New SoftStart product

[Crazydog]

Have you guys seen or used this yet?
They claim you can run 2 15k BTU a/c units on a 3000 watt generator. That would come in really handy when we're in primitive campgrounds we like to frequent.

SoftStartUp™ Enables Up To 2 RV Air Conditioners To Start And Run On A Small Generator, Or Limited Power When They Would Otherwise Not Have Started.​

• Immediate, Cool RV Comfort, No Installation Needed
• Start 2 RV A/Cs on a 50-Amp Power Pole
• Start 2 RV A/Cs on a 3000 Watt Generator
• Start 2 RV A/Cs on a 3000 Watt Inverter
• Start an RV A/C on a 2200 Watt Generator
• Start an RV A/C on a 2000 Watt Inverter
  

 

[AbdRahim]

Wow. Not seen a plug in device. I have the old hardwired units. Never had courage to try the install.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Very,vary sceptical!!!

Why???

15k unit runs, not starts on 1500 watts. Or roughly 100 watts for 1k BTU.

So you can soft start one ac on 3000w generator, but the second will exceed the capacity of the generator.

But there's more! The generator has a power dip before the engine catches up!

With the soft start, you likely will get one ac running on 2200 watt generator, as long as we aren't talking cheap China generator.

That said a inverter style ac unit would likely be very happy with 2000 watts as long as it doesn't have Brown out protection.

 

[Crazydog]

It would be very interesting to try one out but at an introductory price of $795 I'm not so sure.
Regular price is $1297.
It does say 100% satisfaction guarantee though.

 

[RVThereYet]

I have installed the SoftStart unit directly on my AC units. It does work. Allows both my 15K units to run on 30Amp. Not sure about the 3000 watt Gen.
I have a 5000 watt Gen and it does handle both very well. Cost for two units was
~$550. That unit at $795 is a little pricy when it does the same as the direct installed units. Not sure why it is so high.

 

[Crazydog]

I have installed the SoftStart unit directly on my AC units. It does work. Allows both my 15K units to run on 30Amp. Not sure about the 3000 watt Gen.
I have a 5000 watt Gen and it does handle both very well. Cost for two units was
~$550. That unit at $795 is a little pricy when it does the same as the direct installed units. Not sure why it is so high.

I'm thinking the price is because there is no need to hardwire a softstart on each a/c unit.
Just plug and play and you're good to go with 2 15k a/c units.
I think I'll wait and see how they work after some real life reviews.

 

[AbdRahim]

That unit at $795 is a little pricy when it does the same as the direct installed units. Not sure why it is so high.

Convenience. No installation needed. I bought two soft start units three or four years ago. Never installed them. More tha I wanted to tackle.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

It would be very interesting to try one out but at an introductory price of $795 I'm not so sure.
Regular price is $1297.
It does say 100% satisfaction guarantee though.

That is a hefty price!!!

I'm thinking the price is because there is no need to hardwire a softstart on each a/c unit.
Just plug and play and you're good to go with 2 15k a/c units.
I think I'll wait and see how they work after some real life reviews.

Really good idea.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

What we are looking at!

A single phase(technically two phase) compressor motor has a run capacitor. In the old days a soft start device was an increased capacity capacitor (typically under 10bucks.)
In a dedicated system there may have been a relay and a start capacitor.

No matter, when the soft start system is inside the A/C, when the ac runs it will increase power requirements, just a hair.

The idea is to reduce the sag in the sine wave so a higher power curve is presented to the motor! In turn the locked rotor has the power to start in less time!

According to their website, installing this device will in fact put a constant load on the system. It's very small,but if you plan on running off grid on battery power,it is a load that will not ever be turned off!

The nature of the beast is a run capacitor, nothing more!

On the other hand the soft start installed in unit can be both a run and a start capacitor,but likely just a run capacitor. But when the ac is turned off it will be separated from the house,so will not draw power from your house system.

But there is more! With a dedicated soft start, it can be sized for optimal efficiency based on motor (compressor) size.

