For those with GE Profile ACs - Soft Starts

[S1njin]

So I thought I might share the results of my morning of research concerning the GE Profile units installed on some Airstream trailers (FC at least, I think Int'l too).

The GE Profile ACs, if you search online, include a soft start as part of the unit. If you buy one of these from a 3rd party, PLC15XAHW is the 15k btu unit w/ the heat pump. You can see from the pictures, there is a GE specific soft-start included.

Well, turns out AS doesn't use that exact model. There is a AS specific model number, and of course THAT unit does NOT include the soft-start. For what these things cost, give me a break, but I digress.

The soft-start that is compatible with the GE ACs is GEASST-1. This comes standard on the above referenced out of the box AC, but will need to be installed on the AS specific model.

The GE units do NOT use the MicroAir everybody frequently discusses here.

So, there you have it folks. The more you know.

[FLY28]

Great research! It sounds like a dealer revenue racket. Soft start install was mentioned at my orientation. I wonder how many watts are required to start one of these. My test with the Honda 2200i ran both the a/c and the heat pump. There was a 3 second lag at start up. Honda specs states it does produce 2200 watts. Could not find that info in GE specs, however the FC manual list the circuit breaker as 20 amp and under that it stated air conditioner 16 amps sounds like 1920 watts required. Sounds like running it alone on the 120 would be ok.

[FLY28]

Originally Posted by FLY28

Great research! It sounds like a dealer revenue racket. Soft start install was mentioned at my orientation. I wonder how many watts are required to start one of these. My test with the Honda 2200i ran both the a/c and the heat pump. There was a 3 second lag at start up. Honda specs states it does produce 2200 watts. Could not find that info in GE specs, however the FC manual list the circuit breaker as 20 amp and under that it stated air conditioner 16 amps sounds like 1920 watts required. Sounds like running it alone on the GENERATOR would be ok.

CORRECTED LAST SENTENCE. I was rushing to get thoughts down before getting logged off

[Dozer1960]

Originally Posted by S1njin

So I thought I might share the results of my morning of research concerning the GE Profile units installed on some Airstream trailers (FC at least, I think Int'l too).

The GE Profile ACs, if you search online, include a soft start as part of the unit. If you buy one of these from a 3rd party, PLC15XAHW is the 15k btu unit w/ the heat pump. You can see from the pictures, there is a GE specific soft-start included.

Well, turns out AS doesn't use that exact model. There is a AS specific model number, and of course THAT unit does NOT include the soft-start. For what these things cost, give me a break, but I digress.

The soft-start that is compatible with the GE ACs is GEASST-1. This comes standard on the above referenced out of the box AC, but will need to be installed on the AS specific model.

The GE units do NOT use the MicroAir everybody frequently discusses here.

So, there you have it folks. The more you know.

We purchased a 2024 Trade Wind with the GE Profile A/C and they specifically stated that the unit "comes with the soft start for boon docking". I have done tests/observed the unit seems to have a very soft start indeed.

I cannot imagine, wait...yes I can, that AS would choose a model without SS just to save a few pennies.

Hopefully, you can get one installed with little to no trouble.

What I don't like about my GE Profile is that it only has TWO fan speeds: Low and Lower! The manual says the a/c unit is capable of three speeds but the digital thermostat installed in the TW only has TWO. After an hour on the phone with GE, they told me that the speeds were Low and High, no need for a medium. We disagree.

Safe travels,

Brian

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by S1njin

The GE units do NOT use the MicroAir everybody frequently discusses here.

They do make the thermostat for it….

https://www.microair.net/collections...e-replacements

Also found this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eWDbHJ5ROX8

[S1njin]

Originally Posted by Dozer1960

We purchased a 2024 Trade Wind with the GE Profile A/C and they specifically stated that the unit "comes with the soft start for boon docking". I have done tests/observed the unit seems to have a very soft start indeed.

I cannot imagine, wait...yes I can, that AS would choose a model without SS just to save a few pennies.

Hopefully, you can get one installed with little to no trouble.

What I don't like about my GE Profile is that it only has TWO fan speeds: Low and Lower! The manual says the a/c unit is capable of three speeds but the digital thermostat installed in the TW only has TWO. After an hour on the phone with GE, they told me that the speeds were Low and High, no need for a medium. We disagree.

Safe travels,

Brian

It doesn’t surprise me either that the TW trim of an Airstream has the soft starts on their GEs. Dollar here, dollar there. I think that’s ridiculous in the grand scheme, but it is what it is.

We’re having the dealer install them before we take ownership.

[sfranklin]

For what its worth, when I took the factory tour last month, I specifically asked about the A/C line up the put into the fleet.

I got the sense that they have a good, better, best tier.

Good- Dometic on many of the entry and low midrange units

Better- GE on the midrange units They also said that when they first went to GE there were some problems and GE sent an army over to the factory, found the issue, solved it and apparently GE is working very closely with Airstream.

Best- Coleman on the higher end units.

They did mention that the Colemans are the most efficient.

I am no electrician, but aren't the soft starts just better capacitors with some electronics attached to it? I know folks love to plug into 15a and run the AC units, but for nearly 30 years, I never had a soft start and haven't really had any issues. Of course perhaps now these have scroll compressors compared to the old thumpers.

