Two thumbs up Jerry 👍👍. I watched 3 UA-cam videos on this 50 amp plug and play soft start and you have sold me. I just purchased this 50 amp unit with the surge protection through your link. Thanks for the additional $40 off the $800 price tag, I found that out at checkout. 👍👍😃 I will receive it next Monday and two days later we take our 41 foot Cyclone toyhauler to a campground with only 30 amp power. This will be the perfect time to check this baby out. I can’t wait. Great video you put out on this soft start and I’m your newest subscriber. Bravo Zulu Jerry. ♥️
Thanks Greg. Great to hear you found the video helpful. This is a very well designed system. Works great especially when you’re connected to 30 amp campgrounds. Not just the soft start, but the added benefit of the energy management is a great combination. Appreciate you using our link too.
I have the 30 amp version. It worked great for two months then it quit all together. No power to travel trailer. Called tech support and they sent a new model in the mail the same day. Now that is what I call Great customer service !
Jerry, just found your Chanel, great information. We are weekend warriors and have been RVing for over 30 years. Love seeing new products and appreciate the depth of info.
@@iLoveRVlife our son lives in Canton. We were just there! Just bought a 2021 Grand Design and our maiden voyage will be Blue Ridge in 2 weeks. Great to make your acquaintance and look forward to more on the Chanel. Hopefully we’ll bump into you folks one day.
Nice job we just replaced both air conditioners on our 30 ft airstream it’s a 2012 so we got good service but we are going to purchase one of these units THANK YOU so much 🏋️♀️🤺👍🤗
Great job Jerry. Hope you can review the marine model and give prices. Want it to last more than a couple years so marine rven for RV eould be key as would some sort of diy shroud for shade
I've installed the softstart in one of my A/C units. I just don't see how it technically can start the fan, then the compressor to reduce the surge. Not saying they don't address that, but I just don't understand how. Gotta look into that myself now! Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching. It’s not as much as these units start the fan then the compressor. They prevent the total surge created by the compressor. For our use, the AC comes on as a unit, both fan and compressor.
I noticed that your 15k ac amp draw was 11. My experience on 15k units amp draw more in the 13+ amp range. Does the 11 have something to do with the Active Start? Does the AS have something to do with running amps?
These Active Control units are very efficient. I’ve monitored the lack of surge and with the built in components it eliminates the surge and see only a 10 to 11 amp run time.
Suggest using the Active Control unit that matches the trailer plug. If it’s a 30 amp plug, use a 30 amp Active Control. No problem with it managing the 15000 btu AC. Be sure and use the link from our home page and the code “Jerry” and save a few bucks at checkout.
Great idea, and I just ordered one.... BUT.... how will this work with a built-in generator with a transfer switch? No way to plug this device between the generator in my RV and the ACs
Yeah, was trying to avoid having to install units in the AC - seemed like a good solution - and it is for running off pedestal and 110V 20A house supply, but once my RV flips to generator I lose it, and that is when I need it @@iLoveRVlife
Great timing on this review because I was looking for soft starts to use on my two, 3 ton AC's with my Champion 7000/9000W generator and at home. Is there any data on the % drop it will provide on the initial amp draw? Would there be any advantage to using their 50 amp plug vs their 30 amp model in my application? Was curious if splitting the load (15/15) would provide more balance? And is there any delay to kick on the compressor? I've seen some units have a 4 min delay (ICM Controls).
The site suggest up to a 80% reduction in surge. Doubt the 30 will meet the demands of two units. I couldn’t make the 30 amp unit run to 15k BTU RV ACs with my 30 amp generator. The 50 amp unit has two soft starts, one for each 50 amp leg. It has delay for loss of power. I haven’t timed, but it’s around 3 minutes plus.
@iLoveRVlife Thanks for the follow up! I saw yours only pulled 11amps at start on their 30amp unit, how many amps does your AC draw without the soft start? If my AC has an LRA in the 70amp range and an RLA of 12amps, an 80% reduction could work. And are you suggesting I have a better chance channeling my compressor through 2 legs of their 50amp unit (15a/15a)? And the delay is only for loss of power, right? Not each time the AC unit cycles on and off on it's own, correct? Sorry for all the questions, I emailed them and they haven't responded.
