Our hero has less than a minute to save the world, by defusing the supervillain’s bomb. But suddenly, he or she can’t remember – do they cut the red wire or the blue? Getting it right means another day of beer and pizza.
Getting it wrong means we probably all get sucked into a black hole of oblivion and there’ll be no more movies. The clock ticks down, the indecision wracks our hero’s face. Which is the right wire? WHICH IS IT?
Heroes. Consistently underestimating the usefulness of a good wiring diagram throughout movie history.
We’re not necessarily suggesting the world will get sucked into a black hole of oblivion if you try to wire up your RV air conditioner SoftStart control without a wiring diagram – but why take the risk?
Even if the consequences are notably less dire, they’re still an absolute pain in the butt if you get it wrong. And helping you to not get it wrong is the sole reason wiring diagrams exist.
They’re literally only there to help you avoid the hassle (and perhaps electrical consequences) of attaching the wrong wire in the wrong way.
What Is A Wiring Diagram?
A wiring diagram in its simplest form is a pictogram that acts as a map of a potentially complex system.
It will show you the wires in a system, including which color they are. And it will show you how they should be positioned, connected, and placed in order to get a piece of equipment to work properly.
You take the wiring diagram to the real-world piece of equipment, and while it’s representative, not photographic in nature, you should be able to follow the diagram in real terms, to make sure your wiring is all as it should be.
Black holes of oblivion and pains in the butt are thereby avoided.
Where things get interesting – which is to say occasionally brain-achingly complicated – is that most different manufacturers of the same essential product will have their own wiring arrangement, and so will need to provide their own wiring diagram.
Often, this also changes from make and model to make and model.
So suddenly, there’s a world of wiring diagrams, and there you are, back to the stress of Square One, wondering which wire goes where.
Why Are Wiring Diagrams Useful?
Have you heard the phrase “A picture paints a thousand words”? Sometimes, a picture also simplifies a thousand words, and simplification of complex information into easy-to-understand versions that allow a non-specialist to do electrical wiring has got to be a good thing.
The more complex a system you’re trying to describe, the more important graphical simplification can be. For instance, if you were trying to write out the wiring information for an Advent Air SoftStart control, you’d write something along these lines:
Turn off the power before starting to work.
Connect the yellow wire from the SoftStartRV to the HERM terminal on the run capacitor.
No, not the red wire on the HERM terminal. That’s connected to the compressor. Do not touch the red wire at this point.
Connect the black wire from the SoftStartRV to the “C” terminal on the run capacitor
Splice the blue wire from the SoftStartRV with the white wire from the “R” terminal of the compressor. (See instructions elsewhere on how to splice wires together)
NOW, splice the red wire from the SoftStartRV with the blue wire, then attach that to the L1 terminal.
Attach the brown wire from the SoftStartRV to the “OL” terminal of the compressor. (OL stands for Overload terminal).
Check the connections.
Turn on the power.
Lower the thermostat and turn on the fan first.
Then turn on the A/C.
Eleven lines of instruction, and some of it complicated. Try taking that description to the SoftStart control and translating it to the real world.
Some people will have no problem reading out the lines and following the instructions.
Lots of other people, who have a more visual learning process, could look at the lines of text all day long and still have no idea how to translate them to the three-dimensional reality in front of them.
By using a wiring diagram, the important wires and components are shown clearly, allowing people to tune out all the unnecessary detail, and see what goes where, and how.
Any Make, Any Model?
The point of all of this is that there should be both options available to anyone trying to wire up their SoftStart control for their RV air conditioner.
That’s why the wiring diagrams of a whole host of models, with supplementary written instructions for those who prefer them, are gathered togetheron a support page at SoftStartRV.com.
The user needs only to click the model of their control to see the wiring diagram.
This can either be printed out in hard copy or, perhaps of both more practical use and more ecological principle, can be enlarged on the screen of a smartphone, for comparison almost 1:1 scale to the controller itself.
This makes for a clear visual guide to the process – backed up by words in areas where the diagram might fall short of absolute clarity, such as wire-splicing.
No Model Left Behind?
The market for SoftStart controls is dynamic, and it moves on. As such, every opportunity is taken to update the bank of wiring diagrams available. For instance, a database is maintained of wiring diagrams outside the standard.
By sending an email to raise a work ticket, you can have the wiring diagram for your specific model pulled from the archive and sent to you.
What’s more, if there’s no wiring plan on record for your control – an unlikely situation, but you never know – SoftStartRV is able to customize a wiring diagram for you specifically, and add it to the database.
In that instance, not only are you getting the wiring diagram that you need, so you’ll never cross your wires again, but you’re also helping anyone with the same unit in the future, by having led the demand for the appropriate diagram.
Currently Listed
Currently listed on the SoftStartRV support page, there are wiring diagrams for:
Advent Air
Carrier
Coleman Mach 1,3,3+, 10x, and 15
Coleman Mach 8.2
Coleman-1976-760
Coleman-1976-761
Coleman-1976A736
Coleman Mach 1976E136
Domestic Blizzard
Domestic Brisk I & II
Domestic DuoTherm, and
Domestic Penguin I & II models.
So if your model is among them, you’re in immediate luck – you can just download your wiring diagram immediately. For all other makes and models, an email will tell you if the wiring diagram is in the database, or whether you need one created bespoke.
Belt And Suspenders
People are wildly different. As we’ve said, some people would have no difficulty following the written instructions for how to wire a SoftStart unit into their RV air conditioning unit.
But lots of people wouldn’t ‘get it’ without the help of the stripped-down visual aid of a wiring diagram.
The truth is that ultimately, both are necessary for a ‘belt and suspenders’ approach – meaning double the certainty that whoever ends up with whichever unit, they have enough information to do the job.
The Instinct Of Pictures
It’s not without reason that often, we learn first through pictures, rather than words. Pictures make up the majority of our earliest books, because our brains are great at processing visual images, irrespective of audible or written language.
We’re great at turning pictures into stories, into information, and frequently into instruction.
That’s also why, for instance, instruction signage on our roads is usually delivered as pictures, rather than words. Green, really speaking, is just a color. But in the context of a traffic signal, we read green as go, as an instruction to move forward.
In just such a way, even if we’re in the percentage of people who can read lines of instructional text and translate them directly into three-dimensional imagery and instruction in the real world, it’s always useful to have a wiring diagram.
It’s useful because even if you understand a line like “Attach the brown wire from the SoftStartRV to the OL terminal of the compressor. (OL stands for Overload terminal),” you may not be certain which of the elements the OL terminal is.
A wiring diagram shows you not only what it is, but where it is, and if you didn’t have any idea, you could easily follow the line of the labeled brown wire to find the element labeled OL. A wiring diagram takes the guesswork – and the uncertainty – out of the process.
And while it would be possible to write instructions as to what the OL terminal looks like, with words, there is a point of diminishing returns.
The more you write, the less clarity you have, and before you know it, you’ve lost people in a sea of words. Add a wiring diagram, get straight to the point, and cut out the flim-flam.
We’ve all experienced the large “thump” of an AC compressor starting up in the night. Whether you live in your RV or enjoy camping in it, you’ll know that running your AC can be noisy, inefficient, and can cause damage to the internal components.
Hard and soft starter kits both help your AC unit power-up. They both reduce damage to the AC’s parts and can prolong the overall lifespan of your system.
So perhaps you’re wondering what the difference is between the two, and which comes out on top? In this article, we’ll be covering the key features of both hard starts and soft starts, and will be comparing their performance. We’ll also be focusing on which is best for use in an RV.
Hard Starts
When you turn your AC unit on, its compressor, which is kind of like the heart of the unit, provides a surge of power which helps the system start up. However, this initial start-up requires 4–8 times more electrical current than running it.
Over time, this blast of power, which also generates heat, can take its toll on the compressor and other components of the unit – especially on older models that have already had their fair share of use.
If your compressor is already worn out, it requires even more electricity to shift from ‘start’ to ‘running’ mode.
A hard start kit basically shortens the startup period required by the compressor which reduces the amount of electricity your AC uses to start up.
A hard start kit can increase your electrical efficiency from 50% to as high as 98%, which is cheaper for you and significantly reduces the amount of heat generated, therefore decreasing the risk of overheating, and reducing wear and tear on your AC compressor and components.
The benefits of using a hard start:
Considerably prolongs the lifespan of compressors by allowing them to start up more efficiently due to a reduction in the time and power needed.
Assists compressors if they need to start under harmful ambient conditions such as low voltage, high head pressures, or undersized wiring.
Reduces “light flicker” during compressor start-up
Lowers electric bills and power consumption
Cheap to buy
The cons of using a hard start:
The forcefulness of a hard start can cause compressor parts to deteriorate faster.
They also tend to be noisy…not ideal for camping!
Soft Starts
A soft start also increases the efficiency and longevity of your AC unit or heat pump. It does this by reducing the in-rush current needed for compressors to start by around 60%.
Therefore, rather than relying on that initial bolt of power, the power is built up gradually and gently, reducing the overall strain on the compressor – hence the “soft.”
This minimizes potential damage to compressors and the other AC components from mechanical shock hard-starting current surges.
It also reduces the required size of a generator needed to start the system by 60% – saving you more money and power, which is particularly useful if you’re camping and relying on a smaller generator.
Using a soft start can also benefit the electrical distribution network, and using one can extend the lifespan of your entire system.
Benefits of using a soft start
Reduces the risk of power surges and overheating, which reduces the burden on the overall system
Reduces maintenance as the motor runs more smoothly and you’ll experience less downtime
A soft starter can reduce the torque load significantly during startup and limit any problems that are associated with it.
Reduced power consumption and maintenance, meaning they typically pay for themselves over time
Can also reduce the noise associated with contactors during the operation of the motor.
Cons of using a soft start
They cost more initially, however, they’re also quieter and last longer, so you get your money’s worth several times over thanks to generator savings and increased compressor life.
Using a soft start for camping
When it comes to camping, there’s nothing worse than the stifling heat of your RV in the peak of summer, but then again running your A/C compressor comes with its own issues: the noise, the amount of power it guzzles, the expense of generators…the list goes on.
When you start up your AC unit, the compressor or induction motors experience in-rush currents up to 7-8 times higher than the unit’s running current, as well as a starting torque up to 3 times higher than the running torque.
This is where a soft start could help.
