ActiveStart Soft Starter Tests - AC Startup in RV Park & Off Grid with Generator & Inverters

Link to the Part 1 Video - Features & First Test using Park Power • ActiveStart Soft Start...
Active Controls Website - www.active-con...
Active Controls KZbin Channel - / @activecontrolsllc
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I put the soft start function to the test in this video, trying to start my Furrion RV Air Conditioner. No problems hooked up to a 30 amp RV park service, but ActiveStart failed to start the AC using my three off-grid power sources. 2000W Generator and a 2400W Lithium Power Station and 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter.
Likes:
USA Company
Small Business
Good Surge Protection
Decent Build Quality
Nice App
Dislikes:
Didn't Start Furrion AC Off Grid
Outdoor Use Only
140 VAC High Cut-off
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#LoveYourRV #ActiveStart #softstarter #softstarters #rvgadgets

[@LoveYourRV]

*Link to the Part 1 Video* - Features & First Test using Park Power kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6XCf5uEec92hKM Active Controls Website - www.active-controlsllc.com/ Active Controls KZbin Channel - kzbin.info/door/2oKOjtZL-YMZbPzv5PpizQ Amazon Link - amzn.to/3Xaco1M

[@doppler3237]

I also have a cougar fifth wheel and just put in a 9, 000 BTU heat pump with DC inverter and cannot over state how happy I am. Overall pulls about 40% of watts and is almost silent. With my lithium and solar and hybrid f 150 with its 7.2 KW inverter I can run anytime I want mostly off batteries.

[@RVwithTito]

Calling upon my past programming background, I believe the NaN is an abbreviation for "Not a Number". You'll typically see this when the programmer hasn't accounted for no-value-present condition. Too bad that device didn't work. It certainly has the potential to be very useful.

[@Deveak]

I talked to the engineer from the company. They have a LOT of soft starts coming out. General motor soft starts for things like compressors, a version for refrigerators and what I’m really excited about, a well soft starter. Both 120 and even 240 two wire soft start. Really opens up the possibilities for people like me with a deep well.

[@johnmckinnon5579]

Thanks Ray! You just saved me $465.00.

[@livingthedream1979]

I ordered one when they first became available and got the same error you got. I contacted them and they exchanged it out for the traditional units that hook up to the ac at no extra cost to me, there customer service was great.

[@cecilialater2222]

Thanks for your honesty. I almost just bought one to use with my Titan solar generator.

[@jdollar5852]

Maybe they changed the website, but it states that it won't work for many generators or solar generators OR inverters. Where it really shines is allowing you to run an AC from a 15-20 amp breaker or to run 2 ACs from a 30 amp pedestal. I can run my 13.5 AC using a Honda 2k generator even without this softstart if I run the fan and then turn on the compressor. I can not run the AC using a Bluetti AC200MAX. This product does what I need. I don't have a 30-50amp plug in my pole barn, so I can only plug in to a 20 amp residential plug. This allows me to run one AC if needed. It also allows me to run both ACs from a 30 amp pedestal. That's a BIG bonus for us here in GA. I'm currently working on a video using this device and showing what it will do in my camper. I'm also working on one using the Bluetti AC200MAX to show exactly how much power the different items in my RV will use.

[@LoveYourRV]

The product has definitely been evolving since I tried it back in January. I've been testing different versions and also the wired in version for the company as they tweak the design. Here is the a wired in version I recently tested.kzbin.info/www/bejne/pquzqYCjZ7Noi5o It worked well on my inverters. Cheers, Ray

[@scottconnell8167]

Thanks for the honest review Ray you watch all these KZbinrs and they rant and Rave about stuff and it does not work properly or you don't need it love your channel because you are honest safe travels and stay cool

[@jamesalexander2216]

I used mine on a 15amp circuit and ran my 15k a/c and worked great! Also turned the TV on too. Mine is the new 50amp version

[@lorneserpa5888]

Put in a Soft start RV brand soft start yesterday. Don't know what it pulls, but ran fine in eco mode on my champion 1850 / 2400 gen. Very nice! My AC is a furrion 15,000 btu 2023 model.

