By Chuck Woodbury
EDITOR
(BELOW: see the video from RV electricity authority Mike Sokol on how to install the SoftStartRV on a Dometic Penguin II air conditioner.)
As most readers know, we don’t say nice things about a company just to earn money. But I am about to say something very nice, and it’s about a company that approached us about helping promote its product. They were willing to pay us, as a respectful advertiser would. Right now, with our advertising way down due to the pandemic, we were receptive to the idea — but only if the product did what it promised.
The small SoftStartRV™ allows you to run two air conditioners on a 30-amp hookup (you’ll need two devices to do run both at once), or one air conditioner using only the power of a small portable generator like a Honda 2000 or 2200. We know from experience that this is a big deal on a hot summer day.
You can even run one air conditioner on a 20-amp hookup. The next time you park in the summer in your RV in a friend’s driveway with only household power available you’ll at least be able to run one air-conditioner (13,500 BTU maximum). If you you need an extension cord it should be of good quality, at least 12 gauge, no longer than 50 feet. The SoftStartRV™ makes this possible.
SUMMING UP:
Here’s what the SoftStartRV lets you do:
• Run two air conditioners (with 2 SoftStartRVs) on a 30-amp hookup.
• Run one air conditioner using only a small portable generator.
• Run one air conditioner on a 20-amp household hookup.
• Run an air conditioner or two using your onboard inverter system.
TESTING IT OUT
The first thing I did was have the company send a device to our RV electricity expert Mike Sokol of RVelectricity.com. If Mike were to report back to us that it was junk, then we’d have nothing to do with the device or the company. However, after testing it, Mike said it did everything it promised, and that it was a game changer for RVers. You can see his video below.
Here, very simply put, is how the SoftStartRV™ device works:
When you turn on the air conditioner in your RV, there’s a huge jolt of power needed to get it to start. That’s why you hear a loud thud right when it’s kicking in.
But only moments later, its need for power drops dramatically to about 13-14 amps.
What the SoftStartRV™ does is manage the start-up power surge so that it doesn’t hit at once, but gradually, avoiding the huge power spike. That’s why you can run two air conditioners on a 30-amp hookup, which you could never do before because of that spike. Ditto running one air conditioner with only the power of a small portable generator. With summer coming, obviously, this device can make a huge difference in your comfort.
So, that’s our story about our relationship with Network RV, the manufacturer of the product. Now, you may want to watch this short video from Mike Sokol that tells more about how the device works. As most of you know, Mike will absolutely not be associated with anything that does not live fully up to its promises.
If you want to learn more, visit our special page at the SoftStartRV™ website where you can get a discount if you decide to buy one or more of the devices.
Take a couple of minutes to watch this video by RV Electricity expert Mike Sokol for an electrician’s explanation of how the SoftStartRV™ works.
Watch Mike’s Sokol’s video with instructions for installing the SoftStartRV on a Dometic Penguin II air conditioner:
I found softstart useless in practice… can ONLY rub the AC on undersized generator and can’t run AC long on inverter. I sold my 2KW genny and got a 4KW like you SHOULD do in my case.
My 98 Bounder had an Intellitech load management system so 2 A/C’s could run on 30 amp service. My 2006 Tiffin Phaeton is 50 amp and has 2 15kw heat pump units with a SoftStart in each unit. The onboard 7.5 kw Onan runs both with no problems.
After installing the SoftStarts I hooked up 2 Honda 2000’s with factory parallel cables. On normal/high power they ran both A/C’s on a 90 degree day with no problems. Next on the same 90 degree day I put the Honda’s on eco and got same results. The SoftStarts do excatly what they claim. No big surge of electric needed to start or run 2 15 kw heat pumps on 4kw of power.
With shop rates right now, what is the normal time it takes to install one of these items?
Hi, Richard. I’m not sure of the answer to your question. But it’s apparently fairly easy to install the SoftStartRV yourself. Here’s a link to Mike Sokol’s recent Ask the Expert video on YouTube, where Danny Rahner, from SoftStartRV, explains how to easily install the product: https://youtu.be/gHSvraBuNyk Take care. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
OK. I see Mike keeps saying the price is 250.00USD but the website shows it is on sale for 299.00. Is their a discount code for RV Newsletter members that I missed?
Oops! Sorry, Richard. That was a typo which I didn’t catch. Here’s the link to our page regarding the $299 discounted amount: https://www.softstartrv.com/rvtravel/ My apologies, and thank you for bringing this to my attention. Have a good night. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
The only issue I had using my cheapo Champion 2000w generator was that I could not start the a/c if the generator was running in eco mode. Once I bumped it up to ‘normal’ speed it had no problem running the a/c. Best investment I ever made (well, almost).
Is there a shop in the Portland Oregon area that installs these?
Thanks, Steve
Hi, Steve. Thanks for your question. Here is a link to a recent Ask the Expert episode on YouTube with Mike Sokol and Danny Rahner from SoftStartRV with the easy installation procedure: https://youtu.be/gHSvraBuNyk Also, here is the link to their support page, which includes their phone number: https://www.softstartrv.com/support/ Maybe you can phone them, or send an email (“support ticket”), with your question. Good luck! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I have a jayco 145rb that has what amounts to a compact window ac unit in the wall….a PD-8K-AC. I also run the Honda 2200 generator and it can’t react quickly enough to run it in eco mode. Will the soft start fit in one of these?
Is it feasible to install a “central” SoftStart that can be shared between two AC units that are never engaged simultaneously?
No, sorry that won’t work. You need one SSRV unit per air conditioner. There’s just no way around it.
Had one installed on new 2021 with 15k ac and works off our. yamaha 2200 generator.
Mike, my 2020 Airstream International has two A/C’s and fifty amp power. Will I need one “soft start” unit per A/C ? Thank You.
