Best RV A/C Soft Start For A Camper: Top 4 Brands
Compare the hottest RV tech accessories to keep cool
Looking for the best soft start for your RV air conditioner? With a few soft starter brands on the market, choosing the right product may feel a little challenging. With our customer guide, we break down how the SoftStartRV compares to every other major soft starter brands on the market, from installation, to technical support, to price, soft starter reviews and more.
With this handy guide, you’ll find the best RV A/C kit that will enable you to install the product with ease, start your A/C more smoothly, run the A/C with more accessories. Make sure your air conditioner gives you the capability you need to stay cool no matter where you travel. Whether you’re looking for a soft starter for your RV, trailer, Airstream, caravan, Casita or 5th wheel camper, our brand review guide will give you all the answers you need.
In this guide, we will review:
SoftStartRV Kit Vs. Micro-Air EasyStart Soft Start
- Installation
- Price
- EasyStart Soft Start Problems
- SoftStartRV Solutions
- Customer Service
SoftStartRV Kit Vs. Dometic SmartStart III Soft Start
- Installation
- Price
- Dometic Soft Start III Problems
- Customer Service
- Reviews
SoftStartRV Kit Vs. Sure Start Soft Starter
- Installation
- Price
- Customer Service
- Reviews
Grab your camping gear, hop in the trailer, and join the club of RVers who have stayed cooler and reduced the power surge that typically occurs with A/C startup.
SoftStartRV Soft Starter Vs. Micro-Air EasyStart Soft Start
You may have seen the Micro-Air EasyStart, also known as Micro-Air EasyStart 364 Soft Starter ASY-364-X20-IP, available on Amazon, from social media posts, or other online retailers. Maybe you even read reviews on the EasyStart on websites like Trailer Life, and read other reviews for the SoftStartRV on RVLife, DoItYourselfRV, or by Mike Sokol of RVTravel. Allow us to share why we believe the SoftStartRV beats out our biggest competition of Micro-Air any day. Micro-Air’s EasyStart is a good product. Ours is better because of the technology and the added benefits.
Perhaps the most intimidating part of purchasing any A/C soft starter is the installation process. Most RVers are not professional electricians, and no one wants to second guess their soft start and compressor installation while on top of their trailer in the hot sun.
Unfortunately, buyers may not be aware of common EasyStart problems.
Multiple Restarts Required: The first problem is that during installation you need to start your air conditioner 5 different times, while giving 3 minutes in between restarts for the compressor to equalize. Not only does this require shore power, it adds an additional 15 minutes in the hot sun for installation, which may require users to climb on top of the RV rooftop to check the compressor.
With softStartRV, there is no need for a “learning cycle”, and no additional startups needed. This cuts down on installation time, as the SoftStartRV operates right out of the box.
Plus, a unique advantage of the SoftStartRV installation process is that every SoftStartRV includes a 5th wire. This wire is designed to provide compressor overload protection.
No live rooftop tech support: The second problem with MicroAir’s EasyStart is a lack of installation resources.
Micro Air offers instructions for installation available on their website, in addition to a few installation Youtube videos.
When you purchase a SoftStartRV, we provide installation instructions on our website, plus several installation youtube tutorial videos, wiring diagrams, and most importantly LIVE tech support on your rooftop!
The SoftStartRV customer service is unparalleled. SoftStartRV actually guides you through your installation in real time: no second guessing, no accidents, no time wasted in the hot sun. SoftStartRV gives you the power and the peace of mind of a trained A/C technical support professional.
No more searching for answers on RV forum posts or trying to get a real human on the phone. When you purchase a SoftStartRV, included in your purchase is a dedicated tech team to guide you through the 5-wire installation step by step.
Our YouTube friends John and Mercedes of RV Odd Couple shared that with the on call LIVE tech support, installing their SoftStartRV was easy. Take a look at how simple their RV soft start installation was in this video clip:
The Micro-Air EasyStart364 is currently for sale on their website for $299 plus shipping. Or you could purchase the EasyStart on Amazon for $299. With this purchase you only receive the soft start itself.
What does the purchase of an EasyStart include? You won’t receive the install kit, which is necessary to actually connect the product. Their installation kit costs an additional $9-10. And if you are dissatisfied with your EasyStart and want to return it, you’ll need to pay a 25% restocking fee. This means if you are dissatisfied for any reason, or simply want to change your mind, it will cost you $74.75 for the restocking fee, plus the return shipping of between $10-15 depending on location.
Warranty: Although EasyStart now offers an included 2-year warranty, be careful to read the fine print, which states “Consequential damages are excluded from this Warranty.”
