SoftStartRV Soft Start for RV Air Conditioner, RV AC Soft Start Kit for Air Conditioner, Easy Start Even with a Small Generator, 100% Waterproof, Trailer Camper, Motorhome HVAC -NetworkRV

I finally decided I needed to add softstart to my RV AC when I decided to move to a solar generator instead of my pair of Honda 2000's in parallel that I used to lug around when dry camping. I could never get a single Honda 2000 to start my AC and would need both... I wonder if this softstart would let me do that? But doesn't matter - I switched to an Ecoflow that probably could handle the startup surge, but why stress it? This softstart was pretty easy to install. I had to lookup my particular AC model (Dometic something) and the instructions tell you where to run all the wires, jumpers, etc. Just make sure to double-check everything. I had done some of it and realized I'd done the wrong wire on one part (I read the letters from the AC incorrectly at first), so I'm glad I checked again before starting it up. That was my fault for not being more thorough, no fault of the instructions which were correct. After getting the wiring correct and finding a good spot to mount it, well... that was it, I was done. I flipped the breaker back on, went inside and started it up, and wow, it was SO much nicer when starting. Before, the AC would "clunk" when starting up and was pretty loud during that startup phase. Now, it starts up nice and calm, the clunk is gone, and that "hum" I'd hear for the first couple seconds when the compressor and fan were starting up had all but disappeared. I mean, there's still the noise of the fan and compressor, but you get to skip the other noise. Which is great if you have this running on and off at night because those clunks and hums are distracting. There are more expensive softstarts out there but this one, I think, is a good value. There are also cheaper ones out there and I'm kind of skeptical of those. This one seems solidly built, works great, and the manufacturer has been around for a while so I feel like they'll stand behind the product. As far as how it works to reduce the initial amp draw, I didn't do any direct measurements to get the peak current before/after install. Other people have done exactly that, so you can refer to them. I do know that my single Honda 2000 inverter generator couldn't start up previously (I'll have to try that at some point now), so the startup current definitely exceeded what that could handle. I even had trouble getting the AC to start if I was using a 15A circuit to power my RV... it would trip the breaker (it's a 30A trailer, but using the adapter to just keep it plugged in at home to keep batteries charged, etc... I tried getting the AC to start while nothing else was running, and the breaker would always trip). Now with the softstart and using the energy monitor on my Ecoflow, I could see that it ramps up nicely and my AC averages between 7-8 A (at 120V) which is far less than I imagined it would use. With that in mind, assuming the softstart lets it gently ramp up to that 7-8A (or could be up to 13A for a 15A circuit), I bet I could use a single generator or a 15A circuit to run *just* the AC to start it up, and a couple other low current things. My converter, for example, is a 55A converter. If it decides it needs to charge my batteries, it could be using 5-6A of 120V all by itself. Anyway, all that other stuff aside, this unit does exactly what it says, the price is decent, easy enough to install, etc. Worth the price and effort it takes to install it.

I have a 2003 Roadtrek 190 Versatile RV, fitted with a Dometic Cool Cat 10,500 BTU Heat Pump Air Conditioner. I wanted to be able to run the air conditioner using my Pulsar PG2300iS 18000watt running (23000watt peak) Portable Gas-Powered Quiet Inverter Generator. Unfortunately, when I turned the air conditioner on the generator would stall every time. Then I decided to get a SoftStart unit. The first task was figuring out where the wiring was hidden in the air conditioner. It turned out to be easy enough. I had to remove the roof cover and unscrew two lockdown screws at the rear of the air conditioner to be able to move the a/c backward. I also removed two screws from inside the RV to take off the front cover. I found that I could push the a/c back and rotate it slightly to get at the wiring compartment cover, held in place with two more screws. The a/c heat pump circuit diagram was attached to the inside of the cover. I went to the SoftStart website to look for a wiring diagram that matched my diagram. Unfortunately, none of the available examples matched mine. So, I put in a ticket request for help and they answered the same evening with a quick diagram to get me started, and with a promise that a professionally designed diagram for the Cool Cat was being processed. Armed with the rough diagram I was able to work out all but one of the connections. Installation was easy. Mainly cutting and splicing five wires into the circuit wiring. The step by step directions that came with the unit were excellent. I did have an issue with the Blue wire. It was shown directly connected to R on the compressor. I tried that and it didn't work. Because my unit is a heat pump there is a Cold Control also connected to R. I solved the problem by removing the White wire, going to the Cold Control, at the Run Capacitor, and connecting the Blue wire to the White wire. Problem solved! Now, the Pulsar 1800watt generator starts the a/c unit every time. The SoftStart unit is amazing. It is so gentle and quiet that it is hard to believe that the a/c unit is running. The cool air certainly proves that it is. The SoftStart's online help was impressive. They not only responded quickly via email but they had also attempted to contact me by phone several times to give me wire by wire directions. I live in a black hole for cell phone signals and was not getting their calls. So they sent further emails asking me to contact them. I do have previous a/c experience as well as an electronics background so I was able to work out the final part of the puzzle myself, but they were 100% there trying to help. Please DO NOT attempt to install a SoftStart unit based on my review. Always contact SoftStart and they will advise you to step by step with their phone assistance. All in all, I highly recommend the SoftStart unit. It is amazing, and if you have a basic air conditioner unit then you will be able to make use of the online information and excellent included installation notes, and live phone call assistance if necessary to do the installation. If you don't feel comfortable doing the installation then do contact an electrician to have the work done. Capacitors can hold a dangerous charge even after the power has been disconnected and electricity is potentially lethal so don't take any unnecessary risks I think that the SoftStart unit is worth every penny.