This unit is a one size fits all, kind of like a tee shirt! Something you wouldn't wear to impress at a full dress party!

That said, they both have the potential to work as advertised!

Personally! I full time! Solar is my only power source! So I would not consider this product.

 

[AbdRahim]

According to their website, installing this device will in fact put a constant load on the system. It's very small,but if you plan on running off grid on battery power,it is a load that will not ever be turned off!

If off grid, the device is not being used. Or am I missing something?

 

[Crazydog]

If off grid, the device is not being used. Or am I missing something?

Unless you have an inverter with a good battery bank.

 

[redbaron]

I have used SoftStart USA products in their hardwired version and it was complete junk. It was not anywhere close the the quality of the MicroAir product and I quickly returned and replaced with MicroAir.

Since the MicroAir works by reducing power to specific components on the compressor, I do not think this would even be possible. My guess is this is a good way to burn out a motor and cause many other issues in your coach, but thats just a guess.

 

[Richpatty]

If off grid, the device is not being used. Or am I missing something?

It would not help... This is where the Micro-air installed on the AC unit would be worth it... I have the front AC wired to the inverter with a Micro-air and it works great.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

If off grid, the device is not being used. Or am I missing something?

To reduce battery drain,reduce any parasitic loads. This device adds parasitic load. Other devices only add that load when the utensil is turned on. If a properly sized capacitor is used, it has the potential of reducing eddy currents in the motor core! Eddy currents increase the temperature of a motor, so the dedicated unit could reduce the running current. Only way to tell is pull the test instruments and record results!

This device is in the circuit all the time. Therefore the load is always present!!!

Did that clear it up?

This trick is likely older than I! I was taught by my refrigeration man Dad how it works in the late 70's, and I have used it for hard starting refrigerators ever sense.

The idea has saved me a bundle through the years. The refrigerators usually ran smoother than when pulled out of the box. Of course smoothing out the modified wave inverter I was using was bound to make anything run smoother.

These devices typically give added life to an old tired unit, and I wouldn't worry about shorter appliance life with them.

I hope I filled in some of the holes I left in my previous posting!!!

 

[RTRanger]

That is not how a soft start works, that plug-in device would effect all the power in your RV.

I have installed soft starts on 200 HP motors to small half HP motors. They HAVE to be connected to the specific device (motor) and controlled to operate during start up (and sometimes shutdown). There are also programmed for the specific device and/or the application they are being used for. Don’t want to believe me? I can sell you a great bridge for a really low price!

 

[AbdRahim]

To reduce battery drain,reduce any parasitic loads. This device adds parasitic load. Other devices only add that load when the utensil is turned on. If a properly sized capacitor is used, it has the potential of reducing eddy currents in the motor core! Eddy currents increase the temperature of a motor, so the dedicated unit could reduce the running current. Only way to tell is pull the test instruments and record results!

This device is in the circuit all the time. Therefore the load is always present!!!

Did that clear it up?

This trick is likely older than I! I was taught by my refrigeration man Dad how it works in the late 70's, and I have used it for hard starting refrigerators ever sense.

The idea has saved me a bundle through the years. The refrigerators usually ran smoother than when pulled out of the box. Of course smoothing out the modified wave inverter I was using was bound to make anything run smoother.

These devices typically give added life to an old tired unit, and I wouldn't worry about shorter appliance life with them.

I hope I filled in some of the holes I left in my previous posting!!!

Ok. I assume when off grid, coach is not plugged into the device, unless the coach has the ability to put it between the generator and house.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

So you would not plan on using the benefits you are buying it for! Ok, cancel it out.

 

[Neal]

Personal opinion only, the only one I would use is Micro-Air in the A/C units. If you can't install yourself check the Micro-Air website or ask a RV tech. It's not hard but well worth it and some say it may help extend the life of the A/C unit. I will always have them in mine, I have it in both now.

EasyStart Breeze RV AC Soft Starter

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

www.microair.net