SoftStartRV

Category: Uncategorized

  • What Is The Difference Between A VFD And A Soft Starter

    What Is The Difference Between A VFD And A Soft Starter

    What is a VFD?

    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.

    1. The VFD converts the alternating current to a direct current with diodes.
    2. A capacitor will clean the direct current.
    3. 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.

  • The Difference Between Hard Start And Soft Start

    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 – Brands Every RV Owner Must Be Aware Of

    Soft Starters – Brands Every RV Owner Must Be Aware Of

    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!

     

  • How Effective Is An Air Conditioner Soft Start

    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.

     

  • SoftStartRV Installation Report on Vintage Airstream &Airxcel Coleman A/C

    SoftStartRV Installation Report on Vintage Airstream &Airxcel Coleman A/C

    SoftStartRV Installation Report on Vintage Airstream &Airxcel Coleman A/C

    Hi everyone. Good news! I was able to install a SoftStartRV on a 13k system on my Vintage 1986 Excella, operating off a Honda EU2200iii generator, with auxiliary loads running, and also with a 30A utility hookup. We were 100% successful. Below is a summary of my results.

    The installation is quick and easy, and took less than an hour.  You only need common tools to make the connections.  Here is a photo of the installation:

    SoftStartRV-in-place-and-working

    With SoftStartRV installed and running, the 13k air conditioner starts and runs even with some auxiliary load on the Honda’s generator.

    In summary, you can run one A/C on one generator, or two A/Cs if each has a SoftStartRV installed on 30A service. You don’t need 50A service in order to run both A/Cs. This is a tremendous advantage and cost-saving since many campsites only have 30A electrical service hook-ups.

    I spoke to the team at SoftStartRV about my recent installation. They were delighted and they created a special offer code DM50 that gives anyone in our forum $50 off the regular price, plus they also offered a free installation kit, free shipping in North America, and a 90-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy.  Just click on this link to take advantage of this discount.https://softstartrv.com/specialoffer/