What is soft start module

jeepnudger · Senior Member

What is soft start module

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Soft start for what?
For air conditioners and fridges, the internal electronics start the compressor slowly via an inverter power supply. This stops the huge in-rush current that can be otherwise difficult to supply.
This is something built in to the appliance, not something to add on after purchase.
Is this what the question is about, or something else?
Cheers,
Peter

nomadz · Veteran Member

Gday all,

Actually, at least as far as caravan air cons are concerned, it is possible to install an after market soft start.

I have just replaced my (gone to caravan air con heaven) Air command Ibis 2 with a Houghton Belair HB3400.

Despite assurances from the selling agent/installer, the HB3400 would not start using the Honda 2 or 2000w inverter.

Start up draw or Locked Rotor Current was too high even though the actual operating draw was less than the old Ibis 2.

Long story short, I had one of these ($240 delivered) installed. The agent installed it at no cost to me (advised that it would have cost $150-$200)

https://eltwin-hyper.com/

The HB3400 now starts, and runs happily, using either the Honda 2 or 2000w inverter.

Regards,

Ian

Corndoggy · Senior Member

It's an American video but it will give you an idea of the difference one can make. Have a watch (and I dont mean the boobs) and you'll hear the difference at startup.

youtu.be/oSrz3GaaDO8

Craig1 · Guru

impressive safety specs

Cassie63 · Senior Member

Lovely eyes

The Travelling Dillberries · Guru

nomadz wrote:
Gday all,
Actually, at least as far as caravan air cons are concerned, it is possible to install an after market soft start.
I have just replaced my (gone to caravan air con heaven) Air command Ibis 2 with a Houghton Belair HB3400.
Despite assurances from the selling agent/installer, the HB3400 would not start using the Honda 2 or 2000w inverter.
Start up draw or Locked Rotor Current was too high even though the actual operating draw was less than the old Ibis 2.
Long story short, I had one of these ($240 delivered) installed. The agent installed it at no cost to me (advised that it would have cost $150-$200)
https://eltwin-hyper.com/
The HB3400 now starts, and runs happily, using either the Honda 2 or 2000w inverter.
Regards,

Ian

Do you know if the electrician wired it into the compressor circuit or in the power supply to the air con.

nomadz · Veteran Member

Gday Chris & Sharyn,

Wiring diagram for HB 3400 and Techies advice on how to wire it attached.

It didnt quite work out as they suggested but they eventually sorted it out with my installer.

The go to guy at HyperEngineering is Blake and happy for you mention my name if you contact him.

Regards,

Ian

dorian · Guru

When you need tits to sell a product, the implication is that the vendor is trying to distract you from something they don't want you to see. I suspect that there is very little to see inside the expensive box.

Here is a thread with photos of the innards:

https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/22209/soft-start-for-motors

https://us.v-cdn.net/6024911/uploads/attachments/10455/6229.jpg

https://us.v-cdn.net/6024911/uploads/attachments/10455/6230.jpg

https://us.v-cdn.net/6024911/uploads/attachments/10455/6231.jpg

https://us.v-cdn.net/6024911/uploads/attachments/10455/6232.jpg

Here are some DIY circuits:

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/adding-soft-start-to-water-pump-motors/

Belaire H3400 Owner's Manual (wiring diagram on page 24):

https://www.mygenerator.com.au/media/Finch_HB3400_Air_Conditioner_Manual.pdf

Hyper Engineering Single Phase Soft Starter:

https://eltwin-hyper.com/single_phase.html

-- Edited by dorian on Thursday 16th of December 2021 07:44:16 AM

The Travelling Dillberries · Guru

nomadz wrote:
Gday Chris & Sharyn,
Wiring diagram for HB 3400 and Techies advice on how to wire it attached.
It didnt quite work out as they suggested but they eventually sorted it out with my installer.
The go to guy at HyperEngineering is Blake and happy for you mention my name if you contact him.
Regards,
Ian

Thanks for the info Ian and Dorian.

As I thought, the connections for a caravan air con are at the compressor terminals, so needs to be installed by a competent electrician. Not as easy as plugging in a drop saw.

shallowal · Member

This is a bit of an old post, but I was wondering if you (Nomadz) could provide any more details on exactly which module from Eltwin was used for your aircon, and how well it has performed.