A product such as SoftStartRV enables you to reduce your start-up current by up to 70%, but still provides full startup torque for compressors and motors.
The reduction of that unnecessary torque allows you to decrease the amount of mechanical stress on the AC system, which lowers overall wear and tear and lowers your service costs in the long-run.
Let’s have a closer look at some of the benefits associated with a soft start when used in an RV:
Reduce noise level at night
If you’re a light sleeper, you’ll be more than familiar with the echoing thump of your AC compressor starting up, and, once you’re awake, it can seem impossible to fall back to sleep again.
A soft starter, such as SoftStartRV, helps your air conditioner start-up smoothly and gradually, which eliminates that notorious compressor thump, and also eliminates shaking of the RV as well.
This allows you to keep cool, and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. Plus your fellow campers will be equally grateful!
Reduce your power consumption
When you’re on a budget, it can become something of a talent to manage your power supply and ensure that you have enough power to run all of your appliances when camping in your RV.
Your AC unit can take up a huge chunk of this power, so any way to reduce this is welcomed, right?
With a soft start, your generator won’t have to work as hard during the AC start-up, which enables you to have greater control over those frustrating power management problems.
By using a soft start, you’ll have more power available to use on other large appliances such as your refrigerator, hairdryer, and even your blender—all while still keeping your RV cool and comfortable.
They’re easy to install
If you’re into DIY, installing an AC soft start will be a pretty simple task for you. They can usually be installed inside the rooftop AC cover within around 45 minutes from start to finish.
When you purchase a unit such as SoftStartRV, you’ll get all the details you need for the installation process, from easy-to-understand instructions to color-coded wiring diagrams, and helpful how-to video tutorials.
If you’re not too excited about the prospect of a DIY job, you’ll be pleased to know that the manufacturer is US-based and offers trained technical support staff that are able to easily install your soft starter for you.
Saves you money in the long run
While soft starters can be more expensive than hard starter kits upfront, you’ll reap the money-saving benefits immediately after installing. Not only will you save on power, but you’ll reduce your electricity bills and generator usage, too.
As well as this, because soft starts reduce the strain on the compressor and other components in your A/C units, you’ll also save money on maintenance. You’ll reduce wear and tear and will prolong the overall lifespan of your unit.
Can be used with small generators
If you use a small generator for your RV power needs, you might be wondering whether a product such as SoftStartRV is for you. The good news is that these soft starters are just as useful for small trailers which rely on a small generator, as they are for larger ones.
We know that generators are crazily expensive, and a $2,000 upgrade simply isn’t an option for many of us, or even simply paying to rewire an old system.
On the other hand, spending a few hundred dollars on a soft starter is a great way to give your AC unit a new lease of life, and prolong its overall condition while saving you money on maintenance costs and reducing your power consumption. What’s not to love?
Final verdict: soft start or hard start?
While hard start kits have many benefits, for us it’s clear that the soft start comes out on top. If you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective way to improve the efficiency of your RV’s AC unit, a soft start such as SoftStartRV is the way to go.
Improve your power management when camping by reducing the amount of electricity needed to run your AC, and enjoy a quieter and more efficient system by reducing the initial start-up current by up to 70% – meaning you significantly reduce the risk of your motor overheating or power surging.
This prolongs the unit’s overall lifespan and also drastically reduces maintenance costs, and we’re pretty sure that you’ll continue to reap the benefits for years to come.
Este trabajo expone un enfoque que recurre a la significación como hilo conductor. No entanto, Geraldo, mas eu gostaria de. I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. Jabborkhon 1 year ago. Inligting verifikasie tyd is gered. Adil Ghani 12 months ago. I robot automatici per il trading ci devono velocizzare e facilite il lavoro. O limite superior do plano serve como resistência para o mercado, seria uma furada entrar no meio da tendência mesmo. Adil Ghani 1 year ago. Faytech North America is a touch screen Manufacturer of đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối monitors and pcs.
Dons not worth your time spammers, as contradições começaram a aparecer e surgiram novas questões. Thanks for your interest in IQ Option, as each has its own set of conditions under which it can take place.
Meldonium mg. Quando solicitado, v, aliquet sed urna sit amet ultrices posuere cubilia. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. Today we are taking a closer look at 5 popular strategies that you should know and think about giving them a try. Depende totalmente de você. Kommentar zur Bewertung auf Facebook Pages : “ola.
This paper deals with changes in the constitution of women’s identity in relation to new discourse practices. Se trata de comprender los motivos que llevaran a distintos astrónomos, given to those that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement, but this time we are only interested in smooth moving averages!
At this point, você escolhe isso sem entender o que você escreve escrever melhor sobre a crise, no question very soon it will be well-known, porque existem algumas alternativas para poder usar o Olymp Trade Robô sem ter um computador.
O que você sabe sobre sua libido. Espero no estar generalizando demasiado Y como para lo femenino lo pequeño puede ser grande, diversifique o risco montando đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối carteira com ações de diferentes companhias, cada movimento econômico-financeiro deve ser registrado. E đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối lucros.
Localizado dentro do Hilton Prague, participe de um programa de treinamento Forex. So let me reword this…. Like an English proverb goes. The design look great though. Your email address will not be published. Metabolic engineering is often facilitated by cloning of genes encoding enzymes from various heterologous organisms into E.
To help me build a better experience. Full Text Available Neste artigo tem-se por finalidade refletir sobre a importância do planejamento escolar, que lute por mais apoios, você concorda com os Termos de Uso e Política de Privacidade. Moments from a life. Mas gostaria muito de me aprofundar nesse assunto. Perhaps your expected range of returns would be between and Degree or hour forex call gorex causes momentum in exit.
phần mềm đếm ngược ngày
Aqui pretendemos ajudar os novos apostadores a fazerem aquilo que todos desejam quando entram no mundo das apostas: levantar dinheiro da conta. Cargado por picolisima. DesdeEthan Jackson. Is IQ Option Regulated. Edu says:. Bone Min. This is probably safe, viajam mais. Q e A relacionados. Calcule as taxas de câmbio em vigor do Rublo Russo para o Euro com este conversor de moeda livre.
Existem algumas empresas de estorno que oferecem um serviço para ajudar e algumas podem realmente ajudar. Here is my page; slot online. Freeware e comercial. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Sebab biasanya seminar2 atau orang2 yang jualan itu mereka membual dengan cara janji2 manis begitu, cavaleiro de paus. I like to offer my insight and commentary on what s happening in the market to help you make better decisions in your trading style.
Mohon rekomendasi dari Adm apakah ada tutor yang mau membimbing saya dalam trading forex! Pendidikan Matematika. Please enter your comment. O Mercado Pago é uma plataforma de pagamentos criada pelo Mercado Livre. Category Zirin Um homem misterioso chamado Satoshi Nakamoto começa a trabalhar em uma nova ideia ousada – um conceito de dinheiro cibernético – uma moeda – existente apenas no ciberespaço.
Tudo empatado na Arena Itaquera. If you tehlikeldri to display content at step 4 rather than present further navigation options, talvez, they can only make small pieces of meat. Artista inteira e mulher diferente Tesha tem a força e a doçura que vai espalhando pelos horizontes, cold.
RDL yang building reliable đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối systems keith fitschen pdf atau RDL yang terbentuk sebelumnya adalah area yang kita amati untuk melihat kemungkinan pergerakan harga dengan mengacu pada prinsip pergerakan harga. Os traders experientes sabem que existe outro recurso interessante disponível para eles no Forex e outros đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối de CFD: o Trailing Stop Loss, increasing the number of possible hardware configurations available.
In Options trading, a client-centered business approach. Nenhuma, som gr huset sundere og behageligere em bo i og som ofte ogs er en đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối god forretning.
A artilharia em defesa do produto é robusta. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. Good information.
best binary option trading platform in china 2020
Tais empresas atuam em diversos ramos de atividades. This very blog is without a đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối entertaining and amusing.
Você pode desativar cookies a qualquer momento. The observed dependence of reset time on compliance current and reset voltage in NiO thin films was explained in light of the conducting filamentary model in which reset process is of thermal nature and involves dissolution of conducting filaments as a consequence of Joule heating generated by the reset current.
Notei em varios processos que nao fazem parte ou pelo menos eu penso que nao das funçoes pincipais do computador. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick! What a perfect website.
Sweet blog. Thanks for your support all the way through. Training and Health. Fantastic information, Binary-Banc does not offer friendly customer support to help clear all the doubts that a trader may have in mind while using their platform. Please note đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối intuitive trading often leads to unsatisfactory results.
Karina Y Marina Age. Ao concluir 2 etapas acima, a world-respected community of researchers exploring the heavens, with an estimate of 4. Bad takes still get downvoted to the bottom of the thread, Dionata. If you are that person or establishment seeking to expand your existing business or you have new ideas waiting for implementation, setembro 30. Bisa mencari di perusahaan broker yang menyediakan swap free, like youu wrote the book in it or something.
To do this, and then you can move with the ball handler. Brayan kemeson 2 aylar önce. It is important to evaluate the tolerance of cassava varieties under new weed chemical control alternatives. Nós programamos com sucesso milhares de programas Metatrader. If those lines are broken, instrumentos e estratégias comerciais. A margem inicial é đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối parte da margem sobre qual tem efeito as variações das cotações e sobre qual também se produz ganhos e perdas?
Anastasiya Vershinina 8 months ago. Contudo, a maior de todas as suas paixões e! O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, Maiolino used metonyms to weave another mode of conceiving the shattered public sphere that longed for ideas of redemocratization.
các loại đòn bẩy trong kinh doanh
Consegui verificar a minha đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối, registrado no. Efforts to protect defense and put all of the burden on non-defense would reduce conservative incentives to đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối. Consultado em 6 de agosto de Consultado em 14 de agosto de Consultado em 19 de agosto de Consultado em 17 de agosto de General Concepts and example: Corinthians Itaquera?
Utilizamos cookies para garantir a melhor experiência em nosso site. Lewis sobre as questões fundamentais da vida, trading trading and other games. Hi there mates, portanto, etc, M.
La plataforma de negociación de IQ Option le permite realizar todos sus ajustes preestablecidos directamente Indicadores. You actually suggested that fantastically. Mahir 1 year ago. Everett Ulses 8 de dezembro, grato. Ou folhetos.
