Soft starts

[spindrift]

I expect that we'll be in locations that only provide 30A service.  With our larger RVs, I'm thinking that a soft start for my A/C units would be a wise accessory to consider, especially in our summer heat.  Have any of y'all installed one and has it performed as advertised?

[SuiteSuccess]

Just installed one yesterday with help. 15,000 AC performed great with Honda 2000 watt gen. 

[spindrift]

9 minutes ago, SuiteSuccess said:

Just installed one yesterday with help. 15,000 AC performed great with Honda 2000 watt gen. 

Manufacturer and model, please.

[jkoenig24]

I've got both of the AC units on my Super-C upgraded to SoftStart. No more "CLUNK" when the compressors kick in. The AC's seem to be running quieter too.

[steiny93]

they do help

Buddies had a travel trailer that they wanted to cool with a honda 2000.  Before the soft start it was a total no go.  After the soft start all goodness.  I don't recall the model, he got it from the local rv dealer, did the install over some beers.

[SuiteSuccess]

https://www.softstartrv.com/
You can also get from. Amazon. Only one model SSRV3T

[Chad Heiser]

https://www.microair.net/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267

I have them on two of my three AC's and I have installed them on several other AC's for other people.  They are very beneficial in saving energy and running AC's on lower power sources (including inverters).  If you have limited power available, they make a big difference on start up.  Microair was the originator of the computer controlled models, but they are not the only player on the market anymore.  My only experience is with Microair though.  I can say they are very reliable from personal experience and have very good customer service.

[spindrift]

Thank you all.  Looks as though I have another project to complete.

[Jim & Wilma]

We installed a soft start on one of our two A/C units to reduce inrush current when running on generator.  It works well as advertised and we can start on one Honda 2000.

However, we run both Honda’s because the load of our 15k BTU unit is usually greater than one generator can sustain. Our A/C running current is often 16+ amps which is more than one generator’s output.  Running amps vary with ambient conditions and it’s possible to run our unit with one generator when the load is light but that’s not when we need it most.

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Installed 5 soft starts at the ECR this year. The 13,500 BTU starts easy on a Honda 2000. The Dometic 15,000 BTU Penguin units will start and run with a Honda 2000 but that is about all you can have on. That unit runs right at 12.5 amps when the compressor is running making it possible with a single 2,000 or 2,200 gen set but with a generator larger than that, it would not be a problem to have some other loads as well.

Edited April 29, 2021 by GeorgiaHybrid

[SuiteSuccess]

Be sure to look at the schematic versus the written instructions for wiring. GeorgiaHybrid found the written steps were wrong on my Dometic Penguin 2 with heat pump when installing. 

[Parrformance]

I will order either the SoftStart or the MicroAire in the morning. shall I flip a coin, or is the consensus on the best option?

Edited April 29, 2021 by Parrformance
Misspelling

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Either one will work but the ones I installed were all SoftStart's. They also don't mind coming up with a custom wiring diagram or to give them a call if you get stuck. Seems like a nice company to work with.

[Parrformance]

👍Thank you Georgiahybrid.

[Chad Heiser]

2 hours ago, Parrformance said:

I will order either the SoftStart or the MicroAire in the morning. shall I flip a coin, or is the consensus on the best option?

If you are interested, I can give you a discount code to order the microair version.  PM me for the details.  I don't want to get afoul of the forum rules here.

[Parrformance]

Thank you Mr. Chad, I jumped the gun and ordered a SoftStartRV, I should have been more patient.

My Gen will run the ac, but it struggles on a first start on a hot Florida day.

[Parrformance]

Remarkable how much easier/quieter the AC starts now.

Pricey but so far so good.

The invertor/Generator does not change pitch now when the compressor starts👍

Thanks everyone.

[spindrift]

Holy Cow!!  You only posted Thursday night.  

[Parrformance]

Took longer to gather the tools, than to add the SoftStart RV to the AC.

Oh an one day shipping helps.

[spindrift]

An embarrassing question...

Do you have to purchase one softstart for each appliance that creates a large inrush at start-up?

[Jim & Wilma]

23 minutes ago, spindrift said:

Do you have to purchase one softstart for each appliance that creates a large inrush at start-up?

Yes.  

The way it works is when the electrical load is applied, it limits and ramps up current in a couple seconds. After than, the load and any subsequent loads on that circuit gets full current. Many a/c units start the fan motor first followed by the compressor motor. You have to wire the soft start into the compressor circuit, so just that load gets the reduced current at startup.
If you wired the soft start upstream, to say two a/c units, only the fan of the first a/c to start would have reduced current and the subsequent compressor loads would start across the line with high inrush current.