[@stevejansky9913]

I know others have said the hard wired Softstart works on 13.5K and 15K air conditioners with 2-2.2K generators - but one thing to keep in mind when using generators is your altitude. For every 1K of altitude the generator loses about 3% power. We live and camp mostly in Colorado with sites ranging from 5.7K to 9.2K altitude. So even at 5.7K we lose 17% power while at highest elevation it is about 28% loss, that can make a difference in device working or not. Inverters should not be affected by altitude so your 3K inverter should have had a chance in working if the claimed 50% reduction is accurate. Thanks for review, I was hoping it would work for us.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, good point, I'm at about 1500 feet so didn't think about it much. Seems like a good company. Very responsive and pleasant to deal with. He figures my generator is just too small for the 14.5K AC. He says generators usually have the best luck as they can handle a little lag in the ramp up. Gonna try another unit that has had its programming modified to see if it will work on my 3000W inverter. Figures my inverter may be garbling the waveform a bit under the high load. Also, test out the unit that gets wired directly to the air conditioner. Cheers, Ray

[@placesonthelist]

I use the easy start installed on my AC unit. 13.5 Coleman

[@bertkelly7650]

Wow! The price! Thanks Ray for doing the hard work.

[@RVFreeDa]

Well I guess this won’t work for me then. I have a 2000 generator and a 5000 BTU air conditioner. Thanks for testing it!

[@mrgehring2]

I tried the new and very similar "SoftStartUp" product from SoftStartUSA ( $600 ), with similar results. I changed my 20' TT AC to a Houghton RecPro 2801 9500 BTU , but the surge current as marked on it ( RLA ) is 56A, so it did not work as I hoped with my Yamaha EF2000is ( version 1 ) . So, I tried it with the SoftStartUp and I saw no difference. I then tried my neighbor's Honda 2200i, and it worked fine without the softstart, even at 6600' elevation. When I tried it with the softstart the behavior seemed no different - the Honda generator bogged down similarly ( but did not quit ). Since I found I could run the AC with the Honda, at altitude and in ECO mode, I decided to return the SoftStartUp and buy the Honda. I have been very happy ever since. I also converted the Honda to run on propane, and it worked great for several power outages here in Portland OR this winter. So nice not to have to deal with gasoline anymore ! But, I can still run it on gas if I want to without any changes. BTW, here is a meter than can measure the surge current www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z45262C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

[@LoveYourRV]

I have a cheap meter like that and measured the inrush current and reported it to the ActiveStart engineer. He uses a more expensive Fluke meter. This is what he said about the meter inrush test I did: "That is probably still catching the peak. The Fluke does an averaging where it integrates the value to come up with inrush. Since your meter will trip with the initial spike it is hard to see inrush. To get the full value the unit has to complete the start for it to integrate and get the inrush value." He is continuing to fine tune the products and is going to ship me out a wired in version to try with my power sources. Cheers, Ray

[@mrgehring2]

@@LoveYourRV yes I agree that is a drawback to that meter. The right way to do it is with a scope and a current probe, but I don’t have that.

[@jameshodgins1937]

Great review. I use a MicroAir Easy Start with a Honda EU3000IS Generator and have no problems.

[@LoveYourRV]

I bet a 3000 Honda would likely start the AC without a soft starter. I have a 3200-watt Energizer, and it ran our old Coleman Mach easily. :) The only problem is the thing was 108 lbs. So I carry the 44 lb 2000W model. Don't really need AC much anyway. Cheers, Ray

[@jameshodgins1937]

@@LoveYourRV Agreed. Mine is heavy, but it is the generstor I owned before Ingot the Travel Trailer. Thanks for all your reviews and videos.

[@tommcl386]

I am looking forward to their 50amp version to come out for our 2023 Cougar. We have 2 AC units.

