Solar and Soft-Start Needed

[R and J]

New to RVing and we just purchased a 2024 Flagstaff Super Lite 29rlbs. It has two 15k AC units.
Asking for advice on which units to buy -

SOFT-START - So many choices with so many mixed reviews cost $79 to $380. According to reviews, more may not be better! Any suggestions what would work best for our new RV?

SOLAR - It came with a 200W on the roof. Looking to add at least 200W portable so I can just plug into the factory provided plug.
Same question, what would be best for this particular RV?
Thanks in advance for your support/time!
Randy

[NJKris]

I bought the micro air, a bit pricey but having good luck with it and had no problem installing it myself. Coleman makes their own now and it is quite a bit cheaper I understand. I don't know what brand AC you have.


I have 100 on roof that came with it, and I have (2) 100W Renogy solar suitcases I plug into side. They need to run through their own solar controller, as the side wiring goes directly to batteries.

[Aussieguy]

with 2 x 15000 BTU if you want to run them you will need generator

solar and softstart will belp you for about 10-15 minutes because you will need a HUGE battery bank and a FULL roof of solar 1000-1600w of panels

whether or not you need soft starts will depend on what generator size you get
I have a 30amp setup ...1 air conditioner I use a 3500w INVERTER generator if I want a/c

But usually just opt to pay for a campground with hookup rather than to deal with loading up generators/gas
Don't do a LOT of camping in the full summer months cause why pay for camping if all you do is run from trailer a/c...... to truck a/c..... to restaurant a/c
and the remaining months ... NO a/c required unless you go to southern Florida

[Aussieguy]

PS... if you really wamnt a/c and solar to work
look at getting better performing a/c like Mini Splits ,that can drop their power usage as the trailer cools down

they can then be run on solar during the day and a more moderate battery bank
you will still need to get around 1000w of panels and 400-600ah of battery
that is more achievable

GOOD inverter controlled mini split is readily available many people have used them... there is now 2 companies offering ROOFTOP inverter controlled a/cs

Dometic ... CUBE and Truma
no idea on pricing

[R and J]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

with 2 x 15000 BTU if you want to run them you will need generator

solar and softstart will belp you for about 10-15 minutes because you will need a HUGE battery bank and a FULL roof of solar 1000-1600w of panels

whether or not you need soft starts will depend on what generator size you get
I have a 30amp setup ...1 air conditioner I use a 3500w INVERTER generator if I want a/c

But usually just opt to pay for a campground with hookup rather than to deal with loading up generators/gas
Don't do a LOT of camping in the full summer months cause why pay for camping if all you do is run from trailer a/c...... to truck a/c..... to restaurant a/c
and the remaining months ... NO a/c required unless you go to southern Florida

Thanks for your quick response!
Sorry, I should have been more clear.
I do no want to use solar for the AC units.
I want the additional 200 watt solar suitcase just to help my existing 200 watt rooftop solar unit maintain the batteries (dealer provided two wet cells)so I can run small items with no generator.
I have purchased two generators (Predator 5000’s) and a “Y” adapter for when we run everything. A bit of an overkill but sometimes we will want no limits!
I want the soft starts just to help out the equipment wear and also ease on the generator (especially if only using one generator).
Solar - Leaning towards Renogy or GRECELL.
Still looking for proper Soft Starts.

[NJKris]

2 Predators??? You don't need ANY soft start then, that's insane overkill for camping. You would DEFINITELY get by on the one generator if you have soft starts. They are 110 lbs each empty. Hope you have a strong back! (Or a strong wife, lol).

[corn18]

I have used micro air on all my aircons for the last 20 years. But do you really need one? With 2x5000W gensets, you will not need a soft start. The soft start only reduces the amps required to start the aircon, but does not reduce the power required to run it once started. I would pass on the soft starts until you determine you need one.

If you are looking at ground mount solar panels (portable), just get something inexpensive. It's all pretty much the same. You could spend a bit extra for an MPPT vs PWM controller for them, but not really required for a 200W setup.

What I would do is ditch the flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries for an inexpensive LiFePO4. I'd bet a dime on a donut they are RV/Marine batteries and not true deep cycle. Replace both of them with a single 100Ah LiFePO4 battery and enjoy.