The reduction is on the start up surge. Ours was 65 amps. If a scope is placed on the circuit, I can see the spike, but it’s milliseconds with the Active Start compared to seconds without. The 50 amp plug services two legs and the intention was to service L1 and L2 with separate soft starts. For an RV application, multiple AC units as a rule are served by separate legs. We haven’t experienced any power delays while the AC units are operating. Since this is a non RV application your considering and if you have questions that are more technical in nature where I may not have access, the folks at Active Control are very responsive.
@saltytrips I shared your question with my contact at Active Control. Good news in his reply. “The metal box version can be installed inside and could go between as they want to do. Most of the purchases have been for putting in downstream of the auto-transfer switch so it can work with both on board generator and shore power connections. It also makes it so the transfer switch doesn't interfere with the starting of devices.” Jerry…
@@iLoveRVlife I reach out to a lot of people and everyone seems to be concerned with voltage sag across the whole system instead of just the device you want to soft start, and the fact that it only reduces 50% start up amps where the actual soft starts reduce up to 75% start up amps I went with the SoftStartRv and installed it today. In line Active start after the inverter out put seems like a good idea I just don’t want to be the guinea pig if it didn’t work out the way we wanted.
Go yo our blog for this video for the link at www.ilovervlife.com/using-the-activestart-soft-start-50-amp/. At checkout use the code “Jerry” for a discount.
hello Jerry, I do not understand much about electricity. I know i have a 30 amp rv and i will be buying a larger rv in the future. My question is if I buy the 50 amp version and use my adapters to plug into 30 amp will it still run my A/C off of my 30 amp generator? want to buy the larger one for when I upgrade. Thanks for any information.
Great question. I checked with Active Control. They shared there wouldn’t be an issue since the 50 amp to 30 amp adapter only uses the L1 leg. Then you’ll be set when you upgrade to the new 50 amp powered RV.
I have a Heartland Cyclone 2017 with 3 air conditioners on a manufacturer provided energy management system (EMS). No wiring diagrams are included in my paperwork’s. Any short answer idea how I’d know which 50 amp leg (L1, L2) feeds which unit? Or, does the EMS change this up depending on which units are running?? Long question for a shot answer, ha.
I may be able to help, but it depends on the breaker panel and the EMS. On most, the two 50 amp breakers are in the middle each serving one of the power legs. The individual breakers on each side of the 50 amp breaker service the circuits for that leg. If you have access to the EMS with a monitor panel or Bluetooth, you can turn off each AC breaker and see which leg’s amperage changes. If you don’t have access to the EMS, the best guess and it’s a guess, L1 is on the left and L2 on the right of the panel. If the 50Amp breakers aren’t in the middle, it gets tougher. Event without Heartland’s help, should be able to find a manual for the breaker panel. Maybe someone will see this who has a diagram and can verify.
Anthony, I have a flexible 1” pipe used for diesel heater muffler. Slips over the exhaust,and I route down and to the side. I have a detector in the bedroom and it’s never gone off.
Hi Jerry, I have (1) SoftStart already added to one of my 2 AC units. Can the ActiveStart be used if a SoftStart is already installed?? Thanks for the video. Regards,
Hi Bill. I submitted this question to the engineer of the ActiveStart. His reply was “The answer is there is no conflict using the installed with the plug and play. Actually works better for both.” Thanks for watching.
Two thumbs up Jerry 👍👍. I watched 3 UA-cam videos on this 50 amp plug and play soft start and you have sold me. I just purchased this 50 amp unit with the surge protection through your link. Thanks for the additional $40 off the $800 price tag, I found that out at checkout. 👍👍😃
I will receive it next Monday and two days later we take our 41 foot Cyclone toyhauler to a campground with only 30 amp power. This will be the perfect time to check this baby out. I can’t wait. Great video you put out on this soft start and I’m your newest subscriber. Bravo Zulu Jerry. ♥️
Thanks Greg. Great to hear you found the video helpful. This is a very well designed system. Works great especially when you’re connected to 30 amp campgrounds. Not just the soft start, but the added benefit of the energy management is a great combination. Appreciate you using our link too.
I have the 30 amp version. It worked great for two months then it quit all together. No power to travel trailer. Called tech support and they sent a new model in the mail the same day. Now that is what I call Great customer service !
Great report.
I have the 30amp version and absolutely love it. Works well with my 2000 watt generator and of course just plugging in to a 15 amp outlet at home
I have the 30 amp too. Great unit.