[@shelley131]

Just saw your video. I have a class b rv with a 13,500 btu a/c where I can actually power my a/c using the Delta Max 2000. I have the watchdog surge protector that displays the voltage and current on the app. I notice that my amperage will draw 20 amps on low cool if I do not run the fans first for a minimum of one minute. I do have to turn off the lights and the refrigerator . So I start the a/c on low fan for a full minute, than high fan for a fool minute than low cool. Doing this surges the amps to 14 amps. I let that settle down for a couple of minutes and then am able to run high cool. It normally settles around 10 to 11 amps . Once the rv cools down I drop it to low cool auto and turn on on my lights and Fridge and the EcoFlow delta max 2000 runs it for about 1.5 hours. I don't think it would run a larger unit like yours. I do like the active start to use at a friends home if they do not have 30 amp plugs. I can use the 30 to 15 amp adapter and run my a/c. Thank you for your video.

[@danielking2944]

I’m surprised they still put these air conditioners in RVs.I’ve installed several 1.5ton mini split heat pumps and they have no problem starting because they ramp up slowly. I have two of them on a 5K Growatt solar inverter and have a third to go on that same inverter. It seems like the relatively small investment,about $1300, would be well worth it. There are some now that run directly on solar panels without inverter.

[@DIY101]

I agree with the condensation could be a problem in the NW no coating means just a matter of time.

[@erefafir6760]

I love this little generator. So easy to use

[@da7heaven]

Bummer about these results, Ray. I had hoped this would be a good solution.

[@jerrydaminato743]

Thanks Ray. Sounds like they have some work to do yet.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, seems like a good company, though. Very responsive and pleasant to deal with. Gonna try another unit that has had its programming modified to see if it will work on my inverter. Also, test out the unit that gets wired directly to the air conditioner. Cheers, Ray

[@billdennis2993]

Thx Ray for an informative video FWIW I put Micro Aire softstarters on my Fusion's 2 Coleman mach 8s with 30amp CG shore power I can run both but have to put the water heater and frifge on propane and let 400 w roof solar array handle battery charging and 12v loads but gets us by when 50a isn't available. YMMV Happy Camping.

[@Sprocket181]

I just returned a similar product called softstartup because it didn’t appear to do anything for my setup. It looks eerily similar to this unit down to the app so I’d guess they’re made at the same factory. Either way didn’t work for me, tech support said it’s not supposed to soft start the compressor. Go figure. So I returned and installed a microair easy start directly to the a/c unit, now works perfectly with my Ecoflow.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Cheers, Ray

[@henrymorgan3982]

Thanks for the information Ray!

[@PWoods-cd6tk]

I didn't hear you say what size your air conditioner is. I start my 5000 BTU window unit and my 10000 BTU window unit with a bluetti ac200 Max and a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter. They both surprise the inverters when they kick on the first time, then after that they'll start up all night long. I'm really thinking about buying one of these for my 10000 BTU so my inverter will not flicker and damage the AC to DC power supplies for my modem and router. I think the 50 amp with a 30 amp plug is available now.

[@LoveYourRV]

My AC is a 14.5K BTU Furrion with a Locked Rotor Amp rating of 61 amps. So a fairly hefty startup load.

[@PWoods-cd6tk]

Wow.

[@coreymerritt7742]

Wow that’s kind or disappointing thanks ray

[@Spiederia]

I have one. I can run both Furrion AC units drawing 26amps.

[@LoveYourRV]

Cool! I know that the engineer has worked hard at modify the software for best performance.

[@Jeffbob442]

Hey Ray, there is a guy on U Tube that says he has built the ''simplest soft start ever''..all it seems to have in it are 2 current delay pieces? Wonder if it has any chance of working....maybe you should check it out for ''us'' out here...if there is any chance to make it work...your the man!!

[@LoveYourRV]

I looked, and the max current for the devices used is 12 amps, a little less than a typical RV microwave or air conditioner so may fail. My guess is it would slow the inrush current too much, and the compressor would fail to start. These more expensive soft starters use more sophisticated components driven by software algorithms to ramp up the current rate at a more fine-tuned rate.

