How to Keep Cool in Your RV: One Problem, Two SoftStart Solutions
From DIY to Plug-and-Play, SoftStartUSA Has SoftStart Solutions for Every RVer
RV air conditioning softstart devices continue to find a growing audience. As RVing has increased, and the average age of your typical RVer has decreased, RV manufacturers are doing what they can to meet the reduced price points these younger adventurers require. The result is often cuts in power-management capabilities and reduced functionality of some components. For example, many of the 13.5k air conditioning units don’t include a starting capacitor. Expensive power and load-balancing technology is often reserved for higher end RVs.
These shortcomings manifest themselves in subtle ways that an RV owner may not notice right away. But they are are often revealed at the most inconvenient times. And, peak summer is one of those times. When your RV air conditioners are craving and drawing all the power they can, something has to give. Perhaps you don’t have power left to run the microwave, or electric cooktop. On lower amperage power connections, such as 30-amp, you may not even be able to start one or more of your RV’s A/C units. You’ll end up both literally and figuratively hot under the collar.
SoftStartUSA has developed two softstart products that address these problems. The tried and tested DIY SoftStartRV is a simple DIY installation on the RV’s roof in each A/C unit. And the newer SoftStartUp simply plugs into the pedestal, making it a simple solution for any RVer.
The Newest SoftStart Product: SoftStartUp
The latest iteration of the SoftStartUp has undergone an important update, and rigorous testing by famed RV Electricity guru, Mike Sokol. The goal was to address nearly every power situation or combination an RVer might be faced with. One of those challenges was addressing the aforementioned A/C units that do not include a starting capacitor.
A Word About Startup Capacitors
Starting capacitors are common to all air conditioners, home and RV alike. Here’s a quick explanation of what that capacitor does:
“An AC capacitor provides the initial jolt of power that an air conditioner’s motor requires to operate effectively. It collects power and transfers it to your unit’s motors in jolts that are strong enough to start the cooling cycle in your system.”
We won’t get into why a manufacturer might want to skimp on a $35 part for your $80,000 RV. That’s another conversation. It is a reality however, and there is a solution!
SoftStartUp
SoftStartUp from SoftStartUSA is a plug-and-play soft starter that plugs into the campground pedestal. Your RV then plugs into the SoftStartUp. The programming and circuitry inside the SoftStartUp monitors and manages the power coming from the pedestal, or even a generator you might be plugged into. It manages the power going to your entire RV, including all of your A/C units. This type of device:
- Eliminates the need to climb on your RV’s roof.
- Requires no tools, and no installation other than simply plugging it in.
- Is a single-product purchase, versus buying a softstart for each rooftop air conditioner.
Advantages of SoftStartUp
For many RVers, not having to get on the roof or perform any kind of installation is a huge benefit. With regard to functionality, SoftStartUp will help balance and smooth the power requirements to startup devices like air conditioners and microwaves, especially on a 30-amp power connection. If you are moochdocking on standard 15-amp 110-volt power, you can usually startup one A/C unit.
The SoftStartUp ensures you can use your RV the way it was designed, under almost any power condition. There are limits of course…you aren’t going to run 3 A/C’s on a 15-amp connection! However, if the amps for what you want to run don’t exceed whatever power you are drawing, SoftStartUp will help overcome that spike of power needed to get those devices going.
The Original SoftStartRV
The original SoftStartRV devices are installed under the cover of your roof-mounted air conditioner. You’ll need one for each A/C unit on your RV’s roof. Collectively, these devices act together to help your RV air conditioners overcome that high starting current needed to get the compressor running. They provide a boost to what the starting capacitor does, and if one does not exist, they help overcome that deficiency.
These compact SoftStart devices are 52% smaller than other models, 100-percent waterproof, and are a simple DIY installation for any savvy RVer that already does much of their maintenance. They can also be installed by any qualified RV technician. One advantage of the individual SoftStartRV units is that they are independent of any advanced power management or load-balancing systems found on more expensive RVs, that may perform those tasks automatically. This gives you the benefit of those nice on-board systems, while still aiding in providing that all-important startup power an air conditioner needs.
Installing The SoftStartRV
Installation of the SoftStartRV devices is similar across brands of A/C manufacturers. Before you get started, use SoftStartRV’s many support resources that include wiring diagrams for nearly every A/C unit imaginable. All major RV air conditioning brands are supported. If needed, the US-based support team offers clear, English-speaking live video chat support too. There are also several installation videos available, here are just a few:
As with electrical work of any kind, you’ll want to shut down all power. It never hurts to be redundant, so cutting off the power at the battery bank, and the 12v switch inside the RV should do the trick. You should also unplug from the pedestal, or simply throw the breaker to the OFF position.
After ensuring you can safely ascend (and remain!) on your RV’s roof, you’ll need to remove the plastic cover or shroud that protects your A/C unit from the sun and debris. You should have already consulted and printed your wiring diagram, or have it available on your phone or a tablet. Each SoftStart device comes with an installation kit that includes the hardware you’ll need.
Great For Cold Weather Too
While the SoftStart products from SoftStartUSA excel in making your warm weather camping cooler, remember that very often, RVs include at least one A/C unit that doubles as a heat pump. Heat pumps are generally effective when the outside air temperature is 40-degrees or above, so unless you want to keep milk on the counter all day, you’re going to want to warm things up a bit. As in summer, the SoftStartUp and SoftStartRV will help you get that heat pump going, and leave you some power to fire up the microwave and make some hot chocolate.
Enjoy the RV LIFE SoftStart Discount
Readers across the entire RV LIFE family can enjoy great discounts on SoftStart products. Visit the SoftStartUp website to learn more about the easy plug-and-play SoftStartUp, and check out the SoftStartRV website to see if that product is right for you.
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Source: https://rvlife.com/how-to-keep-cool-in-your-rv-one-problem-two-softstart-solutions/
