Installing SoftStartRV, tomorrow.

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

I have a Furrion Chill 14,500 rooftop A/C.

I received the SoftStartRV module today and will be going out tomorrow to install it. I've read my instructions, have my sheets and have all my tools ready.

Tomorrow is going to be 68+ and full sun, here in CT.
I'll be working in full southern facing sun and probably sweating by the time I'm done. Gotta love March.

Wish me luck.

 

[Route 66 Traveler]

I’ve had mine for 2 years..works as advertised. The written instructions are OK, but I would suggest watching a couple of YouTube videos as well. If you do get in a bind a quick call to their customer support will get you back on track. Just be careful on the roof….

 

[Route 66 Traveler]

Plus, unplug from shore power, thermostat set to OFF, and battery disconnect on…or disconnect from the battery, just to be safe. Take photos of the wiring before you disconnect anything, just in case.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Plus, unplug from shore power, thermostat set to OFF, and battery disconnect on…or disconnect from the battery, just to be safe. Take photos of the wiring before you disconnect anything, just in case.

Thanks 66, for all the tips. I've watched several videos and feel super capable. I'll be sure to compare the diagram I printed to my actual set-up before making any moves. If it all checks out, then onward I go.

I do plan on disconnecting the battery terminals altogether and have already unplugged from shore power.

As far as the roof, I'm going to take the ladder to the slide side and step up from there. It just looks like an easier path. I have a mounted ladder off the back, but they are so....'VERTICAL.' I have a nice Little Giant ladder I plan to use.

I do not plan on walking on the slide, just using it as a quick step. I don't believe it will do any lasting harm.

I have all my necessary tools/stuff in a little 2 gallon bucket. I'll have my phone with me for making an 'emergency call' should I get in a bind.

If there's anything I do, it's that I do lots of planning and thinking before doing any type of job like this. Same goes with using my table saw and making cuts. Sometimes I'll spend an hour thinking about what I want to do, plan the cut and ensure I'm doing everything I'm supposed to, to stay safe. I do this with any type of work/project where it isn't second nature, as I do it so infrequently. It makes the job go slower than most, but it also helps to keep me safe.

Now, I just have to wait for the sun to warm it up a bit out there.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

PS: that battery disconnect switch is useless, IMO. I do not trust it, as no one knows or can say, what it truly does and does not disconnect.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Welp, it's not like the videos...

I have a Furrion Chill 14,500 rooftop A/C.

I received the SoftStartRV module today and will be going out tomorrow to install it. I've read my instructions, have my sheets and have all my tools ready.

Tomorrow is going to be 68+ and full sun, here in CT.
I'll be working in full southern facing sun and probably sweating by the time I'm done. Gotta love March.

Wish me luck.

Got all my gear, got up on that roof, took off the housing, identified the little box I needed to open up. That in and of itself was a PIA. The cover held on by a screw; top and each side, was blocked on one side by another surface. So, I had to unscrew the mounting screws for that box, just to access the cover screw. Still, easy....

Went to identify all the wires; white yellow etc. ALL the wires, except the yellow are all encompassed in a thick sheathing from the top of the capacitor all the way over to the compressor. I can't identify a thing unless I strip it all away and well...I'm not doing that.

Came down off the roof feeling a bit defeated and made a call to my electrician, who also owns campers. He'll get it done in no time.

Can't say I didn't try. At least I got to check out all my sealants while I was up there. All of it still looks good.

I can say with certainty, that roof may be walkable, but it was indicating it did not like me and my 'not so average' size. I considered just staying up there and basking as if it were the beach. If I had stayed up there to work I would most definitely have been sun burnt. 65 degrees and beautiful sun today.

I ended up placing the ladder right next to the slide out (engaged) so it made for a sturdier feeling gong up and down the ladder, being exposed only on one side.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

May I ask why you decided to buy and install a Soft Start?

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

May I ask why you decided to buy and install a Soft Start?

I want the capability of running my A/C with my little generator.

 

[Route 66 Traveler]

May I ask why you decided to buy and install a Soft Start?

Mines 2 years old and works as advertised. Well worth the money IMHO.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Mines 2 years old and works as advertised. Well worth the money IMHO.

I look forward to knowing it's up there. As far as the size, this new SoftStart unit is way smaller than many shown in the videos. Yes, I think it's worth it, to be able to use my existing generator and not have to purchase a larger/heavier unit. As far as total cost, now that I'm going to pay to have it installed...Well, what are ya gonna do, right?

Also, while I was up there, I wondered where I was going to mount it. All the vertical surfaces inside the box are coated with black styrofoam. I don't know if the self-adhesive would work on it. Maybe zip tie it to that middle metal assembly, with the cut-outs?

Here's a photo of the inside. To the right, just outside the frame is another surface, coated with the black styrofoam.

That silver box at the bottom of the photo is the capacitor box. One of the screws to take off the cover is on the left...completely blocked by a barrier wall and the reason I had to unmount the box itself.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

I want the capability of running my A/C with my little generator.

Perfect application!

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Got all my gear, got up on that roof, took off the housing, identified the little box I needed to open up. That in and of itself was a PIA. The cover held on by a screw; top and each side, was blocked on one side by another surface. So, I had to unscrew the mounting screws for that box, just to access the cover screw. Still, easy....

Went to identify all the wires; white yellow etc. ALL the wires, except the yellow are all encompassed in a thick sheathing from the top of the capacitor all the way over to the compressor. I can't identify a thing unless I strip it all away and well...I'm not doing that.

Came down off the roof feeling a bit defeated and made a call to my electrician, who also owns campers. He'll get it done in no time.

Can't say I didn't try. At least I got to check out all my sealants while I was up there. All of it still looks good.

I can say with certainty, that roof may be walkable, but it was indicating it did not like me and my 'not so average' size. I considered just staying up there and basking as if it were the beach. If I had stayed up there to work I would most definitely have been sun burnt. 65 degrees and beautiful sun today.

I ended up placing the ladder right next to the slide out (engaged) so it made for a sturdier feeling gong up and down the ladder, being exposed only on one side.

OKAY. I did some calling and studying. I'm going to go up again and try my hand at getting this thing installed. I need to buy an extra long screw driver to access a deeply embedded screw. Also, I need a new tester to check for wire continuity since I can't clearly identify a particular wire's 'run' and there are wires that are of the same color next to it. My cheapie one died and I have not yet replaced it...so off to Harbor Freight I go.

My electrician did say he'd do it, but hasn't come yet. It's been a few weeks, but each time he has the time to come, it is raining. So, knowing what I know now, I am going to give the install another run. -Of course not unplugging or moving any wires until I do a mental 'run' first; identifying all the wires and their placement.

I CAN DO THIS!

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

This should do the trick....

 

[Grumpy]

Pictures on your phone help too..

 

[Kevin Cooper]

This should do the trick....

This kind of meter is way better. You can clamp around conductors and get AC & DC amps. It also cat test for AC voltage in conductors and receptacles with the little tip on the end of the clamp. I have a similar one.
https://a.co/d/6v6r4ib

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

This kind of meter is way better. You can clamp around conductors and get AC & DC amps. It also cat test for AC voltage in conductors and receptacles with the little tip on the end of the clamp. I have a similar one.
https://a.co/d/6v6r4ib

This??

 

[craigav]

This??

You need to find one that says AC/DC Current instead of the one in your image. ~CA

 

[Kevin Cooper]

This??

No. That only does AC current (amps). Not DC.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

This says ac dc. The clamp type. My second image.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

No. That only does AC current (amps). Not DC.

Okay so the multimeter that says. TEST AC/DC VOLTAGE & DC CURRENT.