|
|
07-18-2020, 06:36 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Columbus
Posts: 25
|
Soft start for AC
I recently purchased a propane generator for my 2018 Cougar 25RES fifth wheel. It runs 3,000 at peak and 2,700 watts continuous. I wanted to get a soft start for my AC but my RV tech said that the Cougar has that built in. Here is what he said: "Under the shroud of the AC, there are 1 to 3 capacitors. The newer units have only 1 that does the job of all 3. The original 3 were 1 hard start, 1 soft start, and 1 starter for the fan. Your (my) AC is already equipped with a soft start. I'm not sure how many yours has, but the 1 does the same job as all 3 so either way you are covered. And it goes based off of the incoming power so it will automatically select the best choice".
Does this sound right? Because the soft start manufacturer seems to think mine is more a "hard start kit". Granted, he does want to sell me the unit, but his opinion makes sense also. Any thoughts that could help a girl out? And if so, please dumb it down for me. Thanks!
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 06:42 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Palm Springs
Posts: 122
|
You have the generator... Just plug it in and see if the AC starts... One thing you need to do is turn off the built in converter/battery charger at the fusebox as it can draw a lot of amps if in charge mode...
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 06:46 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,467
|
Don't know about current A/C capacitors and would tend to pay attention to that tech who probably is... a house A/C has a run capacitor and a start capacitor and soft start capacitors are an add-on. I added one to ouir currect A/C (house). You might want to fill us in our make/model of the A/C on your camper. Someone here may have the same unit and know the answer. It also helps to put your year, make, model and tow vehicle info in your signature in the event other questions arise in the future! Good luck... not sure how much propane a generator uses... I have a gasoline/propane generator but have never used it in propane mode. It is what the generator snobs call a construction type generator and it does make some noise so isn't suitable for rv parks most likely.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 06:54 AM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,349
|
Some newer RV's are coming with Roof air that has "soft start" integrated in the unit. To verify if this feature is in fact included in YOUR unit, I would get the model and serial number and check with the manufacturer of the AC unit.
I have met too many "tech"s that say they know a lot and in reality know nothing..I think its a product of needing to feel/appear "smart". I have NO ISSUE saying I don't know, but I also say I will find out for sure.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 07:05 AM
|
#5
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Columbus
Posts: 25
|
Do I need to get on the roof to find the model & serial#?
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 07:11 AM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,349
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SiniWisdom
Do I need to get on the roof to find the model & serial#?
|
That might be the quickest way if you don't have the owners packet that will have the warranty tag for the AC unit with the model and serial numbers.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 08:19 AM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,757
|
That's a lot of fifth wheel for a F150. I know they call it a "1/2 ton towable" but all 1/2 tons are not created equally. Do you know what the door sticker in your truck reads? The part that states "all passengers and cargo shall not exceed xxx lbs.?
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 08:50 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by KRumm
You have the generator... Just plug it in and see if the AC starts... One thing you need to do is turn off the built in converter/battery charger at the fusebox as it can draw a lot of amps if in charge mode...
|
Second to running the air conditioner keeping the batteries charged would be the next reason for using a generator so why would you turn that OFF.
By turning the converter off the batteries will die, with no battery to power the controls you'll have no hot water, no fridge, no furnace, no ac, regardless if running on gas.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 09:52 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,015
|
Sorry to say but the RV Tech doesn’t have a clue of what he is talking about regarding your RV AC units...
You either have the Coleman Mach 3 or Mach 15 series unit or Dometic Brisk Air 2 series AC units installed...
IF they came with the optional PTCR installed then theoretically you have what is called a soft start... provided it actually does what it’s supposed to
Here is a read explaining what a PTCR is and is suppposed to do ....
http://www.tiffinrvnetwork.com/crusingator/P/P-090.pdf
First pic is from Coleman’s advertised specs...
