ACTIVE START Best-in-Class Soft Start Solution for your RV's & Boats
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
- Bluetooth Enabled with App Monitoring
Watertight Connections For Outdoor Use
Portable and Light Weight
Easy to Use
Surge Protection
Amazon Link amzn.to/3Im5n9t
Good morning Gavin!
Early bird gets the 🐛!
Man, this is a great device! Use it to monitor non Bluetooth capable gen sets, and soft start for everything. My Honda has Bluetooth, but this is good for redundancy, super awesome for older units.
This will make voltage and current much more stable when you have a hard hit such as air compressors, ac compressors, refrigerators, hot water elements and all high draw items.
I'm ordering one today. Don't even have our 5th wheel hauler yet, but here in a couple months, while the market is soft. Good time to buy this year for those that have been saving.
Great video as always, well spent $300 right here. Thanks big buddy!
Thumbs up and comment for the algorithm!
Great video. This could be useful on an RV, but kind of expensive if all most people will need is soft start on the AC. Now something like this (in 240 volt) connected to a whole house when powered by a generator could be a game changer. The 5,000 to 7,000 watt generators start to look a whole lot more useful.
Hi Gavin. Great useful tools for RV’s. Cannot wait for tools like this to connect to Generator, then going to Power input 30amp plug to protect and assist CB PANEL and appliances. As you know I’m trying to learn about Generators and properly using them safely. Also protecting my home. Keep up the great work, your fans enjoy your work that you provide us. All the best, Mike i.
Hey Mike
As always, I’m trying to get a mix of different topics pertaining to alternative power. I should be doing more in depth service related videos in the future.
But I’m always happy to see my loyal subscribers watching
Thanks buddy
I really would like to see this unit tested on an RV without a soft start already installed. Showing this works with a 2000 watt Gen and 15K BTU AC. I also have soft starts on both ACs but this would be a better option if it works as good as the hard wired dedicated soft starters.
Testing this in front of a soft start still has me wondering.
Thanks Gavin. I love the way you explain everything in such detail.
Hey, Robert
Happy new year 🎊
I’m going to use my friends RV he has no soft start and also wait till it gets a little warmer outside so we can really test this thing up with a 2000 W generator
@@GeneratorReviews That would be a great test. Also, if it doesn't risk damaging equipment, I'd like to see it fail on the generator before the Active Start is plugged in. I was also surprised that the little generator didn't already bind the neutral and ground internally. I typically need to disconnect and put in a switch for bonding on generators (disconnect when I'm connecting to my house).
Gavin, this is an Unfair test, your A/C units have soft start’s currently installed. A test without any Modifications to the unit’s would be Fair!
This is a fantastic idea!! Somewhat expensive, but having AC in July is worth the cost.
I almost wish I would’ve waited to test it in the summertime to show its full potential
Great video Gavin, looks like the active start works well, I would be curious to see it work on a non soft start installed unit.
Great I just spent $450 on 50 amp surge protector last week can’t spend another $500 on this better one When it come out mine is obsolete
Great job. You have a knack for this.
Thanks 😊
Great video, please test without and then with the Active start to show the difference.
Thought about using something similar for the well pump and mini-split on the house.
Great video! REAL INFORMATION!!
Great video. Very good information 👍.
Thanks 😊
I believe the hard wired MicroAir soft start you put directly on A/C has MORE surge reduction than this ACTIVE START.
It probably does because it’s directly on the motor. I’m pretty sure there’s some line loss in this model.
Happy new year Douglas 👍🏾
@@GeneratorReviews , Happy New Year to you. I just went and checked the MicroAir 364 model webpage, "EasyStart can deliver 65-75% start current reduction as compared to a compressor's LRA (locked-rotor amperage).". So, just wanted your viewers to take this into consideration. There are both Pro's & Con's to the "Plug-n-Go" solution being displayed here, just as the Pro's & Con's of the manual install of the fixed MicroAir solution. Thanks for the videos sir !
I emailed them about a 14/30 version for my offgrid system.
Kind of pricey if you have a single ac on your rv. But, if you have 2 ac's, this would be good since 2 softstart's would be $600. Only other concern I would have would be the surge protection. If the surge protector does get hit and blows, does it reset or is it trashed? BTW: I looked on their web site and see they have a 20 Amp version too. Only $265 for it. I think that would be good for guys like me with 2000 watt generators and only need to run one ac.
