A/C soft start units

[J&JD]

Looking for info from those that have installed soft start equipment on their a/c units. I know @Neal has and I pm’d him but thought it might be worth asking the group about their experiences with these units.
There is a company called Softstart that is advertising units at $50 off and free shipping. I’m considering purchasing but I thought I would solicit advice from the forum first.
thttps://www.softstartusa.com/rvlife/?utm_source=RVLIFE

 

[Neal]

I swear by them and will always have them installed. They are very effective. Easy to install. If only I could find the outstanding directions from @Chuggs

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I don't...yet...have them installed in the coach heat pump/air conditioning units, but we had one installed on the sticks-and-bricks heat pump and it made a huge difference. Before the soft-start, our house lights would dim noticeably for an instant (kind of a blink). After the install, I never know when it starts. And, our heat pump service tech swears that using a soft start significantly improves the life of the compressor unit.

TJ

 

[NWIP]

When @Chuggs has you fully trained I will allow my coach to be your first solo

 

[Joe Hogan]

We have a soft start installed on the front Ac/HP so we can run that one on the inverter when on battery power.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

When @Chuggs has you fully trained I will allow my coach to be your first solo

Hope that was aimed at @Neal, Bill. I don't do "roof work" any more! Maybe he'll be "trained" by the time we see him at Polson.

TJ

 

[Neal]

Well @TJ&LadyDi it's important to know my dream was to be on the EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team. I kept blowing everyone up until I finally confessed I was color blind. Red wire, blue wire, black wire, yeah yeah yeah, I just used eneemeeneemineemo. I love cutting wires...can't wait! We should drill a few holes while I'm up there too! I'm "pretty" good at that, 2 out of 3 usually.

 

[J&JD]

Well @TJ&LadyDi it's important to know my dream was to be on the EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team. I kept blowing everyone up until I finally confessed I was color blind. Red wire, blue wire, black wire, yeah yeah yeah, I just used eneemeeneemineemo. I love cutting wires...can't wait! We should drill a few holes while I'm up there too! I'm "pretty" good at that, 2 out of 3 usually.

I was on the EOD team at U-Tapao Air Base during Vietnam. That was 50 years ago but I’ll be happy to help @Neal even though I CRS. Trust me, he said....

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Well @TJ&LadyDi it's important to know my dream was to be on the EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team. I kept blowing everyone up until I finally confessed I was color blind. Red wire, blue wire, black wire, yeah yeah yeah, I just used eneemeeneemineemo. I love cutting wires...can't wait! We should drill a few holes while I'm up there too! I'm "pretty" good at that, 2 out of 3 usually.

In the movies, @Neal; it is always the blue wire. All you need to do is ask someone "which one is the blue wire" and you're golden. Right? Right? Where did he go?

TJ

 

[NWIP]

I don’t go on roof either @TJ&LadyDi. I’m not color blind but I might want to rethink my offer. Seems I remember someone drilling holes thru wires once or was that a water line?

 

[Joe Hogan]

Drilling holes blind is an issue.

BTW this is why I have my Newmar serviced at the Factory Service center.

Just back from Newmar Service where they fixed an issue that had plagued me for close to a year. When an experienced solar panel installer ran a wire for the battery remote controller, they drilled a hole in a basement compartment to run a data cable.
The drill grabbed the primary 12v power wire that powered the basement light circuit and shredded it. Not realizing this issue when I took delivery after the solar installation it wasn't until a Newmar factory electrician was able to track down the wire fault, which was in the wall behind the fireplace, that I was able to attribute the fault to the solar panel installer.
The wire, thankfully, was accessible after uninstalling the fireplace and a control box panel. After nine months of looking and two techs unsuccessful attempts to find it, it was repaired. The solar panel installer did agree to pay for the factory repair.

Be careful when drilling blind holes, there are wires in very unexpected places.

The attached picture is from the Service Center replacing a roof. The wiring tucked away in the roof and walls is amazing. I was advised that there is no standard wiring diagram when a coach is built due to the variation of equipment/models etc. Each coach is essentially hand built. Luckily the electrician that worked on my coach was experienced enough to be able to track the wire down quickly.

 

[NWIP]

Good point @JoeHogan makes.

Understand the benefit if coach has solar of having soft start. @TJ&LadyDi mentions he was told easier on compressor when installed at S&B. What other advantages are there?

 

[Neal]

If you're on 30A service you will benefit. I can run both AC's without triggering EMS typically due to soft starts. What triggers the EMS load shedding is often the large amp spike when an A/C starts. This doesn't happen with soft starts.

EasyStart Breeze RV AC Soft Starter for RV Air Conditioners

EasyStart Breeze technology reduces RV AC startup current by up to 75%, enabling RV owners to run their AC using a portable generator.

www.microair.net

 

[AbdRahim]

If you're on 30A service you will benefit. I can run both AC's without triggering EMS typically due to soft starts. What triggers the EMS load shedding is often the large amp spike when an A/C starts. This doesn't happen with soft starts.

EasyStart Breeze RV AC Soft Starter for RV Air Conditioners

EasyStart Breeze technology reduces RV AC startup current by up to 75%, enabling RV owners to run their AC using a portable generator.

www.microair.net

I thought the Ventana was 50 amp.

 

[Neal]

It is but if you're at a CG such as a state park where 30A is common it helps. I did a lot of SP's coming west from VA to AZ.

 

[Joe Hogan]

We also installed a Hybrid Inverter which allows the battery bank to support the voltage of the incoming park power. The battery bank will support during voltage sags and when the demand for power outweighs supply to a certain extent. 3000W 12VDC Pure Sine Hybrid Inverter Charger MSH Series | Magnum Dimensions