Soft Start RV

[Butch & Kathy]

Originally Posted by Butch & Kathy

I just installed one on the LR 15K AC. My WEN 2K inverter goes into overload unless I shut off the converter breaker. Do you have this problem with your 2K Honda?

Let me clarify my issue.

I installed a SoftStarfRV on my 15000 Air conditioner yesterday. I have a WEN 2000 W inverter generator that I hoped would allow my converter to charge the batteries AND start my AC. The WEN gets overloaded when the AC starts UNLESS I turn the breaker off to the Converter. I am at sea level.

I’m wondering if the Honda 2000 inverter generator functions the same (maybe I need to get a Honda and sell the WEN?)

Thanks for your help

[mlh]

There shouldn’t be any difference both are 2000 watts 1600 watts running.
Lynwood

[h2ojocky]

With any 2000 W generator you will have to turn the breaker off to the converter if you want to run your air conditioner. That generator is only big enough to run the air conditioner , turn off the breaker for the converter and make sure your refrigerator is set to propane. I prefer my harbor freight 3500 W predator. I can run my air and my converter or refrigerator at the same time.

[carlrx7]

Originally Posted by Butch & Kathy

Let me clarify my issue.

I installed a SoftStarfRV on my 15000 Air conditioner yesterday. I have a WEN 2000 W inverter generator that I hoped would allow my converter to charge the batteries AND start my AC. The WEN gets overloaded when the AC starts UNLESS I turn the breaker off to the Converter. I am at sea level.

I’m wondering if the Honda 2000 inverter generator functions the same (maybe I need to get a Honda and sell the WEN?)

Thanks for your help

Did you cycle the A/C 5 times using shore power before using the generator?

[Lazy Ike]

Originally Posted by Butch & Kathy

Let me clarify my issue.

I installed a SoftStarfRV on my 15000 Air conditioner yesterday. I have a WEN 2000 W inverter generator that I hoped would allow my converter to charge the batteries AND start my AC. The WEN gets overloaded when the AC starts UNLESS I turn the breaker off to the Converter. I am at sea level.

I’m wondering if the Honda 2000 inverter generator functions the same (maybe I need to get a Honda and sell the WEN?)

Thanks for your help

I also have the Soft start on a 15000 btu Dometic and Wen 2000 watt and recently purchased the Wen 2350 watt. I am at an elevation of 5000 feet and my 2000 went for about fifteen minutes before it went into overload. The 2350 went into overload after 3 minutes. The Wen rep said I needed the high altitude kit. I ordered the kit for each unit and package arrived yesterday with only the 2000 watt kit. Have not installed it yet. I have a friend with a Honda 2000 watt and it went into overload immediately when the compressor kicked in. I also have the Wen 3800 watt which ran both of my Dometic 15000 btu AC's but was working hard. I got the parallel kit yesterday as well and tried it with the 2000 watt together with the 3800 which ran both AC's great. Will decide if the 2350 is going to be returned once I get the HA kit.

[mlh]

I just tried my HarborFreight 2000 watt generator. It will run my 15000 Coleman AC but it’s flat out. I’ll stick with the 4000 watt onboard generator as much as I dislike it and carry the small unit to use when I don’t need the AC.
The Soft Start does make the AC start much easier.
Lynwood

[Butch & Kathy]

Originally Posted by carlrx7

Did you cycle the A/C 5 times using shore power before using the generator?

ThenSoftStartRV does not use a learn cycle like the Easy Start.

Thanks all for the opinions and analysis.

[Butch & Kathy]

Originally Posted by mlh

There shouldn’t be any difference both are 2000 watts 1600 watts running.
Lynwood

I have seen reviews that show the Honda handles surges better than most other brands. I was wondering if others had this experience…

[Daryles]

Installed a SoftStartRV on my FRONT AC unit. Took way longer than it should have. I had to drill out one screw in the cover. After that it was pretty straight forward.

