AC Hard start additions

TurnThePage wrote:
So... Are you saying that soft start devices harm or stress the A/C? Hard start caps also reduce that "thump" that happens at the moment the compressor fires up.

I totally agree that a properly sized generator should be used, but I've never heard from any reputable source that there is any harm in using hard start caps or soft start electronics.

If the gen voltage sags well enough before tripping a breaker or sending gen into overload, absolutely.

Softstart devices which "ramp up" voltage over time in an attempt to break loose the locked rotor are doing the very same thing that everyone on this forum crys foul over with sagging campground voltages by electronically reducing voltage going to the compressor then ramping it up (IE "soft start") over a short period of time.

There is no "free lunch"..

Additionally, the "add ons" may work OK in your driveway in 80F temps but add in elevation at your campsite and more heat and you have a good chance that it isn't going to work reliably or at all.

Why bother messing around with a undersized gen and hoping it will work fine.

For those scared of 50lbs more weight, get creative. You can buy a nice set of light weight aluminum fold up ramps and wheel it right on. You can get portable lift tables with wheels which are nice, a little creativity you can find quite a few ways to safely hoist or lift a 100 lb gen..

Heck for myself, I use my tractor front loader to lift and place my 100 lb 4Kw gen into my truck bed.. I also have used 10ft boards with cheap aluminum ramp ends to ease the gen on to the tailgate..

I do cheat a bit and leave the gen in the truck bed and run it when needed..