Jerry, just found your Chanel, great information. We are weekend warriors and have been RVing for over 30 years. Love seeing new products and appreciate the depth of info.
Thanks so much. Appreciate you watching.
@@iLoveRVlife We are based out of Birmingham,Al, are you and Joan (my wife’s name too) in the South East?
We are. We’re from Middle Georgia.
@@iLoveRVlife our son lives in Canton. We were just there! Just bought a 2021 Grand Design and our maiden voyage will be Blue Ridge in 2 weeks. Great to make your acquaintance and look forward to more on the Chanel. Hopefully we’ll bump into you folks one day.
Enjoy your trip. This is a fun area.
Nice job we just replaced both air conditioners on our 30 ft airstream it’s a 2012 so we got good service but we are going to purchase one of these units THANK YOU so much 🏋️♀️🤺👍🤗
Thanks for watching.
Really enjoy your product reviews!😊
Thanks Nancy. Appreciate you watching.
Very detailed video, thanks
Thanks Bobby.
Great job Jerry. Hope you can review the marine model and give prices. Want it to last more than a couple years so marine rven for RV eould be key as would some sort of diy shroud for shade
Running propane we did not have a problem up to 2950 watts (3200W)
I've installed the softstart in one of my A/C units. I just don't see how it technically can start the fan, then the compressor to reduce the surge. Not saying they don't address that, but I just don't understand how. Gotta look into that myself now!
Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching. It’s not as much as these units start the fan then the compressor. They prevent the total surge created by the compressor. For our use, the AC comes on as a unit, both fan and compressor.
I noticed that your 15k ac amp draw was 11. My experience on 15k units amp draw more in the 13+ amp range. Does the 11 have something to do with the Active Start? Does the AS have something to do with running amps?
It does. It learns what the AC needs. It started briefly at 13 for a very short burst then settled at 11 amps.
Is the plug and play as efficient as the hardwire unit?
These Active Control units are very efficient. I’ve monitored the lack of surge and with the built in components it eliminates the surge and see only a 10 to 11 amp run time.
Thank you
Jerry, would this also replace the existing portable ems unit?
It did. Two soft starts for each leg. Surge protector. EMS in a plug in unit.
Do you recommend the 30 amp for a small travel trailer. I have a 15000 btu ac on it . With a 3800 wen generator I do boon docking
Suggest using the Active Control unit that matches the trailer plug. If it’s a 30 amp plug, use a 30 amp Active Control. No problem with it managing the 15000 btu AC. Be sure and use the link from our home page and the code “Jerry” and save a few bucks at checkout.
Great idea, and I just ordered one.... BUT.... how will this work with a built-in generator with a transfer switch? No way to plug this device between the generator in my RV and the ACs
That’s an issue. They offer a hardwire unit.
Yeah, was trying to avoid having to install units in the AC - seemed like a good solution - and it is for running off pedestal and 110V 20A house supply, but once my RV flips to generator I lose it, and that is when I need it @@iLoveRVlife
👍
Your built in generator should be capable of running two a/c’s and everything in your rig. No need for this soft start.
My 5500 Cummins/Onan will run my 3 a/c’s.
Great timing on this review because I was looking for soft starts to use on my two, 3 ton AC's with my Champion 7000/9000W generator and at home. Is there any data on the % drop it will provide on the initial amp draw? Would there be any advantage to using their 50 amp plug vs their 30 amp model in my application? Was curious if splitting the load (15/15) would provide more balance? And is there any delay to kick on the compressor? I've seen some units have a 4 min delay (ICM Controls).
The site suggest up to a 80% reduction in surge. Doubt the 30 will meet the demands of two units. I couldn’t make the 30 amp unit run to 15k BTU RV ACs with my 30 amp generator. The 50 amp unit has two soft starts, one for each 50 amp leg. It has delay for loss of power. I haven’t timed, but it’s around 3 minutes plus.
@iLoveRVlife Thanks for the follow up! I saw yours only pulled 11amps at start on their 30amp unit, how many amps does your AC draw without the soft start? If my AC has an LRA in the 70amp range and an RLA of 12amps, an 80% reduction could work. And are you suggesting I have a better chance channeling my compressor through 2 legs of their 50amp unit (15a/15a)? And the delay is only for loss of power, right? Not each time the AC unit cycles on and off on it's own, correct? Sorry for all the questions, I emailed them and they haven't responded.