That’s actually a good point. I did not think of that. It’s a lot cheaper than two softstarts.
This soft start makes it possible for my Honda 2200 ci to power the 15000 btu a/c in my toyhauler.
It would be very interesting to see this soft start on a oscilloscope, any idea how they work?
Great video!thank you
I’ll be installing the soft start on my central A/C unit at home.
I see they sell the 20 amp version of this soft start.
Can I use the plug in soft start on my home refrigerators?
Trying to lower the most inrush load of my generator. Predator 9500.
I don’t think you need a soft start for the refrigerator since you have such a large generator the 9500 should take care of that.
I love mine
May I please ask this question: What is the point of this test, as the only thing it proves is the "Active Start" soft start device is capable of starting an A/C that has a hard-wired soft start device already installed. Maybe I missed something?
I will be doing individual load testing soon
When using both together (Active Start and the hard wired soft start.) would it lower the inrush current even more.
If it does I’ll be interested to see if a even smaller generator ( like the predator 1400) can start the a/c.
It probably won’t be able to start the ac unit
How nice thanks
What is a floater and why? What happens if you don't use a floater or have it? With your current unit, what happens if you don't use the soft starter.
Most appliances that require floating or bonded will not operate so that’s why we have to bond the neutral and the ground by using a bonding plug
hi Gavin, last year i was getting the 2300xi duro max dual fuel will the active start power my 13500 btu on my 30amp travel trailer ? thanks Werner great video like always
You’re welcome
What does it look inside?
I wonder too! Cap bank and logic board I know, but how beefy are the components?
Open her up Gavin!
I’ll see if I can get in there and open it up👍🏾
do they make a version that can be used for the House?
Yes Active Control do make a whole house version it will be available soon.
@@GeneratorReviews great! thanks!
I thought the Active Start already has a built in Soft Starter to lower the amperage why would you also need to install a soft starter on the AC unit as well?
I already had mine hardwired and I wasn’t going to remove it just for this test. Sorry.
@@GeneratorReviews Understandable I was just curious.
Gavin, do you believe there is any further benefit to having one of these in addition to already having a softstart hardwired like in your video? in other words do you see any further starting current reduction piggybacking these? i would assume not, but currious.
No, I don’t think having both has any extra benefits for starting loads.
Can you run the gen on echo mode using this soft start to run the 13.5 BTU AC?
Yes that’s the best way
At 3:34 you say "Even though I already have a soft start................" so how is this a fair evaluation? Other UA-camrs have had mixed results but I bought mine after watching another video and posting a question/comment and contacting the company explaining what I was hoping for. I am running a 5000 BTU A/C with a Honda EU2200 and I wanted to be able to run the generator on Eco mode where it only runs fast enough to power the load. Of course then when the compressor on the A/C kicks in the generator has to increase the RPM to accommodate the extra load putting stress on the generator and the A/C, or so it seems. I explained this in both my inquiries and was told that this would absolutely help that situation. But in practice I see no appreciable difference with the Active Start in use or out. This not being an inexpensive item, I would suggest you do a bit more due diligence before purchasing this thinking it is going to be an easy solution to your concerns. I wish I had.
Just to be clear, I do not relish being negative on UA-cam and certainly do not wish to cause anyone any distress, but I think people should have a well rounded picture before they spend their hard earned money. Here is another video with results more like my own. ua-cam.com/video/aFOaOk7imrc/v-deo.html
I’m working on a full load test for this product should be releasing it soon, it’s a little cooler right now, so the AC compressor is having a hard time turning on want to get warmer I will do a full test. Thanks for watching and hopefully the next test will be more satisfactory.
Can you use Economode on the generator?
Yes you can
Just won't work with boondocking camper with solar and inverter, inverter shuts it down is the Word on the street
This is exactly what I need but I need 2 of them for 2 different generators. $1000 bucks 🤦
Why can't you just plug the RV cord directly into the inverter?
We are testing a soft start that allows you to start loads 50% larger than your generator would normally be able to start
Great video Gavin! Do you have any idea when the 50 amp is coming out?