[@Jeffbob442]

Thanks Russ!

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

Thank for sharing once again - and opening this thing and showing to us. And you did not too much commenting to leave this to the viewers this time? First of all two wires go straight through, just one passes the electronic. And the connecting cables prevent from changing polarity? (How about sending a picture to the company, asking if the wiring is okay the way it is?) There seems to be a BIOS top left corner - is this okay, up to date? To the right there is a piece of power electronics, but no cooling mounted to it - does it get hot under use? What amps is the fuse in there actual? Just 250 milliamp to protect the electronics? With regard to moisture i would consider to place one or two small bags of silica inside, and of course check them from time to time. And i would have been interested to see a wiring diagram of the aircon - maybe the reason for the non cooperation is on that side? (And other aircons would do?) And factor four to six overprized as well? (I prefer China instead, if China works.) ... not commenting, just expressing my thoughts.

[@activecontrolsllc]

Hi.. Yes the wiring is correct. We are only switching 1 leg which is the hot leg to ramp power.

[@LoveYourRV]

The black cable is the one that gets switched on/off. It is the AC hot. The green and white are neutral and ground which are bonded at the campground power service so basically the same. Many generators or inverters have floating neutrals. This box alerts to that fact with LED lights on the plug in. The firmware is up to date, the engineer told me to check that first incase it had not been updated. Yes, I imagine the little fuse is for the DC supply voltage to the chips and what not. For moisture they could install one of those one way vents that lets air out and/or coat the boards I haven't been able to find a detailed diagram of my AC control box. But one difference in my system is the AC was a conversion model, has the Coleman control box plugged into the Furrion AC with a wire adapter. Not sure if that makes a difference, can't really see how. They are quite simple devices electrically speaking. I think it comes down to the high Locked Rotor Amps rating of over 60 for the Furrion 14.5K. My old Coleman was 53 and would have likely started. Cheers, Ray

[@michaelscansaroli9788]

Look at the Micro Air Easy start system. Love your blog, been watching for years!

[@LoveYourRV]

Looks like ActiveStart has a similar wired-in product like the Micro Air storage.googleapis.com/production-domaincom-v1-0-0/980/1482980/ls0FIvyF/970fd8a7bbd34b74ac953e6dd5328756?fileName=ActiveStart%20Sell-Hightlight%20Combined%20ACS4W16%20%20ACS4W40%201-9-23.pdf

[@kevinturley6673]

I installed a micro air easy start for my 13500 btu Dometic ac unit and it runs off of a 2200 Honda generator with no issues. I can run it in the eco mood as well for the start up. Works wonders in the summer.

[@LoveYourRV]

Honda 2200s are a really good generator. I remember back before soft starters many people could get the AC to run with them or a Yamaha 2200 just by installing what's called a hard start capacitor. Was only about 20 bucks.

[@kevinturley6673]

That is interesting, I looked at the hard start option but I didn’t see anyone who could make the 2200 work with a hard start system which is why I went with the soft start

[@kevinturley6673]

Love your channel, discovered you guys after you had spent sometime over here in Powell River. Keep up the good work and great ideas.

[@timf6916]

I don’t think it’s my cup of tea. I have a Bull Dog [50AMP] hard wired and so far it’s work VERY WELL.

