Micro-Air EasyStart 364 Soft Starter
The name most soft-start threads point to first — one part covers RV, marine, or home compressors up to 3 tons.
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Specs
| Rated for | Up to 36,000 BTU (3-ton) single-phase AC/heat-pump compressor |
| Surge/inrush reduction | 65-75% cut in locked-rotor inrush current, per Micro-Air's published spec |
| Voltage | 120/240V single-phase |
| Typical street price | ~$340 (as of July 2026 — check listing for current price) |
Figures are the manufacturer's published specs. Verify against the current listing before you buy.
Our take
EasyStart's 364 is the compressor-class soft starter most RV forums and off-grid installers reach for by default: rated for anything up to a 3-ton/36,000 BTU single-phase compressor, so the same part works for a rooftop RV AC, a marine chiller, or a home mini-split. Micro-Air publishes a 65-75% cut in locked-rotor inrush, which is what turns a compressor that trips a small inverter generator into one that starts on it. Installation means wiring it into the compressor's start circuit, not a plug-and-play swap — a comfortable DIY job for someone used to 120/240V wiring, or a short job for an HVAC or RV tech.
Pros
- Handles up to 3 tons/36,000 BTU — covers RV, marine, and most home mini-split compressors with one part number
- The most established brand in this category, with the deepest track record across RV and off-grid forums
- 65-75% published inrush reduction is enough to drop most 13,500 BTU RV ACs onto a 2,000W inverter generator
Cons
- Hardwired into the compressor's start circuit — not a plug-and-play accessory
- No published UL/ETL listing found for this specific model
- Costs more than the RV-specific alternative below if all that's needed is one RV rooftop AC