Have you ever tried running two air conditioners at a 30-amp campsite? The spike from the second compressor starting up can trip the breaker, especially in older, more remote campgrounds. We installed a device called a “soft start” into each of our A/C units, and now the spike is gone, allowing us to run both at once, even at a 30-amp hookup. They’re also perfect for using a small generator to power a single air conditioner when boondocking.
Our 15,000 BTU Penguin heat pump air conditioners typically use about 10-12 amps while running. But it takes a lot more current to start an air conditioner than to run it. That’s due to something called “Locked-Rotor Amperage” which can require 5 to 6 times the power to get an A/C compressor to start running.
If you’ve been getting by on hot summer days with only one A/C unit at 30-amp RV parks, or if you have a small portable generator that you’d like to use to run one air conditioner on your smaller RV, a soft start can make all the difference. They’re not hard to install, especially when you watch the above DIY tutorial video for the deets! ?
SAVE $25.00!
MICRO-AIR EASYSTART DISCOUNT CODE
Micro-Air is offering RVgeeks viewers a $25 discount when you buy an EasyStart 364
direct from them at www.microair.net. Use the Discount Code “RVGEEKS” at checkout!
NOTE: The discount applies only to the EasyStart 364, but if you have multiple air conditioners, you’ll save $25 on each of them!
And now Micro-Air has another great product… the Micro-Air EasyTouch RV Thermostat. Upgrade your RV’s heating & cooling system with this programmable, color touchscreen, WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled model. Use an app on your smart device (available for both iOS and Android) to change settings from your bed… or the other side of the world (assuming your RV has a persistent internet connection and WiFi network).
Looking to add some "smart home" features to your RV? How about a new color touchscreen, programmable thermostat? Even better, how about one that allows you to control it (even remotely) using a...Show More
Looking to add some "smart home" features to your RV? How about a new color touchscreen, programmable thermostat? Even better, how about one that allows you to control it (even remotely) using a smartphone or tablet? That's what the Micro-Air Easy Touch RV thermostat does.
Save $15 on each EasyTouch RV Thermostat when you buy direct from Micro-Air.
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Featured & Related Products & Services:
- Micro-Air EasyStart 364 (use Discount Code “RVGEEKS” and save $25!)
- EasyStart 364 Installation Kit (for less then $10, it’s worth it to have all the pieces you need for the install)
- DeWalt 20V Cordless Drill
- Wire stripper & Crimping Tool
- Electrical Tape
- Diagonal Cutting Pliers
- 6″ Needle Nose Pliers
- #12-3/4″ Hex Head Self-Drilling Stainless Steel Screws (pack of 40)… or just pick some up the two (or four or six) you need at the local hardware store! ?
Gary Shumate
Monday 18th of January 2021
Best video out there! I was hoping you had addressed the heat pump option connection on Pengiuin II A/C units.
TheRVgeeks
Monday 18th of January 2021
Thanks so much, Gary! Great to hear.
Dave Staublin
Friday 9th of August 2019
I just ordered a soft start and want to say "thank you" for the discount code! I also want to mention how easy the MicroAir website is to navigate and place orders. I look forward to receiving and installing mine.
TheRVgeeks
Saturday 10th of August 2019
That’s awesome, Dave! Thanks for letting us know. We hope you enjoy your EasyStart as much as we do.
Bud Barnes
Monday 27th of May 2019
Again, a great aftermarket idea manufactures fail to address!
I have a 2008 Sightseer 29R with one Coleman 15K BTU AC/heat pump. In hot summers, the single AC does a nominal job, at best.
I have already installed a second 14"X14" Fantastic Fan into the roof of the bedroom to help with air flow. It works great to withdraw hot air, pulling air from the forward Fantastic Vent. Would adding the Easy Start (I presume one for each unit) enable me to replace the Fantastic Fan, add a home run electrical circuit dedicated to a 13.5K AC?
It just might make the bedroom a 'walk-in' refrigerator, but I'd think it would help with making the coach more comfortable in hot regions where we travel.
John, ditto on Mike's comment above!
TheRVgeeks
Wednesday 29th of May 2019
Hey, Bud! Sorry for the delayed response... we were offline for a couple days! Installing a second A/C unit would certainly make it a lot easier to keep the RV cool in hot climates! And running a dedicated line from the circuit breaker box, like you indicated, would be the best route, to ensure it's not overloading another circuit. And while the "spike" on the new, smaller 13,500BTU air conditioner would likely be less than the 15,000BTU unit... we'd probably install an EasyStart on both, just to be safe (unless the new 13,500BTU unit is significantly more efficient and/or includes its own soft-start mechanism that minimizes the start-up spike (which we'd seriously doubt)... then we'd just install an EasyStart on the existing A/C unit).
Rod Taylor
Saturday 25th of May 2019
I see the benefit of the easy start when you have a need to reduce the start amperage. If you have one AC and plenty of generator/shore power does the easy start's gentle ramp up help or hurt the compressor motor over time? Intuitively i would think that jolting a motor at startup would eventually harm the motor.
TheRVgeeks
Saturday 25th of May 2019
We thought the same thing, Rod... that the more gentle ramp up would help the longevity of the compressor. But Micro-Air makes no claim about that side benefit, since compressors typically fail for mechanical reasons (seal failure or crack in a weld, etc), that the gentler ramp up doesn't necessarily help with. So if you already have plenty of generator power to start & run your A/C, we wouldn't recommend installing an EasyStart for the off chance that it might improve the lifespan of the compressor. (but if you wanted to downsize your generator to save weight, or fuel, or for more quiet when it's running... THAT would be a different story! ? )
mike angles
Saturday 25th of May 2019
Nice job with the hair dryer...That dryer should last a lifetime. re, mike
TheRVgeeks
Saturday 25th of May 2019
Ya got that right, Mike! ?