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06-01-2022, 05:17 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 430
M.O.C. #5757
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Soft Start Worth It?
2007 3400RL. Many upgrades. I realize that our two AC units are not going to last forever, and when they die they will have to be replaced. Wondering if putting the Soft Start units on them will increase their useful life long enough to justify the cost. Full disclosure: we always camp with 50 amp service, but would like the option of going to campgrounds that only have 30 amp and wondering if we have the Soft Start units installed that would allow us to run both AC's on 30 amp?
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06-01-2022, 07:45 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Boone
Posts: 311
M.O.C. #21011
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I installed one soft start on my bigger A/C, so I can run both A/C on 30 amp. I cannot run microwave while running both though. I have to be conservative while running both, but for me, I didn’t really want to pay for two soft starts. It was worth it for us.
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2018 Montana HC 362RD
2016 Chevrolet 3500 Duramax HD SRW
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06-01-2022, 08:42 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,716
M.O.C. #24086
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Someone wrote, they installed the SoftStartRV on one unit. They start the air conditioner without the SoftStartRV first (big start up surge current). Once it is running for a few minutes (surge is over) they start the one with the SoftStartRV (no surge).
The downside is if the one without the SoftStartRV cycles it will kick your breaker.
Also you do have to manage your appliances.
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Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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06-02-2022, 10:09 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,567
M.O.C. #2283
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I think they are worth it especially if you are using a generator. My 2000 watt 1600 running watt generator will start my 15000 BTU AC.
Lynwood
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06-02-2022, 10:30 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,257
M.O.C. #26190
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I put them on both my A/C units along with the Micro Air thermostats. What's nice is whenever your A/C units go out, you can remove the soft starts and put them on the new one. It's a pretty easy installation too, for the do-it-yourselfer.
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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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06-03-2022, 06:28 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Boone
Posts: 311
M.O.C. #21011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
Someone wrote, they installed the SoftStartRV on one unit. They start the air conditioner without the SoftStartRV first (big start up surge current). Once it is running for a few minutes (surge is over) they start the one with the SoftStartRV (no surge).
The downside is if the one without the SoftStartRV cycles it will kick your breaker.
Also you do have to manage your appliances.
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I disagree. I installed one on my 15000 unit, and run both units on 30 amps all the time. Even our 4500 watt generator handles both. But be mindful on your other loads that you might have on or can come on. They both cycle on and off all day long. But with the very low insulation factor of these FW’s, they run all the time. It would be nice to have two soft starts but we didn’t feel spending more when one will do.
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2018 Montana HC 362RD
2016 Chevrolet 3500 Duramax HD SRW
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06-08-2022, 01:48 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlh
I think they are worth it especially if you are using a generator. My 2000 watt 1600 running watt generator will start my 15000 BTU AC.
Lynwood
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I have the Husky Mountain soft start with Bluetooth. My 2000 watt Champion will run it. Also, 50 to 30to 110 will run the 15k ac.
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06-08-2022, 03:11 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Indio
Posts: 103
M.O.C. #19705
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Installed SoftStart on both A/C's allowing me to plug into 30amp house circuit at home during RV trip prep...also helps when the RV park has ONLY 30amp shore power...can run both A/C's AND use the microwave at the same time. Glad I did this in spite of the initial equipment cost.
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Richard & Judy Blackwell
Indio, Ca.
2014 F350 DRW 4x4 Diesel
2013 3402RL
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06-09-2022, 02:45 PM
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#9
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Grand Junction
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #18876
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Soft Start install
I have installed them on both units, it was an easy install with good support from the mfg., and although I have not tried it at a park my WatchDog unit shows a draw of less than 30 amps at all times with both units running. I also have tried it a home it not problems on a 20 amp circuit with one unit.
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06-28-2022, 05:00 AM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Bayville
Posts: 60
M.O.C. #27691
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I put one on our bedroom AC 2 weeks ago, we are moochdocking at my buddies house on a 30 amp drop cord from his garage. I am installing a second one on our living room AC today.
With just the one installed, having both units on has worked on the 30 amp cord. Downside is if its over 90 outside, we NEED both units going, and plan on boondocking a lot this season.
Our generator maxes out at 25 amps, so im putting the second one in and crossing my fingers for later in the year.
And im thinkin, you can always take them out of your rig before ya trade it in, and reinstall them in the next one. So, i figured it was worth the extra investment
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06-28-2022, 06:32 PM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #31128
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Does anyone have a link to the soft starts that are recommended? Thanks!
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06-28-2022, 06:58 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,716
M.O.C. #24086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Columbo
Does anyone have a link to the soft starts that are recommended? Thanks!
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Here's the link.
I have a 2019 3130RE. With a Dometic Blizzard NXT
https://shop.softstartrv.com/products/softstartrv
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06-28-2022, 07:04 PM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #31128
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Cool, thanks! (Pun intended!)
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08-29-2022, 06:26 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,266
M.O.C. #30417
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Is soft start a factory option in 22? The reason I ask is last Thursday prior to leaving for the coast I was checking everything and I started my both AC's without thinking. I was on a 30amp home SP. Both units worked....
Got to the coast and started the gen and both AC's, both units worked again. My Onan is a 30amp 3600...
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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08-29-2022, 08:25 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,157
M.O.C. #1920
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We are currently moochdocking in Illinois. We have been running an AC all week with soft start. Could run two by borrowing from the battery, but right now we’re at 11-12 amps per our Watchdog running one, TV, and lights. We’re on a 15amp circuit. Today it was 96 degrees and we’re at 71 in the Montana. Love the soft start.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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08-29-2022, 09:22 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,400
M.O.C. #4831
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I think 22's came with the Coleman AC units and they have a soft start included.
__________________
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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08-30-2022, 08:39 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,266
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl n Susan
I think 22's came with the Coleman AC units and they have a soft start included.
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I have the Colemans. One thing I can check off the list.
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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09-06-2022, 08:42 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,266
M.O.C. #30417
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Discovered something last weekend. Even with soft start the generator doesn't like being engaged with both AC's on. The transfer switch went nut's and gave me a light show. Drawing just a tad bit too much for the 30 amp.
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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10-29-2022, 03:53 PM
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#19
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Mesa
Posts: 72
M.O.C. #28356
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I have a 2021 3120RL how can I tell if the A/C units came with soft start?
__________________
2021 Keystone Montana 3120RL w/ Onan 5500 & solar
2021 Ford F350 6.7L CC SRW SB w/ B&W Companion Slider, Smart Air II air bags
Home base is Mesa, AZ
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10-29-2022, 08:43 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,712
M.O.C. #12947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
Discovered something last weekend. Even with soft start the generator doesn't like being engaged with both AC's on. The transfer switch went nut's and gave me a light show. Drawing just a tad bit too much for the 30 amp.
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Don’t forget that when at higher altitudes, your generator does not have the same capacity due to thinner air and loss of power. At low altitude, you may be able to run both A/C’s without problem.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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