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

Install was good, just follow instructions for your exact AC unit. Worked great. The AC unit started gradually and about 60 percent quieter. Could run the AC using 15/20 amp house plug connection. Truly a ‘missing link’ in the camping experience. Now I could stay with relatives by plugging up to a regular plug or use a small generator (not personally tested yet) as indicated by the Softstart web site. One important installation note: If possible attach the box with self tapping screws after checking behind the drilling spot for clearance. The adhesive tape on the back of the Softstart box will probably fail at some point from heat and road motion.

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 risksI think that the SoftStart unit is worth every penny.

So I bought 3 of these soft starts for my RV. Super easy install. Ran them for 2 years without any issues. Last month my front AC stopped cooling. The interior fan worked but not the condenser fan or the compressor. I suspected the soft start might have malfunctioned.I looked at it with power running and none of the LEDs were on. I traced power to the soft start but none of the other lines had power. I removed the unit and reconnected the factory wiring and the AC worked fine.I contacted the manufacturer and explained my issue. They shipped me a brand new unit the next day. It arrived within 48 hours of my email to them! They even included a pair of wire strippers for free! I mean that goes above and beyond customers service. Whoever is running this company deserves a pat on the back. Their actions show what it means to stand behind your product.I also noticed these guys have tech support that will literally walk you through the whole installation live on the phone! I have never encountered better customer service outside of a Chic-fil-a!!! 😂I'm a customer for life!!!

After looking at options, I purchased two for my AC units on our Fleetwood Pace Arrow 33D. They work great an no more ”Brown outs” on my electrical panel caused by the startup surge. It only took me a couple hours to install startup surge to finish.

Was nervous I would screw something up, but the instructions were straight forward and good YouTube videos out there, had it installed in about 45 minutes start to finish. I’m now able to start my 13.5K btu Carrier AC on my camper with a Honda 2200eu generator, and run it on high cool in eco mode. Game changer!!