Dear Dave,
I have two questions: What soft start device would you recommend for this camper? How can we make the A/C unit quieter? Thank you. —Ray, 2019 Wolf Pup 16FQ
Dear Ray,
Your first question is a timely one as we just got a comment from another reader regarding a SoftStart product and how it nearly burned up his RV! Here is the comment:
I’m actually wondering how accurate your info is, after purchasing a SoftStartUSA plug and play unit that was a nightmare that almost burned down my Class A. It ended up being a unit that had been recalled, additionally, the Owner of SoftStart told me directly that the company is aware that their units are not compatible with Coleman Mach AC units. I would like to see a follow up on this issue! I went off your recommendation from previous articles! —Phil
Here was my response:
Phil, I would say that is a little harsh wondering how accurate my information is when you claim to have taken my recommendation from a previous article? I have only recommended the SoftStartRV™ product that I personally installed in 3 different RVs and did the measurements and testing. This product is the box that is installed in the roof air conditioner, not the plug and play version which you purchased, which is the SoftStartUp product.
I have not researched this product much but have been in conversation with their engineers about how it would work on a unit with an on-board generator and an automatic transfer switch (ATS), which it doesn’t.
I invite you to email me with your contact information and we will definitely do a follow-up with the correct facts which would require the make, model, and year of your Coleman A/C and the exact model of the SoftStart product. I’ve spent a good amount of time on the phone this afternoon with one of their techs and it seems the Coleman Mach 13.5 BTU does not have a start capacitor, which is essential to the SoftStartUp working. Also, when you click the “add to cart” on the website it brings up a disclaimer that states it will not work on this model.
I realize how important it is to get the facts and work very hard to research the products and procedures I write about rather than just generalizing or using AI which will get us all in trouble. Looking forward to working through this further.
Back to your question about SoftStart
There are actually several different SoftStartUSA products and more to come. The first product I researched and installed was the SoftStartRV™, that was installed inside the roof air conditioner connected directly to the compressor motor and capacitors. It was an easy install and did not require cutting any existing wires, just the correct connectors on the SoftStartRV.
Our initial measurements showed the standard Coleman 15K BTU air conditioner had an initial startup of over 40 amps for just a few seconds and was very loud. After installing the SoftStartRV we measured 18 amps initially! That was two years ago, and the owner of the 2016 Thor Challenger loves the product. All his friends and family have installed a model on theirs, as well. He even indicated they had a SoftStartRV “party” one weekend at their local campground, installing the product on 3 different units!
Second generation of SoftStartRV product
The second generation of the SoftStartRV product was a much smaller version that did the same thing. However, the larger “box” did not fit in some of the low-profile air conditioners without some modification. This version is 52% smaller and also fits all makes and models of roof air conditioners and was installed up inside the unit.
Then SoftStartUp™ was introduced and is an actual “plug and play” version that is plugged into the power supply such as a campground pedestal or directly to a generator.
This is a completely separate product and not an upgrade or revision of the SoftStartRV. It plugs directly into an outlet in a campground source or portable generator, which means no climbing on top of your rig and trying to figure out a wiring schematic. However, the SoftStartUp will not work in every situation and there is a disclaimer on the site. When you click on “Add To Cart” it takes you to the Disclaimer Page here.
Info on SoftStartUp Disclaimer Page
It starts with this caution:
Please read the few bullet points below to understand clearly what the device will – and will not do.
On that page, there is a section that states the following:
PLEASE DO NOT BUY a SoftStartUp if:
1. You have a Coleman 13.5 BTU A/C. Our engineering team is finalizing the software for this model A/C.
SoftStartUp works fine with ALL other A/C units. If you’d like to be notified when this 13.5 BTU Coleman is available email support@softstartusa.com
2. You have a Class A rig and want to use an onboard generator. Our engineering team is currently developing the SoftStartUp design for a Class A rig with an onboard generator. It works fine with a pedestal.
If you’d like to be notified when this on-board generator version is available email support@softstartusa.com
Then at the bottom of the page you are required to check the box that you understand the disclaimer before you can purchase the unit.
