Last Updated on December 8, 2023 by Jess
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How a palm-sized device releases more amps to keep you warm in your motorhome
With the hot temperatures of summer dropping like fall leaves, RVers who want to continue traveling in their RVs in colder temperatures know they need to make sure they stay warm in their RVs when the temperatures drop.
The different types of RV heating systems – stoves, electric heaters, electric baseboard heaters or heat pumps – work differently depending on how cold the RV traveler’s primary environment is expected to be and how long the cold temperatures are expected to last. When making any decision, it is important to weigh up how much energy is available and how much the chosen type of heating can consume.
When the air is cool but not yet freezing, it is probably most efficient to use the heat pump function of an RV air conditioner-heat pump combo, which most RVers already have on their roof. Another way to increase efficiency is to use a SoftStartRV™ soft starter.
So it makes sense that when the weather turns cold, the SoftStartRV heat pump provides the same benefits as a running rooftop air conditioner while keeping you warm in your RV. Many RV rooftop units with heat pump capabilities use the same compressor that runs the air conditioner. A heat pump is actually an air conditioner that works in reverse: Instead of extracting heat from the inside air and releasing it outside during air conditioning, the heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transports it inside the motorhome. Depending on the specifications of the heat pump, it can cool a motorhome comfortably and efficiently when outside temperatures only reach around 4.4ºC.
Holiday Moochdocking – Keeping your motorhome warm at grandma’s house
“Moochdocking” is a term used in the RV community to describe the practice of parking an RV on a friend or family member’s property for a short period of time, usually without paying for the stay. Moochdocking often reaches its peak during the vacation season. It is considered a form of boondocking, but often offers the advantage of having access to amenities such as electricity or water from the host’s home. In most cases, however, the electricity is not a 30- or 50-amp column, but a standard 20-amp AC source – probably at the end of a long extension cord.
While that’s usually enough for lights, TV and running a gas water heater or furnace, it’s not enough to start the nice heat pump on the roof of your RV. However, if you can get it going, it will often still run. That’s where the SoftStartRV device comes in, allowing you to start these appliances with 70% less electricity to get the heat pump going so you can stay warm in your motorhome. Without a SoftStartRV device, it is very unlikely that you will be able to start a heat pump with a 20 amp power source.
Advantages beyond keeping warm in your motorhome
Measuring approximately 3″ x 6″ x 2″, a SoftStartRV soft starter is the smallest on the market and fits all RV rooftop air conditioner heat pump units. Benefits include the ability to run lights, TV, CPAP, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker or other appliances while the heat pump is running.
More importantly, the same benefits that a SoftStartRV soft starter provides for AC operation are also realized when operating the rooftop unit’s heat pump. Due to the huge reduction in starting current, many other appliances can remain in operation while the heat pump is in use. This means you don’t have to sacrifice important functions to keep your motorhome warm.
Because peak power demand is kept low, the circuit will not shut down when the heat pump is turned on – especially circuits that may be running on less power than normal. And because the soft start provides a quiet start, you may not even notice when the heat pump is running (unless you are near the fan)