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05-27-2023, 11:52 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2022 25' Globetrotter
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 40
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EZ alternative to adding soft-start to AC
Just an FYI for those of you who are thinking of hard-wiring in a soft start so their AC can run off a portable inverter generator. I just got the Active-Start adaptor and plugged it into my Honda EU2200i, and my 25fbt Airstream single AC (15,000) started right up. Only needed an adaptor and a ground plug for the generator. Very glad I didn't have to climb up on the airstream to wire in a soft-start!
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05-27-2023, 04:44 PM
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#2
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Rivet Puller
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,980
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For those with an interest in a $465 device (+ S,H&T) vs the $300 range soft-start options manufacturers by others should watch the YouTube clips outlining all the product features:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/mt_NhNDjCNA
__________________
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."
Sir Tristan
Air #48582, S/SO #003, WBCCI #4584
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05-28-2023, 06:57 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,931
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Does it have a way of reading the startup and running amps when the AC starts. It would be interesting information if you could post that.
I already have a surge protector and an installed Micro Air. But if I did not I would certainly look hard at this option. The money mentioned does not seem excessive compared to if you have to pay someone to install the Micro Air. I expect the unit mentioned in this post is going to be very popular.
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05-28-2023, 07:47 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member 
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Newtown
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 309
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How does this device affect the power going to other devices on the same line, at AC startup? Televisions, Routers, Cable and Satellite boxes, Streaming Devices, Clocks.
Bruce
__________________
50 amp, Awning package
2015 Ram 2500 6.7 TD, Blue Ox 1000 lb.
400ah LiFePo4, 800 watts solar, 2x eu2000i Propane
PD9160 converter, Prosine 1800 inverter
2x Victron 100/30 Smart Solar, Victron Smart Shunt
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05-28-2023, 09:59 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,158
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AstroBruce
How does this device affect the power going to other devices on the same line, at AC startup? Televisions, Routers, Cable and Satellite boxes, Streaming Devices, Clocks.
Bruce
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Not sure I understand what your asking? This is a "softstart" aid for the AC start up. Power to your "other" AS electric are pretty minimal, compared to the start of the AC. No affects with ours after 7 years using with my EasyStart; should not be an issue.
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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05-28-2023, 10:21 AM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member 
Here and There
, West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AstroBruce
How does this device affect the power going to other devices on the same line, at AC startup? Televisions, Routers, Cable and Satellite boxes, Streaming Devices, Clocks.
Bruce
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Think of these devices as putting a sponge between you and a straight stream of water. Same water but the blast is dampened by the sponge.
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05-28-2023, 10:49 AM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member 
2022 25' Globetrotter
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill M.
Does it have a way of reading the startup and running amps when the AC starts. It would be interesting information if you could post that.
I already have a surge protector and an installed Micro Air. But if I did not I would certainly look hard at this option. The money mentioned does not seem excessive compared to if you have to pay someone to install the Micro Air. I expect the unit mentioned in this post is going to be very popular.
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The Honda Generator App for your iPhone shows the running amps as your AC starts up.
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05-28-2023, 03:49 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member 
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Newtown
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 309
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsydad
Not sure I understand what your asking? This is a "softstart" aid for the AC start up. Power to your "other" AS electric are pretty minimal, compared to the start of the AC. No affects with ours after 7 years using with my EasyStart; should not be an issue.
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I guess I wasn't clear enough with my question. The Micro Air East Start only affects the compressor windings of the AC. The Active-Start adaptor affects all 120 volt circuits in the RV on compressor startup. Will the changes in waveform cause problems with other devices on startup?
Bruce
__________________
50 amp, Awning package
2015 Ram 2500 6.7 TD, Blue Ox 1000 lb.
400ah LiFePo4, 800 watts solar, 2x eu2000i Propane
PD9160 converter, Prosine 1800 inverter
2x Victron 100/30 Smart Solar, Victron Smart Shunt
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05-28-2023, 03:56 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,931
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Probably only will affect induction motors with a big inductive load. Will not hurt anything. Like having more available power but just for a short time.
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05-28-2023, 10:00 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master 
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,266
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I do worry about other big load AC devices like microwaves or induction cooktops. Those turn on and off often on some settings and might not appreciate the weird power they are receiving with a pedestal soft start. Dumber things like the electric hot water heater wouldn’t care.
I personally like knowing that the Easystart on my Air Conditioner is only messing with that compressor. The Easystart also includes other safety features like preventing rapid turn on and off.
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05-29-2023, 12:33 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member 
Here and There
, West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daleyocum
I do worry about other big load AC devices like microwaves or induction cooktops. Those turn on and off often on some settings and might not appreciate the weird power they are receiving with a pedestal soft start. Dumber things like the electric hot water heater wouldn’t care.