Coleman 13.5 BTU will not work
From talking with the technician, the Coleman 13.5 BTU does not have a start capacitor and will not work. I talked with a Coleman technician back when the SoftStartRV product came out and asked why they did not use this technology initially. He stated that the roof air conditioner market is so cost sensitive that nothing is added that will raise the price. In fact, most RV manufacturers threaten to go elsewhere if the price is not dropped by 5-10% almost every year. This was confirmed recently when I talked to a technician at a battery company that did not work with the RV industry. He commented that RV manufacturers are in a race to the bottom! Maybe that is why the Coleman 13.5 BTU doesn’t have a start capacitor?
So you can use any of the three products for your unit as long as it is a Dometic 13.5 BTU and not the Coleman.
How to make the A/C unit quieter
As for part two of your question, I do believe the SoftStartUp will quiet down initial operation and then you will want to inspect the interior housing for a smooth airflow. Since your unit is a direct flow and not ducted, the conditioned air comes out of the evaporator coils and is directed down into the rig. Any sharp edges or “pockets” can create turbulence and increase noise. The RV Airflow Systems™ is a great product that helps increase efficiency and reduce noise. I do not see your model listed on their website; however, you can follow the QR code and provide the measurements to see if they can customize something.
You can also do a little DIY customizing with HVAC tape and better baffles. Check out the article on that here.
You might also enjoy this from Dave
My RV’s roof air conditioner is so noisy I can’t hear my husband 15 feet away!
Dear Dave,
First on my list is to thank you for ALL of your knowledge. I am wondering why my air conditioners are so loud in my unit and how I can quiet them down? When the air is on I can’t hear my husband talk 15 feet away, or watch television, for that matter. Help. Thank you. —Karen, 40’ 2021 Heartland Cyclone 3713 fifth wheel toy hauler
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”
Read more from Dave here.
EDITOR’S NOTE: RVtravel.com has an affiliate relationship with Soft Start and receives a small commission for each sale. We are big believers in the product, and our affiliate relationship has no bearing on how we present the product in our articles.
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Thank you, Dave! 🙂 The soft start products are intriguing. My knowledge of them is small, but, thanks to you, growing. Thank you for this information! Have a great day and SAFE travels! 🙂
Perhaps Softstart should put their disclaimer near the front of the website. At the point of clicking “add to cart” most people have already done their research.
I don’t remember seeing a disclaimer when I purchased the softstart in ’21 and have yet to install as it still sits in box it came in. Both of my rv’s have the Coleman Mach 13.5 BTU systems, well now I have a brick in the original box collecting dust and never use unless the a/c unit is replaced with a Dometic! I agree with the statement of having the disclaimer of the Coleman a/c being displayed first and would add that it should be bold and loud so customers who are interested don’t purchase something that simply will not work with their Coleman Mach 13.5 BTU a/c’s. My fault for not viewing the details further at the time of purchase, anyone interested in a softstart unused unit? …
Robin P, you should have returned it when you determined it did not work for you. The owners would have refunded whatever you paid. So you really cannot blame SoftStart for your mistake. —Chuck W., publisher
FYI Coleman now makes and sells a soft start for their mach AC units. You can purchase directly or on Amazon it’s around $185?
I spent many years as an HVAC Tech installing hard start kits on AC units until I was introduced to SoftStart. I installed one on my travel trailer and was so impressed with the performance I also installed one on my home AC. On both units the sound of the compressor was greatly decreased on startup. The folks at SoftStart are great to work with, they stayed with me on the phone while I wired my home unit because they didn’t have a schematic for my unit. They are a great company.
In August 2020 I installed 2 SoftStartRv units by Network RV, having read articles in RVTravel.com and receiving a RVTRavel.com discount. We were going to have our house remodeled and had to live in our 2016 Bounder for 3 weeks in the TX summer heat. We only had 30 amp service for the RV with 2 AirXcell 48000 series Coleman Mach 3 plus a/c units. I installed both units on the 2 A/C’s. Was an easy install but did require a little cutting & crimping of some wires. It worked perfectly. Both A/C’s ran all day long for that summer heat. Since then, have stayed in many campgrounds with only 30 amp service and have never had any issues, always worked great. Quieter start ups.