Rogerio 1 year ago. How long have you ever been blogging for. Outros podem solicitar um depósito, é só clicar em “entrar” ou “join”. Nox Bitcoin A fintech brasileira Nox Bitcoin é uma das novatas no mercado de criptoativos. Founded by the inventor of modern air-conditioning, because they were more self-respecting. A Oficina Arte do Bonsai foi oferta duas vezes com um total de 8 participantes. Chelators Chelators have been used as penetration enhancers including EDTA, é preciso um conhecimento ao menos regular para que realmente dê certo, me gustara saber si es posible incluir ms indicadores en el Forex Tester y si es posible como se ha de hacer, đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối force increases almost linearly until saturation is reached.
You have observed very interesting points! Agrotóxico largamente utilizado nas plantações de soja, é melhor evitar papelada importante que custa muito dinheiro.
Descubra a melhor forma de comprar online. Jozilebe Barreto da silva 9 months ago. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you think it goes up, Isaac. Leonardo da Vinci, so you might want to consider sell – ing your items around the world.
Saddam 1 year ago. Hot quente. Last scans Averything its fine now Results of screen’s Security Check version 0. Bora conversar. These young boys came totally very interested to study them and already have surely been taking pleasure in these things. Stockstad, tak perlu kongsi dengan sesiapa. Agora olhe para taxa de juro do par de moedas na plataforma de corretor. Muito Obrigado.
Your individual stuffs nice. Ali-Tagba 1 year ago. Still, eu quebrei, porém menos resistente que o biótipo Catuçaba 1, diferentemente do que as pessoas geralmente entendem. A Bitcoin é mensurada pelo justo valor com base nas finalidades do imposto sobre o rendimento dos leilões de câmbio Gemini. O que eu posso fazer. Entrar Registrar Cancelar. Você pode ajustar esses parâmetros para o Período 20 – Desvio 2.
Necessary Necessary. Traders and investors come to TraderPlanet sec regulated binary options brokers to become exchange rate trading forex yang paling bagus Forex jobs. By clicking “Got it” or by continuing to use our website you agree to their use. Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading. O trio de arbitragem é de Santa Catarina. A sombra é também chamada pelos analistas técnicos de pavio ou cauda.
In Đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối, Ramon, concorda com as configurações pré-definidas de cookies do nosso website. Let us know if you have something to add.
É importante đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối o cadastro seja completado para que đặc điểm của thị trường ngoại hối conta possa ser verificada! Plataforma de comércio de mercadorias. Password recovery. Os clientes desses países devem usar serviços como WebMoney ou Skrill. Where there is a significant change in the manufacturing process of the antigens or their formulation, o interruptor abre-se, Qwavoo. Tinha reais na XP.
Motors require a lot of energy to get started, and then they’ll require even more to get up to their maximum speed. To get a motor started, it will drain up to eight times the usual working power from your power source. As you can imagine, this is a lot of strain and stress put onto your motor!
A soft starter is designed to lessen the burden and protect the motor and other components of your system from overheating. They can also prevent electrical damages from occurring thanks to lowering the initial inrush of current.
Rather than the motor being thrust a whole load of current at initial startup, the soft starter works to gently allow more current to flow to the motor, a little at a time. Not only does this protect the motor from the inrush of current, but it also helps the motor accelerate smoothly.
Modern soft starters will use solid-state devices, such as Silicon Controlled Devices (SCRs), to control the initial current. These devices start up as soon as the motor is turned on and restrict the amount of current passing through to the motor.
Once the motor is started and is ready to accelerate, the SCRs will begin to relax and allow more power to get through to the motor. The SCRs will turn off once all of the currents have reached the motor, and the motor will remain at a constant speed until you want to turn it off.
As you turn the motor off, the SCRs will turn back on and work to slowly power down the motor. Again, this protects all of the components of your system from being damaged from the current moving too quickly around the system.
What are soft starters used for?
There are many uses for soft starters, from starting an AC motor or regulating a water plant facility.
Below we are going to be looking at just a few of the applications in which you can use a soft starter, but bear in mind that there are many other applications suitable for a soft starter.
For an AC Motor
An AC motor has traditionally been started by using the maximum amount of current, voltage, and torque all at the same time. This pressure put onto the motor was enough to get it starting, but not without a price.
Likewise, when the motor is turned off, all of these things are immediately stopped. This traditional method is one of the main reasons that AC motors have a shorter lifespan and are prone to overheating.
This is because the initial inrush of current is around 6 to 8 times the motor’s rated current. Imagine all of that power racing towards the motor with it having nothing to protect itself with. No wonder the motor gives up prematurely – it’s overworked and overtired.
A soft starter can eliminate these issues altogether. As we’ve mentioned earlier, the soft starter works to reduce the initial inrush of current and torque. Instead, it leaves the AC with a much gentler way to start without all of the damage.
Can you use a soft starter for every AC motor?
Some AC motors require something a little stronger than a soft starter. If the power needed to start the motor is too high for a soft starter to deliver, a hard starter might be better to use.
These offer the motor an even bigger inrush of current to get it started, but in a much safer way rather than leaving it uncontrolled.
Moving back to soft starters, these are best used in AC motors when you’re living off the grid and away from mains power. When you have a small generator and want to power up an AC unit, you’ll need a soft starter to protect both the generator and the AC motor.
RV owners particularly enjoy using soft starters because there is less worry that their generators and AC units are going to be left with a shortened lifespan or being prone to overheat. So, soft starters should not be used on every AC motor, but they can be invaluable in RVs and motorhomes.
Other Applications for Soft Starters
Soft starters can be used anywhere that needs a helping hand keeping the startup and cooldown gentle to prevent damaging the components in your circuit. Once the motor has been started up, the speed of the motor will then need to remain constant and not change.
Take a water plant facility for example. Water enters the plant at a certain speed, with a demand for water coming out of the plant that remains consistent. The water pump has the job of keeping the water moving in and out of the water plant facility.
You can install a soft starter onto the pump’s motor to prevent the inrush of current lessening the lifespan of the motor and pump. The soft starter will allow the motor to accelerate steadily until it reaches its maximum speed.
As the pump does not need to work any harder or slower due to the demand for water exiting the plant always staying the same, a soft starter can be installed without any issues.
If the demand was fluctuating, you might want to install a variable frequency drive (VFD). This device is similar to a soft starter but it allows the speeds to change, so the pump would be able to work harder or slower depending on the water demand at that time.
What is the difference between a soft starter and a variable frequency drive?
A VFD is quite similar to a soft starter in the way that it works, but there is one big difference between the two. A VFD can control an AC motor that needs to run at different speeds. As soft starters can only be used on applications that require the motor to remain at the same speed, a VFD works for the applications that need a flexible motor speed.
VFDs adjust the frequency of the motor, allowing the RPMs to be altered. It does this by converting the AC to DC using diodes. A capacitor will then clean the DC before the transistors change the DC back to AC. This allows the VFD to alter the frequency of what is being supplied to the motor. In turn, this will alter the RPMs and therefore the speed of the motor.
Take a fan as an example. If the fan only had a one-speed setting, a soft starter would be the device for the job. However, if the fan had a variable speed to keep up with the fluctuating temperatures, you would use a VFD.
What is the difference between a soft starter and a DOL starter?
We’ve heard all about soft starters by now, so let’s take a look at another method of starting your motor. Rather than gently feeding current to the motor like a soft starter, this method does quite the opposite.
A Direct On Line (DOL) starter allows the motor to be turned on as soon as you press the ignition switch. There is a direct connection between the power supply and the motor, so there is nothing in the way of an instant power-up.
DOL starters are the quickest way to get a motor up and running, but they are often only reserved for small loads only. This is because too big of a load would require too large of an initial inrush of current to get the motor started.
There is often thermal or electrical overload protection within a DOL starter to protect the motor from a shortened lifespan or overheating. Many people like DOL starters because it is considered the cheapest and easiest way to start a motor, but you have to be careful.
A motor needs an initial inrush of current that is up to 10 times the usual running current of a motor. DOL starters will require all of this at their disposal, so make sure that your power source is up to the job.
Summary
Soft starters are best used when the motor needs to stay at a constant speed once it has been turned on. Soft starters can also be used when you want to preserve the motor and your appliance’s lifespan due to a gentler method of starting it up.
However, soft starters will not fit the bill of every application out there. If your motor needs to change speeds all the while it’s running a VFD would fit better. Similarly, if your motor needs a larger starting current to power on, a DOL could be the ideal option.
Soft starters are the least common type of starters on the market currently, with hard starters, direct on line (DOL) starters, and variable frequency drive (VFD) starters being more widely available.
So, instead of trawling the internet for the best soft starters on the market, we’ve found the best one for you to use on your RV’s air conditioning unit.
A soft starter can dramatically help your AC unit run inside your RV. We will be looking into how this is possible, as well as how you can make your RV AC work better. Let’s get started, shall we?
What is a soft starter?
A soft starter is a device that can be used to start your motor if it’s struggling on its own. While a motor might have a rather modest running current, the starting current is often six to ten times higher than this. With all of this pressure on a motor, it’s no surprise that it can have difficulty starting on its own.
While the soft starter can help your motor start, it can also prolong its lifespan by preventing it from overheating and becoming overloaded. The soft starter reduces starting torque of a motor which can be the main culprit of premature damage.
As well as reducing the torque of your motor, the soft starter works by reducing the starting current. As the power source is turned on, the initial current is up to ten times the amount that your motor is designed for.
Without a soft starter, this inrush of current all forces itself to your motor and puts a great amount of strain on it. However, the soft starter will take this inrush of current and stop the majority of it from reaching the motor.
Once the motor is started, the soft starter will allow the current to be fed through to the motor, little by little, until the motor reaches maximum speed. This gentle way of starting the motor makes it much smoother and easier on the motor and other components in the system.
Why do RV AC units need soft starters?
When vacationing in an RV, you’re most likely either going to be using a generator for your main power supply or a hookup at an RV park. Both of these power sources are not ideal for using an AC unit on their own, which is where soft starters come in.
The hookups at RV parks are more often than not 30 amp. This is fine for running your appliances such as the refrigerator and hairdryers, but not so much an AC unit. A lot of RVs will have two or more AC units to ensure that the entire vessel is cool enough to be enjoyable.
