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Topic ClosedDometic A/C Hard Start Mod & Generator Question
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dometic A/C Hard Start Mod & Generator Question
    Posted: 15 Aug 2013 at 8:45pm
Originally posted by EEBowHunter

Agreed...but for the sake of thoroughness I went ahead and ordered the Supco SPP6E capacitor


That's the same one I installed in my A/C. Even on mains, I have noticed that the compressor starts easier. At the very least, the bigger start cap may offer a little better protection if a campground's electric is browning out.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2013 at 9:59am
I might take one for myself if it fits my model.  Of course I was JUST up there and didn't write down the model number.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 12 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2013 at 9:48am
Originally posted by Outbound

I think you're out of luck. The startup surge is somewhere around 16-18 amps, which is a huge load from the low idle of econo mode. A start cap would help smooth that down, but you'd likely still have way too much instantaneous load.

Ask the same, a start cap is inexpensive and the install is dead simple, so it may be worth a try.


Agreed...but for the sake of thoroughness I went ahead and ordered the Supco SPP6E capacitor:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JP3MEK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
as well as a hard start capacitor specifically spec'd for my Dometic unit:
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dometic-3311883000-Hard-Start-Kit-Camper-Trailer-RV

I'll try 'em both out next time I'm out there...I guess the worse that can happen is that I have a couple of used capacitors to throw on eBaySmile
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2013 at 12:35pm
Goose, that link was for a Dometic installation.  I have a similar link for Coleman units if you need it.

Bob
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Posts: 672 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2013 at 11:30am
Thanks Sleepless for the link.
    Thanks Tech for the thought on synthetic oil in the gen, I use Mobil 1 in the Jeep and in my Cub Cadet but had not considered it for the generator.   Goose
Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 2013 at 10:24pm
Also try the synthetic oil if you don't already have it in those gennys.  Someone on another forum claims it changed his marginal setup to one that would start his genset after making that switch.  I'm a little surprised yours has a problem, with over 4000 watts available for surge.  My Yamaha EF2400is starts mine every time and is always in eco mode (you can't take it out, a design feature I disagree with). 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 2013 at 9:02pm
Amazon has some reasonably priced.  You may want to read this article, too.
http://www.modmyrv.com/2009/05/27/rv-air-conditioner-hard-start-capacitor

Bob
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
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Posts: 672 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 2013 at 8:07pm
Where is the best place to pick up the soft start cap and from those that have done it what is the part number that you used. I have thought about doing this over the years but have not gotten to it. My Onan is an old contractor unit (early 70's model) that puts out 2.5K but will have had time starting the A/C.   Goose
Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 2013 at 7:47pm
I think you're out of luck. The startup surge is somewhere around 16-18 amps, which is a huge load from the low idle of econo mode. A start cap would help smooth that down, but you'd likely still have way too much instantaneous load.

Ask the same, a start cap is inexpensive and the install is dead simple, so it may be worth a try.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Posts: 12 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Aug 2013 at 2:52pm
Given the altitude and crazy heat we've been having, a single 2000 won't start the A/C even with eco mode turned OFF.  Two 2000s in parallel work like a champ but won't turn the A/C on when they are in economy mode paralleled.  I guess I'll just have to try it and see how much of a difference it makes.  I really hate to run the generators full open all the time b/c they're wasting a lot of fuel.  The hard start kit is pretty cheap...is there a downside to running the A/C with a hard start capacitor?
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