Easy to install and works well.

Took about 2 hours to install. Would have been faster, but I always forget tools and I had to pee. Directions are very straight forward. The wiring diagram was a little odd, but reading the directions made it easier to understand. I tried running my 13,000 btu A/C with my 2300 watt generator before installing this with no luck. Generator instantly faulted. After install generator runs my A/C and entire camper like a champ. Also tried plugging it into an outlet in my garage before I installed this and tripped the breaker after about 5 minutes. I think my wife turned something on in the house on the same circuit causing it to trip though. After install I can plug it into the same outlet and so far has not tripped the breaker at all even after running for a couple hours while installing an inverter and odds and ends while letting the A/C keep me cool while working. The price point for me was a little high, but I am happy with my purchase. I was considering other brands, but I seen multiple youtube videos on this unit and opted to pay the extra $ to make sure I was getting a high quality product. I learned long ago that if you spend a little more on the things you buy, you won't have to take aspirin and blood pressure meds as much. I ran my A/C for about 25 hours over this last weekend while camping and used 5 gallons of gas in my generator. I don't know if this helped, but I was really surprised at how little gas I needed for how much I ran the A/C. If you are on the fence, just pay the extra $ and get this one. I haven't used their customer service, but I hear they are good. Hopefully I will never have to find out.

So I fluctuated on which brand to buy. Selling point was Amazon offered 2 for a savings of $80 when buying togather. Selling point was the new version is smallest of all. We had just returned from dry camping in desert. The below inverter / generator would not run either of my AC units. Only basic 110 items on inverter / generator. Package arrived, I downloaded the instruction sheet for Dometic Brisk Air II - 15k, very easy. First unit install, I was nervous. Took my time. Did a few mods as the Brisk Air II is tight area. Not much real estate to mount. I did my research on YouTube so I knew what to expect. Be carefull when routing wires as the capacitor cover / box is very close to fan blades. Most instructions / videos show bringing wires into housing on back throught existing knockout. I opted to drill a new hole with a HFT step drill and install the plastic bushing. I also used plastic cable sheath to keep wires togather. (See pic) The instructions say to use the terminal ends they supply, which are yellow. I opted to use my own since the wire is only 14 ga. I understand, parts bag is universal. Don't know why, but they supply 1 right angle terminal end / dog bone extension for use on compressor, but you need 2 more on the capacitor. They actually include them in parts bag. But I'm skeptical on my crimp on these (time will tell). Be carefull running red & brown under motor. Make sure they are in knockouts so they don't hit fan blades. After wiring red & brown, used a piece of plastic sheath where they could touch the copper tubes. And zip tied red & brown to existing wire loom. Got it wired in, reconnected, no problems. 1 hr - first install, 30 min - second install. Felt skilled by the Second one. Started up, followed instruction procedures, no problems. After 30 min pulled out my dual fuel 4000 Firman inverter / generator with 30 amp rv plug. Starts up, runs 1 AC no problem. Did this for each AC unit individually, no issues. Rig is 50 amp. Plugged in my 50 to 30 dog bone. Plugged in 30 amp cord to hard wire 30 amp RV plug at house. Both AC worked individually and then the test. Still on house hard wire 30 amp RV plug, started and ran BOTH ACs at same time. Woo hoo. Next test, couldn't resist, used 15 amp household plug with 10 ga extension cord, started 1 AC, ran fine. Another Woo Hoo. A lil expensive, but cost is worth it to make wife happy with AC when dry camping or short overnight stops. BTW, my rig is 2017 Cougar 288 RLS (34 ft), 2 AC units. 1 in main area, other in bedroom. Highly recommend.

Pro: A Soft Start for AC units, and it does that well so far. Printed instructions for finding the appropriate installation procedure on the web are included. You just find your AC model and you get PDF istep-by-step instructions with pictures and wiring diagrams. You also get a Youtube video of the whole procedure. If that isn't enough, they offer to talk you through by cellphone. After I read the PDF and saw the video, the unit installed with no trouble, so I had no need for a talk-through. Con: This is a pricey item, particularly as you start with a working AC, and when you're done, you have a working AC! However, the advantage of being able to use the AC -and other items on a small generator is a game-changer for the boondocker or 15A camper. Anything else I didn't like? A small nitpick, but the wiring diagrams could perhaps contain the necessary information in fewer diagrams? The common AC units are identified by model name, so we had to use our model number to look up the name we didn't know, and then get the right instructions. This seems a well-made unit with excellent installation instructions. We had almost gotten used to the power-grabbing "clunk" every time the compressor started; now we have a gentle purr up to full power. Yes, we were worried that we might lose some cooling performance, but it seems the cooling is just as good as before. We've tried it on a 15A outlet and our little 2200i generator. Both perform without trouble now, but not before. In short, if you can buy this SoftStartRV, do.

This is an amazing product. Makes the heat-pump unit on our RV so quiet and makes the start-ups not so hard on the unit. We have always had these outlast our AC Units and even re-used them on the new ones and it would outlast the second one as well. This is super easy to install and not too large so you can find an easy spot for it.

It's a overly used cliché, but this product is 'a game changer'! It was a bit intimidating to start the install, purely due to my confidence level to "get everything right", but after just a couple of calls to their fantastic tech support to confirm a couple concerns, I 'got 'er done' :-) and after powering my trailer back up, plugged it back in to my 110V garage circuit, and I was able to run my A/C unit for the first time ever - with no issues whatsoever! Very Happy! A couple weeks later, I thought I should probably test things out with my 3800W generator/inverter. Same results!! Yay!!! Highly recommend picking one of these up if (when..) your A/C strains your system when starting!