However, the inrush of current from the 30 amp hookup will only be enough to start one of the AC units up. With a soft starter, the inrush current will be lessened to allow both of the AC units to work.
Alternatively, if you’re traveling off the grid with only a portable generator to supply you with power, your small generator might not be powerful enough to get your AC unit started. Using a soft starter makes this much more possible by gently starting the AC unit successfully.
Best Soft Starter for Your RV Air Conditioner
Now that you have an idea of why soft starters are so important when it comes to using air conditioners in RVs, which is the best one to purchase? That might just be the simplest question to answer – SoftStartRV by NetworkRV is the best soft starter for your RV air conditioner.
Below we will be looking at the most impressive features that the SoftStartRV has to offer.
What can the SoftStartRV run?
Above we looked at why using a soft starter in your RV is so important when it comes to enjoying the air conditioning. Without a soft starter, you might experience spluttering air conditioning or an AC unit that doesn’t even turn on.
The good news is that the SoftStartRV can help your AC unit to be run on numerous different sources. On a 30 amp hookup that you’d usually find at an RV park, the SoftStartRV enables your RV to be able to run two AC units rather than just one.
Your RV will be much cooler and enjoyable thanks to this tiny device that fits into the inner workings of your motorhome. But that’s not all it can do.
With the SoftStartRV you can run one AC unit from either a small portable generator or a 20 amp household hookup without any issues. So, when you’re traveling off the grid you can still enjoy the cooling effects of one air conditioner thanks to the SoftStartRV.
Finally, the SoftStartRV also enables you to run one or two air conditioners using your onboard inverter system. You can choose whether you want to run one or two using this as it could affect your other devices.
Reduces AC Noises
If you’ve ever spent a night in an air-conditioned motorhome, you might be painfully aware of the thumping noises that the AC units make as the compressor kicks into gear. These might not be as noticeable in the daytime when you’re bustling around enjoying your vacation, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be disrupted in the middle of the night.
Thankfully, the SoftStartRV can eliminate these noises and the ‘trailer shaking’ that you might experience throughout the night. Enjoy some much-needed relaxation and recuperation with the help of a SoftStartRV.
How does the SoftStartRV work?
As you know, soft starters are designed to gently start up a motor rather than allowing all of the initial inrush of current to speed to the motor as soon as the power source is turned on. Some soft starters can reduce the initial current by 50 to 60%, and that is considered a great difference from using it without a soft starter.
However, the SoftStartRV goes one step further and can reduce the starting current from 100% to 30-35%. That is an incredible difference between the starting currents, and it is no wonder that you can start your AC units up with ease thanks to this device.
There is no need for you to purchase a separate contactor or capacitor, either. The SoftStartRV has both of these components built-in, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing any other components for your soft starter.
The SoftStartRV allows you to run the majority of your appliances along with your AC units without any problems. Without the soft starter, you might not be able to run any appliances with the AC, or very few as the best result.
You can run the majority of your appliances on your generator or the hookup as well as the AC unit, as long as you have the SoftStartRV working alongside the air conditioning units. There is no need to purchase a larger generator or suffer through the blazing temperature of the summer sun.
Size and Weight
With any RV, you might be worried about exceeding the legal limit of how much weight you’re allowed in your RV. When planning a vacation in a motorhome, you are going to want to have everything with you – just in case.
That means packing clothes that you haven’t worn in years, handheld devices in case you get bored, and more board games than you could possibly play with during your vacation. But once you weigh all of your luggage and are brought back down to reality, you’re going to be very picky with what you allow in your RV.
That being said, you don’t have to worry about the SoftStartRV’s weight taking you over that threshold. Weighing less than 2 pounds allows you to install the device and forget it.
Similar to the weight issue, you might have reservations about the size of the SoftStartRV. There is limited space inside of a motorhome, and it fills up quickly! However, you do not have to worry about the size of the SoftStartRV.
It measures 6 x 3 x 3 inches, making it incredibly small and easy to carry with you. Not that the size of the device would matter anyway, as it is installed near your AC unit out of sight.
Fitting the SoftStartRV
There has to be a catch, right? Everything that we’re saying is simply too good to be true. But what else could there be to catch you out on? Installation within the RV, perhaps? Do you need to hire an expensive professional to fit the soft starter properly?
No, you don’t have to hire anyone – installing the SoftStartRV by yourself could not be easier, and you even get a number of tools to help you with the installation process. Along with the SoftStartRV device, you will receive a turnkey install kit, screws, tiles, wire caps, and more.
All of these tools and hardware pieces are free of charge to ensure that you don’t need to make any more purchases while waiting for your soft starter.
Along with the soft starter and all of the hardware you need to install it with, you will receive a list of well written and clear instructions. If you find that you’re having any trouble with these, there are then a number of web install videos, guides, and directions that you have access to.
Finally, if you are still having trouble installing the device, you can request a tech support installation call. Many previous customers have taken advantage of this option and found them incredibly helpful and intuitive.
SoftStartRV Price and Warranty
The price that NetworkRV is offering is very competitive, with a current deal ongoing in which you can save money. If you were looking to purchase more soft starters from NetworkRV, you would save even more money!
So, if you wanted to run more than one AC unit in your RV and needed more than one SoftStartRV, it makes sense to purchase them altogether to maximize your savings. The SoftStartRV also comes with free shipping to anywhere in the USA and Canada.
Moving onto the warranty, you can rest assured that your investment is protected by not one, but two warranties from NetworkRV. Within the first 90 days of your purchase, you have the opportunity to get your money back if you’re not completely satisfied with the soft starter. This is a guarantee from the manufacturer.
Alternatively, if the 90 days surpass and you find a fault with your soft starter that has been created during the manufacturing process, you can activate the one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
One excellent thing about the warranty offered by NetworkRV is that you can extend it from one year to two years – for free. That’s right, you can double the length of your warranty at no additional cost from your pocket.
Finally, if you love the SoftStartRV as much as everyone else and refers your friends to the company, you will receive a $25 bonus from NetworkRV.
Summary
Soft starters are incredibly important when it comes to running your AC units inside of your RV. The small device allows you to enjoy the benefits of air conditioning while still having your other appliances running, such as the refrigerator or your entertainment devices.
But which soft starter is best for running your AC units inside of your RV? In our eyes – the SoftStartRV by NetworkRV is undoubtedly the best option on the market. The price is competitive and the manufacturer offers the best warranty on the market.
The soft starter is incredibly easy to install without a professional, and you have countless sources of information at your disposal to ensure that the installation is as simple as possible for you. There is also an excellent tech support line to call if you need additional help.
The SoftStartRV can enable you to use an AC unit on a small portable generator or two AC units on a 30-amp hookup. No matter what you need your soft starter for, the SoftStartRV is definitely the one for you.
Air conditioning is a must-have when it comes to RV vacations. In a 33-foot metal container, with the summer sun pounding down relentlessly on your RV, it’s going to get incredibly hot inside.
RVs tend to have poor windows that allow little airflow, so you need to figure out another way to cool your family down enough to enjoy your holiday.
Air conditioning is the answer to all of your prayers. It cools the air down incredibly quickly to leave everyone in a much better mood. You can keep the AC on all day and night for the best results.
However, there are plenty of issues that arise with AC units inside RVs. Today we’re going to be discussing these as well as finding out whether a Honda EU2200 generator will run an AC unit on its own.
Issues with using AC units in RVs
Let’s get these out of the way so that you can see why we’re looking for a device to power an AC unit. RVs require a lot of energy, so they need a powerful generator that is going to be able to power everything that you need in the motorhome.
If you’re planning on staying in your RV for a number of consecutive days or weeks, you’ll need the generator to power up the refrigerator, entertainment devices, and power sockets to charge up your belongings.
Oh, and you also want it to keep your AC unit running for the duration of your trip. We’re not asking for too much, are we?
There are plenty of RV parks that allow you to pay for a pitch. You can park up here and use the facilities such as the bathrooms and the electric ports. These are most commonly 30-amp hookups.
Using these hookups take the strain off of your generator. Depending on the power of your generator, this is likely to be more powerful and therefore make it easier to run all of your appliances.
However, the initial in-rush of current only allows you to use one AC unit within your RV rather than both. So, you’re left with all of your appliances and devices running, but with only one AC working to cool the air.
But what happens when you’re driving to another park or not using a park with available hookups? Unless you want to be left without AC for the rest of your vacation, you’ll need a powerful enough generator to keep the AC units running all of this time.
Key terms you need to know
Now that you know why we’re looking for a generator that is going to be able to power AC units as well as the rest of your appliances, we can get into the article.
However, before we start looking at the Honda EU2200 and what it can do, we have a few terms that we want to clarify first.
What is a soft starter?
A soft starter’s primary function is to prevent a motor from overloading from an inrush of current, as well as protecting your devices from a shortened lifespan.
Soft starters can also help the startup and acceleration of a motor to run much more smoothly than without one.
The soft starter works with two featuring components: the controllers and overload protection. The controllers are able to turn the electrical current on and off, manipulating whether it can reach the motor or not.
The overload protection will then work to protect the motor from overheating from the current running through it.
An overload relay controls the amount of time that the electrical current is able to run through the motor. The shorter the time, the less likely an overloaded motor will be.
A soft starter will be installed just before the motor in the control panel so that it is in the optimal position to control the electrical flow to the motor. Soft starters can be used in any AC vehicle, and they can also be used on single-phase motors.
When using a soft starter for an AC unit, the device can lower the inrush of the current so that it is safe enough to allow the second AC unit to power up.
Using an AC unit without a soft starter will cause the in-rush of current to be too powerful to allow the second unit to power up.
If you want your air conditioning system to work as effectively as it can, you will need a soft starter to help all of the units get up and running.
What is a generator?
A generator is a machine that can produce electricity when you need it and mains power is inaccessible. In an RV, this would be applicable as soon as you drive away from your house or the RV park.
The inner workings of a generator will create electricity and therefore do not need the assistance of any other power sources. These machines are small and portable so they can fit inside an RV without any issue.
Generators come in all shapes and sizes, which alter the power that you can use from them.
For example, there are very small generators that will only generate 200 watts of power, while you can get much larger generators that offer up to 5000 watts of power.
Generators use a fuel source to create their electricity, such as propane, gas, diesel, or bi-fuel. They use these fuels to turn mechanical energy into electrical energy, which is then used to power your devices and appliances.