With the SoftStartRV, pay $299 and receive:
- Free shipping
- Free install kit
- Free additional year of extended warranty
- Free 90-day risk-free trial with a 100% refund
- Free return shipping, NO RESTOCKING FEE
- Free dedicated LIVE rooftop A/C support technician for your installation
Micro Air EasyStart Problems
Some customers have reported problems with their EasyStart affecting the A/C performance. Don’t believe us? Take a look at a few of the Easy Start Amazon reviews:
One EasyStart customer said “The RV has the extreme package and was designed for extreme heat/cold with extra insulation etc. I was able to cool it as much as I wanted prior to installing the Micro-Air. I would not recommend this unit if you plan on ever using your RV in a location with temps above the low 90’s until they make a unit with an appropriately sized capacitor that allows for a shorter “cool down” period.” (See the full Micro Air Easy Start review here.)
Another EasyStart review reads “I could not get the unit to operate no matter what I did. No warning lights, no indication why.” (See the full Micro-Air Soft Start reviews here.)
As a reminder, another problem with MicroAir’s Easy Start is that the product requires 5 restarts to train the AC, which can take about 15 minutes. The SoftStartRV does not require any restarts to train your AC, as it automatically maximizes the amp reduction.
SoftStartRV Solutions
With dedicated tech support, we ensure any potential problem you have with your product installation is handled live over the phone.
Check out this review from RV Life “Installation of the SoftStartRV A/C soft start is a snap for any handy RVer. Installation instructions, a wiring diagram, video links, and great tech support are all available, as is a Bonus Install Kit. Not feeling up to it? SoftStartRV A/C soft starters are a breeze for any professional RV tech to install, typically in under 45 minutes per unit.”
Another Amazon customer reviewed the SoftStartRV saying “I first miss-wired the unit. The instructions for my type of air conditioner were unclear. Opened up a support ticket and sent pictures. Literally within the hour tech support called and left a message on what we had done wrong. All’s well that ends well. Tech support is supper and the product is doing just what it says it will do. VERY HAPPY CAMPER.” (Read full SoftStartRV Amazon reviews here.)
In addition, installation is even easier with our 3 easy to read LED lights that indicate operating status. SoftStartRV customers love the green LED light, which indicates that everything is running properly.
Micro-Air EasyStart Customer Service vs SoftStartRV Customer Service
You may be wondering “How do I contact SoftStartRV customer service?” Simply submit a customer support ticket and explain your situation. A tech support technician will contact you and schedule a call with you to work through your installation in real time, just pick your date and time, AM, or PM within our support hours.
Have another question about the SoftStartRV?
- Call our customer support team at 561-306-3185. Monday through Friday 9 AM – 6 PM EST, and Saturdays 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Get answers fast with SoftStartRV FAQs here.
EasyStart does not offer live rooftop tech support.
Ready to get on board? See purchase options for the SoftStartRV on our Products Page.
SoftStartRV Kit Vs. Dometic Soft Start
Another option floating around on the market is the Dometic Soft Start, also known as the SmartStart III. The soft start for Dometic rooftop A/C units may feel like a tempting offer. After all, Dometic is a trusted, big name brand with years of products and pedigree behind them. While Dometic’s product may be good for some, SoftStartRV is best for RVers. The SoftStartRV by NetworkRV remains a superior product to run the A/C unit in your RV, travel trailer, 5th wheel or camper.
Dometic Soft Start Installation vs. SoftStartRV Installation
You may notice that the SmartStart III is only advertised as a marine product on Dometic’s website. While a select few may have the insider understanding that this product is potentially capable of working with RV air conditioners, Dometic does not display installation instructions for RVers on their website. Dometic provides no FAQs on the Smart Start online. There is one installation instruction sheet available online – a single page PDF. There is no Dometic live RV installation support. If you are looking for RV installation help, your only option is to contact a local RV dealer.
SoftStartRV has a dedicated customer service email, phone number, and ticket system to get your installation questions solved quickly with the support of a professional. We understand that customers want to access installation instructions online and that many customers prefer to watch a quick installation video on Youtube before calling customer support. With SoftStartRV, we give you options to keep you in control of your schedule, so you can spend more time in your RV life of adventure.
Dometic SmartStart III Price Vs. SoftStartRV Price
You can find the Dometic soft start for sale with Sure Marine for $610. This does not include the install kit, dedicated tech support for RVers, or a money back guarantee. We offer the SoftStartRV product for $299. (See complete price breakdown on our Products Page).
Dometic SmartStart III Problems
Because Dometic is focused primarily on boaters and marine customers, finding resources for using your SmartStart III in an RV is a challenge for Do It Yourself RVers. Dometic recommends that you hire a trained technical professional to install their product, meaning you’ll need to spend even more money on your installation.
Dometic Smart Start III Customer Service vs. SoftStartRV Customer Service
Dometic’s customer service for the SmartStart III is nonexistent for consumers. Dometic customer service remains a service only available to dealers. You may notice that their website does not offer a dedicated customer service phone number or email address. Dometic requires customers and potential buyers to contact a dealer.
