So, I too have been eyeing the soft start and waiting for some reliable competition to come along and bring the price down. Can you share how you got the LOA discount applied?
Also, which A/C unit do you have?

@Charlie1 posted:

Respectfully, the word 'run' probably should not be included in an evaluation of a soft-start device but we see it touted as a benefit of soft-start devices, over and over.   

Again, no offense to your report, but it's just so common that an evaluation goes on about how well a unit runs after the device has done its job of starting it. 

"eliminated any surge upon start-up". (All that needs to be said.)

It started and ran the 15k BTU Coleman Mach without any issues.  (Again, all that needs to be said.)

No issues and ran fine.  (ditto) 

https://community.lanceowners....1#617906715056913911

Call Gary at Inverters-R-US and ask for the discount. A friend of mine did that after I ordered and he also got the discount.

My AC is the Airxcel Coleman Mach 15k BTU unit that came on my 2018 2375. 

@Charlie1 posted:

Well, Ok. It really was a two part review. The significance of "running" was referring to the 2k watt generator inverter.

If I wrote a review as you suggested, such as: "I installed it and it started" then I believe I'd probably get a few questions for more detail.

I understand that, @Charlie1 and knew that you knew the score.  

It's a technical point that one must be cautious to not mix the two events during generator operation.  Some could interpret a mixed report to believe the device will improve the running side of things.

No harm or foul meant by me.   Apologies if it came out that way.

https://community.lanceowners....7#617906715057205227

No problem. As I think about it, another reason I added the "running" portion was that the watt usage continued on a slow steady climb over the first several minutes. I don't know enough about AC units to know if it's normal behavior before/after.

@Charlie1  Thank you for the buying tip.  In November 2023, I went to the Inverters R Us website and ordered the Australia-made SpartanStart soft starter for $146 including free shipping and tax.  At that time they had a 20% discount going.  In the meantime I installed it in my Dometic Penguin II 11k A/C.  At 90 degrees ambient and 500' altitude, my Champion 2500 dual fuel inverter generator on propane and set to the eco mode, started and ran the A/C without a problem.  The thunk noise of the compressor starting is completely gone. Very easy installation.  My only suggestion would be for SpartanStart to change the included double-sided foam tape to a wider, thicker, more pliable one.  Because the tape did not hold, I ended up securing the soft starter by wedging it with the appropriate thickness of Styrofoam between the unit and copper tubes.

Hey everyone, 

We just got an exclusive on the brand new easy start from Micro Air.  They are going on sale for black Friday.  If you are in the market for a soft starter that is made in the USA we got em.  Prices will be ridiculously low for the black Friday sale.  The new one is in the store already but wait until you get the code to buy one.  We are also going to include a free installation kit with every order.  I will send an email out with the promo codes and post the codes on the forum too. 

If you are thinking of buying a soft starter, at least wait until Sunday or Monday to see the all new Micro Air easy start.

I recently installed (very easy installation) a SpartanStart on our Cougar's 15K AC unit. It starts the AC when connected to our EU2000i generator running in Eco Throttle mode with no problems.

Another option is the Coleman soft starter. Since my AC is a Coleman mach, I felt it was a safe option. Works as advertised. About $200.00

@JackW posted:

Another option is the Coleman soft starter. Since my AC is a Coleman mach, I felt it was a safe option. Works as advertised. About $200.00

One of the advantages with regard to the Coleman soft start is that it does not void the warranty on the Coleman-Mach AC's. I only discovered this fact after I had installed the SpartinStart.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the SpartinStart's performance, it's made in Australia, it was easy to install, and it was about half the cost of a Micro-Air.

The installation directions say to remove any start-assist devices like start capacitors or start relays.  Were there any that needed to be removed for your installation?  I have the Mach15 on my 2018 1995.

I did not remove anything.  Just followed instructions.  I have an 11K Dometic Peguin II.

@JBLanceOwner posted:

I did not remove anything.  Just followed instructions.  I have an 11K Dometic Peguin II.

I didn't remove anything.

Is there any benefit to having a soft start added to the AC if you're using 30 amp shore power?

@davendi posted:

Is there any benefit to having a soft start added to the AC if you're using 30 amp shore power?

It's a starting device and not a running device that operates for a half of a second or so during the first moments the compressor starts.  Then, it turns itself completely off until the next restart of the compressor (not the fan....it has nothing to do whatsoever to the fan).

The side effect could possibly be an extended life of the compressor due to the ease with which it starts the compressor.  The compressor doesn't experience a jolt of amps hitting it all at once but that said, compressors rarely fail on ACs anyway.   

One thing might be a reduced level of sound that light sleepers detect in some cases.  If one runs the fan of their AC all night (fan-on position on the thermostat rather than automatic) and are awaken when hearing the compressor kick on, they probably wouldn't hear as much of an abrupt change of noise.       

Those are about the only two benefits if you always operate on shore power.     

I choose the Micro-Air, figuring since they adapted, start capacitor and micro-timers, to RV AC, they deserve a little $.

I see mine ramp up, in three or four steps, from inverter, depending on whether you count delay, from fan starting to compressor, as a step.

Both the start and stops of compressor are smoother.  Think pulling someone out, with chain vs strap.  The fan starting first, just takes up the slack.  The same amount of energy is applied, it's just spread out over longer periods.  The capacitor recharges, after it's discharged, so there's not any energy savings, it's just spread out.

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.