According to Coleman’s brochure the Mach 3 and 15 come standard with a PTCR circuit
If I was going to enhance my RV AC unit start ability the only route I’d consider is the Microair unit....
https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 10:19 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,015
|
This is also an excellent read and should clarify your questions regarding soft start...
a single generator of 3000 watts is gonna be hard pressed to start and run the AC unit, run the converter, etc without the engine gutting itself running at better than 75% load with AC and converter running... you need the converter on to maintain the batteries and provide !2vdc power to the AC control box modules.. without 12vdc the AC unit will not run
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/v/vsp...ily_RV_ACs.pdf
this is also a good read to clarify generator power requirements
https://www.steadypower.com/pages.php?pageid=133
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 12:44 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,467
|
ChuckS, the link that you provided has that MIcroair gizmo claiming you can:
Run 2 air conditioners on a 30-Amp cord. (Note: Each A/C requires an EasyStart unit)
How is this possible if an A/C uses 12-16 running amps? Seems to me that if you turned on anythiing else 117V you would blow your breakers.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 07:11 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hemlock
Posts: 816
|
You can run two A/C’s on 30 amps. I am doing it as I type. I have a residential fridge and water heater on propane. I staggered them when they start and they are pulling 13amps each according to my EMS. PS the daughter turned the coffee maker on and blew the breaker earlier. It can be done though.
__________________
R.J. and Ginger
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO, Aisin Trans 3:73
Reese Goosebox
2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK
|
|
|
07-18-2020, 09:45 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Palm Springs
Posts: 122
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans
Second to running the air conditioner keeping the batteries charged would be the next reason for using a generator so why would you turn that OFF.
By turning the converter off the batteries will die, with no battery to power the controls you'll have no hot water, no fridge, no furnace, no ac, regardless if running on gas.
|
Agreed turning off the battery charger has a cost... But the OP has a ~2,700w generator and wants to power a 15k air conditioner... A typical converter charger will consume 700-1,000+ watts of power leaving little power to run the AC - Even it’s a soft start... Run the generator a couple hours in the cooler morning to charge the batteries then in the afternoon run the AC (without the charger on)...
|
|
|
07-19-2020, 03:53 AM
|
#14
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,349
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tech740
You can run two A/C’s on 30 amps. I am doing it as I type. I have a residential fridge and water heater on propane. I staggered them when they start and they are pulling 13amps each according to my EMS. PS the daughter turned the coffee maker on and blew the breaker earlier. It can be done though.
|
Residential fridge on propane?
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
07-19-2020, 07:58 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,090
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Residential fridge on propane?
|
I was also going to say, ??? But I think they meant they have a residential fridge and the water heater is running on LP, not both on LP. Just a guess...
|
|
|
07-20-2020, 11:45 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hemlock
Posts: 816
|
Soft start for AC
Yup res fridge on power and water heater on propane.
__________________
R.J. and Ginger
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO, Aisin Trans 3:73
Reese Goosebox
2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK
|
|
|
07-20-2020, 02:37 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,090
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tech740
You can run two A/C’s on 30 amps. I am doing it as I type. I have a residential fridge and water heater on propane. I staggered them when they start and they are pulling 13amps each according to my EMS. PS the daughter turned the coffee maker on and blew the breaker earlier. It can be done though.
|
Just thinking here- sooner or later those two units, even though they were started staggered, will cycle off and then both will attempt to start at the same time. That won’t fly. Chances are slim of course, but Murphy May drop in for a visit one day.
|
|
|
07-20-2020, 03:21 PM
|
#18
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,757
|
Running 26 amps is running at about 86% of that 30 Amp breaker. With a 4 Amp reserve I don't see how you could have the converter charging the batteries.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
07-20-2020, 04:50 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hemlock
Posts: 816
|
It may not have been charging the batteries. But for the two hours that both were needed to keep the cabin where I wanted it, we had no issues. I understand running both for days on end will not do the the job. But, for a couple hours to keep the hottest part of the day at bay, or for a quick cool before going to bed and the sun goes down it serves its purpose.
__________________
R.J. and Ginger
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO, Aisin Trans 3:73
Reese Goosebox
2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 10:34 AM
|
#20
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Roy
Posts: 51
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SiniWisdom
Does this sound right? Because the soft start manufacturer seems to think mine is more a "hard start kit". Granted, he does want to sell me the unit, but his opinion makes sense also. Any thoughts that could help a girl out? And if so, please dumb it down for me. Thanks!
|
Why not contact the manufacturer of your A/C and find out straight from the horse's mouth?
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|