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Old 06-01-2022, 05:17 PM   #1
drjjj
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Soft Start Worth It?

2007 3400RL. Many upgrades. I realize that our two AC units are not going to last forever, and when they die they will have to be replaced. Wondering if putting the Soft Start units on them will increase their useful life long enough to justify the cost. Full disclosure: we always camp with 50 amp service, but would like the option of going to campgrounds that only have 30 amp and wondering if we have the Soft Start units installed that would allow us to run both AC's on 30 amp?
 
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Old 06-01-2022, 07:45 PM   #2
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I installed one soft start on my bigger A/C, so I can run both A/C on 30 amp. I cannot run microwave while running both though. I have to be conservative while running both, but for me, I didn’t really want to pay for two soft starts. It was worth it for us.
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Old 06-01-2022, 08:42 PM   #3
Daryles
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Someone wrote, they installed the SoftStartRV on one unit. They start the air conditioner without the SoftStartRV first (big start up surge current). Once it is running for a few minutes (surge is over) they start the one with the SoftStartRV (no surge).
The downside is if the one without the SoftStartRV cycles it will kick your breaker.
Also you do have to manage your appliances.
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Old 06-02-2022, 10:09 AM   #4
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I think they are worth it especially if you are using a generator. My 2000 watt 1600 running watt generator will start my 15000 BTU AC.
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Old 06-02-2022, 10:30 AM   #5
432bartman
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I put them on both my A/C units along with the Micro Air thermostats. What's nice is whenever your A/C units go out, you can remove the soft starts and put them on the new one. It's a pretty easy installation too, for the do-it-yourselfer.
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Old 06-03-2022, 06:28 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Daryles View Post
Someone wrote, they installed the SoftStartRV on one unit. They start the air conditioner without the SoftStartRV first (big start up surge current). Once it is running for a few minutes (surge is over) they start the one with the SoftStartRV (no surge).
The downside is if the one without the SoftStartRV cycles it will kick your breaker.
Also you do have to manage your appliances.
I disagree. I installed one on my 15000 unit, and run both units on 30 amps all the time. Even our 4500 watt generator handles both. But be mindful on your other loads that you might have on or can come on. They both cycle on and off all day long. But with the very low insulation factor of these FW’s, they run all the time. It would be nice to have two soft starts but we didn’t feel spending more when one will do.
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Old 06-08-2022, 01:48 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by mlh View Post
I think they are worth it especially if you are using a generator. My 2000 watt 1600 running watt generator will start my 15000 BTU AC.
Lynwood
I have the Husky Mountain soft start with Bluetooth. My 2000 watt Champion will run it. Also, 50 to 30to 110 will run the 15k ac.
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Old 06-08-2022, 03:11 PM   #8
Richard Blackwell
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Installed SoftStart on both A/C's allowing me to plug into 30amp house circuit at home during RV trip prep...also helps when the RV park has ONLY 30amp shore power...can run both A/C's AND use the microwave at the same time. Glad I did this in spite of the initial equipment cost.
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Old 06-09-2022, 02:45 PM   #9
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Soft Start install

I have installed them on both units, it was an easy install with good support from the mfg., and although I have not tried it at a park my WatchDog unit shows a draw of less than 30 amps at all times with both units running. I also have tried it a home it not problems on a 20 amp circuit with one unit.
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Old 06-28-2022, 05:00 AM   #10
DougVelting
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I put one on our bedroom AC 2 weeks ago, we are moochdocking at my buddies house on a 30 amp drop cord from his garage. I am installing a second one on our living room AC today.

With just the one installed, having both units on has worked on the 30 amp cord. Downside is if its over 90 outside, we NEED both units going, and plan on boondocking a lot this season.
Our generator maxes out at 25 amps, so im putting the second one in and crossing my fingers for later in the year.

And im thinkin, you can always take them out of your rig before ya trade it in, and reinstall them in the next one. So, i figured it was worth the extra investment
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Old 06-28-2022, 06:32 PM   #11
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Does anyone have a link to the soft starts that are recommended? Thanks!
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Old 06-28-2022, 06:58 PM   #12
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Does anyone have a link to the soft starts that are recommended? Thanks!
Here's the link.
I have a 2019 3130RE. With a Dometic Blizzard NXT

https://shop.softstartrv.com/products/softstartrv
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Old 06-28-2022, 07:04 PM   #13
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Cool, thanks! (Pun intended!)
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Old 08-29-2022, 06:26 PM   #14
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Is soft start a factory option in 22? The reason I ask is last Thursday prior to leaving for the coast I was checking everything and I started my both AC's without thinking. I was on a 30amp home SP. Both units worked....


Got to the coast and started the gen and both AC's, both units worked again. My Onan is a 30amp 3600...
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Old 08-29-2022, 08:25 PM   #15
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We are currently moochdocking in Illinois. We have been running an AC all week with soft start. Could run two by borrowing from the battery, but right now we’re at 11-12 amps per our Watchdog running one, TV, and lights. We’re on a 15amp circuit. Today it was 96 degrees and we’re at 71 in the Montana. Love the soft start.
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Old 08-29-2022, 09:22 PM   #16
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I think 22's came with the Coleman AC units and they have a soft start included.
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Old 08-30-2022, 08:39 AM   #17
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I think 22's came with the Coleman AC units and they have a soft start included.

I have the Colemans. One thing I can check off the list.
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Old 09-06-2022, 08:42 AM   #18
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Discovered something last weekend. Even with soft start the generator doesn't like being engaged with both AC's on. The transfer switch went nut's and gave me a light show. Drawing just a tad bit too much for the 30 amp.
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Old 10-29-2022, 03:53 PM   #19
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I have a 2021 3120RL how can I tell if the A/C units came with soft start?
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Old 10-29-2022, 08:43 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak View Post
Discovered something last weekend. Even with soft start the generator doesn't like being engaged with both AC's on. The transfer switch went nut's and gave me a light show. Drawing just a tad bit too much for the 30 amp.
Don’t forget that when at higher altitudes, your generator does not have the same capacity due to thinner air and loss of power. At low altitude, you may be able to run both A/C’s without problem.
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