[@KevinCoop1]

Really like your videos. Very technical and thorough. I was an electrical designer from 1983 to 2018. Your AC unit not starting on those devices sounds like there is something wrong with your AC. Question, is your fan set to high speed or low, Retry the test with the motor speed in the other setting. What happens if you plug your coach into the 15 or 20 amp pedestal receptacle? Will the AC start and run for a while? The 14 amps you stated are maximum right? Running Load Amps RLA is 10-12(guessing). Sorry to bother you! Kevin

[@LoveYourRV]

I had the fan on low speed and had started it running before setting it to cool and having the compressor run. This AC runs fine on a 20 amp shore power outlet. The rating for locked rotor amps for this Furrion AC is 61 amps which is higher than my old Coleman Mach 3 which was 53 amps. 61A x 120V = 7320W The company claims an up to 50% reduction in required start-up current using this plug-and-play soft starter. So I can see why my 1600W (2000W surge) rated gas generator has problems but I figured my inverters that are rated 2400W (4800 surge) and 3000W (6000W surge) may have had a chance, but I guess their protection circuits kick in for some reason. He says gas generators usually have better luck just the way they can absorb a surge. The company's engineer sent me a modified version of the product where he adjusted some of the parameters hoping it may work, but no dice. So he is sending me their version that gets wired into the AC, which can reduce up to 80%, so he figures that may do the job. I'm getting that wired version soon and will install and test with the same power sources. Cheers, Ray

[@LoveYourRV]

My generator isn't the 2200 model, its the older 2000 model energizergenerators.com/catalog/product/view/_ignore_category/1/id/2/s/ezv2000p-1/ Yes, tried both bonded and unbonded. I have a DIY bonding cord I made years ago for my old Champion 2000W and ActiveStart sent me one of theirs to use active-controls-llc.myshopify.com/en-ca/products/ground-neutral-bonding-plug Their engineer told me it would work with or without it though so that didn't have anything to do with the issue. Cheers, Ray

[@KevinCoop1]

@@LoveYourRV I looked at everything I could find on the AC and Gen, but do not have enough information. It does look like the generator barely puts enough energy to keep it running, much less cover the inrush on the compressor starting. A soft start does not reduce the amps, it’s like a PWM and turns the power on and off until the motor gets up to speed. Have fun with testing these devices. Looks like it’s a fun thing to do. Respectfully, Kevin

[@KevinCoop1]

After much thought, for there to be 16,000 amps, the voltage had to drop to below zero volts, or a fractional volt. Something inside that soft start unit is defective in my opinion. Did they send you another one to verify the issue? Respectfully, Kevin

[@LoveYourRV]

@@KevinCoop1 I believe the 16,000 amps reading is just a software default error. It's not really what happened. They sent me a modified unit where the engineer changed some programming, but it still didn't work for my Furrion 14.5K BTU AC using my gas generator and the power inverters. He figures I will have to use a wired-in unit for my Furrion AC versus the plug-and-play shore power model. The plug-and-play model maxes out at about a 50% reduction in start-up surge current, whereas he says the wired-in gets above an 80% reduction. There has been a delay in getting the wired-in model as he wanted to improve the design and programming for inverters but was busy with coming out with a 50 amp plug-and-play model. But the new wired-in is now ready for me to try, and he is shipping me one out soon, so I will likely be wiring it to my ac for testing this month.

[@davidhillbrand2302]

Thank you but a bit disappointing ! I guess I won't try it with my 15K A/C.

[@LoveYourRV]

Going to try out the wired direct to AC version and retest the stuff

[@vevenaneathna]

its a 500$ solid state relay with a fancy app. could make the same thing with a 3$ chinease SSR rip

[@LoveYourRV]

If that is true there should be lots of companies selling these soon at much lower prices since there is lots of demand for AC soft starters in both home, boat and RV air conditioners. Not sure what is stopping them, maybe there is a patent on the technology/software used.

[@travelswiththebeast3337]

Ray, on my 35 ft Class A gas coach, I am currently adding Micro-Air Soft Starts to each AC unit. I found that the plug in units won’t work since I have a load shedding system (Energy Management System) and an EMS type surge unit and the pulse width modulation of the soft start causes them to refuse power to the coach.

[@LoveYourRV]

Are they Furrion ACs?

[@travelswiththebeast3337]

@@LoveYourRV No they are Dometic Penguin IIs but the issue is how the soft start modulates the current draw by rapidly turning on and off power to the ACs, effectively ramping up the units. With soft starts in the AC, the EMS system doesn’t see the intermittent voltage loss. With the soft start upstream of the EMS, the EMS see the power as having a rapid series of voltage drops or as low incoming voltage so it stops incoming power to protect the coach.