One correction in the instructions for a Dometic Blizzard NXT. MFG# H541916A721J0
STEP 5. The blue compressor wire does NOT go to the K2 relay. It goes to the K1 relay.

This may be different from the rear HEAT PUMP unit.

Pay attention to how the electrical box insulation cover goes on. Take lots of pictures.
Also go to the hardware store and get a gromet big enough to go around your thumb knuckle. There was no gromet around the wires going into the electrical box.
If you have a shop vac or a dust Buster, use it. LOTS of construction sawdust in the cavity and cooling fins.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by socoinc

Why doesn’t the manufacturer install the soft start to begin with? Does it do damage to the air conditioner?

It is an option now.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by MARK A

Got them today, has anyone installed them? Is there anything I need to know before I start?
Thanks in advance



Mark

Just follow the provided instructions. The only change I made was proper sized connectors, mine was supplied with one size too large (yellow) for most wires. Email and phone support is great at least for MicroAir

[Bob and Jeannette]

Subscribed

[tom woodward]

Just watch the video. Pretty self-explanatory. I took my iPad on top of the camper. Took about two hours. Next one should take only 30-40 minutes

[DaveK]

I have a Dometic Blizzard, heat pimp/AC.

My wires are hidden from compressor to the junction box, so you "should" trace the wires with a continuity tester to ensure that you are pulling the right wire. My unit has more than one wire of a color and the SoftStart tech advised me to continuity test each wire.

My point is, I have moderate skills and it's going to take much longer to do these tests and study the schematic.

I suggest the first one will take at least 2 hours. I recommend carefully reading the schematic before going on the roof. Yes, simply connecting the wires is easy. Preparation time and understanding what you are doing takes more time. My opinion.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Lazy Ike

I also have the Soft start on a 15000 btu Dometic and Wen 2000 watt and recently purchased the Wen 2350 watt. I am at an elevation of 5000 feet and my 2000 went for about fifteen minutes before it went into overload. The 2350 went into overload after 3 minutes. The Wen rep said I needed the high altitude kit. I ordered the kit for each unit and package arrived yesterday with only the 2000 watt kit. Have not installed it yet. I have a friend with a Honda 2000 watt and it went into overload immediately when the compressor kicked in. I also have the Wen 3800 watt which ran both of my Dometic 15000 btu AC's but was working hard. I got the parallel kit yesterday as well and tried it with the 2000 watt together with the 3800 which ran both AC's great. Will decide if the 2350 is going to be returned once I get the HA kit.

Your 2350 watt generator has 1900 running watts but you are at 5000 feet elevation so that’s generator will only produce 1567 watts. Air pressure is reduced and your power is down 17.5%. This is true for any internal combustion engine that is naturally aspirated.
Lynwood

[Josh_713]

Anybody have an easy answer for Soft Start vs Easy Start?? I’m about to order two for my rig but just wanted to throw the question out there.

From what I gather, they both are similar except the Easy Start has a 5-start learn cycle?

[DaveK]

After inspection and taking photographs I saw that the blue wire was incorrect. Thanks for the clarification. I hope to visit the RV again tomorrow.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Josh_713

Anybody have an easy answer for Soft Start vs Easy Start?? I’m about to order two for my rig but just wanted to throw the question out there.

From what I gather, they both are similar except the Easy Start has a 5-start learn cycle?

That’s hard for most of us to say since most of use or probably all of us having had only one. I would guess it’s very little difference in them.
Lynwood

[Lazy Ike]

Exactly, which is why the 2350 is probably going back. The kit is supposed to arrive today. The Wen rep and the Soft start rep both said that even at my elevation the 2350 would run one 15000 btu unit. Plugged into a house 20 amp circuit it runs no problem with the soft start and the amperage max was about 14.5. I am having my doubts about the 2350 but am will to give it a go.

[mlh]

Your generator puts out 14,5 amp at sea level but only 11.8 at 5000 feet and you can’t change that with a carburetor kit. 20 amps on 110 household is 2200 amps.
Lynwood