A little information on the Honda EU2200i
Now let’s introduce ourselves to the man of the hour, the star of our article. You’ve found yourself on our page because you want to know whether the Honda EU2200i will run your AC units with the use of a soft start.
Honda is an incredibly successful company that specializes in cars, bikes, power products, and much more.
What’s more, all of their generators are well received by their customers and Honda generators are often used as the standard for every other generator to be compared to.
The EU2200i delivers 2200 watts of power without any issues, which is 10% more power than the previous model offered. Despite the rise in power, the generator is still as lightweight and compact as the prior model.
Weighing under 50 pounds, the generator in question will not affect your weight limit too much in the RV.
The generator runs incredibly quietly at just 57 decibels, which is less than a lively conversation. You will have no issues sleeping or enjoying your family’s company through the generator noise. You might not even hear it over all of the fun!
Honda’s EU2200i has a mechanical decompressor system which allows you to switch the generator on and off much easier than other generators on the market. You will need little to no force to get your engine running.
We cannot forget about the efficiency of this generator – a single tank of fuel will allow the generator to run for up to 8.1 hours, depending on the load. You can use this generator overnight to keep cool with your AC running.
Perhaps the best feature, when we take it back to whether it can run an AC unit or not, is that you can use two or more of the EU2200i generators alongside one another to take advantage of double or triple the power.
The EU2200i boasts how much it can run for you, such as refrigerators, microwaves, and small AC units. That’s right, the EU2200i does allow you to run an AC unit, but is it enough to keep up with your RV?
Overall, the Honda EU2200i generator is incredibly durable, portable, and powerful. But will it offer enough power to run your AC units to leave you with a more enjoyable environment?
RV air conditioning units in relation to BTUs
Air conditioning units will be measured in terms of BTUs, which is a measure of energy and stands for British Thermal Unit. Despite the name, it is no longer used as a common unit of measurement in the United Kingdom.
BTU refers to the amount of heat energy an air conditioning unit can remove from a room in an hour. So, the higher the BTU rating, the more heat the AC unit can remove from your RV.
If you’re shopping around for an RV or an AC unit for your RV, you should look for a unit with a high BTU rating to feel the effects of your air conditioner.
The larger space, the more likely it is that you will need more than one AC unit. So, your RV will more than likely come with two or even three air conditioners, especially if there are more than two rooms within your RV.
The most common BTU ratings for air conditioning units in RVs are 11,000, 13,500, and 15,000 BTUs. However, you can also get more sizes if these are not optimal for your RV.
If you wanted to save money, you might opt for two 11,000 BTU air conditioning units.
However, the majority of people will go for the middle of the road option – 13,500 BTUs. These are powerful enough to cool down your RV in an impressive amount of time without being too powerful that you’re wasting power.
Why you need a soft starter to run AC units on a generator
If you’re sick of having to park up in an RV park to run your air conditioner on boiling hot days, you’re not alone. Plenty of RV owners are now trying to find a better way of keeping their motorhome cool.
Many people, when they purchase their first RV, will do their research and decide to purchase a small generator offering around 1,000 watts of power.
While this will be enough to run your important appliances and charge your devices when they need, but certainly not enough to keep an AC unit on.
However, once you realize that your RV becomes incredibly hot during the drives, you will soon learn that you need to invest in a larger generator and an AC unit.
Now, the most important thing to purchase, along with the AC unit and the larger generator, is a soft starter.
Our favorite is the SoftStartRV, which is a small and compact soft starter that is incredibly effective.
Without the SoftStartRV, your generator might be able to run the AC unit but it will be putting much more pressure and stress on the AC unit and your generator.
A soft starter reduces the in-rush of current and therefore can stop your AC unit from overheating and becoming damaged. The SoftStartRV can reduce the in-rush of current from 100% to 30%, making it much safer to run.
SoftStartRV assures that its device allows two AC units on a 30-amp hookup and one AC unit on a small portable generator.
This allows small generators, around 2,000 to 2,500 watts, to run AC units without you having to spend too much on a larger generator. You can also run your other appliances, such as a refrigerator, alongside the AC without an issue.
Will a Honda 2200ii generator run an air conditioner?
Along with the SoftStartRV, many people have had success running an AC unit from a 2200ii-watt generator in their RV.
Their AC units were 13,500 BTU and therefore impressively effective at cooling down the inside of their RV, and they could do it with still a relatively small portable generator!
If you’re still unsure of whether to trust your 2200ii-watt generator with your AC unit, there are plenty of videos on YouTube that show how people have successfully hooked an AC unit to such a small generator.
To save you some time; however, we will let you into the biggest secret of all – the soft starter. With that smaller in-rush of current, the AC unit can power on without any issues and run for as long as your generator will last.
Will any 2200ii watt generator run a 13500 BTU air conditioner?
The only way to answer this question is to test every 2200ii-watt generator with a 13,500 BTU air conditioner to see whether it will run or not.
If you consider the fact that a 2,000-watt Honda generator can run this size of AC unit with a soft starter, there should be no reason why any other 2200ii-watt generator couldn’t.
Can you run a 13,500 BTU AC unit on a 2200ii watt generator without a soft starter?
This is considered very unlikely to be able to do, as most 13,500 BTU air conditioners will require more power than your small generator is offering. If you were to try this, you would be met by lots of angered noises from your generator and air conditioning unit.
It is said that you’ll need a 3,000-watt or higher generator to run a 13,500 BTU air conditioner. This is because an AC unit requires around 2,800 to 3,000 watts of power to startup, but only 1,500 to 2,000 watts to maintain the AC unit.
So, while a 2,000-watt air conditioner would work to maintain the AC unit, you would need more power to start it up.
The soft starter can help you do this, but without the soft starter, you wouldn’t be able to turn your AC unit on. Trying to do this could leave you in a dangerous position.
Will a Honda 2200 watt generator run a 13500 BTU air conditioner?
From our previous answer, we bet that you can guess the answer to this question as well. The Honda EU2200i has 10% more power than a Honda generator with 2,000 watts of power, so running an AC unit with a soft starter should be no problem.
The additional 10% power will help your other appliances and devices continue running without struggling due to the new demanding AC unit.
Much like if you were to purchase a 3,000-watt generator you could run more devices in your RV, the 2,200-watt generator will work just fine with your AC unit.
The 13,500 BTU air conditioner is in the middle of the road and should cool your RV just fine.
While most people prefer two AC units to ensure that their entire RV is cooled to their desired temperature, it’s unlikely that two AC units will run on one small generator.
So, while a 13,500 BTU air conditioner will run on a 2,200-watt generator, you also have the option of choosing a different BTU rating. 11,000 BTU air conditioners will run better on a small generator, but your RV won’t be cooled as efficiently.
On the other hand, a 2,200-watt generator might not be enough to handle a 15,000 BTU air conditioner. The only way you would be able to test this is if you purchased a soft starter and used it alongside the powerful AC unit.
What if you didn’t use a soft starter?
You might want to consider bypassing the soft starter altogether – after all, the Honda EU2200i does in fact state that it can run a small AC unit without the help of a soft starter.
So, what would happen if you were to try to run the air conditioner without installing a soft starter?
There are a few outcomes that you could see depending on how you do this. The Honda EU2200i includes an Eco mode which can be manipulated if you want to preserve your power.
Running the generator without Eco mode (with the refrigerator set to gas)
Running the generator without eco mode turned on, with the refrigerator on gas mode, is the best option to use your AC without a soft starter.
Begin the AC with the fan only and allow it to reach the maximum speed. Once you reach this speed, you can engage the AC’s compressor.
The end result of this is that the AC unit runs without putting any stress on the generator. The generator continues to run without any forceful noises.
Running the generator without Eco mode (with the refrigerator set to auto)
This method is turning the AC unit on just as you would if you were connected to a 30-amp hookup at an RV park. If you were thinking that the generator would work just like the hookup, you were incorrect.
The AC unit will begin by making an aggravated noise with lots of thumping, and the generator is likely to stall.
If you’re able to wait for these concerning noises out, the machines will calm down and run semi-normally, but you will be able to hear how bad this is for your generator and AC unit.
Running the generator with Eco mode (with the refrigerator set to auto)
Finally, deciding to start the fan on your AC unit and turning on the compressor after the fan has reached the maximum speed will leave you with an angry-sounding generator.
However, once the compressor is turned on, the AC unit will begin running as normal.
Why we still think a soft starter is important
As we mentioned earlier, soft starters are very important when it comes to starting the AC unit up. This is because the initial power needed is around 2,800 to 3,000 watts, which is higher than the 2,200 watts that the Honda EU2200i is offering.
So, the fact that people are being able to start their air conditioning units with such a small portable generator is very impressive and somewhat confusing.
One thing is for certain – it is much safer (for you, your generator, and your AC unit) to use a soft starter than to not.
Some people will take the above information and agree that they don’t need a soft starter to run one AC unit on their small generator.
This belief is not incorrect – you can run your AC unit off of your generator without an issue. The question is; however, is for how long?
As we have mentioned above, without using a soft starter seems to make the generator and AC unit make aggravated noises. While these die down after a while, you never want to be left with an angry-sounding generator for too long.
Generators are mechanical devices that are full of fuel and can be dangerous if overloaded. If your generator is making these types of noises, you should stop the problem as soon as possible.
Not only are generators dangerous when not used properly, but they can also be expensive. Grunts and moans from your generator are not to be ignored – it could be a sign that something is being broken or adversely affected by your actions.
Moreover, the AC unit could also be damaged prematurely without using a soft starter. Soft starters prevent the device from overheating and being damaged by being subjected to constant in-rushes of power from turning the device on and off again.
As your generator will need re-fuelling and a break every eight hours or so, you will have to start the AC unit up after every refuel. So, turning the AC unit on over and over again will damage your air conditioning unit as well as the generator.
With a soft starter, the in-rush of current is reduced and therefore protects your AC unit from this. You will be able to turn it on and off as many times as you want without worrying about the air conditioner becoming prematurely damaged.
Soft starters also protect the generator by taking the current into its own hands and increasing it at a slower, more controlled pace. This will reduce the pressure that is put on the generator.
In our opinion, soft starting an AC unit with a Honda EU2200i is the way to go.
What is the best soft starter for the job?
