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09-21-2022, 03:12 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #5757
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Soft Start-pedestal vs individual unit install
2007 3400 RL that we have impeccably maintained and upgraded over the years. We have never camped without 50 amp until now. We would like the option of some 30 amp campgrounds here in Texas this fall, but as many of you know, weather is unpredictable and there is a good possibility that we may need both of our AC's to sleep at night. Wondering if the Soft Start install might be a good option for us. I have seen now that the company makes a pedestal hookup that does the same thing? Our RV maintenance company is capable of installing the units on the AC's (I'm not getting on the roof at my age) so wondering what the experience of the MOC'ers is. TIA for any advice.
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09-21-2022, 03:34 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,423
M.O.C. #21044
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There was a thread on that very topic seemingly within the past couple of weeks - and I can’t find it. I know Carl posted to the thread so maybe he can provide a link for you.
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MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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09-21-2022, 03:35 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Can't answer your pedestal or on unit install question, but in case you or anyone else isn't aware of this ... the soft start does help A/C startup immensely, but it will do nothing to change the running amps. 2 rooftop A/C's running in hot weather on high draw on average @14 amps each. That puts 28 amps on a 30 amp hookup. You'll have to shut off about anything else to make this work for you long term. A few have posted that they regularly run 2 rooftop A/C's and a microwave on 30 amp using the soft starts. To that I might reference a story in my childhood about a kid named Pinocchio. I can't see how 26 - 28 amps worth of A/C's with both compressors running with another 10 - 12 amp draw from a microwave would not pop a 30 amp breaker in short order.
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09-21-2022, 03:44 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,552
M.O.C. #2283
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I have a soft start on my AC. If I was buying again I would get the pedestal mount. No install, use it when you need and use it on your next camper.
Lynwood
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09-21-2022, 03:46 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,369
M.O.C. #4831
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Here is a link to the other Thread about 30 amp and 2 ACs. Basically dieselguy hit the nail on the head. Yes it can be done but you can't run anything else on 120V (including the converter which needs to re-charge the batteries).
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=88015
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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09-21-2022, 10:54 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 944
M.O.C. #30262
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Coleman Mach Power Saver
Here are the numbers for the newer units currently installed
__________________
Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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09-22-2022, 07:34 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Lee ... thanks for the newer technology, A/C info. It's hard to keep on top of stuff as efficiency improves. I'd guess the Colman A/C's have only been coming out on some 2020 models and newer, so for the tens of thousands of us with older units ... I still stand by my previous reply. I'm curious if anyone on the MOC has actual amp draw numbers on 95 - 100 degree days with these new Colman's while the compressor is running?
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09-23-2022, 06:18 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 944
M.O.C. #30262
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No worries DieselGuy. Not attempting to be a smarty pants. Instead, for the wealth of experience and knowledge that you and so many others have shared with our MOC family - thank you one and all. This was just my way of paying it forward and try to help out others too.
After I've made the repairs to our MHC next week, I'll try and remember to make note of actual power draws on our upcoming trip. The figures in the chart may well prove to be overly optimistic.
Happy camping everyone. Stay safe out there.
__________________
Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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09-23-2022, 08:57 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,256
M.O.C. #26190
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Here's a link to the new Plug & Run Soft Start system:
https://www.softstartrv.com/
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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09-26-2022, 02:50 AM
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#10
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: LYNCHBURG
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #24622
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I got the SoftStartRV at the pedestal #1 I didn't have to climb up on my roof at my age and bad back and knees or pay someone to install it. #2 I got it when it was just being offered and it was $300.00 off. #3 I can use if I trade units . I have really liked it when I can't 50amps, I must remember not to run both AC units and the Microwave ,or the wife to use her hair drier. Backyard camping at my daughter's got a little easier.
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09-26-2022, 06:15 AM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Missoula
Posts: 137
M.O.C. #26938
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We use 30 AMP frequently. Our hookup at home is only 30 AMP. The air conditioner runs without a problem. The restriction would be not using the convection oven option on the microwave and the AC at the same time.
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Jack & Tanya Wenger
Missoula, MT
2006 Montana 2980RL
2004 Chev 2500 HD
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09-26-2022, 10:05 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #5757
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I greatly appreciate all the responses. So, the bottom line is with either option running both AC's "ain't gonna happen"?
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09-26-2022, 01:50 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 455
M.O.C. #23094
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drjjj
I greatly appreciate all the responses. So, the bottom line is with either option running both AC's "ain't gonna happen"?
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No that's not exactly what has been said. You can absolutely run both AC's with soft/easy starts from a 30 amp supply if you turn everything else to propane or off.
I do it all the time for a few hours at a time. Both AC's are usually only needed for a couple hours to get the unit cooled down on the hottest days. I then turn one AC off and the other stuff back to 120 volt.
Just spent 19 days at the beach in a bright sunny 30 amp site with temps in the upper 80's to mid 90's. Ran both AC's nearly everyday for a few hours with our Micro Air Easy Starts. I've been doing this for several years now. Just have to manage your power. Its certainly not a plug it in and forget it scenario but its 100% doable.
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2019 Montana HC 310RE
2010 Wildcat 29RLBS
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7
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