Soft start on air conditioner 3931FB?

[greenportbeach]

Where can I look to see if my a/c unit has the soft start system? My friend has a 2020 Montana also, but it is a 37 something model, not the same 3931FB as myself. His does have the soft start system so he said he would be able to get a smaller generator to run his rig when we have power outages here at the beach.

[ChaseTX]

I have looked into the soft-start units. The ones I have seen are mounted under the A/C hood. If it has one, it will probably be mounted next to the compressor motor.

[lightsout]

Keep in mind that a 4300-6500w gen you will be blowing through fuel using your AC. With those size gens a soft start is not needed. Where the A/C soft start comes into play is say running your AC with a 2000w gen. A/C without soft start requires peak starting power of about 3200w then it immediately drops to 1200-1500w hence the need for a soft start that allows small gens or solar to start an A/C. If you have a soft start remove your A/C cover on the roof and look for what looks like a added metal box that looks out of place. You can google soft start AC and see what they actually look like. It is likely you do not have one it is not a factory item.

Hope this helps.

by the way instead of a large Gen buy two small say 2200-2500w that you can pair. This allows you to run just one when needed and conserve fuel. They are much easier to store and handle as well. They will also be much quieter than the larger one. I just sold my 3500 Predator last week it was just too heavy and I am buying two smaller gens I can pair.

[AZ Traveler]

Montana now offers a SuperSolarFlex package which includes soft start air along with several other electric upgrades tailored more to boondocking.

[mlh]

Is there any downside to a softstart?
Lynwood

[prndl]

Most of your questions are answered here:
https://www.microair.net/collections...-soft-starters

[ChaseTX]

Originally Posted by mlh

Is there any downside to a softstart?
Lynwood

This is a great question, I actually was thinking about the same thing. I see zero downside of this. The only downside I see coming out of this is the manufactures of the bigger generators losing money. The only reason most need the bigger generator is for start-up not to actually maintain voltage while running.

[AZ Traveler]

Originally Posted by mlh

Is there any downside to a softstart?
Lynwood

The cost to add or the extra expense when you buy a new air with it already integrated?

[mlh]

Originally Posted by ChaseTX

This is a great question, I actually was thinking about the same thing. I see zero downside of this. The only downside I see coming out of this is the manufactures of the bigger generators losing money. The only reason most need the bigger generator is for start-up not to actually maintain voltage while running.

Thanks
Lynwood

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by mlh

Is there any downside to a softstart?
Lynwood

When I was looking at them, there was the question of whether or not it would void the warranty. One soft start manufacturer said to remove it before taking it in for warranty work to avoid giving them a reason to deny service

[mazboy]

the answer is, unless it was a used trailer Montana isn't putting in soft starts. but if you want to check go up and check it.


view a youtube before you go up.

[lightsout]

An easy way to find out is hook up to 15 amp plug (1800 watts max) and try and start your AC if it starts it is likely you have a Soft Start. A 20 amp is 2400 watts, your AC should not start that is assuming you are 15K BTU (12K BTU will start on a 20amp).

[Preston & Terri]

Originally Posted by lightsout

An easy way to find out is hook up to 15 amp plug (1800 watts max) and try and start your AC if it starts it is likely you have a Soft Start. A 20 amp is 2400 watts, your AC should not start that is assuming you are 15K BTU (12K BTU will start on a 20amp).

I'm not sure that is good advice.
The A/C will likely start regardless of the rating of the circuit 50/30/20/15 amp (ALL of which are 115VAC nom.).
The issue is, will the circuit breaker on the 15amp, or possibly the 20, trip due to overcurrent? Also, operating at the upper limits of the rating of a circuit can potentially lead to more heat generated (current flow through the conductors) than the conductors and insulation are rated for and cause premature failure.
But then that's just my understanding of how electricity works.

[PNW Fireguy]

Just a little food for thought. In general if you don’t know what a capacitive start motor circuit looks like you probably should not be fooling with one. Capacitive start motor circuits store voltage to assist in reducing locked rotor current during starting of the motor. If you come into contact or in between a charged capacitor guess where that voltage goes?

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by EMCS retired

I'm not sure that is good advice.
The A/C will likely start regardless of the rating of the circuit 50/30/20/15 amp (ALL of which are 115VAC nom.).
The issue is, will the circuit breaker on the 15amp, or possibly the 20, trip due to overcurrent? Also, operating at the upper limits of the rating of a circuit can potentially lead to more heat generated (current flow through the conductors) than the conductors and insulation are rated for and cause premature failure.
But then that's just my understanding of how electricity works.

While I understand your concerns, the most it would do is throw the breaker, the draw is instant and either it will start or not and the breaker will trip (there is no prolonged heat build up). That is what breakers are for to prevent over draw. It is no different then hooking up to a 30amp and turning both AC on either it will work or not and the and the safety mechanisms will work and protect, the 30 amp senario happens all the time in campgrounds.

[PNW Fireguy]

Originally Posted by EMCS retired

I'm not sure that is good advice.
The A/C will likely start regardless of the rating of the circuit 50/30/20/15 amp (ALL of which are 115VAC nom.).
The issue is, will the circuit breaker on the 15amp, or possibly the 20, trip due to overcurrent? Also, operating at the upper limits of the rating of a circuit can potentially lead to more heat generated (current flow through the conductors) than the conductors and insulation are rated for and cause premature failure.
But then that's just my understanding of how electricity works.

The senior chief is always right.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy

The senior chief is always right.

My 20 years owning a electrical company says it is a harmless way to test.

[PNW Fireguy]

As a fellow electrical professional I am not surprised that you would use that verbiage. In my 30 years in the electrical industry one thing that has been ingrained since my days as an apprentice is to never intentionally rely upon protective devices. In addition as a professional I would expect us to provide advise with an abundance of caution to a non-professional.

[lightsout]

I am only saying what I would do, and I would not think twice doing this there are safety functions in place that is what they are there for. It is certainly up to the OP do make their own decision however we both know this is a benign exercise... You can also do this with your small generator to see if it will start and it will simply just trip the breaker on the generator, it will not damage anything. There are countless videos on youtube demonstrating this exact thing.

[Bob and Jeannette]

If you have an amp meter you can see it easily when the Air conditioning starts.