I haven’t heard any information about the 50amp version
Did the AC start with the gen in Eco Mode?....
Yes, it started in Eco mode also
I'm confused which active start I would need. I see they sell a 20 amp and a 30 amp. If I have a 30 amp airstream with a single air conditioner and a 330i Generac generator that needs the adapter for the 30 rv plug, do I get the 30 amp active start.
Yes get the 30amp
Hi do you have a link to this company for I can buy one of these I've been trying to find it and I can't find the company
The link for the product is in the description of the video
Thanks for watching
Now will a device like this work for your home?
If you have a transfer switch, this will work for the home
Mine is a 50a trailer but hooked up all summer to a 30a pedestal. Would this be the right one, or do I need the 50a model?
Would this one unit allow me to start the 2nd ac? I can currently only run one ac at a time on the 30a pedestal.
If you have access to the 50amp pedestal, I will get the 50 amp model
This is what I'm wondering. I have a 50 amp trailer but can only plug into a 30 amp
Not sure I understand what you tested. You have a soft start in your AC and used Active Start on your gen to run it? Or did you test the Active Start without the Soft Starter AC?
I wish I could have uninstalled the soft start but I still wanted to try it
does this work on a 13.5k btu ac w/o a softstart?
Yes it will
How would you compare this with the Hughes Power Watchdog if soft start wasn't a consideration?
The Hughes power watchdog is a fully loaded surge protector with all the bells and whistles definitely one of the best ones
@@GeneratorReviews Do you see any reason why the 50A wired version of the Hughes couldn't be setup for monitoring power going into your home? I'd probably install it right next to the breaker box before going into the generator breaker. The surge protection isn't of primary importance, but I would like to remotely monitor L1 & L2. Other than going with something like a iotawatt setup instrumented inside your panel, I don't know of other ways to do this.
Hey Gavin, because its also a surge protector, can it still be used if i already have a surge protector wired inside my RV?
Yes, it can be used
I can run a 13.5 without a soft start.
Curious if this would work for a sump pump?
It should work on a sump pump if it’s 120 V or you’ll have to wait for the 50 amp version if you have a 240 V sump pump
$445 for a small box with electrolytic capacitors and a bluetooth transmitter interface.
All ACs are soft start anyway. It's just a question of are you adding an extra capacitor. My 11500 AC normally draws about 15 amps..... But draws 53 when starting..... And the normal stock AC capacitor takes care of majority of it.
I had a problem once when I couldn't start the AC on my TT with a generator and it turned out to be slightly corroded spade terminal connections on the AC capacitor. Any resistance greatly increases the voltage loss and the amperage required there..... Make sure those connections are clean and solid. It probably wouldn't hurt to have antioxidant paste on them. Of course the crappy Chinese capacitors you get today die with regularity after 5 to 10 years so you should always have a spare on hand, and know how to change it. Cheap insurance. Capacitors are so cheap it makes you wonder why rv AC manufacturers don't install even larger ones normally.... Because RVs are frequently run on generator
Agreed!! 👍🏾
Do you mean all "RV" ACs are soft start? My home central air is definitely not soft start and I cannot use AC at home when on the generator. It is my understanding I would have to add a hard wired soft start unit to my home AC for it to work with my 7000 watt generator.
@@eosjoe565 your compressor motor always has a start capacitor . The start capacitor provided by mfg is just not big enough.....to let you start with the generator sometimes. Mfg can easily supply a larger one that could for $10 more. But it only needed to be large enough to be able to start off a breaker..... So that's all they gave you. Soft starts basically just give you another larger capacitor. Capacitors just store power to give the motor the high current it needs to get started turning from dead stop.
Occasionally your home compressors capacitor will fail, and ac wont work until you replace it. Chinese capacitors are cheap.....but also don't last .
Bruh... I appreciate the attempt to demonstrate the effectiveness of this particular soft-start version. But, your comparison is flawed and can't be trusted because you already have a soft start hard-wired in. We have no way of telling if the remote box tested actually works! Disconnect the one up top that's hardwired and use only the pedestal/generator version and THEN we'll know if the product is full of baloney or not! DO IT!
Yes I am working on a full test video
Stupid expensive