Yes, you do need one SSRV unit per air conditioner.
I have a problem when I am using my microwave and my air conditioner kicks in the breaker gets thrown on the hookup pole. Will this help in my situation.
Yes, it likely will help stop tripping the breaker when the air conditioner kicks in. I assume you’re on a 30-amp shore power connection.
I installed the soft start on my Dometic 15,000 BTU heat pump. It worked fine for a few months. The RV sat on the driveway through a heat wave (120 in Palm Springs) and after that the AC would only blow room temperature air. Not sure if the intense heat caused a problem with the Soft Start or the unit itself. Having an RV Tech. diagnose today. Since the Dometic units are pretty much disposable (This is the second one I’ve had fail in three years) I’m guessing the unit will have to be replaced. Trying to decide if I should install the soft start (assuming it is not the problem) in the new unit… Do you know if exposure to the heat could cause an issue with the soft start?
I don’t think that normal heat will affect a SSRV unit, but I’ll leave that question for Danny Rahner from SSRV to answer.
Hello I’m so happy to be able to post here today. I in fact added this product to our new 2020 Cherokee 24js. I had an issue that my 3400w Champion would not run the A/C, it would over load instantly. We installed the unit, it only took 2 try’s well no one said i was an electrician. We just had to put the Red wire back on the starter. Ok with that said IT WORKS great. Ran the A/C on high ran the TV,lights an Microwave all at the same time. Thank you folks great product is performed as advertised
Will a Soft Start run a single
15000 BTU unit on a 30 AMP Service
Yes, I do that all the time in my shop.
I have two AC units, am I needing to buy a SoftstartRV for each unit?
Mikey, Yes, one for each A/C. The idea is to get rid of the surge of power each uses at startup.
Chuck
Why are you recommending the Honda 2200? The link you provided shows that unit has 15 amp outlets, the softstart needs 20 (for a single AC). Why not the Generac gp3000i. ? It has 20amp output and is less expensive as well.
That’s my question why not the gp3000 genetac. Cost is less and is rated top of the generators.
Note that a 15-amp receptacle can provide up to 20-amperes of current as long as the circuit breaker is rated for 20-amps. I’ve also used a Honda EU2200 Companion generator which has a 30-amp twist lock outlet, but it can only provide 18 amperes of current from the inverter.
As far as brands go, you pay your money and make your choice. Honda is the gold standard for Inverter generators, but there are other quality products on the market as well. As long as it’s a quiet inverter generator I’m okay with it. But please don’t bring an open-frame contractor generator to a campground as that won’t make you any friends at all due to the noise.
So where do you install this at?
It goes into your A/C unit that sits on top of your RV roof. You remove the cover and you will see the components that make up the air conditioner. This unit installs right beside them and then you cover it all back up again with the cover.
So you can run 2 AC units on a 30 amp with these as I understand. Can you run 3 AC units (2×15,000 1×13,500)with 3 of these on a 50 amp service?
My RV has 2 15K and one 13.5K and it will run all three on 50 amp without the softstart units.
Ya I figured this out shortly after I made this comment. I’m halfway new in the RV world. What we have now is a 21′ single axle with 30 amp service that has one ac unit.
Yes, that’s correct.
Chuck,
Soft Start product sounds great and I am really interested. However reading recent reviews on Amazon there are several customers, of Soft Start, that were not able to get Soft Start customer service to respond to their calls. If I purchase the Soft Start product Customer Service for me “is the product”. Thoughts or insights?? Thank you.
Steve, I had the opposite experience. I was able to contact customer support quickly. I even scheduled the time to work through the installation. You need to know that I am very slow and methodical BEFORE I ever make a step in an installation, so I checked with them and double checked with them. They answered the phone and were extremely supportive each and every time I called. Just call SoftStart tech support: Danny (915) 235-6056.
This same product was just used in my home during the install of my new whole house unit. The tech said it makes the compressor last long,
Interesting that you mention the home unit. While getting our HVAC unit serviced last year the ‘tech’ said he will eventually replace the compressor on MOST A/C units because they take a beating everytime they start up. I asked about the SoftStart unit for my home A/C. He’d never heard of it . . .
Best customer service from a tech and purchase point of view. I had small issues that we resolved entirely by the company. These folks provide excellent effort in problem solving and support. Ask for Danny.
Third consecutive day in a row. I’m actually running my ac on 20 amp plug at brother-in-laws house. Also during a boondockerswelcome excursion late last week the same thing. Low power on 20 amp breaker with a 15 amp adapter. No problem. This is a game changer in how we decide where to go nowadays.
Thank you folks for the response. I will be contacting Soft Start about my situation. I have a 2018 Newmar with two Dometic Air Conditioners with Heat Pumps. I haven’t seen anything concerning air conditioners with heat pumps. Again thank you for the feedback
Heat pumps are essentially the same as straight A/C units – there’s just some additional internal valves to reverse the coolant flow. Same compressor load in either mode of operation so the Soft Start should work fine.
I have 4 6volt batteries and a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter. Has anyone used their inverter only?
I’m getting ready to do that exact experiment next week. Stand By for a really interesting demonstration.
I can’t wait to see what it reveals. 🙂
Hello Mike. Did you try the SoftStarRV with power from an inverter?
If so, what size inverter, a/c draw and battery capacity?
Very interested in results and conclusions. Thanks, Gerard
I did try this with a 2,000-watt Hybrid Inverter provided by CarGenerator, and it worked great for as long as the batteries lasted. More on just how much battery power you need to run an air conditioner soon.
can I get this shipped to Canada? I was trying to order one and there doesn’t seem to be any way to enter a Canadian address.
Amazon.ca has it for about twice the money. :/