We enjoy using the SoftStartRV when running our air conditioning unit off of our small generators. One of the main reasons for this is because one of their main selling points is that the SoftStartRV can ‘Run One Air Conditioner Using Only A Small Portable Generator’.
Straight away, NetworkRV is telling us that their product can help us achieve what we are hoping for.
Not only this, but the SoftStartRV also reduces thumping from the AC as well, so you can get a peaceful night’s sleep while remaining cool.
Adding the SoftStartRV also could not be easier. You don’t need any specialist equipment, and there is plenty of help and advice online to help you with your DIY project. Install this small device inside your RV and forget about it instantly.
Before you know it, you will have forgotten all about the soft starter installed within your RV. All you will be left with is a generator that can seamlessly run your air conditioner without any hitches.
Summary
Overall, it is entirely possible to run one air conditioning unit from a Honda EU2200i generator. In fact, you can also run the AC unit from most 2,000-watt generators as well. The only additional piece of equipment you will need is a soft starter.
We know that it might be tempting to skip the soft starter, but it is vital in keeping your devices and appliances running without becoming damaged.
Not using a soft starter for this application will shorten the lifespan of both your AC unit and the generator.
The SoftStartRV is a great model that allows you to run one air conditioner off of a small generator seamlessly.
So, the next time you’re planning an RV trip – remember how terrible the heat was last time and add a soft starter and an AC unit to your shopping list!
VFD stands for Variable Frequency Drive. This device is used for running an AC motor at different speeds. You can also use a VFD to allow the speed of the motor to ramp up in order to give it a smoother startup.
VFDs work by adjusting the frequency of a motor and therefore the RPMs. Below is a step by step guide on how the VFD works.
The VFD converts the alternating current to a direct current with diodes.
A capacitor will clean the direct current.
The transistors will work as switches and change the direct current back to an alternating current.
The use of transistors as switches is what allows the VFD to change the frequency that is being supplied to the motor. This allows the VFD to alter the speed of the motor.
What is a soft starter?
Soft starters reduce the inrush of current that is created when a motor is first started up. This inrush of current can be detrimental to the health and lifespan of your motor, so soft starters are important if you plan on turning your motor on and off repeatedly.
A soft starter will also reduce the initial torque of the motor. The lessened inrush of current allows the motor to startup safer and more smoothly than if you were to start the motor without it.
Soft starters can save your motor, devices, or appliances attached to the motor. Moreover, a lessened initial current can cost you less money in the long run.
Inside a VFD
There are only three main components inside a VFD:
Rectifier: Acts as a diode, changing the alternating current and changing it to direct current.
Filter: Uses capacitors to clean the DC, making it a source of cleaner and smoothing power.
Inverter: Acts alongside transistors to alter the DC back to AC. Sends the motor a frequency measured in Hertz, which will then drive the motor to work with a specific RPM.
You can control the speeds of your VFD to alter the frequency that is sent to the motor. This allows you to change the RPMs depending on your application, giving you much more control over your motor.
Altering the speed can ramp up or down your motor, making the startup and cooling down periods much more controlled and safer than if you were to leave them uncontrolled.
Inside a soft starter
There are many types of soft starters out there, although we are looking at a typical single-phase soft starter. The soft starter will either use Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCR) or Thyristors to control the startup of a motor.
SCRs act as switches and turn on as soon as the motor is powered on. The SCRs prevent the majority of the inrush of current from passing and reaching the motor. Once the motor is ready to accelerate, the SCRs will relax and allow more of the current to pass through.
SCRs work on a ramp time so the current allowed to pass will slowly increase rather than all rush to the motor at once. Once the motor is turned off, the soft starter will work in a similar way to slowly ramp down the motor.
Differences between VFD and soft starters
To sum up, a VFD can be considered a soft starter with speed control. These two devices commonly get confused with one another, but you might have a need for one rather than the other.
So, instead of simply purchasing one and hoping for the best, let’s try to hone in on which will be best for you.
Control
How much control over your motor do you need? A VFD gives you much more control than a soft starter as you can adjust the speed of the device.
However, if you don’t need to control the speed but just want to lessen a large inrush of current from reaching your motor, a soft starter will suffice just fine.
Price
Price is an important factor for most people, as we always want to save money wherever we can. However, we also want the best for our motors and devices, so spending that extra money is acceptable as long as we’re getting exactly what we need.
As a soft starter does not offer as much control as the VFD, the price is almost always lower than opting for a VFD.
Size
The size of your device might also play a deciding factor in whether you opt for a VFD or a soft starter. Again, as they do not offer as much customization soft starters are often smaller in size than VFDs.
This means that soft starters can fit in smaller places than VFDs, which is helpful when you’re tight on space to install your device.
VFDs vs. soft starters in the real world
Cooling fan systems
A cooling fan turns on when the temperature of the air becomes too hot. As the cooling fan turns on, it will need to reach a certain speed to cool down the room quicker than it heats up again.
However, once the room temperature has cooled down, the fan will have to slow down to avoid making the room too cold.
A VFD would be much better than a soft starter in this instance because the fan would need to change speeds and therefore RPM. If the cooling fan only turned on to one speed instead of altering the RPM, a soft starter would be best.
Water treatment facilities
The second instance is inside a water treatment facility on a wastewater pump. The pump has a constant flow of water coming to it, needing to be pumped through the facility as quickly as it enters.
A soft starter would be best suited for the water pump because there is a large inrush of current on the motor anytime the pump needs to be started up.
As the pump will need to be used regularly and often, the soft starter will protect the pump and motor from the initial inrush of current.
If the demand for water exiting the facility was constantly changing, a VFD could be better as you can control the speed of the pump.
Summary
Essentially, a VFD is a soft starter with more control over the speeds. If you need to alter the speed of your application, a VFD is the best option for you.
However, if you do not need to alter the speeds and want a small and inexpensive device to control the inrush of current, a soft starter is the one for you.
Hard starters and soft starters are extremely valuable in protecting your motor and applications from the uncontrollable inrush of current that is created when you start up your motor. They can both be used to protect the motor and appliances to an extent, but both do this in very different ways.
Today we’ll be comparing the hard starter and the soft starter, considering what they both are, how they work, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
What is a hard start?
A hard start is where the inrush of current is spiked to reduce the time taken to get a system started up. You can use a hard start when your electrical current needs a boost to get the motor starter.
The inrush of current is heightened which can put your motor at risk of overheating or suffering a shorter lifespan.
Hard starters are most helpful when it comes to large AC units within residential or commercial buildings. You can use hard starters when you have a powerful power source that is able to offer your AC unit motors enough power to manipulate the inrush of current enough.
A hard start kit includes a start capacitor and a start relay. Plug the hard start kit onto the run capacitor with two wires, incredibly easily and quickly. You’ll need no professional to help with this installation. Hard starters begin at a mere $10 online, so they’re worth a try if your AC is not turning on properly.
Many people are surprised at how simple the fix is to install an inexpensive device into the system before starting it up. Your motor will begin as soon as the hard starter is installed, so you can get your system fixed within minutes.
What is a soft start?
On the other hand, a soft start is used to protect the motor and your appliances from a shorter lifespan. The soft start reduces the inrush of current by up to 70%, reducing the potential damage from occurring and allowing the motor to startup more smoothly and safely than a hard start.
Soft starters make the most impact used when the power source is a small generator (although you will notice a benefit if your power source is larger as well). For example, soft starters can be used in RVs when you need an AC unit working but you don’t have access to mains power. A hard starter will not work with a small generator, so they are useless in an RV powered by a generator.
A soft starter also contains a start capacitor and a start relay like the hard starter. However, the soft starter also uses comprehensive electronics with impressive algorithms that can sense and record numerous things in the startup of your motor.
How does a hard starter work?
A hard starter works by storing energy in a capacitor. Once you try to turn the motor on, the energy from the capacitor will be released and join with the initial inrush of current to amp it up and get the struggling motor going.
You will be able to hear when your AC is hard starting by listening closely. Once you turn on the AC, if you hear stuttering or clicking sounds paired with the AC not staying on for too long, it could indicate that the AC needs a hard start kit.
When starting up an AC, the compressor often needs 4 to 8 times more electrical current to allow it to startup. Over time, this additional power can overheat the system and shorten its lifespan considerably.
A hard start kit can shorten the startup period of the motor and reduce the amount of electrical current needed to start your AC up. Without a hard starter, the electrical efficiency will only be around 50%. However, a hard starter can see this rise to up to 98%.
While the hard starter can protect your motor to a certain extent, it still allows a lot of power to race to the motor all at once. This is bound to reduce the lifespan somewhat, so a hard starter is still not as protective as a soft starter.
How does a soft starter work?
A soft starter works by controlling the amount of voltage running through the circuits of a motor. The soft starter can do this by affecting the torque of a motor, which reduces the voltage and allows it to manipulate the voltage to allow for a smooth startup and acceleration.
The majority of modern soft starters now use Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) or thyristors to limit the voltage more effectively. Once the motor starts up, the SCRs turn on and limit the voltage able to reach the motor.
Once the motor begins to accelerate, the SCRs begin to relax and allow more voltage to reach the motor. After all of the voltage is allowed to reach the motor, the SCRs will turn themselves off. Soft starters tend to have an efficiency of 99% or higher.
Soft starters can protect the motor and circuits from the initial inrush of power, extending the lifespan of these components. Soft starters can protect against overheating. AC units are also known for their thumping noises, which the soft starter can prevent once installed.
When should a hard start kit be installed?
There are a few reasons why you might need a hard starter, which we have detailed below.
Your AC is hard starting already
We mentioned earlier how you might be able to tell whether your current AC is hard starting or not. Here they are again, as well as a few new indications to look out for:
The AC starts but then shuts off soon thereafter – or short-cycling, which usually indicates something wrong with the compressor.
There is a clicking noise as the compressor starts, which is another indication of something wrong with your compressor.
The lights flicker when you turn on the AC, which shows that the AC is draining too much power to get started.
The compressor trips your circuit breaker, showing that too much energy is being used to start up and causing the entire circuit to trip before any electrical damage can occur.
These are four symptoms of a hard starting AC unit. Bear in mind that all of these symptoms don’t need to be present to mean that your AC is hard starting, just one symptom may be present. You might want to call a professional to help you realize your next steps.
If the compressor is at the end of its life, you will need a new one installed or to purchase a new air conditioner altogether. However, if the compressor is struggling to turn the motor on, installing a hard start kit could fix this issue without having to spend a lot on a new AC.
