Soft Start not working on my generator-HELP

After my last post earlier we went sightseeing and then I remembered a test I did a year ago that might actually help answer your specific question. The Multiplus inverter I installed allows the user to set the amperage that the system will pull from shore power and allow the battery bank to supply the remaining needed amperage for the load. I wanted to see how many amps I needed to pull from shore power to augment the power just enough to allow the generator to run in eco mode at a low RPM. With some testing once I set the inverter to pull 8 amps from shore power and the remainder from the battery bank running only the A/C, the generator would run a low RMP. As I lowered the number of amps from shore power the RPMs on the generator would climb. So, one could surmise that if you ran both of your generators in eco mode running one A/C, with a soft start in place, both generators would likely remain running at low RPMs. I believe that is what you were asking to start with...
 
Hi , I went out there tonight and tried throwing various different breakers. They are not well marked. There are 6 AC breakers. From the looks, the first 2 on the left are the main. I think the third is the Microwave and I couldn't ID what the others were. Either way, nothing seemd to isolate the 12v from the AC. Is it the small 30A car fuse?
If you have a moment or would be so kind, could you take a picture of what breaker you are throwing or what config the AC breakers should look like, I would be much appreciative and Ill try this again.

thanks,
Ken

thanks.
 
Take a pic of your panel and post it so we can cut to the chase. This should take out the guess work.

Red
 
There are a bunch of great questions and suggestions here.
-The amperage I am looking for is... I dont know. GD customer service states that the starting amps is 30-40 and the running amps is 13-14. I put in the Soft Start expecting it would reduce the load enough to run the AC but its not.
-Last night, I tried every iteration of a/c circuit throwing with no luck. I turned everything off and systematically back on. It still over loaded. I did not mess with the Car fuses.
- My generator is a Duromax 2300. It is an excellent generator and cost about 700.00. I am trying to avoid purchasing dumping 1200$ on the Honda unless I know for absolute certainty that it will handle the load. I presently looking for one to borrow but honestly dont think this is the problem.
- Thank you for everyones input.
Here i a picture of the Panel.
IMG_1124.jpg
 
I run my 15k ac with a soft start and a cheap Wen 2250 generator cost under $300 I have a grounded plug in one outlet.
Works great no issues. Without the grounded plug it would trip the generator.
Generator only 1800 running watts also
 
Last edited:
Are you running the generator on gasoline or LP? Maybe check out the champion generators.
 
KRHDACM said:
There are a bunch of great questions and suggestions here.
-The amperage I am looking for is... I dont know. GD customer service states that the starting amps is 30-40 and the running amps is 13-14. I put in the Soft Start expecting it would reduce the load enough to run the AC but its not.
-Last night, I tried every iteration of a/c circuit throwing with no luck. I turned everything off and systematically back on. It still over loaded. I did not mess with the Car fuses.
- My generator is a Duromax 2300. It is an excellent generator and cost about 700.00. I am trying to avoid purchasing dumping 1200$ on the Honda unless I know for absolute certainty that it will handle the load. I presently looking for one to borrow but honestly dont think this is the problem.
- Thank you for everyones input.
Here i a picture of the Panel.
View attachment 51552
Click to expand...
Have you actually checked the inrush of amps at startup of the air conditioner compressor. Maybe that Soft Start isn't working as it should. Or maybe the compressor is pulling more amps than it should, and the Soft Start just isn't lowering the draw far enough. Right now it looks like you're just supposing, you need to be sure before you buy another generator.
 
I agree. I need to be sure before buying a new one. Im not sure how to do that. But Ill figure it out.
I am running the Duromax on Gasoline.

Connor58, how do you ground a plug on a generator?
thanks,
 
Are you by chance going to the National Rally? There will be a lot of help there. If you have beer, you'll get at least 30 guys to help, LOL. All kidding aside, I'm sure you can borrow a Honda generator there to test it out, but I bet a grounding plug should be your next step.
 
If you have a gas/electric water heater make sure it is set to gas. Do not use electric with the generator
 
UPDATE:
So, after 3 days of installing the SoftStartRV, making and trying the neutral grounding plug, flipping and pulling switches and circuits, trying different modes, I discovered a few things:
1) You cannot isolate the converter on the WFCO Converter Panel. It's built into it.
2) The Softstart is works PERFECTLY
Lastly, I finally got it to run. Heres how, Gents.

After being totally frustrated with hearing about how everyone was running the AC off of these old cheap generators, I went over to my firehouse and borrowed a 5+ year old Honda EU2000i. It only had 120 v outlets and is bare bones. No electronics, no panel. The 120v outlets were only rated for 13.3a so I figured no way i carries the load. I used a pigtail to bring my 30 A RV powercord down to the 120v outlet. I started the generator, turned on the AC and BOOM! It started right up and kept running.

