It's hot in So Cal today and this wknd...but why haven't I received a Flex Alert about it?

[oldman]

1500 sq ft house, my A/C is on a 40A breaker. Assuming a 3 ton unit or so.

7500W should start it, I could add in an idler load to help if need be.


I’m just spitballing.

A 3 ton unit conservatively will take between 18000 watts(75 amps)-24000 watts(100Amps) to start. but only 3600 watts(15amps) running plus the blower motor and condenser cooling fan.

 

[lbhsbz]

A 3 ton unit conservatively will take between 18000 watts(75 amps)-24000 watts(100Amps) to start. but only 3600 watts(15amps) running plus the blower motor and condenser cooling fan.

It ain’t pulling 100A to start. I had a 100A main breaker for 6 years here…and with all heights on in the house, TV, (wife and kid) parts washer drawing 20A, 5 HP compressor running (real 5 hp, not rated like wet-vacs) and a bunch of other shit…A/C started just fine. I’ll put an amp clamp on it some day.

Maybe the condensor fan acts like an idler load to help get the compressor running? Dunno.

 

[TimeBandit]

It ain’t pulling 100A to start. I had a 100A main breaker for 6 years here…and with all heights on in the house, TV, (wife and kid) parts washer drawing 20A, 5 HP compressor running (real 5 hp, not rated like wet-vacs) and a bunch of other shit…A/C started just fine. I’ll put an amp clamp on it some day.

Maybe the condensor fan acts like an idler load to help get the compressor running? Dunno.

this might get a 7,500 to run a 3 ton:

Micro Air Easy Start 364 w/ Bluetooth®

The MICRO AIR EASY START 364 with Bluetooth® is the most advanced and effective soft starter for all A/C applications with 65-75% start current reduction

battlebornbatteries.com

 

[Albert]

I’m sure I will beat my last months bill of $1,175.00 yay me!

 

[oldman]

It ain’t pulling 100A to start. I had a 100A main breaker for 6 years here…and with all heights on in the house, TV, (wife and kid) parts washer drawing 20A, 5 HP compressor running (real 5 hp, not rated like wet-vacs) and a bunch of other shit…A/C started just fine. I’ll put an amp clamp on it some day.

Maybe the condensor fan acts like an idler load to help get the compressor running? Dunno.

An old mechanical sweep amp meter will see a blip, but a digital will not catch it, it happens in fractions of a second the 40 amp breaker feeding it has a time curve built into it depending on how long the high amperage exists depends on what amperage it trips at. A 40 amp breaker can have a time curve as high as 200 amps for fractions of a second.

The generator does not have the same capacity built into it. All that will happen is it will drag the generator down and trip the breaker. It wont start the AC.
That's why most stand by or back up generators are either 18 or 22kw.

And yes, on start up instantaneously it is drawing 100amps, same with the motor on the compressor for a very short time.

I would try and test an equal sized generator prior to buying anything.

 

[oldman]

this might get a 7,500 to run a 3 ton:

Micro Air Easy Start 364 w/ Bluetooth®

The MICRO AIR EASY START 364 with Bluetooth® is the most advanced and effective soft starter for all A/C applications with 65-75% start current reduction

battlebornbatteries.com

A soft start will help a ton.

 

[Tank]

I don’t know how some
Of you do it. It’s 80 here at the beach today and it’s HOT!!

 

[hallett21]

An old mechanical sweep amp meter will see a blip, but a digital will not catch it, it happens in fractions of a second the 40 amp breaker feeding it has a time curve built into it depending on how long the high amperage exists depends on what amperage it trips at. A 40 amp breaker can have a time curve as high as 200 amps for fractions of a second.

The generator does not have the same capacity built into it. All that will happen is it will drag the generator down and trip the breaker. It wont start the AC.
That's why most stand by or back up generators are either 18 or 22kw.

And yes, on start up instantaneously it is drawing 100amps, same with the motor on the compressor for a very short time.

I would try and test an equal sized generator prior to buying anything.

You’re math checks for sure. But I can start 3-4 ton unit off of a 7kw Honda unit.

 

[LazyLavey]

Obviously there’s easy ways around it.

I wouldn't know about that

how are they shutting down your AC?

sign up for the Summer Discount Plan. SCE installs a device on your A/C that shuts down the compressor during the event times.. Usually an hour in the eves when and if activated

optional plans so you can opt out of the event if you desire, but you won't get full advantage of the discount

 

[hallett21]

I wouldn't know about that

sign up for the Summer Discount Plan. SCE installs a device on your A/C that shuts down the compressor during the event times.. Usually an hour in the eves when and if activated

optional plans so you can opt out of the event if you desire, but you won't get full advantage of the discount

You can do that and two lonely wires can fix the issue

 

[oldman]

You can do that and two lonely wires can fix the issue

They have started using internet connected thermostats, and if it looses connection you dont get the discount.

 

[hallett21]

They have started using internet connected thermostats, and if it looses connection you dont get the discount.

Internet connected meters.


Who said anything about losing the connection lol.

 

[oldman]

Internet connected meters.


Who said anything about losing the connection lol.

Talking about using your thermostat to turn your AC unit off. If it looses internet connection and they cant cycle your AC you don't get the discount. It's a much cleaner way that the old unit attached to the compressor in the yard.

And ya, I know all about smart meters I've delt with 100's of them.