[@LoveYourRV]

This plug-in soft starter is designed to replace the need for a dedicated EMS, as it's already one. So the EMS is removed. It's basically a soft starter and EMS in one easy-to-use package.

[@jockosboy17]

Something is wrong with your unit or something. I have one of these and it works for me. I consistently see at least a 8 amp surge reduction and everything starts.

[@LoveYourRV]

Seems like a good company. Very responsive and pleasant to deal with. He figures my generator is just too small for the 14.5K AC. He says generators usually have the best luck as they can handle a little lag in the ramp up. Gonna try another unit that has had its programming modified to see if it will work on my 3000W inverter. Figures my inverter may be garbling the waveform a bit under the high load. Also, test out the unit that gets wired directly to the air conditioner. Cheers, Ray

[@jockosboy17]

@@LoveYourRV I plan to test a before and after the install. Preliminary testing shows an 8 amp reduction in peak draw using a large air compressor. My 3500 watt gen can start my 15k ac but I was looking to make its life a little easier and maybe feel ok with having it on ECO mode vs. normal. I will update you with my results. Thanks for the response!!

[@mark98070]

Was wondering if you purchased a different model and if it worked at starting/running your A/C unit. I recently purchased a 2550 watt inverter generator and to my dismay It would NOT power my 13.5 A/C unit😭😭

[@arlenewolf5260]

I have a Southwire 30 AMP Surge Protectors for my RV. Can I add this ActiveStart Soft Starter after the Surge Protector before the RV wire Plug.

[@ronjans22]

I'd really love to purchase one of these for a new RV I have but I don't think these work as well as the micro air easy start. I installed a micro air on a 13.5K coleman mach (Winnebago Fuse) and it will start the a/c even with eco mode setting on a honda 2000 all day long. Never had an issue. The 2000 gradually increases to full throttle very smoothly. If the compressor is not constantly running and you are trying just to do a slight cool off at night the generator is not screaming so bad when the compressor is off vs high throttle all the time from the generator saving some fuel. Does anyone know if this device will actually work with any generator in eco mode to start it up??? When I watch the watt meter with the easy start it is amazing how gentle it fires up the compressor. It doesn't seem like this does the same thing. Please correct me if my thoughts are wrong ! Thanks

[@LoveYourRV]

These shore power plugin type soft starters are rated for around a 50% decrease in start amps required. The AC only wired in ones are more like 75-80%. Active Start is sending my one of those type to test out so we'll see if that makes a difference. Cheers, Ray

[@rvstuff5]

Was going to buy one of these so I could start my 15,000 btu Coleman AC with my 2,000 watt inverter generator but not sure if it would work…

[@PointyWombat]

Same situation here... I think it's probably better to go with another option after seeing this.. ie: the Micro Air Easy Start...

[@LoveYourRV]

Looks like ActiveStart has a similar wired-in product like the Micro Air storage.googleapis.com/production-domaincom-v1-0-0/980/1482980/ls0FIvyF/970fd8a7bbd34b74ac953e6dd5328756?fileName=ActiveStart%20Sell-Hightlight%20Combined%20ACS4W16%20%20ACS4W40%201-9-23.pdf

[@alfavulcan4518]

@@PointyWombat I have the Easy Start on my 2021 15k GE ac. Even with a 4500watt gen it would momentarily stumble before powering up. With the Easy Start it barely burps

[@seanwaite4755]

Works for me, 20 amp model active start, 15k but a/c running off 2500 champion generator

[@astrobob9432]

My Honda 2200 runs a 12.5K unit all day without a soft start. If I add one, it will be the micro-air

[@LoveYourRV]

What is the brand of AC? Never knew there was 12.5K AC most seem to be 13.5K or 15K

[@astrobob9432]

@@LoveYourRV It's a GE. 13.5K, sorry. typo. But the 2200 Honda does start and run it without a soft start.

