MICRO-AIR EasyStart Breeze 399 - Soft Starter for RV Air Conditioners - Starter Compressor Unit for Travel Trailers - Soft Start for 120V RV A/C Motors - Compact Design, Breeze w/Installation Kit

We bought this device through Hutch Mountain. Our AC unit is the exact model that is shown in the installation video on Hutch Mountain's web site. It was a very quick and easy installation with that video to guide me step by step. Our inverter generator has an 80cc engine and so delivers 1700 watts continuously with up to 2000 watts peak. This equates to about 14 amps continuous and 16.7 amps peak. From the videos I reviewed, it seemed very likely that by using a soft starter we could power the AC from this generator although it would be near the generator's limit.After installation and training, it was the moment of truth (and also confirming to my wife that we made a good purchase). With the generator cranked, and the RV plugged in, the generator was already recharging the batteries so I was mentally preparing myself that the total load was going to be more than the generator could deliver. To my delight, the AC fan kicked on with an expected "uff" coming from the generator as it adjusted to the new load. A few seconds later the compressor kicked in (second uff) and within a short time the AC was blowing cold air. I had been watching out the door to see if the overload light had lit up, but it did not. I was quite impressed and a bit relieved as I did not want to have to look for a second generator if this little experiment did not pan out.I had purchased the Bluetooth model specifically so that I could capture the startup and running current from the device without needing to buy a separate watt meter. This proved valuable because I was able to capture the progression of startup current as the device went through its training cycle. But in addition, it allows you to monitor the running current in real time. On the first training cycle when I was hooked to line power, the starting amps was 36. After training that had dropped to about 16.2 to 16.7. Clearly, that is right near the limit of what the generator can produce, but the running amps held steady in the 11 to 12 amp range. So as long as any additional load on the generator is minimal, the soft starter should be able to get the compressor started.I cycled the AC unit off and on several more times to get some additional starting amp data. There were several times when the generator did go into overload and the compressor did not start. This was taking place after dusk and so the generator was charging not only the batteries, running the LED lights, and having to supply various small loads such as the USB chargers and the radio. I can see that all of these loads added up to more than what the generator could put out. What this demonstrated to me is one of the features of the soft starter. When it cannot get the compressor going, it causes a fault. Then the soft starter backs off for about 120 seconds before trying again (SCPT Delay in the images). The idea being is that your loads are constantly changing (switching on/off lights, running appliances, refrigerator starting/stopping) and so if the compressor can't start the unit it waits a bit of time and then makes another attempt. Using the Bluetooth link, you can see this in action and get a better idea as to why you might not be getting cold air out of your AC.At this point, we have not tried this system while out camping. These results were taken just after completing the installation. I'm pleased with the soft starter operation so far and expect that we will find having AC while dry camping nothing less than pure luxury.

Great item to have. Reduced the lock rotor start up as it says and allows use of a Honda generator. Easy install, just follow the included instructions or watch some videos on how to install it. Bluetooth is nice to see history and startup amps.

I purchased a new Dometic penguin II AC unit for my Airstream. I wired the Micro-soft start in, prior to testing the unit. Naturally, it did not work after I installed the unit. I called micro-air for help, they went over the wiring with me, that I thought was correct, they were very patient and helpful.It was obvious, that I should’ve tested the unit before installing the soft start. I removed the micro-air soft start and wired the unit back to factory, (I thought).The AC still did not work, after going over the schematics of the unit and making another call to micro-air, I found one wire was not connected. After connecting the wire, the unit ran perfectly, as factory.I made a third call to micro-air for more help.They stayed on the phone with me, as I followed their directions wiring the soft start, to my AC. It was about a 15 minute phone call, they waited as I made all the connections to the AC. After, finally wiring the soft-start correctly, the unit ran flawlessly.If micro-air didn’t have fantastic customer service, I would still be on the roof of my airstream.The customer service was not due to one person at micro-air, each time I called I spoke to a different person. They were all equally patient, and knowledgeable.The wiring is very simple, it’s four simple connections, I wasn’t paying attention and didn’t do it one step at a time.I can’t think micro-air enough.JG

Not only does this do exactly what it is supposed to (provide a "soft" start so AC - also allowing it to be used w/ generator) it is actually easier to install than explained on Amazon or even in the mfgr online installation instructions. Specifically, instead of twisting wire ends together and putting on, and crimping, a connector, the product came with a type of connector that allows you to insert the stripped wire ends and snap down a small cam lever clamp. the only tools i needed were a wire cutter and wire stripper.Installation notes:1 - My Coleman-Mach AC unit on my RV barely had room between the electric box wall and the compressor plumbing - a copper pipe. so i wedged in a small piece of foam so vibrations wouldn't allow the pipe to make contact with the soft-start unit's plastic casing2 - The multi-wire connectors are too large to pass through the wiring harness port on my model, but the quick-release wire junction is very quick to remove, then pass the wires through, then reconnect.3 - when identifying wires coming from the compressor that pass through the wiring port, grasp the wire gently on both sides of the port and tug lightly back and forth to make sure that you have the correct wire on the other side since there will typically be two of each color you have to deal with.4 - The instructions are very clear. There is an initial overview section discussing the various models and varieties of AC systems, but the actual step-by-step part is quite meticulous.