AC soft start recommendations

[Travel Wheels]

We just purchased a Coachman Chapparal 33’ 5th wheel which has 2 AC units. When at home we want to be able to plug into the house power and run at least one of the ACs plus occasional dry camping using a generator. Can anyone recommend the best Soft Start for this? I understand it’s what we should be using in order to run the AC this way. Any help greatly appreciated!

[sdelam]

I am very happy with my micro air easy start.

https://www.amazon.com/EasyStart-Mic.../dp/B08Q37BMBC

[rsdata]

check out this webpage... easy install and great support in case you have install question...

https://www.softstartrv.com/

[jbflag21ds]

I am using a Micro Air Easy Start with my 400Ah of battery and 3000W inverter. Works great and no issues when on shore power

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by Travel Wheels

We just purchased a Coachman Chapparal 33’ 5th wheel which has 2 AC units. When at home we want to be able to plug into the house power and run at least one of the ACs plus occasional dry camping using a generator. Can anyone recommend the best Soft Start for this? I understand it’s what we should be using in order to run the AC this way. Any help greatly appreciated!

Your doing great by installing the easy starts on the AC units. It’s easier on the compressors can make them last longer and allows a 30 amp service to run 2 AC units!

After 4 or 5 times running the AC the units learn exactly how much current is needed to start the units.

[SacRV]

Hutch Mountain has an exclusive on the Micro Air EasyStart 364 Soft Starter with Bluetooth. It provides detailed feedback on your A/C units performance.

[ThruHiker]

I installed two MicroAir Easy Starts a couple of weeks ago. Good documentation from MicroAir and they work as advertised. No thump anymore when starting!

[High Country Duramax]

I also just installed the micro airs on mine. Works well can run both ac's with paralleled honda 2200s with no other load.

[bob213]

Prior thread suggested using "AIRSTREAM" as promo code for $40 off at micro air.

[Redman shamrock 235S]

I’m going to buy the soft start Bluetooth looks to be a good product my question is I have a 15,000 BTU AC unit with the soft start do you think I’d be able to plug-in 15 amp when I’m parked at home and still be able to run my air conditioner if needed without anything else running I haven’t installed a 30amp plug at the house yet I’m going to but not ready yet

[SacRV]

Originally Posted by Redman shamrock 235S

I’m going to buy the soft start Bluetooth looks to be a good product my question is I have a 15,000 BTU AC unit with the soft start do you think I’d be able to plug-in 15 amp when I’m parked at home and still be able to run my air conditioner if needed without anything else running I haven’t installed a 30amp plug at the house yet I’m going to but not ready yet

In my trailer the A/C units are on 20 amp circuits. So if your home 110v is 20 amp yes.

[myredracer]

Originally Posted by SacRV

In my trailer the A/C units are on 20 amp circuits. So if your home 110v is 20 amp yes.

Although you *might* get two AC units to start up on 20 amps shore power, each AC will have a full load amp draw of 12-15 amps. So on 20 amps, you are pushing it before you even include the converter draw and anything else running on 120 volts. The question will be what the voltage is inside your trailer. If it continuously/frequently gets down below 110 volts, that is hard on the compressor windings and will lead to premature AC failure. Even running 2 ACs on 30 amps is not recommended. Just because you can get two AC to start and run, it does not mean all is good. A permanently mounted voltmeter inside an RV is a really good idea. An EMS would also be a good idea. Also note that as voltage goes down, an AC unit draws more current.

[DouglasReid]

My eldest son is a Master Electrician.

I asked him to look up those soft start devices and compare them to a Start Capacitor. He told me to save about $287 and get a start capacitor.

This is what I bought, a SUPCO SPP6 for each of our ACs. They work flawlessly. on startup neither one draws over 16 amps as monitored on our EMS device. Running they draw 12 amps each.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12384851685...kAAOSwhDdXDnzZ

[formerFR]

we've never installed ANYTHING and yet have successfully and many times during hot summers run BOTH a/c units at the same time, ALL THE TIME, for the whole day and sometimes thru the night, on 30amp campground power, with NO issues. We've also run an a/c unit on simply household 15amp power with no issues.
As others have said, drink the cool aid if you must, but you don't have to. There are many 'fears' and 'rumors' in camping, but must are from those who've never tried it on their own.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by formerFR

we've never installed ANYTHING and yet have successfully and many times during hot summers run BOTH a/c units at the same time, ALL THE TIME, for the whole day and sometimes thru the night, on 30amp campground power, with NO issues. We've also run an a/c unit on simply household 15amp power with no issues.
As others have said, drink the cool aid if you must, but you don't have to. There are many 'fears' and 'rumors' in camping, but must are from those who've never tried it on their own.

True enough, but both my electrician son and my neighbor the AC guy told me those inexpensive Start Capacitors will help the AC compressors last longer.

For $11 each how can I argue with that fiscal logic?

[formerFR]

yep, people 'say' things all the time, but if this was such a big 'issue' for air conditioners, I would bet they'd already be built-in to them to begin with. And, who knows what 'last longer' even means - 1 day? 1 week? a lifetime? balony. But, yes, if it makes you 'feel' better, spend the money, which seems to be what many new-to-camping feel they 'must' do.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by formerFR

yep, people 'say' things all the time, but if this was such a big 'issue' for air conditioners, I would bet they'd already be built-in to them to begin with. And, who knows what 'last longer' even means - 1 day? 1 week? a lifetime? balony. But, yes, if it makes you 'feel' better, spend the money, which seems to be what many new-to-camping feel they 'must' do.

Im only repeating the thoughts of trained professionals in their respective fields. Rather like a Doctor telling you that one medication or another will make you feel better. In this case I am risking a total of $22 on their opinions, a good bet in my book!

It seems like your mind is made up, facts or informed knowledgeable opinions are of no import. You seem to relish being obstinate.

To you I wish good luck, further I sayeth not!

[sdelam]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

My eldest son is a Master Electrician.

I asked him to look up those soft start devices and compare them to a Start Capacitor. He told me to save about $287 and get a start capacitor.

This is what I bought, a SUPCO SPP6 for each of our ACs. They work flawlessly. on startup neither one draws over 16 amps as monitored on our EMS device. Running they draw 12 amps each.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12384851685...kAAOSwhDdXDnzZ

I started with the SPP6 on mine and it would not allow the 15k ac to be run on a 2400w gen. Switched to the MicroAir and it runs like a champ.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by sdelam

I started with the SPP6 on mine and it would not allow the 15k ac to be run on a 2400w gen. Switched to the MicroAir and it runs like a champ.

I have no such problems, but Im seldom on a generator and when I am it is 3600 watts.

Two of those Micro Air units would set me back $600. For that I could get another 3600 Watt generator. Add $50 and I could parallel them and run everything on my camper simultaneously.

Life is all about choices and choices are all about priorities. We all have and make different ones for ourselves

[sdelam]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

I have no such problems, but I'm seldom on a generator and when I am it is 3600 watts.

Two of those Micro Air units would set me back $600. For that I could get another 3600 Watt generator. Add $50 and I could parallel them and run everything on my camper simultaneously.

Life is all about choices and choices are all about priorities. We all have and make different ones for ourselves

Glad its working out for you. the SPP6 worked with the 13.5k ac and the 2400 gen on the last camper. Just did not help with the 15k. My gen is not capable of being paired so I would have had to buy two new gen's.