Soft start on 3 A/C

[Lantley]

Soft stars certainly help with keeping start up current low and help avoid tripping breakers. Beware of the voltage at your site especially when on a 30 amp site. 2 units maybe running but be sure the voltage is adequate. I've seen site voltage drop below 104 however the AC units will keep running. Running AC units at low voltage wil damage the motors and compressor. IF you have a EMS/surge suppressor many will cut off the voltage when it gets too low. For the most paret you will be OK but keep an eye on your voltage and insure it is not too low.
A simple plug in volt meter will allow you to monitor your volts.

https://www.amazon.com/Eversame-80-...cphy=1018578&hvtargid=pla-2281435177138&psc=1

 

[BryanValRox]

I'm new to all this tech stuff and RV'ing. So I can only read and learn from you guys and rarely can give advice, but we are currently on our 3rd trip out in our 310RL. Last night, due the high humidity levels outside, we finally turned on our A/C's. We are on 30 amp service here in the state park and we turned on the rear unit along with the bedroom unit. Thus far, no issues with tripping the breaker and my wife even used the coffee maker this morning without issues. Now, I'm assuming that neither unit turned on at the same time? I can monitor my surge protector by the app, but I haven't been monitoring it when one of the units starts up. All I know is that when the are running, each on a separate leg, they are pulling 10 amps each.
With just the two units running, we have not needed the 3rd unit, BUT, come July in Texas, if we have to be at a 30 amp site, we may need that 3rd unit. From what I am reading, the soft starts would be a good investment for such a situation?

The soft start is designed to help with the current in rush when the unit tries to start each time. Unfortunately, you are unlikely to be able to run all three units at the same time on 30 amps, regardless if soft start are installed or not. You reported 10 amps each so in theory you are at 30 amps with just the AC demand.
Personally, I have never tried it, so someone maybe have other first hand experience, but just based on the math you would be approaching the system capacity.

 

[Lantley]

I agree running 3 units on 30 amp is exceeding your limits.

 

[George]

I'm new to all this tech stuff and RV'ing. So I can only read and learn from you guys and rarely can give advice, but we are currently on our 3rd trip out in our 310RL. Last night, due the high humidity levels outside, we finally turned on our A/C's. We are on 30 amp service here in the state park and we turned on the rear unit along with the bedroom unit. Thus far, no issues with tripping the breaker and my wife even used the coffee maker this morning without issues. Now, I'm assuming that neither unit turned on at the same time? I can monitor my surge protector by the app, but I haven't been monitoring it when one of the units starts up. All I know is that when the are running, each on a separate leg, they are pulling 10 amps each.
With just the two units running, we have not needed the 3rd unit, BUT, come July in Texas, if we have to be at a 30 amp site, we may need that 3rd unit. From what I am reading, the soft starts would be a good investment for such a situation?

I don't have any experience with them yet on 30A service but I'm skeptical that we'll be able to run all 3 at once without EVER tripping the breaker. Certainly we'd refrain from using any high current devices when trying this — e.g. microwave, hair dryer, toaster oven). Don't forget how much current the converter might use too. There's a reason they have a 15A breaker on it.
Another reason for softstarts is the claim that they can increase the life of the compressor and reduce the "thump" sound when starting.

 

[justdee]

While on our recent trip, I had the front and rear A/C units on. I was able to monitor the amp readings. While both running, either alone or at the same time, they were each pulling approximately 10 amps each. I happened to be monitoring my app when one of them started up. It hit at 16 amps before dropping back down to 10. Just FYI for my 310RL.

 

[BryanValRox]

While on our recent trip, I had the front and rear A/C units on. I was able to monitor the amp readings. While both running, either alone or at the same time, they were each pulling approximately 10 amps each. I happened to be monitoring my app when one of them started up. It hit at 16 amps before dropping back down to 10. Just FYI for my 310RL.

Hi folks, thanks for sharing. So, your in rush current(start up) on your app showed 16 amps. This is likely because of the filtering(response time) time of your measuring device. Your actual in rush would likely be substantial more amps and for a very brief time.
Below is a picture of one of our AC tags(up on roof, under shroud) As you will see our LRA is 54 amps. This is the amount of current needed to get the unit started. This is what the soft start reduces, and allows for reliable 2 unit operation on 30 amp service .
Many folks operate 2 units on 30 amps successfully without soft starts, but the risk of tripping a breaker is greater without them.
Just wanted to share that 16 really isn’t your true number and your app filtering is misleading you a bit.
Not that you need to or would, if you measured the start up with an scope, you would capture a must higher reading.

 

[Lantley]

I know this is totally unrelated. But the latest generation of surge protectors Hughes watchdog and others rely on a Bluetooth app to relay its data to the end user.
I specifically went with Progressive industries surge protector because I did not want to deal with an App to transmit the data.
I prefer to have the remote display show me the data directly vs. going thru an app.