[@davidgroves8049]

did not seem to work as advertised :( I think I will stick to the hard wired units that I know work on my 2300 generator.

[@LoveYourRV]

Definitely didn't for me. Its a new to market product so guess we will see how others fair in time.

[@herb7877]

Great test. You covered a lot of scenario's. I was curious about this item after your fist unveiling. We travel with a small 1600/2000 W inverter generator as a backup to our small solar. We rarely need or use our A/C but this would cover two bases. After 2 camping buddies have lost appliances due to low voltage or a surge I have spent good money on a surge protector. It's actually tripped several times due to the park voltages or surges & not us trying to run too many items at once. I've seen several installations of Soft Start / Easy Start directly wired into the A/C unit. They appear to be a good sized capacitor and a small circuit board of items. It appears this unit you are testing is sans the large capacitor (?). Did you contact the manufacturer with your results ?

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, I have emailed them the video link and did talk to the engineer about my earlier tests before I plugged direct into the AC. Told me to try some of the other device wattage options as they change the percentages of current limiting. But no luck with my AC. I wonder if the new Furrion ACs do something weird at the startup

[@herb7877]

@@LoveYourRV could very well be some circuitry protection done by Furion as you have mentioned. Something that prevents low voltage or amperage startups(?) I know low voltage is what zapped one fellow camper s a/c in an older state campground. It would be interesting to measure just what Furion would have to say about it though and if others are facing the same issue.. Common ground fault?

[@lorneserpa5888]

Why not just do a dedicated name brand aoft start? Only 5 wires and 30 minutes to install.

[@LoveYourRV]

This is for people where even 5 wires is too complex. :)

[@GroovyVideo2]

tiny capacitors / tiny inductors - dont see any components that would provide a soft start

[@LoveYourRV]

There are thyristors in there that can be turned on and off via a microcontroller chip and its programmed software algorithm to soft start the rapid increase in amperage. The engineer can change programming to manipulate the soft start percentage. Here is an article that goes in-depth on how it works www.machinedesign.com/learning-resources/engineering-essentials/article/21833971/soft-starters

[@dnr733]

trying to find a legit answer as to if you be on Econo mode for this. My generator will handle the surge just fine but the AC does hesitate a bit. A soft start could be the answer but that would defeat my end purpose of trying to run on econo mode.

[@LoveYourRV]

To know it legit for sure, you'd have to find someone using the exact generator air conditioner combo as yours. My guess, though, is if it works with no soft starter in econo mode, it should work better with one.

[@eddiekytia]

Did you use a neutral ground bonding plug ive seen people use it with small 2000 watt generator

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, tried it with and without an N-G bonding plug. Didn't make a difference

[@eddiekytia]

@@LoveYourRV that sucks! Wish it worked for you...

[@geoffmolyneux9173]

The triac/scr needs a heat sink. For 30 amp the triac is too small. Did you try AC on a 15 amp, and a 20 breaker straight from shore power. If that works, then try soft start box in between. Other problem with it being a a line softstarter, is the computer for AC will drop out because of low voltage. If it was more like Microair soft start. The Microair lives on the motor side. So computer brain board gets full line voltage.

[@LoveYourRV]

No, didn't try the 20 amp park power outlet. I would think the "computer" controller board for the AC would be using the 12VDC from the RV battery as no rectification would be needed. Easier to use than the 120VAC. The AC would be for the compressor and the fan motor

[@richeastmain4031]

I have a rule that I never spend more than $200 for something that does nothing. So I’ll skip this one.

[@jockosboy17]

Something is wrong with his unit or something. I have one of these and it works for me. I consistently see at least a 8 amp surge reduction and everything starts.

[@scubieman]

Disappointed this didn't work. I want a soft start. Don't want to sell kidney to get it.

[@LoveYourRV]

Its more expensive because its an EMS surge protector and soft starter in one. And likely because its a USA company, that always adds some extra overhead compared to off shore stuff.

