AC Soft Starts for a GE A/C Model ARC15CBL1

Mitcho · 12-27-2022, 07:01 PM

So I am seeing what soft start you all use for a GE AC model ARC15CBL1 this is what is on my 2021 Micro Minnie 2108DS. I was told that if I have this I can use my Champion 2000W Dual Fuel Gen 100402. I hope someone can help me out here. Let me know thanks
Happy Holidays,
Mitch

Bigbird65 · 12-28-2022, 11:40 AM

Contact SoftStartRV.com. I have this brand of soft start on my Dometic 15K AC and it works with my WEN 2350i inverter generator.

Fasttimes · 12-28-2022, 12:08 PM

Second Bigbird's comment, reach out to the m directly to get the correct one. I have one on my Dometic 15k and it works just fine with my Champion Dual Fuel 2500.

Just bear in mind that you can run an AC with a 2000 watt inverter, but you won't be running much more. Maybe a couple of lights.

Mitcho · 12-28-2022, 12:33 PM

Fasttimes,
Ya I did that and I only want the Gen for the AC I have solar for everything else.
Because it is a GE the start up is 60A from what GE told me they say I need at least a 3200 or really they say a 4000 would be best. When asked about the soft start they said they have not clue about them. Seems I am going to get a bigger Gen and mount it up front above the propane takes. Thanks

Marine359 · 12-28-2022, 04:11 PM

Hey Mitch,
My Dometic 13.5 runs on my Champion 2500w on propane. It didn’t before I installed Micro-Air Easy Start. Micro-Air claims a 65-70% reduction of compressor start-up amperage. But they don’t post any info, as far as I can tell, on running amperage. Regardless, I’m a happy camper because the Easy Start cost way less than a second generator, and there’s no weight and fuel consumption penalty that you would expect with carrying two generators.

Best bet is to email Micro-Air and ask if your Champion 2000 will run your A/C on propane. If not, will it run it on gasoline. They’re pretty good about answering. But general guidelines: a 13.5k btu A/C will draw about 13.5 amps ac. So if your generator can’t output at least that, then it ain’t gonna work. The Champion 2500 outputs exactly 15 amps on propane. I don’t know the specs on the Champuon 2000..

peggwn · 12-28-2022, 06:39 PM

Our 15K BTU basement A/C unit has 2 compressors, but we only run 1. It usually started at 22-23 amps before dropping back to 9-11 amps. When we added our Micro-Air indeed reduced the starting amps to about 14-15 amps and then the A/C settles in at fairly close to the same running amps as before, 8 to 10 amps. I don't know the reason it runs at slightly less amperage, it just does, and despite Micro-Air disclaiming any improvement in performance after the start.

**creativepart** · 12-28-2022, 10:41 PM

I had trouble finding your exact model but did find some info on a similar model.

It does show 120v/60 amps, but that’s not important here. The specs say it needs 20 amps to run it. I’d assume they mean the peak startup amps, not the running amps. It is a 15k BTU A/C so I would say that a 2000w generator is not going to work. Two of them paired together would certainly do the job.

And don’t fret the 110v / 120v thing. It’s just regular house electricity. Officially the standard is 120v but that actually varies and will not be a concern at all.

As for a soft start, I’m not sure anyone is marketing these for A/C brands other than the major RV brands like Coleman-Mach and Dometic. If they are I’ve not seen it mentioned.

As you may know, this past year due to supply chain issues Winnebago and other manufacturers had so much trouble getting parts needed to complete the RVs they were building that they resorted to using new suppliers and your GE A/C is one of those “other supplier” substitutions. Normally they have used Coleman-Mach and Dometic for A/C units for a very long time.

Bigbird65 · 12-29-2022, 06:38 AM

Mitch did you contact SoftStartRV.com?

**creativepart** · 12-29-2022, 07:51 AM

This thread was posted twice in two separate forums. We have merged these into one thread in this one forum. Some posts had to be removed to make the tread sensible.

Mitcho · 12-29-2022, 08:15 AM

Ken yes waiting for them to reply but since it is a GE AC I think I am just going to have to mount a Cummins Onan P4500i Inverter Portable Generator above the propane tanks as that is big enough I am told. Thanks

**creativepart** · 12-29-2022, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitcho

Ken yes waiting for them to reply but since it is a GE AC I think I am just going to have to mount a Cummins Onan P4500i Inverter Portable Generator above the propane tanks as that is big enough I am told. Thanks

I think most of us would tell you to ignore the info from GE on this and that 2,700 to 3,000 watts should run the A/C just fine. You definitely need more than 2000w but that 4,000w will work fine but is not absolutely necessary.

