I have a Coleman Mach 15K AC unit (#48254C869)on my 2018 Rockwood 2606ws. My Champion 3400 dual fuel will run the AC on econo-mode on propane just fine, but will stall when the AC cycles off then back on. I want to run it on econo if at all possible because it is quieter.I purchased the Supco SPP6 for $10, but later noticed on the Supco website that it is not approved by OEM manufacturers like the SPP6E which is approved. Accordingly I am paranoid about the SPP6. I have also learned that Coleman has a hard start kit for my AC (#8333A9021) for $30. However, it "looks" much smaller than either of the Supco capacitors. I can find no review of the Coleman hard start kit.Does anyone have an opinion on what I should do? Using the Coleman part would not seem to affect my warranty, but is it any good? Or, is this a case of you get what you pay for, i.e., $30 vs $10?

They are just capacitors. Nothing else. Installed correctly, I don't think they can void your warranty. But, that's easy for me to say. It's not my warranty. For only about ten times the Coleman kit price, you can get a MicroAir Easy Start kit (Web Site). It really does a better job at controlling start-up timing and spreading the surge. But, it is pricey. I put one in my trailer. I'm very satisfied.

IMO you're worrying about nothing. I've used the SPP6 on every A/C I've owned including my current Dometic Brisk II but I would now not bother and instead ante up for a Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit which will significantly ease A/C compressor start up, regardless of whether the power source is line or genset. I only haven't bothered to date because we use our A/C so infrequently, otherwise the Easy Start would unquestionably be the better solution.

1. Your warranty will not be affected2. NOBODY will notice the Supco add on kit if you have a warranty problem3. OEM's can have RVP install the Hard Start Kit from RVP as original equipment if the OEM desires too. Some OEM's will do that on Towables, because they expect some of their customers will be using NON RV Gensets to run the roof AC. Here is how to tell if the RVP has a OEM hard start kit. You do not have the RVP Hard Start kit. Doug2ND NUMBER AFTER THE LETTER IN MODEL NUMBER TELLS THE TALEIF 5 O6 THEN NO HARD START KITIF 7 -8- OR 9 HAS HARD START KIT

I'm in Florida and travel to New Mexico so AC is issue. If the hard start capacitor relay does not disengage once the compressor starts, due to various possible problems, it can burn out the compressor windings. That is why the SPP6E has an extra safety disconnect feature, and I assume why it is 'approved' by OEM manufacturers, and why the SPP6 is not.The suggested $300 solution seems to not be an easy install after reading the manual, and a real potential for me to screw things up.

Timeking wrote:The suggested $300 solution seems to not be an easy install after reading the manual, and a real potential for me to screw things up.As mentioned I've not yet installed an Easy Start myself but any reports that have been posted here on the forums suggest installation is a no-brainer ... any questions, just call Micro-Air for clarification. JMO, but since it sounds like you're going to be using A/C a lot there's no question the Easy Start would easily prove it's worth in no time at all.

Coleman or Supco hard start kit? | Good Sam Community

Electrojake
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
ktmrfs wrote:
If your coleman 9,000 BTU is like mine,

1) Coleman reduced the LRA noticeably from the 13.5K units
2) they installed a much better matched starting cap

w/o doing anything, I can easily start and run my coleman 9,000BTU unit in my small trailer with my honda 2000 in eco mode at altituded at least to 6,000Ft on very hot days with no problem.

honda doesn't need to grunt much at all to start it.

Now the 13.5K BTU units, completely the opposite experience.

Thank you for the fast response, ktmrfs.
Yes, I am running a rather new 9000 BTU Mach (although I'm told the latest units have been upped to 9200 BTU).
The LRA current is 58.4 amps. Running current is 9.0

The exact problem is that the first start of the morning will throw my Honda EU2000i into overload... Even when its not in ECO mode!
Note that every start after that is perfectly fine all day long.

I just ordered a 5-2-1 CSR-U1 compressor saver. It is a three wire device that actually comes with a straight forward wiring diagram. Hopefully it will cut the starting load just enough to keep the EU2000i from going into overload before the A/C compressor gets up to speed on that first start of the day.

Please also note that my Honda EU2000i runs on propane which reduces it's output capacity by about 10%.
Propane is clean and convenient but has less energy than gasoline.

