Installing Soft Starts!

Topic: Installing Soft Starts! (Read 1413 times) previous topic - next topic

Installing Soft Starts!

August 04, 2020, 09:46:03 am

We have 3 airs on our coach and they are all 13,500 units. 2 have heat strips one does not. Has anyone added a soft start to these units; they are Dometic Duo Therm units. I looked on YouTube as Soft Start has a few posted videos, but none look like the Duo Therm units inside. Another challenge for a very challenged electrical non expert! lol

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #1 – August 04, 2020, 10:21:45 am

Have not added but researching,try talking to the sellers.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #2 – August 04, 2020, 10:31:52 am

Hi Joe,

I put 3 Soft-Starts on my 2002 A/Cs and just followed the directions that came with them and by writing/labeling my wire colors on the diagrams. It was a little scary powering up the first one, but it went well and so the other two were faster to complete. Sadly they do not help the usual loud noise of the Dometic units but should draw less current for 1/2 a second. Previously with two A/Cs on one leg sometimes that would blow the pedestal breaker is why I installed Soft-Starts. Who knows maybe the compressors will last longer too. $330 each seemed a little spendy; maybe the competition products would be cheaper.

Something you might do is use a capacitance meter to test the caps while you are at it...especially if they are swollen or leaking. Discharge them first! A groaning sound of the compressor when trying to start is a likely sign of a cap problem or finding the fan motor is really slow. Caps of the right value are available online though I found them hard to find. I added "Dometic" or the Dometic part number to the search.

Jim

2002 U320 42'
.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #3 – August 04, 2020, 10:54:03 am

Jim, I am assuming that I could take a screw driver and discharge the capacitor that way by going across the tabs on it?

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #4 – August 04, 2020, 11:45:41 am

Yes, any metallic tool..preferably with an insulated handle.
Jim

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #5 – August 04, 2020, 06:25:55 pm

Quote from: Jim Frerichs – August 04, 2020, 11:45:41 am

Yes, any metallic tool..preferably with an insulated handle.
Jim

Jim you're a buzz kill. How do you expect people to learn?

7 MFD electric motor capacitors are a standard item. WW Graingers carries them and with a little research you can beat their price.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #6 – August 04, 2020, 06:43:50 pm

Joe
Join RVillage and check on soft starts and buy 3 for $747.00 with free shipping and install kits regular price is $897.00. It is worth checking into if you havent bought them yet. You might not even have to join.
My two cents
Ron

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #7 – August 05, 2020, 09:51:35 pm

Quote from: rclark – August 04, 2020, 06:43:50 pm

Joe
Join RVillage and check on soft starts and buy 3 for $747.00 with free shipping and install kits regular price is $897.00. It is worth checking into if you havent bought them yet. You might not even have to join.
My two cents
Ron

Thanks Ron, as we are gold members of RVillage and have ordered those soft start through them. Already got them and did the install yesterday! Many thanks though for the heads up!

Oh, as a side note; no discharge in the capacitors either!

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #8 – August 06, 2020, 12:23:49 pm

Glad you got the discount. I am a gold member also. I have received my two soft starts but haven't got them installed yet. I will wait till I can get some help so I don't have to climb up and down but once. My age and climbing poles for a living has my knees wore out.
Ron

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #9 – August 06, 2020, 01:20:07 pm

Quote from: rclark – August 06, 2020, 12:23:49 pm

Glad you got the discount. I am a gold member also. I have received my two soft starts but haven't got them installed yet. I will wait till I can get some help so I don't have to climb up and down but once. My age and climbing poles for a living has my knees wore out.
Ron

I understand fully Ron, as my butt muscles are burning today from kneeling up there for most of the day. Not much room to get comfortable! lol

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #10 – August 10, 2020, 06:59:46 pm

A follow up on the Soft Starts; they are working great now, as I had an issue with my bedroom air. When on Cool, it was on Heat Pump instead. Spoke with Barry at Soft Start and finally figured out that the tube that converts the compressor to heat was stuck open and not allowing for the cold to happen. A few light wraps on the tube and viola, we have cold air again! I can't say enough about the quality of service from the techs that I spoke with. First class! If you are thinking on doing this upgrade, it is a DIY for sure. Any issues and they will talk you through them on the phone while you are on the roof! Can't wait to try them out on the first 30 amp RV park we come into.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #11 – August 10, 2020, 10:06:16 pm

Joe,

Thanks for the follow-up. They are always appreciated. Also, please jump back after that first 30 amp RV park.

Richard

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #12 – August 11, 2020, 05:29:06 am

Think if you had a couple of adaptors you could simulate 30 amp from your 50.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #13 – August 11, 2020, 09:28:48 am

Almost all places I have been that have a 50A plug they also have a 30A plug.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #14 – August 11, 2020, 09:44:25 am

Quote from: Jan & Richard – August 10, 2020, 10:06:16 pm

Joe,

Thanks for the follow-up. They are always appreciated. Also, please jump back after that first 30 amp RV park.