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

I'm not impressed in the least. I had a micro-air easy start on my last trailer and I could easily start the 15k btu air conditioner with a 2000 watt inverter generator. In fact when you opened this device up, I didn't see anything on it that could be considered soft start components. I saw a relay and a few MOV's, so I would consider this thing junk science at best.

[@LoveYourRV]

There were several thyristors and integrated IC chips in there as well. Thyristors are used to control AC power. Seems the wired in products like the Micro-Air claim 75% reduction in starting current needed, where as this power pedestal plugin device is only 50%. So that would make a big difference This company does have a wired model that is claiming 80%. It gets use on home AC units as well. I imagine there is a big market for that in Florida where the company is based. Looks like an attempt to make a soft starter than anyone can use versus the wired in AC model that only DIY guys can install or someone has to pay a pro. Also it will soft start other appliances like microwave or compressor fridges and work as an EMS. Cheers, Ray

[@LoveYourRV]

Large capacitor seems to be the biggest difference, maybe that a counts for the higher percentage citimarinestore.com/47055/easystart-364-3-ton-soft-starter-asy-364-t36-ip.jpg

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

@@LoveYourRV I don't want to come across as a smart ass, but I don't recall you ever reviewing a micro-air easy start. Maybe you have and I just didn't watch the video. IMO it is one of the best pieces of equipment ever made for a camper.

[@LoveYourRV]

No, I haven't. They have offered me it several times. They pushed their affiliate program kind of to the point it turned me off them. But I was also never interested in it as I don't need to run much off-grid AC. We chase 70F for the most part in the winter, and in BC summers, are on hookups. Fall and spring are cool and plenty of tree shade. This perked my interest as it was also an EMS and an upgrade to the 12-year-old Progressive Industries unit. Figured I better test the soft start capabilities, though, as that is what many people would be interested in. :)

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

Personally, I'd rather see you review something like the micro air as something like what this review was about that I'd never buy. I get the fact that you chase cooler weather, but I doubt most of your viewers have that option.

[@richardknott2021]

You need another air conditioner..

[@LoveYourRV]

No, it works great on shore power. Cools much better than my old Coleman Mach 3 ever did. I can't help it if the soft starter can't live up to the claims. Maybe they need to do some tinkering with their design, At least people will be aware that they have some limitations. Cheers, Ray

[@seanwaite4755]

Sorry you had problems. I have 20 amp model and it's working for me. This is me in video kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ23Y2d8jJirmKM

[@LoveYourRV]

Good to know it can work on a 2500W Champion.. Cheers, Ray

[@markhafner7167]

Discount Code Jerry gets you 5% off

[@brewswillis7294]

Overpriced. Put one on the AC unit for $120.

[@robertgarbe6348]

Get rid of the Furrion AC, what a piece of Crap. No issues with a The Mach 10 13,500 Quiet model with either this external gizmo or the hardwired Soft start in the AC itself.

[@LoveYourRV]

Has worked well for me, cools much better than the old Coleman Mach 3 and quieter.

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

lmao idk why people insist on these little 2k watt generators anyway. They're running wide open throttle just to power basic things whereas if you'd just jump up to a 3500 watt inverter it would run much more quiet and handle the load even without the soft start. lmao.

[@LoveYourRV]

Generally its a weight and space thing and also fuel economy to a lesser degree. In my case I don't need to run my AC, this was just some testing for folks that are interested. I mainly use the 2000W generator for battery recharging. My 60A battery charger uses about 800-1000W at max charging so the 2000W works well for that use case. The benefit over a 3500W is the 2000W I have is only 44 lbs. Easy to move around and very compact, fits in one of my truck tool boxes out of the weather. Cheers, Ray

[@williamschuman4951]

So your saying it’s a pile of crap

[@LoveYourRV]

umm no , I'm sure it will work for some people and have seen videos of it working well. Just telling you it didn't work for my equipment.