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

I run two geothermal heat pumps - one 6 tonne and the other is 3 tonne. No more harsh startup sounds or light flickers on startup. On first startup in learn mode saw 66% reduction in startup current.

Bought this several years ago cause wanted to put a soft start on ac for a generator use. Saw this on a YouTube video had good reviews and install was easy. So for the last couple years I had it on my ac. No issues so far and the ac start up is a lot quieter and hopefully less wear on compressor. It’s Bluetooth so I get feed back on my ac unit and if I ever need help can call the company and see what the issue is. But so far it’s been good.

With all the research I did, this item was rated very well. Everything was as described with good instructions and easy setup. I had a substantial decrease in inrush amps (starting amps) once the FLEX 398 was installed and it learned my compressor. Before installation my inrush amps was 89.9 amps. This unit reduced my inrush amps to 20.1 amps. Excellent quality and performance.

EDIT: I installed this item one week ago today. It has worked as advertised. While returning from running errands this morning I received a notification on my phone that the power was out at the house. The first real world opportunity to see if this piece of kit is worthy of the cheddar. I arrived home in about 10 minutes and confirmed much of the neighborhood was out. It's hot, DAMNED HOT, outside today and this will never do! It took about 15 minutes total time to get the gennie up and running and arrive at the moment of truth. I flipped the breaker for the gennie and powered the panel, then energized the furnace circuit (Ecobee thermostat controls), then energized the A/C circuit and waited. It took right at 2 minutes for the Ecobee to come online (wifi is on UPS) and call for cool. The fan on the A/C started first, seconds later the compressor started, the gennie shouldered the load like a CHAMP, and the A/C was running! I energized the rest of the circuits according to my emergency power plan and monitored cycle performance in cool air conditioned comfort. "I love it when a plan comes together!", Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith. Purchase with confidence! OE Review... Meets and exceeds expectations. Simple, straightforward four wire installation. Easy enough for a handy DIYer. They even have a short YouTube instruction video! I purchased this so I could have AC when the power goes out. I have a 4 ton HVAC that drew 106a inrush before installation. Too much for a modest portable generator in a power outage. After 6 learning cycles it only pulls 26.xxa! A bona fide 75% reduction in startup draw! It’s also much quieter now too. I highly recommend!

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.