Richard

Will do Richard! We are Thousand Trails members and run into a lot of parks that are 30 amp only and older systems, so will be a good test for these!

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #15 – August 11, 2020, 09:48:13 am

Quote from: turbojack – August 11, 2020, 09:28:48 am

Almost all places I have been that have a 50A plug they also have a 30A plug.

This is true, as does the electric box we are hooked up too. We are, however, paying for our electric and want to get the full dollar out of it! lol I have no belief that this won't work and will certainly report back when we hook up in the heat of the summer!
Not sure it would be a fair test now, since we are in low 70's during the day and high 30's to low 40's at night. Awesome weather here!

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #16 – August 11, 2020, 09:59:31 am

If possible anyone replacing capacitors and /or the soft start please take some pictures,need help identifying the capacitors,thanks.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #17 – August 11, 2020, 10:06:13 am

The capacitor values should be marked on them. Replace with the same rating.
Jim

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #18 – August 11, 2020, 10:13:38 am

I got two of these SoftStarts from Tim Fieldler. Has anyone installed one? What wires connect to what? Where does the box go?

Seems too big to go under the hood where other electronics are. I have 2 original Dometic AC with heatpumps.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #19 – August 11, 2020, 10:16:58 am

You should be able to Google the installation manual or go to the company website that made them.
Jim

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #20 – August 11, 2020, 10:38:02 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – August 11, 2020, 10:13:38 am

I got two of these SoftStarts from Tim Fieldler. Has anyone installed one? What wires connect to what? Where does the box go?

Seems too big to go under the hood where other electronics are. I have 2 original Dometic AC with heatpumps.

Roger, those don't look like mine, however they are large and at first glance, you think, where can I mount these. However, they will fit mounted sideways on the plastic wall that separates the compressor from the fan blower. You can also go on Soft Starts website and there are directions for all types of products that are out there. I believe you should have the same units I have, which are Penguin 1's. However, the Duo-Therm, Penguin 1 & 2 are identical in hookups. If you have heat pumps, you will know it by the small tube that is mounted on top of the compressor running the same length with smaller capillary tubes coming off of it.
Hope this helps!

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #21 – August 11, 2020, 10:44:22 am

Quote from: John44 – August 11, 2020, 09:59:31 am

If possible anyone replacing capacitors and /or the soft start please take some pictures,need help identifying the capacitors,thanks.

You will have a start capacitor and a PTRC mounted under the electric panel when you open up your cover of your air conditioner. The start capacitor has 4 hook ups and you will see 4 white wires going to one of the group of 4 prong hookups on it. It normally is strapped in by a flat wire and screw. I thought I had a picture of one when I installed mine and will post it.

Below is a partial photo of the start capacitor. Our internet here is poor here. All my capacitors are light gray in color, but have no markings on the top, which most do. The PTRC is black and normally located down at the bottom of the electric panel and it is stuffed in there. Don't be afraid to remove any of these, and you can throw the PTRC away, as it most likely is burned up like mine. When you get to that issue, give me a shout and I will walk you through what I did. Hope this helps!

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #22 – August 11, 2020, 11:59:29 am

Quote from: juicesqueezer – August 11, 2020, 10:44:22 am

You will have a start capacitor and a PTRC mounted under the electric panel when you open up your cover of your air conditioner. The start capacitor has 4 hook ups and you will see 4 white wires going to one of the group of 4 prong hookups on it. It normally is strapped in by a flat wire and screw. I thought I had a picture of one when I installed mine and will post it.

Below is a partial photo of the start capacitor. Our internet here is poor here. All my capacitors are light gray in color, but have no markings on the top, which most do. The PTRC is black and normally located down at the bottom of the electric panel and it is stuffed in there. Don't be afraid to remove any of these, and you can throw the PTRC away, as it most likely is burned up like mine. When you get to that issue, give me a shout and I will walk you through what I did. Hope this helps!

Just a bit of caution here, there are live wires , and just because it isn't running doesn't mean that you won't get buzzed
turn the breaker for AC off
Joe I just thought I would add That bit of info-- hope you guys are doing well
Chris

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #23 – August 11, 2020, 08:52:05 pm

Quote from: Chris m lang – August 11, 2020, 11:59:29 am

Just a bit of caution here, there are live wires , and just because it isn't running doesn't mean that you won't get buzzed
turn the breaker for AC off
Joe I just thought I would add That bit of info-- hope you guys are doing well
Chris

Thanks Chris, but we had no issue with any electric build up in those, but yes, I treat all wires very carefully, as you know, I'm not electric proficient! lol
I never turned off the breakers and only switched off the on off at the bottom of the thermostat on the wall. I did short out all of the capacitors, but never had a spark.

Re: Installing Soft Starts!

Reply #24 – August 13, 2020, 05:51:34 am

I got my soft starts installed yesterday and they both worked !!! I will be hooking up to a 30 amp site in a week or so and will be checking out if I can run both a/c's at the same time as advertised. I will update at a later date.
Ron

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