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RV rooftop AC
SoftStartUSA SoftStartRV
Purpose-built for RV rooftop AC — cheaper and narrower than a general-purpose compressor soft starter.
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Specs
| Rated for | RV rooftop/window air conditioners, 13,500-15,000 BTU typical |
| Surge/inrush reduction | Cuts AC startup surge enough to run most RV rooftop units on a 2,000-2,200W inverter generator |
| Voltage | 120V single-phase |
| Typical street price | ~$279 (as of July 2026 — check listing for current price) |
Figures are the manufacturer's published specs. Verify against the current listing before you buy.
Our take
SoftStartRV skips the general-purpose compressor range of the EasyStart above and targets exactly one job: getting a 13,500-15,000 BTU RV rooftop or window AC to start on a small inverter generator or a modest shore-power connection instead of tripping it. That narrower focus is also why it costs less. It wires into the AC unit's existing connector in most installs — worth checking the specific AC model's compatibility first, since RV AC wiring varies more between brands than home compressor wiring does.
Pros
- Purpose-built for RV AC, so it costs less than a general-purpose soft starter sized for larger compressors
- Waterproof housing suited to a rooftop AC compartment
- Well documented for exactly the RV use case, with an active support community
Cons
- RV-AC only — doesn't cover a home mini-split, well pump, or larger compressor
- Compatibility varies by RV AC brand/model, worth checking against the compatibility list before buying
- Smaller company than Micro-Air, with a shorter track record
Best for: RV owners whose only goal is running the rooftop AC off a small inverter generator, not a multi-use soft starter.