Soooo, the problem MUST be with the generator and all its fancy panels. A friend told me that the newer generators may have all kinds of safety features that old ones didn't and that may and that may be the issue. I hope its not because there is no way to bypass this. I am going to consider buying a new Honda EU2200 companion and hope it works and was just the Duromax generators issue. I love the Honda's anyway.
So there you have it. My RV is a 2022 GD Imagine 17MKE if anyone has the same and runs into a similar issue.

Its great to know I can boon-dock in the coolness with a small 2000w generator to run everything. Numerous phone calls to generator resellers, RV stores, the SoftStart company customer service brought NO answers. In fact many of these guys made up answers that were totally incorrect. I had one RV store tell me " I think the SoftStart products are a waste of money" I asked him what his experience has been with them and told me he had never installed one. Oh, thanks for the keen insight...

So, I want to thank everyone for helping me troubleshoot this. Its not completely solved but Im confident I know what direction to go. Thanks, again. Happy RV'ing!
 
Well, at least you figured it out. Seems very strange that the newer generator would be a problem as obviously alot of people use them but IDK. I never had an issue with my EU2000i running it and no bonding plug is needed unless you use a surge protector/EMS. Glad you made progress!
 
KRHDACM said:
UPDATE:
So, after 3 days of installing the SoftStartRV, making and trying the neutral grounding plug, flipping and pulling switches and circuits, trying different modes, I discovered a few things:
1) You cannot isolate the converter on the WFCO Converter Panel. It's built into it.
2) The Softstart is works PERFECTLY
Lastly, I finally got it to run. Heres how, Gents.

After being totally frustrated with hearing about how everyone was running the AC off of these old cheap generators, I went over to my firehouse and borrowed a 5+ year old Honda EU2000i. It only had 120 v outlets and is bare bones. No electronics, no panel. The 120v outlets were only rated for 13.3a so I figured no way i carries the load. I used a pigtail to bring my 30 A RV powercord down to the 120v outlet. I started the generator, turned on the AC and BOOM! It started right up and kept running.

Soooo, the problem MUST be with the generator and all its fancy panels. A friend told me that the newer generators may have all kinds of safety features that old ones didn't and that may and that may be the issue. I hope its not because there is no way to bypass this. I am going to consider buying a new Honda EU2200 companion and hope it works and was just the Duromax generators issue. I love the Honda's anyway.
So there you have it. My RV is a 2022 GD Imagine 17MKE if anyone has the same and runs into a similar issue.

Its great to know I can boon-dock in the coolness with a small 2000w generator to run everything. Numerous phone calls to generator resellers, RV stores, the SoftStart company customer service brought NO answers. In fact many of these guys made up answers that were totally incorrect. I had one RV store tell me " I think the SoftStart products are a waste of money" I asked him what his experience has been with them and told me he had never installed one. Oh, thanks for the keen insight...

So, I want to thank everyone for helping me troubleshoot this. Its not completely solved but Im confident I know what direction to go. Thanks, again. Happy RV'ing!
Click to expand...

Has nothing to do with fancy electronics on the new generators. It has to do with the fact that the Honda generators are better generators than the Duromax that you claimed is excellent.
Hondas actually produce their rated power or more.
 
KRHDACM said:
UPDATE:
So, after 3 days of installing the SoftStartRV, making and trying the neutral grounding plug, flipping and pulling switches and circuits, trying different modes, I discovered a few things:
1) You cannot isolate the converter on the WFCO Converter Panel. It's built into it.
2) The Softstart is works PERFECTLY
Lastly, I finally got it to run. Heres how, Gents.

After being totally frustrated with hearing about how everyone was running the AC off of these old cheap generators, I went over to my firehouse and borrowed a 5+ year old Honda EU2000i. It only had 120 v outlets and is bare bones. No electronics, no panel. The 120v outlets were only rated for 13.3a so I figured no way i carries the load. I used a pigtail to bring my 30 A RV powercord down to the 120v outlet. I started the generator, turned on the AC and BOOM! It started right up and kept running.

Soooo, the problem MUST be with the generator and all its fancy panels. A friend told me that the newer generators may have all kinds of safety features that old ones didn't and that may and that may be the issue. I hope its not because there is no way to bypass this. I am going to consider buying a new Honda EU2200 companion and hope it works and was just the Duromax generators issue. I love the Honda's anyway.
So there you have it. My RV is a 2022 GD Imagine 17MKE if anyone has the same and runs into a similar issue.

Its great to know I can boon-dock in the coolness with a small 2000w generator to run everything. Numerous phone calls to generator resellers, RV stores, the SoftStart company customer service brought NO answers. In fact many of these guys made up answers that were totally incorrect. I had one RV store tell me " I think the SoftStart products are a waste of money" I asked him what his experience has been with them and told me he had never installed one. Oh, thanks for the keen insight...

So, I want to thank everyone for helping me troubleshoot this. Its not completely solved but Im confident I know what direction to go. Thanks, again. Happy RV'ing!
Click to expand...

Where are you located? I am selling my Honda 2800i since I have been using solar. Was 1200 selling for 799
 
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