Soft Start not working on my generator-HELP

[huntindog]

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.

True that. I have read quite a few generator comparison tests over the years and the Hondas always win.
I used to compete in AKC field trials . These are always boondocking situations. This crowd has some money, and will pay up for performance. looking around a FT camp will find Hondas everywhere. Ocasionally someone would show up with another brand. They never lasted long. I have seen several leave and come back with a Honda. These people want to spend their time and energy competing their dogs. Any product they buy to support that endeavour needs to perform, or it is quickly replaced with something that does. As an aside one can get a pretty good idea which TV brands were reliable. The Ford 6.0s did not appear at the trials for long....Sitting on the side of the road with expensive dogs and horses in the trailer and missing the event, is not something they will tolerate.

 

[Soundsailor]

1) You cannot isolate the converter on the WFCO Converter Panel. It's built into it.

You might do better to replace the WFCO panel, a lot less expensive than a new Honda generator, and will probably work better to boot.

 

[Soundsailor]

- My generator is a Duromax 2300.

Is that the DuroMax XP2300iH 2300-Watt (https://www.amazon.com/DuroMax-XP2300iH-2300-Watt-Inverter-Generator/dp/B08Z1FQJ6B)? If so it should easily handle your AC, there's something wrong in your setup if it's not. Are you using a 30 Amp cord to connect it to your RV?

 

[Conner58]

True that. I have read quite a few generator comparison tests over the years and the Hondas always win.
I used to compete in AKC field trials . These are always boondocking situations. This crowd has some money, and will pay up for performance. looking around a FT camp will find Hondas everywhere. Ocasionally someone would show up with another brand. They never lasted long. I have seen several leave and come back with a Honda. These people want to spend their time and energy competing their dogs. Any product they buy to support that endeavour needs to perform, or it is quickly replaced with something that does. As an aside one can get a pretty good idea which TV brands were reliable. The Ford 6.0s did not appear at the trials for long....Sitting on the side of the road with expensive dogs and horses in the trailer and missing the event, is not something they will tolerate.

Honda makes one of the best no doubt .
The Wen 2250 i have works well for me and i paid under $300 delivered. Not everyone needs a Honda .

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Just curious if a different adapter cord was used with the Honda vs the Duramax. Maybe the adapter cord is faulty? Just a thought.

 

[robmcqueen]

Also was a Extension Cord used ?

 

[KRHDACM]

You'd think so. but, Im on the phone with an engineer at Duromax....he says the Honda rating are typically well above those advertised and therefor, that may make the difference. So, kinda saying "get a Honda..." lol.

I don't think there is anything wrong with my setup as the old Honda handled it flawlessly.

For various reasons, I think I will solve this by getting a Honda....
thanks for everyones advice.

 

[KRHDACM]

No, same set up.

I tried to remove all variables. I did have to put the 30a outlet on a 120 adapter as the Honda did not have a 30a outlet. AFter, I tried the same set up on the Duromax to see if that changed anything and it didnt

 

[KRHDACM]

Well, I'm learning that.
The reaason I mentioned the electronics is that I had an electrician friend tell me that there could be all kinds of limiters put in new models for safety purposes. My concern would be in buying a new Honda and having the same problem.
However, my conversation with Duromax tech support supports that the Honda is just better.

 

[robmcqueen]

Some generators ramp up the speed faster then other when a load is put on them. With higher speed comes higher output.

 

[Soundsailor]

Were you running the Duromax on gas or propane? Propane doesn't support the same level of performance as gas.

 

[traveldawg]

Gosh - this is a good case for using individual components for AC and DC circuits. In other words this is a good case to show that an integrated converter, one that cannot be turned off, is not a good idea.

The member that suggested a new panel and separate converter would be less expensive than a Honda 2200i had a pretty good idea. Id' probably be tearing that WFCO panel apart to see what internal connection there is that provides 120v to the converter section; then I'd be changing that silly arrangement. It's kind of hard to imagine there is no 120v input circuit protection to the convert half of that panel; there must be a way to disable the converter.

 

[jwcrosby]

I had a similar situation recently when we were dry camping. When I cranked up my Champion 2300W generator it went to work charging my lead acid batteries because they were low. When I tried to run the A/C the generator balked. I discovered the solution to be disconnecting the batteries with the switch in the bay area (I have a 2021 22MLE). It probably didn't help that I was as 4,000 ft. elevation, but I was able to cool the trailer in the 100-degree temps.

 

[Heavy Half Ton]

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!

The problem is the 79 or 80 cc generators won’t do well even with a soft start. You need the 115cc’s of the next size up generator. The Honda for instance is that size. 79 or 80cc’s is too small for the job and even more so if there is anything else being used.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

Hi,
I know there have been many threads on here about how great the Soft starts work. But I cant seem to figure out why mine won't. Its installed properly and works fine on shore power.
Many people say that they are able to run their AC units off of a 2200 or 2300W generator like the Honda EU2200. I have a Duromax 2300 that has the same specs and every time the AC startys up, it goes into overload mode.

Before spending $$ on a new generator, does anyone have any advice?

TIA.


2022 Grand Design Imagine 17MKE

I use my Honda 2000 generator for two NASCAR races each year and a few other one night stop overs. I don't have a soft start on either of my Coleman AC units but I run the smaller AC unit with ease on the Honda 2000. I never have to turn off the charger and have the refrigerator and water heater running on propane. In Florida for the Daytona 500 I run the generator for 10 days averaging 17 hrs per day. We obviously turn off the AC to run the coffee maker, hair dryer, or other large loads. Same thing for 5 nights at the Dover Delaware NASCAR race. One of the guys we camp with in Florida had to upgrade his predator generator to a 3500 just to do the same thing I was doing... His small predator wouldn't handle an ac unit.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

[MENTION=62579]KRHDACM[/MENTION]
"1) You cannot isolate the converter on the WFCO Converter"

This is false... every electric appliance can be turned off from your panel. The converter on your panel is most likely plugged into a receptacle that is either built into the rear of the panel box or mounted behind it near the converter... if it's mounted in the back of the converter that receptacle will be doubled up on one of the 12A general use breakers. Pull your panel cover and you can easily verify this.

 

[Garysworkshop]

On the original poster's photograph the tag next to the breakers says that the converter is wired to one of the branch circuits but strangely doesn't specify which one so you will still have to trace the actual wire from the converter.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

On the original poster's photograph the tag next to the breakers says that the converter is wired to one of the branch circuits but strangely doesn't specify which one so you will still have to trace the actual wire from the converter.

Or disconnect the battery, leave it plugged into shore power, and leave the 12v ceiling lights on. Start turning off branch circuits one at a time until the ceiling lights go off.. that will be the breaker feeding the converter.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Well, I'm learning that.
The reaason I mentioned the electronics is that I had an electrician friend tell me that there could be all kinds of limiters put in new models for safety purposes.

Well there is a 'possibility' of that. Electronic rather than physical overload strategy can look at a predictive rate of increase (amps) and trip the output before it has a chance to overshoot max amperage