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07-07-2021, 07:28 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,049
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Soft Start AC Upgrade Recommendations
After looking into improving my 5'er AC's with the RV Airflow System for increasing cooling efficiency, I also want to install a soft start system. Found several YouTube videos on installing SoftstartRV and seems to be a rather quick and straightforward upgrade. I'm leaning towards this system, but am open to installing other brand recommendations.
On my initial searches, I was surprised to find not very many other brand alternatives out there for this product. For those that have them on their rigs, which one have you installed, and what were the positive and negative selling points that made you choose it?
Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations!
__________________
2020 Forest River Sabre 37FLH
2013 Ford F-350 XL Crew Cab 6.7L Diesel DRW
Tulip, the Wonder-Shepherd
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07-07-2021, 08:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 353
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While I cannot do any recommendations on softstartrv or easystart systems. I am purchasing the softstartrv after our Hughes Watchdog EPO kept cutting off after this past weekend. It was on their recommendation that we install this to prevent further problems.
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2013 Flagstaff 27RLWS - Chloe'
2019 Ford F-250
NC
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07-07-2021, 10:38 AM
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#3
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Retired Panpsychist
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,043
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This is a popular alternative:
Micro-Air Easy Start 364
__________________
Theo & Carol
2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
2020 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
2015 F-150 4WD XLT SCab, 5.0L, 3.73, 36gal, HD Towing Pkg (53A), 1,980lb Payload
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07-07-2021, 12:16 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Richmond, IN
Posts: 68
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I did a bit of research months ago and I only found the SoftStart from MicroAir and the EasyStart. I chose SoftStart, but I don't really remember why, I don't think there was a huge difference between the two. However, I'm impressed with the product and the company. It was pretty easy to install. I e-mailed MicroAir on the 4th of July and they replied within a few hours with an intelligible and complete answer.
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07-07-2021, 01:17 PM
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#5
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
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Now MicroAir just needs to get product in stock.
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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07-07-2021, 01:36 PM
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#6
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Retired Panpsychist
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,043
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJKris
Now MicroAir just needs to get product in stock.
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I think there is supply-chain chaos out there. Foreign ports closing for Covid, chip shortages and now there is an overseas container shortage!
We're looking to get a couple of EBikes but most manufacturers are 9+ weeks out for delivery.
__________________
Theo & Carol
2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
2020 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
2015 F-150 4WD XLT SCab, 5.0L, 3.73, 36gal, HD Towing Pkg (53A), 1,980lb Payload
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07-07-2021, 03:56 PM
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#7
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
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It goes on and on. Terrible time to buy anything it seems. Glad I was mostly kitted out before the pestilence.
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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07-07-2021, 05:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 369
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Soft Start AC Upgrade Recommendations
They’re both very similar and really only differ with the connection kit (optional). Fortunately, Hutch Mountain has it made it easy for you by being the only one that sells the Bluetooth Model Micro-Air EasyStart 364 Soft Starter. And let me tell you being able to monitor your A/C power usage on your phone is very convenient. I have two and they were easy to install.
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07-07-2021, 06:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Space Coast of Florida
Posts: 4,022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SacRV
They’re both very similar and really only differ with the connection kit (optional). Fortunately, Hutch Mountain has it made it easy for you by being the only one that sells the Bluetooth Model Micro-Air EasyStart 364 Soft Starter. And let me tell you being able to monitor your A/C power usage on your phone is very convenient. I have two and they were easy to install.
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How does monitoring your ac current help?
__________________
2016 Siverback 33IK, Towed 50K+ mile
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L V8 Diesel 4WD Crew Cab
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."
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07-07-2021, 06:07 PM
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#10
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
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I have same question. I just look at my EMS display and it tells me voltage and how many amps I'm drawing.
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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07-08-2021, 12:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 369
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dalford
How does monitoring your ac current help?
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Through the app you can see how many amps were required at startup and how many amps you're pulling during operation, which fluctuates. It also shows you the number of faults and the cause of those fault. There are other technical specs provided via the app.
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07-08-2021, 01:22 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 43
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EasyStart by Microair… best one out there!
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07-08-2021, 02:27 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Yorktown VA
Posts: 113
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I had a microair soft start installed on my dometic ac/heat pump. One month later my ac/heat pump went out with a bang and severely burned wires in the junction box. I'm not saying the soft start caused this but, it's suspicious. RV tech will let me know when he comes tomorrow (7/9). I'm just happy my coach didn't burn down.
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07-08-2021, 02:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Posts: 102
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We installed a SoftStartRV and it seems to work as advertised. Now we can run the AC at home on a 25 amp circuit, and run the microwave with the AC on. Once, when we were running the electric water heater and the AC, the main trailer breaker kicked out .... but running on propane isn't a problem for us.
__________________
Bill & Kate, Stone Harbor, NJ
2014 Forest River Wildcat 272RLX Fifth Wheel
2018 Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT 6.2L Gas
Zeke (the Partipoodle) 8 yrs, Ginger (standard poodle) 7 mos - both rescues
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07-08-2021, 03:00 PM
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#15
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
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Micro Air soft starts are back in stock
The Micro Air is back in stock on their website, just ordered.
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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07-08-2021, 05:16 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 9,616
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I suppose...
Quote:
Originally Posted by dalford
How does monitoring your ac current help?
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I suppose if you left pets in the trailer on a hot day and could monitor the A/C current remotely, seeing periodic current draw would reassure you that the pets were okay.
__________________
Larry
"Everybody's RV is not like your RV."
"Always take pictures with the button on the right."
"Always bypass the water heater before opening the low-point drains."
Sticks and Bricks: Raleigh, NC
2008 Cherokee 38P: at Ivor, VA permanently
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07-08-2021, 05:18 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 9,616
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How do you know...?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke Moseley
I had a microair soft start installed on my dometic ac/heat pump. One month later my ac/heat pump went out with a bang and severely burned wires in the junction box. I'm not saying the soft start caused this but, it's suspicious. RV tech will let me know when he comes tomorrow (7/9). I'm just happy my coach didn't burn down.
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How do you know that the MicroAir installation was done correctly and safely? Could a bad installation have been the cause of the failure?
I don't let others do this kind of work for me. Too many incompetent workers out there.
__________________
Larry
"Everybody's RV is not like your RV."
"Always take pictures with the button on the right."
"Always bypass the water heater before opening the low-point drains."
Sticks and Bricks: Raleigh, NC
2008 Cherokee 38P: at Ivor, VA permanently
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07-08-2021, 05:22 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 1,098
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Why don't the manufacturers install these things on their units at the assembly line? I know, $$, but it seems like a good selling point.
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07-08-2021, 05:25 PM
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#20
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Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markb422
Why don't the manufacturers install these things on their units at the assembly line? I know, $$, but it seems like a good selling point.
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I"m sure it won't be too much longer. They are already installing TPMS at factory.
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
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