[crispyboy]

That's an interesting note about the Good, better and best AC units and which trim they get installed.
Do you know if the GE and Coleman AC units are connected with the trailer condensate line or do they drip on the roof?
I know that our original 1994 Dometic AC unit will go out and would like to have an idea of what to replace it with.

[Dozer1960]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

That's an interesting note about the Good, better and best AC units and which trim they get installed.
Do you know if the GE and Coleman AC units are connected with the trailer condensate line or do they drip on the roof?
I know that our original 1994 Dometic AC unit will go out and would like to have an idea of what to replace it with.

I know the GE Profile A/C on the Trade Wind has a drip tube but I don't know about the others.

BL

[sfranklin]

Can confirm the Dometics have a drain line.

I doubt very seriously that Airstream would put the condensate drain on the entry and mid-range models but not the higher end that get the Coleman.

[shannonc]

I reached out to Micro-Air Support regarding their product working with the GE Profile AC's. Their response was that they work with GE to create the Soft Starts and that their products should be compatible. They also said that I could provide a few pieces of information and that they would take a look to confirm the compatibility.

We won't receive our 28 RBT International until the end of June so I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone can provide this info.

1. A clear picture of the wiring diagram (located on the inside of the electrical enclosure cover).
2. A clear picture of the electrical enclosure showing all connections and components.
3. A clear picture of the Data Label (normally located outside near the electrical enclosure cover).

If anyone wants to post those or message me, I'll share them with Micro-Air and see how they respond.

Thanks!

[Keys Dave]

Has anyone installed a Coleman unit on their AS. Or does anyone have personal experience with the Coleman?

[kraxner]

Originally Posted by shannonc

I reached out to Micro-Air Support regarding their product working with the GE Profile AC's. Their response was that they work with GE to create the Soft Starts and that their products should be compatible. They also said that I could provide a few pieces of information and that they would take a look to confirm the compatibility.

We won't receive our 28 RBT International until the end of June so I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone can provide this info.

1. A clear picture of the wiring diagram (located on the inside of the electrical enclosure cover).
2. A clear picture of the electrical enclosure showing all connections and components.
3. A clear picture of the Data Label (normally located outside near the electrical enclosure cover).

If anyone wants to post those or message me, I'll share them with Micro-Air and see how they respond.

Thanks!

I have a 2024 Airstream Flying Cloud FBQ with two (2) A/C units (50A option) that are the following model per the owners manual: PLH15XAHBH1

Here are some pictures for your efforts:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...aj?usp=sharing

[shannonc]

Hey, thank you! Missed the notification. I'll let you know what I find out.

[Trl Wires]

Originally Posted by Dozer1960

We purchased a 2024 Trade Wind with the GE Profile A/C and they specifically stated that the unit "comes with the soft start for boon docking". I have done tests/observed the unit seems to have a very soft start indeed.

I cannot imagine, wait...yes I can, that AS would choose a model without SS just to save a few pennies.

Hopefully, you can get one installed with little to no trouble.

What I don't like about my GE Profile is that it only has TWO fan speeds: Low and Lower! The manual says the a/c unit is capable of three speeds but the digital thermostat installed in the TW only has TWO. After an hour on the phone with GE, they told me that the speeds were Low and High, no need for a medium. We disagree.

Safe travels,

Brian

You mention testing your units, but have not commented if you have visually confirmed the installation of soft starts. I am curious if soft starts are installed on your TW.

[Trl Wires]

Originally Posted by shannonc

Hey, thank you! Missed the notification. I'll let you know what I find out.

Had planned on asking the same question to Micro-Air. Shall anxiously wait for what information you receive.


Also thanks to Kraxner for the photos!!

[shannonc]

This is what I received back from Micro-Air. They said that it is a standard installation.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nzuth...=nhrxcxem&dl=0

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by sfranklin

They do make the thermostat for it….

https://www.microair.net/collections...e-replacements

So funny you should mention this. I installed the MicroAir for the GE and am quite disappointed. First, it appears that there is no way to turn the fan speed to auto on this model.

And second, I lost a setting that I had on the GE to use the furnace and the heat pump in order to minimize propane use on colder nights.

I’m considering switching back, though it sucks that I likely cannot return the MicroAir. I will reach out to their support first, obviously, but I’m curious if anyone else has encountered this.

[Trl Wires]

Not sure if this thread is still active, but wanted to ask why Micro Air or Easy Starts are being installed rather than the GE (GEASST-1)? From my research all of these soft start devices cost roughly the same while the GE soft start is made for the GE profile series AC and is designed to mount in an already allocated location. My only concern with installing the GEASST-1 is not being able to receive/find an answer to is what has been "converted" in my GE units. The 15k unit has a label which reads "Converted to: PLH15CAHW-BK" while the 13k units label reads "Converted to: PLH13CAHW-BK". I have had no lucking getting an answer from either GE or Airstream as to what has been converted. Could the conversion simply be elimination of the GEASST-1 soft start? Hoping one of you might have some additional information.

[Vispro]

I was told by GE that the conversion was the addition of the condensation pump to the units.