I have the same aircon and would like to get it running off my 3KW inverter.

-- Edited by shallowal on Thursday 29th of August 2024 01:40:24 PM

Brodie Allen · Guru

I have a brand new soft Start module that somebody can have for $100. still boxed
and never used. Suit Coleman-Mach 8 or 47000 series. (And likely many others in
this series around 2015) Was bought for a 2014 Jayco should be fairly universal.

All moneys raised is donated to my Club "the Table" at Rainbow bay GC and goes

to cancer kids or Currumbin wildlife hospital. So far exceeds $50,000

from my art collection.

______________________________________________________
A smart thinker that I met showed me how to do my own soft start:

Set the temperature at a level either well above or below ambient
so that the compressor doesn't start. Depends wether you are cooling
or heating.
Turn ac on - only the fan will run. (the a/c thinks it's done it's job).
Now after about 30 seconds reset the temperature to desired
level and compressor will kick in without the additional amperage
required to start the fan.

Soft start is basically a way around the huge start-up draw when
compressor and fan are both stationary and the command is start.

B

-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Thursday 29th of August 2024 01:53:27 PM

-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Thursday 29th of August 2024 02:01:34 PM

-- Edited by Brodie Allen on Thursday 29th of August 2024 02:02:22 PM

nomadz · Veteran Member

Hi shallowal,

The one used in my Haughton Belair was the single phase module.

I think they only make one single phase unit.

It has performed faultlessly since the day it was installed and the air con easily starts using the Projecta 2000w inverter or the Honda 2.0i generator.

The air con is used in + 40 deg temps during harvest and always starts using either method of powering it.

As mentioned previously, Blake is the go to man and happy to assist with wiring set up.

Regards,

Ian

shallowal · Member

Thanks Brodie, what make/model is your SS module?.

Oh, I found mention of the module and some instaall videos. I just want to confirm that it is suitable for 240V operation?.

WRT the second part of your reply, the Houghton AC always starts the fan first and runs it for about 30 seconds before it attempt to start the compressor. I find that the first start and run works fine from my 3KW inverter, but it wont do a subsequent start.

-- Edited by shallowal on Friday 30th of August 2024 05:43:13 PM

shallowal · Member

Thanks Ian,

Did you buy it directly from Eltwin, or some other retailer?. I cant seem to find any reference to it in Australia at all.

nomadz · Veteran Member

Hi shallowal,

Purchased direct from these guys.

Hyper Engineering Pty Ltd

3/243 Shellharbour Rd

Port Kembla, 2505, NSW

+61 2 4229 2069

sales.au@eltwin-hyper.com

Brodie Allen · Guru

shallowal wrote:
Thanks Brodie, what make/model is your SS module?.
Oh, I found mention of the module and some instaall videos. I just want to confirm that it is suitable for 240V operation?.
WRT the second part of your reply, the Houghton AC always starts the fan first and runs it for about 30 seconds before it attempt to start the compressor. I find that the first start and run works fine from my 3KW inverter, but it wont do a subsequent start.

-- Edited by shallowal on Friday 30th of August 2024 05:43:13 PM

Apologies shallowal - 'spose I should use PM but not at home till Sun am so can't

check details 'till then.

B

Brodie Allen · Guru

Brodie Allen wrote:
shallowal wrote:
Thanks Brodie, what make/model is your SS module?.
Oh, I found mention of the module and some instaall videos. I just want to confirm that it is suitable for 240V operation?.
WRT the second part of your reply, the Houghton AC always starts the fan first and runs it for about 30 seconds before it attempt to start the compressor. I find that the first start and run works fine from my 3KW inverter, but it wont do a subsequent start.

-- Edited by shallowal on Friday 30th of August 2024 05:43:13 PM
Apologies shallowal - 'spose I should use PM but not at home till Sun am so can't
check details 'till then.

B

Brodie Allen · Guru

Take care - if you have a piston compressor, there's a limited number of SSM suitable and
there are serious limitations even with the SSM fitted on reduction of start-up draw that
they can achieve.

Ask first!!

B

shallowal · Member

Thanks Brodie, PM'd you.

-- Edited by shallowal on Tuesday 3rd of September 2024 10:16:46 AM