{"product_id":"dometic-smartstart-soft-starter-freshjet-5-ac","title":"Dometic SmartStart Soft Starter for FreshJet 5 Mechanical AC","description":"\u003cp class=\"nvn-hero\"\u003eThe Dometic SmartStart is a soft starter made for the FreshJet 5 Mechanical rooftop air conditioner. It cuts the big startup power surge your compressor demands by as much as 75 percent, so a smaller generator or an inverter setup can finally start the AC. If shore power isn't a guarantee where you camp, this is a high-value upgrade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you've ever tried to start your rooftop air conditioner on a small portable generator and watched it stall, sputter, or trip the breaker, you already know the problem this thing solves. The Dometic SmartStart is a soft starter built specifically for the FreshJet 5 Mechanical series. It tames the big jolt of power your AC's compressor demands the instant it kicks on, and that one change opens up a lot of options for how you power your rig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's what's happening under the hood. A standard air conditioner compressor pulls a huge surge of current at the moment it starts, often several times what it draws while running. That inrush is what overwhelms a small generator or an inverter. The SmartStart ramps the compressor up gradually instead of hitting it all at once, cutting that startup power demand by as much as 75 percent. Once the compressor is spinning, it settles into its normal running draw. The soft starter has already done its job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat does that mean out at the campsite? It means a 2,000-watt inverter generator that never had a prayer of starting your AC suddenly can. It means you're not forced onto a loud, oversized generator just to get cool air. Folks running a battery bank and inverter get the same benefit, since the startup surge is usually the first wall they hit. We've seen plenty of campers add one of these and finally use the AC they've been hauling around unused for a couple of seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet's be straight about what it does and doesn't do, because that honesty saves you a return. The SmartStart reduces the startup surge only. It does not lower how many watts your air conditioner pulls while it's actually running. So if your generator can't handle the AC's steady running load, a soft starter won't fix that. It's the startup spike it's built for. And it works one air conditioner at a time. If you've got two rooftop units and you're hoping to run both off one undersized generator, this isn't the workaround for that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFitment matters here. This unit is matched to the Dometic FreshJet 5 Mechanical series specifically, running on 120 volts. If you've got a different air conditioner or a heat-pump version, check your model before you buy. The mechanical FreshJet 5 is the target, and that's where it drops in clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne more note on that \"Mechanical\" label in the name. The FreshJet 5 comes in more than one control style, and this soft starter is spec'd for the mechanical version, the one with mechanical controls rather than a fully electronic control board. Matching the soft starter to the right control type is what keeps the startup timing playing nice with the unit, so it's worth confirming which FreshJet 5 you're running before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the install side, this is a hardwired component, not a plug-in dongle. It wires in ahead of the compressor inside the AC unit, and it ships with the connections you need to tie it in. If you're comfortable working around 120-volt AC wiring and pulling the shroud off a rooftop unit, it's a very doable afternoon job. If you're not, have an RV tech handle it. There's line voltage involved, so respect it. The module itself measures about 12-1\/4 inches long by 7 inches wide by 5 inches deep, and it's built to tuck into the AC's existing housing without a bunch of custom bracketry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottom line, if you camp anywhere that shore power isn't guaranteed, or you're trying to get by on a smaller, quieter generator, the SmartStart is one of the highest-value upgrades you can make to a FreshJet 5. It's a small box that changes what your air conditioner is capable of running on. And on a hot afternoon at a no-hookup site, that's the difference between sweating it out and actually enjoying the trip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"nvn-features\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCuts air conditioner startup power demand by as much as 75 percent for easier starts on limited power\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePurpose-built for the Dometic FreshJet 5 Mechanical series, 120-volt operation\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSoft-ramp start reduces compressor inrush current instead of hitting it all at once\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLets a smaller, quieter inverter generator start a rooftop air conditioner that used to stall it\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHelps battery-and-inverter setups clear the startup surge for off-grid cooling\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHardwired module installs ahead of the compressor inside the existing AC housing\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCompact 12-1\/4 in x 7 in x 5 in module tucks into the unit without custom bracketry\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReduces the startup spike only, so your AC keeps its normal running draw\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-trust\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy from NVN Marine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAuthorized Dometic reseller, full manufacturer warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSame-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-faq\"\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat does the SmartStart actually do?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIt's a soft starter. It ramps your air conditioner's compressor up gradually at startup instead of letting it slam on all at once, which cuts the startup power demand by as much as 75 percent. Less inrush current means a smaller power source can get the AC running.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWill this let me run my air conditioner on a portable generator?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThat's the main reason people buy it. The startup surge is usually what stalls a small generator. By cutting that surge, a SmartStart lets a smaller inverter generator start the FreshJet 5 that couldn't handle it before. Just make sure your generator can still cover the AC's normal running load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhich air conditioner does this fit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIt's matched to the Dometic FreshJet 5 Mechanical series, running on 120 volts. If you have a different model or the heat-pump version, confirm your unit before ordering. The mechanical FreshJet 5 is the target fitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow much does it reduce startup power?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eBy as much as 75 percent. That figure is the reduction in the startup surge, the brief spike when the compressor first kicks on, not the running power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eDoes it lower how much power the AC uses while it's running?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNo. The SmartStart only tames the startup surge. Once the compressor is spinning, the air conditioner draws its normal running watts. If your generator can't handle that steady load, a soft starter won't change it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCan I run two air conditioners on one small generator with this?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNot reliably. A soft starter works one air conditioner at a time and only helps with the startup spike. Two rooftop units on one undersized generator is a bigger power problem than a soft starter is meant to solve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCan I run the AC off my batteries and inverter with this?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIt helps. The startup surge is usually the first wall a battery-and-inverter setup hits, and cutting it makes off-grid cooling more realistic. You still need an inverter and battery bank sized for the AC's running load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eIs this a hard install?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIt's a hardwired component that ties in ahead of the compressor inside the AC unit. If you're comfortable around 120-volt AC wiring and pulling the shroud off a rooftop unit, it's a doable afternoon job. If you're not, have an RV tech do it. There's line voltage involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow big is it and where does it mount?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe module is about 12-1\/4 inches long by 7 inches wide by 5 inches deep, and it's designed to tuck into the FreshJet 5's existing housing without custom bracketry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat's the warranty?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFull Dometic manufacturer warranty applies. We're an authorized Dometic reseller, so any warranty claim runs through us back to Dometic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"nvn-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTitle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDometic SmartStart Soft Starter for FreshJet 5 Mechanical Air Conditioners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBrand\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDometic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eManufacturer Part Number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9630001955\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUPC\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7333497005757\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAir Conditioner Compressor Soft Starter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDometic FreshJet 5 Mechanical Series Air Conditioners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVoltage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120V AC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStartup Power Reduction\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 75%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePackage Dimensions (L x W x H)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12-1\/4 in x 7 in x 5 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLength\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12-1\/4 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWidth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDepth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eInstallation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardwired ahead of compressor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFunction\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReduces compressor startup inrush current\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What does the SmartStart actually do?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"It's a soft starter. It ramps your air conditioner's compressor up gradually at startup instead of letting it slam on all at once, which cuts the startup power demand by as much as 75 percent. Less inrush current means a smaller power source can get the AC running.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Will this let me run my air conditioner on a portable generator?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"That's the main reason people buy it. The startup surge is usually what stalls a small generator. By cutting that surge, a SmartStart lets a smaller inverter generator start the FreshJet 5 that couldn't handle it before. 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