Thanks again for the reply! :C
Regards,
-Ej-
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2018
Electrojake wrote:
Simple RV-A/C question. . .

Where do I wire-in a Supco Hard Start capacitor?

The unit in question is a 9000 BTU Coleman Mach RV A/C.

The diagram below shows my stock air conditioner wiring. All I need to do is connect the new hard start capacitor, but where?
The options based on the diagram below would be to connect the Supco cap across terminals 1 & 2 or across 3 & 4.
Which is it???

The reason I'm asking is because after watching several videos and reading lots of posts and articles on this issue I still have not found a clear and concise answer.

What I 'did' learn so far...
It's fascinating how much people can talk & explain and yet not give an answer.
Thanks,
-Ej-

If your coleman 9,000 BTU is like mine,

1) Coleman reduced the LRA noticeably from the 13.5K units
2) they installed a much better matched starting cap

w/o doing anything, I can easily start and run my coleman 9,000BTU unit in my small trailer with my honda 2000 in eco mode at altituded at least to 6,000Ft on very hot days with no problem.

honda doesn't need to grunt much at all to start it.

Now the 13.5K BTU units, completely the opposite experience.
Electrojake
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
Simple RV-A/C question. . .

Where do I wire-in a Supco Hard Start capacitor?

The unit in question is a 9000 BTU Coleman Mach RV A/C.

The diagram below shows my stock air conditioner wiring. All I need to do is connect the new hard start capacitor, but where?
The options based on the diagram below would be to connect the Supco cap across terminals 1 & 2 or across 3 & 4.
Which is it???

The reason I'm asking is because after watching several videos and reading lots of posts and articles on this issue I still have not found a clear and concise answer.

What I 'did' learn so far...
It's fascinating how much people can talk & explain and yet not give an answer.
Thanks,
-Ej-
bshgto1
Explorer
Mar 09, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
IMO you're worrying about nothing. I've used the SPP6 on every A/C I've owned including my current Dometic Brisk II but I would now not bother and instead ante up for a Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit which will significantly ease A/C compressor start up, regardless of whether the power source is line or genset. I only haven't bothered to date because we use our A/C so infrequently, otherwise the Easy Start would unquestionably be the better solution.

AS this person I installed one of these on each 15,000 btu a/c. They came off my last unit. They do work and yes they are expensive. But the generators love them and you can move them to your new unit when you trade to another or trade up as I recently did.
joshuajim
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
joshuajim wrote:
So you want me to do your homework. Hmm,,,

Seems you want myself and all the rest of us to do yours ... hmm. :R

I didn't need to research it because I know exactly what it does. It seems that YOU are the one that was not knowledgeable of its's properties, so if you were inquisitive, then it's your responsibility to DO THE HOMEWORK!
2112
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2018
My AC installer included a 5-2-1 on my 4 ton home unit when I replaced the unit a few years ago. Only time will tell if the compressor last longer than the previous one.
j-d
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2018
I hear good things about 5-2-1 Compressor Saver as well. It connects with at least one additional wire than SUPCO, which might make it able to determine the startup status of the compressor a little more accurately.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Mar 08, 2018
joshuajim wrote:
So you want me to do your homework. Hmm,,,

Seems you want myself and all the rest of us to do yours ... hmm. :R
joshuajim
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
joshuajim wrote:
They tried just about every “hard start” kit on the market and the one that was most successful was the 5-2-1 compressor saver.

I put one on my 13.5 and it has never failed to start and restart with my Yammy 2400 at high altitude (up to 7,500) and high temperature.

Jus’ sayin’

SoundGuy wrote:
A LINK would have been helpful.

Just sayin'. :W

joshuajim wrote:
Google is your friend :)

Apparently not yours. ;)

So you want me to do your homework. Hmm,,,
SoundGuy
Explorer
Mar 07, 2018
joshuajim wrote:
They tried just about every “hard start” kit on the market and the one that was most successful was the 5-2-1 compressor saver.

I put one on my 13.5 and it has never failed to start and restart with my Yammy 2400 at high altitude (up to 7,500) and high temperature.

Jus’ sayin’

SoundGuy wrote:
A LINK would have been helpful.

Just sayin'. :W

joshuajim wrote:
Google is your friend :)

Apparently not yours. ;)