What Is The Purpose Of A Soft Start Start Capacitor And Should There Be One On Each AC

Updated 09/18/2024 | Published 09/12/2024

Products Featured in This Question

SoftStartRV Soft Start for Dual Zone Air Conditioner Setup - Qty 2

(16)

$534.11

Portable Power Watchdog Surge Protector with Bluetooth, WiFi, and Emergency Shut Down - 50 Amp

(742)

$399.99

SoftStartRV Soft Start for Single Zone Air Conditioner Setup - Qty 1

(85)

$283.01

Question:

I have a 2020 keystone voltage model 3635 toy hauler 5th wheel rv. It has 3 a/c units. It has an Oman 5500 generator also. I see a dual soft start option to install one in the front a/c and a second soft start for the main unit. What about the rear unit? But a third soft start or why not? I also have seen a soft start for the power supply post that the 50 amp service plugs into . Do they cover all three a/c units? Does e-trailer have them and why or why not will this option work. Ps: I had considered that if the power supply option to work I could use it on my emergency house hook up with external generator to help in that situation if and when needed.

asked by: Jeff M

Expert Reply:

Hi Jeff,

A start capacitor/soft start is essentially just a box that holds a charge to help with the large demand when the AC unit kicks on. This will help your units run easier for a longer lifespan so it's a good idea to install them on each unit. If your units aren't drawing as much power at start up you'll put less demand on the system as a whole, minimizing the chance that you'll experience a voltage drop. We don't have a 3pk but we do have a 2pk # SSR44FR and single # SSR54FR.

For the whole RV you're talking about a surge protector like the Portable Power Watchdog Surge Protector # HU62VR. This wouldn't serve the same purpose as the soft start though. This surge protector is designed to protect the trailer's electrical system from a surge or drop from the campground's electrical grid. If everyone's AC units in the campground kick on at the same time it's a huge draw on the grid and can cause a voltage drop that can be harmful to sensitive electronics in the RV.

Both the soft start and surge protector would be beneficial for your trailer but they both serve different purposes.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Jeff

9/18/2024

Ok thank you, I do have a surge protector already. The other item I was speaking of was Active Start ACS50PS , soft start 50 amp plug / with 5250 joules surge protector built in also Say is was a soft start. Thank you for your help