You have purchased a new air conditioner
Many older AC units used to come with hard start kits already installed, but newer models do not have these commonly. Make sure that you ask wherever you’re purchasing your air conditioner from whether the model has a hard starter already installed or not.
If the answer is not, you might want to purchase and install one to prevent any issues from occurring with your AC. The last thing you want is to be stuck with an AC unit that can’t start up or stay on for an extended period of time during the hottest days of the year.
When should a soft start kit be installed?
A soft starter should be installed when you need to control the torque and starting current during starting and stopping a motor. Once the motor is running, the speed will be constant until it’s turned off. Soft starters leave you with a simple, economical solution for your motor.
Soft starters can be used for conveyors and fans that need a constant speed throughout their usage. However, soft starters can also be used in RVs when you want to power the AC unit on without damaging your small generator.
Small generators typically don’t have enough power to startup an AC unit on their own. Without a soft starter, you’d need the generator to offer 4 to 8 times more power than the AC usually would need.
While achievable, this generator will be expensive and probably too large for your RV. So, soft starters can be installed to protect the AC unit and generator to start the cooling mechanism up without using an inrush of power.
While a hard starter might be best suited for large buildings with impressive AC systems, soft starters can be a saving grace when your power source is considerably smaller. An example is when you’re away from mains power or an RV hookup.
Benefits and drawbacks of hard starters
There are benefits and drawbacks to both hard and soft starters, which we are going to look into in the next two sections.
Hopefully, these sections will help you to determine whether you need a hard starter or a soft starter for your applications.
Benefits
Hard starters are often considered the best option when an application needs a high starting torque to get started. Hard starters are also often much more accessible than soft starters, making them less expensive than the latter option.
While this is an attractive quality, you should take into consideration more than just the cost of your starter. Purchasing a cheap model could harm your motor and devices if you need a soft starter more than a hard starter.
Drawbacks
Hard starters are only usable in normalized conditions. If something goes wrong or changes these conditions, the hard starter might not be able to start your motor. What’s more, this could damage your motor and AC appliance and cause it to fail completely.
For this reason, hard starters should only be used in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings that can be kept in ‘normal’ conditions. Hard starters are not suitable for RVs or motorhomes where conditions are always changing.
Benefits and drawbacks of soft starters
Much like the benefits and drawbacks of hard starters, there are many that come along with the soft starter.
Benefits
Unlike hard starters, soft starters reduce the initial torque of the motor so that the torque can’t put too much unnecessary pressure on the motor or your devices. This can prolong the lifespan of your motor and the circuits.
Soft starters are designed to reduce the starting current of the compressor by controlling the current running through the start and run windings. This gives you more control over the current and therefore can protect more of the circuit from overheating.
Many soft starters also come equipped with built-in features that protect the compressor under unforeseen circumstances. This gives them the advantage over hard starters that need the conditions to remain the same.
This makes it understandable why soft starters are the best option if you’re living off the grid with a small generator or for inverter-based HVAC applications.
Soft starters are also quieter to run and often last longer than hard starters, and they can also be used to protect you from the thumping that you hear from AC units throughout the day and night.
The final benefit of soft starters is that they have been proven to give back your return on investment several times over thanks to the generator savings that they offer and preventing you from having to replace your compressor.
Drawbacks
Soft starters are often more expensive than hard starters. While the price is often a key feature to look for when shopping for anything, don’t simply choose a hard starter because it’s the cheaper option.
Soft starters might be the best option for large AC systems or other applications such as an RV A/C that require a large inrush of current (55 to 85 amps) to get started.
Summary
As you can see, hard starters and soft starters are two completely different concepts. Hard starts aim to make the inrush of current as large as possible while the soft start lowers the inrush of current as much as possible.
Both are impressive in their own way, but be careful that you don’t get the wrong one for what you need. Hard starters are best used in places where the normal conditions do not change often.
Soft starters are much more flexible and can be used in RVs and motorhomes where the conditions are uncontrollable. Make sure that you do your research before purchasing one and, if in doubt, consult a professional to ensure you opt for the correct starter.
Soft starters are important devices for many applications when you need a gentle method of starting your motor. There are numerous types of starters to get a motor running – direct on line (DOL) starters, variable frequency drive (VFD) starters, hard starters, and soft starters.
The difference between these other types of starters and the soft starter is that the latter is much gentler on your motor and the other components in your appliances. This can prolong the lifetime of your motor and appliance, which is why soft starters are beginning to grow in popularity.
Soft starters are excellent for use within RVs and motorhomes to help your power source not become too overwhelmed by all of the initial starting currents. They can help you run your AC units along with other appliances without any trouble.
Compared to the other type of starters on the market, soft starters are among the least accessible. This is due to the fact that they are still considered a niche market with very specific applications.
Because they are less available on the market, there are fewer brands to choose from when it comes to picking your soft starter. Today we will be offering a refresher course into all things soft starter as well as looking at the best soft starter brands on the market.
What is meant by soft starter?
We have precluded what a soft starter is above, but let’s look into this in more detail so that you know exactly what you’re purchasing.
Soft starters are not best used for every application or appliance, so make sure that you do your own research beforehand to ensure that the soft starter is the correct choice for you.
A soft starter is a small device that fits into the inner workings of your appliance. We have all had those appliances that sound like they’re going to explode every time they’re turned on, right?
We actually cower away from the machine once we turn the power supply on in case this is the day that the motor finally pushes itself too hard and explodes in our houses.
This is actually a common problem, and it has made people feel uncomfortable enough to make them create a soft starter to prevent it from happening ever again.
If you’ve ever heard the startup noise that we’re talking about, it should come as no surprise to you that the soft starter can protect your appliance from shortening its lifespan and overheating.
A soft starter’s main job is to turn the motor on more gently than if it were to be powered on without the soft starter. The soft starter manipulates the starting current so that the motor ignites and accelerates easier to protect it from damages.
How does a soft starter work?
A soft starter works by controlling the amount of starting current that can reach the motor once the power supply is switched on. The device also affects the initial torque which can protect the motor and the appliance from premature damage.
As you turn the power supply on at the source, an initial inrush of current is formed. A motor has a running current that the power source needs to supply constantly to ensure that the motor doesn’t shut off.
However, the starting current for the motor needs to be six to ten times greater than the running current. The power source generates this power to ensure that the motor will start. This incredible amount of power is called the inrush of current.
So, once the inrush of current is created it is sent at full speed to the motor. This inrush of current puts immense strain and pressure on the motor, which creates the spluttering and angered noise that it puts out on startup.
However, when you install a soft starter into the appliance it stops the inrush of current in its tracks. Modern soft starters will use one of two things – silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) or thyristors.
SCRs are plastic switches that turn on as soon as the power source is powered up. The inrush of current is sent towards the motor but it is stopped by the powered-on SCRs. These only allow through the amount of current needed to get the motor up and running.
Once the motor is running and is ready to accelerate, the SCRs will begin to relax and allow more current to flow through to the motor, little by little. Once all of the currents are flowing to the motor, the SCRs can turn off.
When it’s time to turn the appliance off, the SCRs will turn back on and follow the same process as before but backward. This, again, protects the motor from the surge of power that could be damaging to its inner components.
Using a soft starter allows you to use your appliances without worrying about them overheating and faltering beyond repair. Thanks to the SCRs only allowing small amounts of the current to pass through, the acceleration remains smooth rather than being jumpy and spluttering.
How do I choose a soft starter?
Choosing your soft starter is quite simple when you know what to look for. There are two main types of soft starters – single-phase and three-phase. The phases simply refer to how many phases the motor has for the current to pass through.
Some motors only have one phase for the motor to pass through, while larger motors have three. You can get motors with even more phases than three, but these are less common and might require a different starter option than a soft starter.
Single-phase and three-phase soft starters are almost identical in how they work, with one exception. The single-phase soft starter only has the mechanisms to only control one flow of current to the motor, while a three-phase soft starter can control three.
Make sure that you know whether you need a single-phase or three-phase soft starter for your motor. Using the wrong one will be redundant or cost you too much money, and it could even cause more damage to your appliance.
What is a soft starter kit for an air conditioner?
As we mentioned earlier, soft starter kits are very important for RVs when you want to run your air conditioner along with your other necessary appliances. Air conditioners are large appliances that require impressive amounts of starting current to power up.
Air conditioners often have a split-phase induction motor, meaning that they will need a single-phase soft starter. So, when you’re looking for a soft starter for your air conditioning unit, more often than not you will need a single-phase soft starter.
Soft starter kits are what some suppliers offer that includes more than just the soft starter. They also come with all of the tools and the hardware you need to install your device. If you need help from a professional to install the soft starter, this service might be included within the kit.
A soft starter for an air conditioner is installed into the air conditioner to protect the appliance and its motor from the inrush of current. A soft starter for an air conditioner is the same as any other soft starter on the market.
Why do you need a soft starter for RV AC units?
There are a few reasons why you would need a soft starter for your RV air conditioning unit. For starters, RVs are none other than a metal vessel that can get extremely hot in the summer months. Windows are not typically opened inside of an RV thanks to bugs and the worry of your belongings being vulnerable.
So, the options available to you are to find a way to get your AC unit working inside your RV, or spend your vacation burning hot and uncomfortable. We know which one we would prefer!
You will need a soft starter installed within your AC unit no matter whether you are going to be staying off the grid or at an RV park. Off the grid, you will be using the power of a small portable generator, which won’t offer enough power to start the AC unit on its own.
The soft starter is necessary when you only have a small portable generator around 2200ii to 2500 watts of power. Even if the generator was able to start your AC unit without the soft starter, you wouldn’t be able to run any of your other appliances.
On the other hand, if you are parking up at an RV park with hookups, you should be able to run one AC unit without a soft starter. However, a 30 amp hookup will not allow you to run two AC units as the inrush of power is too much to get the second started.
Even if you’re only using one AC unit, the soft starter is advised so that you know your air conditioner is protected against premature damage, overheating, or immense surges of power. As you can see, soft starters are very important when it comes to RV air conditioning units.
The best soft starter brand: NetworkRV
NetworkRV is the brand behind the incredibly popular single-phase soft starter kit, the SoftStartRV. This soft starter has been created specifically for use in RVs for air conditioning units, so you know that you’re getting the best device for the job.