The reduction is on the start up surge. Ours was 65 amps. If a scope is placed on the circuit, I can see the spike, but it’s milliseconds with the Active Start compared to seconds without. The 50 amp plug services two legs and the intention was to service L1 and L2 with separate soft starts. For an RV application, multiple AC units as a rule are served by separate legs. We haven’t experienced any power delays while the AC units are operating. Since this is a non RV application your considering and if you have questions that are more technical in nature where I may not have access, the folks at Active Control are very responsive.
What if you have soft starts already installed on both AC units is there a benefit to have the plug in?
It would increase the effect. No need if installed versions are meeting your needs.
Could I install this inline between my Victron Multiplus II and the breaker box instead of installing Soft starts on the each AC on the roof?
@saltytrips I shared your question with my contact at Active Control. Good news in his reply. “The metal box version can be installed inside and could go between as they want to do. Most of the purchases have been for putting in downstream of the auto-transfer switch so it can work with both on board generator and shore power connections. It also makes it so the transfer switch doesn't interfere with the starting of devices.” Jerry…
@@iLoveRVlife I reach out to a lot of people and everyone seems to be concerned with voltage sag across the whole system instead of just the device you want to soft start, and the fact that it only reduces 50% start up amps where the actual soft starts reduce up to 75% start up amps I went with the SoftStartRv and installed it today. In line Active start after the inverter out put seems like a good idea I just don’t want to be the guinea pig if it didn’t work out the way we wanted.
I’m looking for the 50 amp unit how do I get it and what is the price thank you
Go yo our blog for this video for the link at www.ilovervlife.com/using-the-activestart-soft-start-50-amp/. At checkout use the code “Jerry” for a discount.
hello Jerry, I do not understand much about electricity. I know i have a 30 amp rv and i will be buying a larger rv in the future. My question is if I buy the 50 amp version and use my adapters to plug into 30 amp will it still run my A/C off of my 30 amp generator? want to buy the larger one for when I upgrade. Thanks for any information.
Great question. I checked with Active Control. They shared there wouldn’t be an issue since the 50 amp to 30 amp adapter only uses the L1 leg. Then you’ll be set when you upgrade to the new 50 amp powered RV.
We have 3 AC, 1 on line 1 and the other two on line 2. How and will this one work!
If this is a 50 amp RV connection, there are only two feeds. The 50 amp active control has a soft start on each leg and we serve the devices on each.
I have a Heartland Cyclone 2017 with 3 air conditioners on a manufacturer provided energy management system (EMS). No wiring diagrams are included in my paperwork’s.
Any short answer idea how I’d know which 50 amp leg (L1, L2) feeds which unit? Or, does the EMS change this up depending on which units are running??
Long question for a shot answer, ha.
I may be able to help, but it depends on the breaker panel and the EMS. On most, the two 50 amp breakers are in the middle each serving one of the power legs. The individual breakers on each side of the 50 amp breaker service the circuits for that leg. If you have access to the EMS with a monitor panel or Bluetooth, you can turn off each AC breaker and see which leg’s amperage changes. If you don’t have access to the EMS, the best guess and it’s a guess, L1 is on the left and L2 on the right of the panel. If the 50Amp breakers aren’t in the middle, it gets tougher. Event without Heartland’s help, should be able to find a manual for the breaker panel. Maybe someone will see this who has a diagram and can verify.
Any safety concerns with your generator running under your bedroom, I.e. carbon monoxide?
Anthony, I have a flexible 1” pipe used for diesel heater muffler. Slips over the exhaust,and I route down and to the side. I have a detector in the bedroom and it’s never gone off.
Hi Jerry, can this be plugged iin line nto an existing ems unit ?
No problem.
Hi Jerry, I have (1) SoftStart already added to one of my 2 AC units. Can the ActiveStart be used if a SoftStart is already installed?? Thanks for the video. Regards,
Hi Bill. I submitted this question to the engineer of the ActiveStart. His reply was “The answer is there is no conflict using the installed with the plug and play. Actually works better for both.” Thanks for watching.
@@iLoveRVlife Sounds great, thank you for the quick response. Regards, Bill
Nice but WAY TOO EXPENSIVE for the common man. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching.
Will this also work as a surge suppressor and protector?
It does!
@@iLoveRVlife does it have a replacement module like on the watch dog surge protector?
It can be sent back to Active Control.
I love the new unit, but too much talking. Dragging the info out too much. 😮