Dometic SmartStart Reviews vs. SoftStartRV by NetworkRV Reviews
Dometic is not transparent with customer reviews on the SmartStart III. You will see no customer reviews for this product on their website, and because it is not available from the online retailer Amazon, where many potential customers search to find verified reviews before purchasing, there is no way to determine if the Dometic SmartStart III is the right product for your unique needs as an RVer.
Curious about the SoftStartRV product reviews? See our high ratings on Amazon from verified purchasers, watch SoftStartRV reviewed by real people on Youtube, and find customer testimonials on our website.
Ready to join our ever-growing SoftStartRV family and fan club? Check out our social media posts on all things RV on Instagram + Facebook.
Sure Start Vs. SoftStartRV Soft Starter
Another option for your RV air conditioner is the Sure Start made by Hyper Engineering. Like the SoftStartRV, the Sure Start also enables you to start your A/C while still protecting the compressor.
While Sure Start does offer an LED light display, it’s less straightforward than the SoftStartRV and while electricians can install it, a regular Joe may not have the same experience. With SoftStartRV, 3 Helpful LEDs Show Status: Start, Run, And Fault. In addition, SoftStartRV has a Built-In Start Capacitor.
Sure Start Installation Vs. SoftStartRV Installation
Though Hyper Engineering is another well known brand, their Sure Start does not uniquely differentiate itself from Dometic’s SmartStart in terms of DIY or RV consumer support. Without comparable customer service, installation becomes challenging quickly. You deserve to be able to have easy-to-use, live technical support.
With SoftStartRV, enjoy cool summer days in the A/C and better sleep at night, no more thumping or trailer shaking as your compressor starts up in the middle of the night. A quick install process with SoftStartRV means you can run one air conditioner, or two air conditioners using your onboard inverter with two SoftStarRVs.
One customer describes the SoftStartRV installation process as,
The assistance from your technician Phil was top notch. Each step was described clearly and without error. I enjoyed my discussions, even after my phone quit and a time zone glitch, but everything went great... I have already contacted two of my RV friends and told them about the soft start add on. I believe they will follow up and modify their units. Thanks again for great service.
Sure Start Price vs. SoftStartRV Price
You can find the Sure Start available on the web for $299. However, this price only includes 1 year of warranty, versus the SoftStartRV’s free 2-year warranty offer. To date, Hyper Engineering does not offer tech support to guide you in the installation process, nor do they provide installation tutorial videos.
Sure Start Customer Service vs. SoftStartRV Customer Service
Because Sure Start does not offer tech support with your purchase, customers will need to hire a professional if they run into trouble installing, costing them more money. Air conditioning soft starters can be easy to install for many handy RVers or challenging, which is why SoftStartRV always offers unparalleled customer service.
With the SoftStartRV online ticket system, you control when you want to talk around your schedule. No need to wait on hold or wait by the phone for a team member to call you back. Simply set your time and date, and we’ll arrange to discuss your situation anytime Monday through Friday 9 AM – 6 PM EST, and Saturdays 10 AM to 4 PM.
SoftStartRV Features Vs. Competitor Soft Starter Features
To see how our product features compare to the competitors at a glance, check out our handy product guide chart to see how we stack up against Micro-Air, Dometic, and Hyper Engineering.
Ready to start living the life you want in your RV?
Join the NetworkRV family and order a SoftStartRV. We deliver on our promise to keep your RV cool. With free tech support, free extended warranty, and 100% money back guarantee for 90 days, our special discount beats competitors and gives you the peace of mind to buy with confidence.
Need more convincing?
Let our satisfied SoftStartRV customers do the talking for us.
Have more questions?
Visit our FAQ section to get answers to questions like:
- Compressor motors are connected in a way that lets them draw as much power as required to get up to speed quickly. Because of this design, the motors require a massive current surge when they start….(read more)
- A hard start kit is simply a start capacitor and a thermal device that temporarily connects it to the compressor only for a short time during startup (a “PTCR”). During startup, the hard start diverts more current to the compressor’s start winding to help “boost” the torque…(read more).
- Yes. You can run your A/C with an inverter, but it’s not very practical for the typical RVer.…(read more).
- SoftStartRV has been successfully tested with several major brands of inverters in a variety of RV installations..…(read more).
- Will SoftStartRV reduce or extend the lifecycle of my compressor?
- No. SoftStartRV works only during the start of the motor then switches itself out of the circuit……(read more).
Ready to buy?
Gear up with the right products for your RV life, whether you’re on the road full time, or simply for special occasions. We’d love to join you on the road to help make your life cooler, no matter where you are. Take control of your next vacation and be sure every member of your family is happy. Check out our Products Page to buy now.
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