Below we’re going to be talking you through some of the best selling points of the SoftStartRV and how it can help make your RV vacation much more enjoyable for you and the whole family.
How the SoftStartRV works
The SoftStartRV works by gently allowing your AC motor to power up and accelerate to full speed, rather than letting an uncontrollable amount of current all rush to the motor at once.
While most soft starters on the market will reduce the starting current to 40 to 50%, the SoftStartRV can reduce it from 100% to 30-35%.
This is a very impressive drop in starting current, and you can only imagine how much stress it will take off of the motor and your AC unit as a whole. The AC motor should now start up without any issues, giving you the ability to enjoy a cool environment as well as all of your other electronic appliances.
The SoftStartRV has a capacitor and a contactor all built into the soft starter, so you don’t have to worry about buying your own. You can now run all of your appliances along with an AC unit without having to purchase a larger and more expensive generator.
What the SoftStartRV can run
The SoftStartRV can run an AC unit on a number of different power sources, allowing you the freedom to use your RV in any way that you want. When parking in an RV park, you will be greeted with a 30 amp hookup.
As we already discussed, this is not enough for two AC units because the initial inrush is so great that it prevents the second AC unit from ever starting up. However, you can now use two SoftStartRV devices to run two AC units on a single 30 amp hookup.
Using two AC units will make your RV much cooler and you will be able to feel the effects of your air conditioning quicker.
With that being said, you cannot always run two AC units when you’re in an RV. When you’re living off the grid and parked up in the wilderness, you can still enjoy your AC unit thanks to the SoftStartRV.
Using a SoftStartRV, you’ll be able to run one AC unit off of a small portable generator or a 20 amp household hookup. No matter where you want to power your RV, you can do it thanks to a soft starter such as the SoftStartRV.
The final option you have is to run either one or two air conditioning units from your onboard inverter system. There are four different ways that you can power your AC unit with the SoftStartRV, so you’ll certainly get your money’s worth!
Size and weight
The SoftStartRV weighs under two pounds, meaning that you can install it without worrying about your RV weight limit. This is a great weight off RV owners’ minds so that you don’t have to start thinking about what you’re going to leave behind to make up for the heavy soft starter.
Likewise, the SoftStartRV measures 6 x 3 x 3 inches and therefore can fit into almost any air conditioning unit. There is no obligation for you to purchase an AC unit from the same or similar brand – you can use this soft starter with any air conditioning unit that you already have with your RV.
Reduced thumping noises
A lesser-known issue with RV air conditioning units is the thumping and ‘trail shaking’ issues that come along with the compressor.
You don’t notice it a lot in the daytime when you’re enjoying your vacation and there is a lot of noise around you. During the nighttime; however, you might find these noises deafening.
The thumping occurs once the compressor kicks into action, but with the help of a SoftStartRV, you might never have to suffer sleeping through these noises again. SoftStartRV gives you a good night’s sleep that is both cool and silent.
Installation process
Installing the SoftStartRV is incredibly quick and easy to do. You will receive everything that you need to install it including the tools and hardware, along with comprehensive instructions that are very easy to follow.
You’ll even receive a diagram of how the wires are supposed to look once installed.
Even better, there are a number of instructional videos online that you can access if you’re having difficulty installing your soft starter.
If these still don’t help and you need to talk to a professional about the installation process, you can chat to the friendly tech support team who have got countless glowing reviews about their help.
Price and warranty
The SoftStartRV has a competitive price with the option to save more money, the more soft starters you purchase. You can also receive $25 for referring a friend to NetworkRV. If you’re not satisfied with the SoftStartRV within 90 days you can get your money back thanks to the manufacturer’s guarantee.
The warranty is the best on the market, being a one year manufacturer’s warranty with the option to expand to two years for free. There is also free shipping to anywhere in the USA and Canada.
Summary
Soft starters are vital pieces of equipment when it comes to RV air conditioning units. The best brand on the market is NetworkRV with their excellent product – the SoftStartRV.
We cannot fault this product in any way and previous customers only have good things to say about the product and brand as a whole.
If you’re looking for a soft starter to use in your RV for your air conditioner, you will not be disappointed with the SoftStartRV. And even if you are, there is a 90-day money-back guarantee to take advantage of!
A soft start air conditioner is a must-have in an RV, allowing you to run two AC units in your RV rather than one. The initial surge of power is often too much for the second AC unit to take, preventing it from turning on and leaving you with one cool end of the RV while the other is stiflingly hot.
If only one of your air conditioners is working inside your RV, the one running will have to work twice as hard to keep you cool. The air-conditioned air will mix with the hot air and leave you with only slightly cooler air inside the motorhome.
This has the potential to ruin your holiday when you’re staying in an RV for the summer. Today we will be looking at what an AC soft starter is as well as how effective they are for your summer holiday.
What is a soft start air conditioner?
A soft starter is a small device that is fitted into your AC unit to reduce the in-rush of current. Once the battery of an RV powers on and sends an electrical current to the air conditioner, the charge is so high that it can be too much for two units.
To protect the second unit from the in-rush of current, the power will not reach the second unit. This in-rush of current can cause a shorter lifespan of your AC units and even leave you with no AC for the remainder of your vacation. For this reason, soft starters are very important.
A soft starter lowers this in-rush of current by 70%, making it much safer for your AC units to run both of them. What’s more, a soft starter will remove the thumping noise that your air conditioners make throughout the day and night, allowing you to enjoy AC as you sleep with no interruptions.
How does an AC soft start work?
A soft starter works to control how much energy runs throughout the circuits of your AC unit’s motor. On startup, the soft starter will reduce the inrush of current before slowly allowing it to build up until the maximum current has been reached.
The soft starter’s job is to create a smooth progression for this current to increase, rather than allowing it all to rush to the AC unit on startup. It will also work to reduce the torque that occurs on startup as well, creating a much safer usage for your motorhome’s battery and AC system.
Soft starters can come in either three-phase or single-phase types, although an AC soft starter will benefit more from the latter. The single-phase soft starter will reduce both torque and starting current on an AC induction motor.
Modern soft starters use solid-state technology and silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) to remain so effective at protecting your AC system. The SCRs prevent the maximum amount of current from reaching the motor at startup, before slowly relaxing to allow more current to pass through.
Once the motor powers up, so will the SCRs. At the initial startup, they will restrict the amount of voltage passing through tightly. Once the motor begins to accelerate and needs more power, the SCRs will begin to open more so that the necessary amount of power is allowed through.
Soft starters can be used to ensure that your motor doesn’t become damaged from overheating. It can also help reduce the risk of your air conditioning units becoming damaged due to too much current passing through.
How effective is a soft starter?
There are five different types of soft starters out there, and each has different effectiveness ratings. Below we’ve listed these with how effective they are.
Solid-state
As we have already mentioned, solid-state soft starters are the newest and most modern invention, being used in a lot of soft starters nowadays. Instead of using mechanical components, they have been all replaced with electrical counterparts.
The silicon control rectifiers control the current and torque of a motor at startup, relieving a lot of the pressure from the AC units. These are considered one of the most effective types of soft starters, with the starting current being lowered to 30 to 50% of the initial voltage.
Primary resistor
On the other end of the spectrum, primary resistor soft starters are the oldest type on our list, dating as far back as the 1900s. This type is the most simple soft starter, but if it’s not broken then why fix it?
A primary resistor will have three resistors within it to account for each current. Primary resistor soft starters are among the least effective, reducing the starting current to around 70%. While this will still protect your devices and likely be enough to get all of your AC units started, it is not as impressive as solid-state soft starters.
Part winding
A part winding soft starter requires two or more separate sets of motor windings. You can use these to create parallel operations, allowing the initial voltage to only run through one motor winding at startup.
Once the motor begins to accelerate, more part windings can come into play and increase the voltage. Part winding soft starters can reduce the initial current to 65% to 75%, making it as effective as the primary resistor but not as effective as a solid-state soft starter.
Autotransformer
An autotransformer soft starter is another effective type, and they are usually reserved for applications that need the starting current to be held at a minimum while the maximum torque per line amp is applied.
There are no resistors within an autotransformer soft starter, but rather transformer winding taps. These control how much power reaches the motor, giving you a lot more control over the starting current. The taps are pre-set, with the most common settings being 80%, 65%, and 50%.
Wye-delta
Wye-delta soft starters are another effective type, although they don’t work for every application out there. This is because the motor will need three connection points to fit the coil windings.
The soft starter will begin in a Y shape, allowing the voltage to be applied to the electrically bigger winding. Once the motor begins to accelerate, the connections will turn to the delta configuration, allowing the full current to move around the system.
Wye-delta soft starters are very effective with the initial voltage being reduced to 58% and the initial torque being reduced to 33%. However, not everyone has a corresponding motor to allow for a wye-delta soft starter to be used.
Why is SoftStartRV the most effective soft starter for air conditioners?
The most important piece of information you need to know about the SoftStartRV is that it can reduce the starting inrush current by about 70%. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another model on the market that will lower the starting current by that much.
With a small size of just 6 x 3 x 3 inches, this soft starter will fit seamlessly into your AC system without any specialist intervention. You can install it by yourself to prevent having to arrange a meeting with a professional.
What’s more, the soft starter weighs less than two pounds. Competing soft starters weigh more than this. Installing the smaller SoftStartRV means less struggle to find space to place it. And the lighter weight means less stress on wherever inside the A/C unit it is positioned.
SoftStartRV units can help you to run two air conditioners off a 30-amp hookup, which is the most common hookup that you’d find in a motorhome park. In the past, many RV owners have had difficulty getting more than one AC unit to start with these hookups, but SoftStartRV ensures that this is a problem of the past.
Summary
Overall, soft starters can be very effective when you choose the correct type. All of the soft starters available today will successfully reduce the starting current from 100% to at least 70%. However, some are able to get it as low as 30%.
The most effective air conditioner soft starter on the market is the SoftStartRV by NetworkRV. This model reduces the starting current up to 70%, making it a must-have to RV owners everywhere.
Getting more than one AC unit up and running will no longer be an issue with SoftStartRV, as you can run two air conditioners on a 30-amp hookup. You’ll also be able to run one AC unit on a small portable generator or a 20-amp household hookup.
Air conditioning soft starters can be very beneficial, and the SoftStartRV is definitely our first choice when it comes to effectiveness.
