Frequently asked questions

High amperage or inrush current is required to start RV AC compressors. This is why small portable generators often fail to power your AC. While you might have a generator powerful enough to run the AC, they frequently can’t handle the in-rush spike required to start the air conditioner.
The RVAC Solutions soft start reduces the inrush current by up to 75%. And this is sufficient to allow you to run a single air conditioner from a small portable generator, or a 15 or 20 amp household outlet, as well as to allow you to run two AC units on a 30-amp connection without tripping the breaker! For those that frequently hit the road, RV Soft Start is mandatory.
  • Refer to your AC unit’s user manual
  • Locate your model’s specification data
  • Locate the “Compressor Load Amps” (or the RLA) rating for your model
  • 9A or less = Model RVMS100S-9A
  • 9.1A – 16A = Model RVMS100S-16A

Yes. There are many small inverter generators available in the market that aren’t able to start your AC on their own because the current demand necessary at start up.

Yes, with the addition of a soft start you can run your RV AC simultaneously while running other appliances.

Yes, each unit requires a soft starter.

Each compressor would need a soft starter.

The RVAC Solutions Soft Start is indeed a simple 4 wire installation, however each model and manufacturer of RV Air Conditioning Units approaches the layout and factory wiring slightly differently, in turn, an original manufacturing manual/wiring diagram is very helpful identifying installation connections. While many RV Owners/DIYers successfully install our soft starters on their RV’s, we recommend hiring an RV service professional.

After installation, the start capacitor and PTCR can be removed, or completely disconnected and capped off.

It will fit. The soft starter should be mounted under the hood or cowling of the rooftop A/C in a suitable available space.

Yes, the reduced initial startup current will thereby reduce the intensity of the compressor startup.

Yes, it will reduce the strain on the generators by reducing the inrush current.

Yes, providing the compressor has a Run and Start capacitor.

Yes, providing the compressor has a Run and Start capacitor.

The hard start has the opposite function of the soft start with its own unique application.  A hard start pushes more energy into the start cycle of the motor to start it faster thus reducing the amount of time it takes to start a motor. The soft start slows the startup of the motor and reduces the inrush current to reduce the energy needed to start the motor.

A soft start is better if you want to increase the longevity of the motor and increase efficiency or if you are using generator power. A hard start is better when you want to get more life out of an old motor or if you have low power at the end of a long run and need to give the motor a boost to get started.

No, the soft starter must be installed under the AC hood.

A soft start will reduce the inrush current and demand on any generator or AC power source.

NO, the soft starter must be used at voltages of 120/240 VAC

The soft start has the potential to extend the life of the compressor by starting the motor slowly thus putting less strain on the motor at startup.

There is no altitude requirement for the soft starter.

Please refer to this link to know how to wire the soft starter:

Yes, RVAC soft starters have a 1-year warranty. To learn more about the warranty/return policy, please refer: