to use? Never done one before. He wants it to be able to start with his portable Generator 7500 KW

 

[fastline]

One of my customers has asked me to install a soft start kit on his outdoor air condenser. Its a 2.5 ton Lennox ML17XC1-O30-230A02
Any suggestions on what to use? Never done one before. He wants it to be able to start with his portable Generator 7500 KW

Micro Air is one I have used. There are a few others, but don't be getting the cheap gear. There is a lot more going on in these than just ramping voltage. They are monitoring the rotor via back EMF and add a few extra protections.

 

[NuTech.svcs]

diversitech makes one that will operate up to 3 ton and another up to 6 ton units

Sent from my SM-S938U1 using Tapatalk

 

[herding_cats]

Hyper Engineering "SureStart" is a really good product.

 

[Ravenvalor]

One of my customers has asked me to install a soft start kit on his outdoor air condenser. Its a 2.5 ton Lennox ML17XC1-O30-230A02
Any suggestions on what to use? Never done one before. He wants it to be able to start with his portable Generator 7500 KW

I am no expert on soft starts but will it keep the portable generator output frequency in optimal range? If not then according to my understanding only the portable inverter generator will safely run HVAC equipment. Standby generators are supposed to have better frequency output.

 

[herding_cats]

Galco or automation direct is a good source to get soft starters. You will need the "locked rotor amperage" to size it correctly. Then figure how many starts per hour for the demand side. Some starters require a fan if they exceed a certain number of starts per hour. Consider most HVAC compressors have a 60% duty cycle.

 

[fastline]

I am no expert on soft starts but will it keep the portable generator output frequency in optimal range? If not then according to my understanding only the portable inverter generator will safely run HVAC equipment. Standby generators are supposed to have better frequency output.

I think I will just always repeat myself here on generators, but yes, a soft start can and will help stabilize frequency of a synchronous alternator as their frequency is a direct function of engine rpm. NOT the case with inverters, but those are very size and capacity limited.