Your A/C specs may say 120v/60a but starting and running amps will be in the 20 amp range. You have a 30amp RV - Winnebago is not going to put a 60 amp A/C on any RV.

Also, while mounting above the propane tanks is preferable to bumper mounting you do need to be careful with tongue weight issues.

Mitcho · 12-29-2022, 08:45 AM

I have also talked to Winnebago they told me that it needs at least a 3200 gen for the air.
The 60a is the start up of the compressor of the unit I am told. Yes it seems they did put it on per my talk with Winnebago and GE. Remember this was one build during the Lock-Down of the country.
The weight of the Gen is less than 80 pounds so it should be just fine on the tongue as it is less like 400 pounds tongue weight from the factory I think, so it should be fine.
thanks for the info

**creativepart** · 12-29-2022, 09:04 AM

It’s fine that you don’t believe me, but Winnebago and GE are not your best source of info on this. If I had to give you a safe generator size estimate that would absolutely work I’d agree that 3200w would be best. But you’ll discover thousands of RVers that run A/Cs with similar specs at slightly less - 2,700 to 3,000 watts.

You’d think GE would know the answer and I’m sure there are some people there somewhere that do know the answer but the problem is that info doesn’t make it to the support people that answer the phones. And Winnebago makes so many products with such different equipment that they do their best but you can’t always take it as accurate.

Heck, forums aren’t always correct either. We’re just giving our opinions based on many many years of experience. Trying to help.

Mitcho · 12-29-2022, 09:22 AM

Crativepart I called the towable group at Winnebago they went off of my Vin # of my trailer so I would hope they have a little bit of info that is right all I can do is ask. I had a dealer that said oh my 2000 gen would work just fine not a problem so no sure what to think just have to figure it out and I think you are right the 3200 is enough. Again this is why I put this out there as I am sure I am not the only person that ended up with the GE AC so hope this will help anyone that also come across the problems I am finding.
Thanks for the help

**creativepart** · 12-29-2022, 10:57 AM

Mitch, one way to confirm that your A/C doesn't need 60 amps to start is to look at the A/C Circuit Breaker on your TT. You'll see it is a 20-amp breaker.

Now, 20-amps at 120v is 2400w. The general expectation is for your A/C to use about 17 amps to start and about 13 amps to run. BUT - even a 2400w generator doesn't output 2400w continuously. That's it's theoretical maximum at unloaded startup. So, you need a generator that puts out a constant 2400 watts. This is why 2700-3000 watts will likely work. But 3200w to be safer would definitely be better.

As you already know... never trust the dealer. I wish you could always trust Winnebago. But it's that old "trust but verify" kind of thing.

A good thing about a 3200w gen is that you can run the A/C and have a little bit of power left over. I think you'll find that your TT's converter charger will grab the little bit of that extra power you might have.

Most 3200 generators are at least 90 lbs or close. Also, if you get dual fuel and run them on propane note that they will put out less AC power, so check that number too, if that's what you are planning.

When I had a TT I carried two Honda 2000i gens in the back of my Tow Vehicle. I had a combiner cable that bridged the output for both. They were 45lbs each and combined put out 3600-4000 watts. They easily ran the A/C in my Arctic Fox with power to spare. By having two, when not needing A/C I could use just one. It was very convenient. Not as convenient as having one 3200w mounted on the TT with electric start, mind you. But it worked well.

Best of luck.

Bigbird65 · 12-30-2022, 06:51 AM

Creativepart excellent info as usual.

Ray,IN · 12-30-2022, 07:29 PM

For $300 ea. SoftStart is a non-starter for me, there are other devices for much less money.

Ray,IN · 12-30-2022, 08:57 PM

I think you'll finde this interesting reading:: https://www.coastalclimatecontrol.co...=default&page=

Bobn1957 · 01-01-2023, 06:59 PM

I think that any of the soft start units will work and 2000 watts is a little small. That said I would install a soft start and give it a try with your existing 2000-watt generator. Just remember that on propane it will be derated to an 1800-watt generator.

Bobn1957 · 01-01-2023, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

For $300 ea. SoftStart is a non-starter for me, there are other devices for much less money.

I bought a soft-start unit off eBay for less than $50, every bit as good as the $450 ones, all they are is a control relay adding and removing capacitance from the circuit!