dougrainer wrote:

Coleman offers 2 versions of all their Roof AC units.
1. Usually OEM only has the soft start included. The OEM requests this model because they usually are a 30 amp RV or a smaller than 4.0 k genset
2. The standard 95% offered models without the soft start. The problem you run into, especially with supplies limited by Covid, you have to order the soft start as almost all Retailers just stock the standard without the soft start option. To determine if a RVP model has a hard start kit. Doug

2ND NUMBER AFTER THE LETTER IN MODEL NUMBER TELLS THE TALE


IF 5 O6 THEN NO HARD START KIT

IF 7 -8- OR 9 HAS HARD START KIT

chuckbear wrote:

Hard start and soft start are not the same. Chuck

chuckbear wrote:

As you said, "to help boost marginal voltage/amps with a special capacitor or appliance to help get the compressor going." While a soft start system reduces the start-up demand allowing less stress on the compressor and lets the AC units start up easier using a generator or in situations where the RV is already using a heavier load. So these are polar opposites, so if we are using the same name for both, we need to stop doing that so as not to confuse people and have them go out and buy the wrong system. This is from Mike Sokol...

"Sadly, no matter how much we all wish it were true, a hard start capacitor won’t help start an air conditioner compressor using a small generator.

I know that these aftermarket soft start controllers cost a lot of money, especially compared to a $10 Supco hard-start capacitor. But they aren’t the same thing at all. Hard start capacitors are really only useful on a capacitor start induction motor connected to low-voltage utility power."

Chuck