I personally like knowing that the Easystart on my Air Conditioner is only messing with that compressor. The Easystart also includes other safety features like preventing rapid turn on and off.
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The device by design will maintain the average yet limit the inrush. That is the claim. Might actually be a better electrical environment for non A/C equipment.
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05-29-2023, 03:19 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member 
Here and There
, West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 373
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Did some more digging for info and found one issue so far. Using a surge softening device located at the pedestal will place inverter (if you have one) in the middle between power source and load. Apparently an inline inverter is not happy with this and will shutdown at the leading edge of a ramping up A/C load.
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05-29-2023, 07:45 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,931
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I do not have an inverter so maybe I do not understand. Using the pedestal surge protector or not using it would not seem to change or affect the inverter at all? You use the inverter when there is no AC power, correct?
Of course I must not know exactly what the soft starts of any form actually do. I thought they basically acted as capacitors to supply more current at the same voltage for a short period of time?
I do have the micro air so I will not be testing the cord or pedestal version. But...I think it would be fine. I will bet it has a restart timer to protect the AC on it also. Our PD EMS does I get to wait out the Micro Air timer and the EMS timer on a restart.
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05-29-2023, 09:08 PM
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#14
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Site Team

1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,124
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Other than not having to climb on the roof and install the permanent soft-start on the a/c unit, what's the advantage here? Seems like more potential downside than upside to me.
It took about an hour to install my Micro-Air soft-start, not including the time to get the gumption to get back on the roof.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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05-29-2023, 10:33 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member 
Here and There
, West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill M.
I do not have an inverter so maybe I do not understand. Using the pedestal surge protector or not using it would not seem to change or affect the inverter at all? You use the inverter when there is no AC power, correct?
Of course I must not know exactly what the soft starts of any form actually do. I thought they basically acted as capacitors to supply more current at the same voltage for a short period of time?
I do have the micro air so I will not be testing the cord or pedestal version. But...I think it would be fine. I will bet it has a restart timer to protect the AC on it also. Our PD EMS does I get to wait out the Micro Air timer and the EMS timer on a restart.
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Basically pass through inverter gets hit with the locked rotor load & shuts down to protect itself.
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05-30-2023, 12:54 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master 
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,266
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Unless you’ve rewired your trailer, most stock Airstreams have a couple of “Inverter” outlets and the rest, including the Air Conditioner, are only powered from shore power. The inverter isn’t part of those circuits. It is possible the inverter, in pass through mode, might take issue with weird things happening to its incoming power going to those inverter outlets. That depends on the inverter.
On the claim that the device softens the inrush of power and that might be good for everything, I’d be concerned. Current just spiked, let’s say, because a microwave turned on. In order to keep the total power from spiking too, a soft start device begins messing with the AC sine wave. It might decrease the peak voltage or it might clip the sine wave in some way to control the total power (area under the curve) it’s sending out. Then, over a few seconds, it slowly backs off of these modifications to the waveform. Motors or resistance devices like heaters are fine with these manipulations but some fancier devices might not appreciate it. I can’t imagine they’d send a thankyou card :-)
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05-30-2023, 09:08 AM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member 
Here and There
, West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daleyocum
On the claim that the device softens the inrush of power and that might be good for everything, I’d be concerned. Current just spiked, let’s say, because a microwave turned on. In order to keep the total power from spiking too, a soft start device begins messing with the AC sine wave. It might decrease the peak voltage or it might clip the sine wave in some way to control the total power (area under the curve) it’s sending out. Then, over a few seconds, it slowly backs off of these modifications to the waveform. Motors or resistance devices like heaters are fine with these manipulations but some fancier devices might not appreciate it. I can’t imagine they’d send a thankyou card :-)
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Video explains the role of the capacitor:
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05-30-2023, 11:39 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master 
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,266
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These devices aren’t, however, capacitors. They are microprocessor controlled waveform modifiers.
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05-31-2023, 05:34 AM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member 
2022 20' Caravel
Southeastern
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill M.
Does it have a way of reading the startup and running amps when the AC starts. It would be interesting information if you could post that.
I already have a surge protector and an installed Micro Air. But if I did not I would certainly look hard at this option. The money mentioned does not seem excessive compared to if you have to pay someone to install the Micro Air. I expect the unit mentioned in this post is going to be very popular.
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Yes, it has an app to monitor power usage.
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05-31-2023, 05:35 AM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member 
2022 20' Caravel
Southeastern
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard5933
Other than not having to climb on the roof and install the permanent soft-start on the a/c unit, what's the advantage here? Seems like more potential downside than upside to me.
It took about an hour to install my Micro-Air soft-start, not including the time to get the gumption to get back on the roof.
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It's also a surge protector, and can be easily moved to future or other trailers. It also can help with other high-load items like a microwave (the microwave is unaffected by it will let you start the A/C while cooking!).
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