I installed the SpartanStart on my Dometic Penguin II 13.5K BTU AC unit, and the difference is night and day. No more violent compressor thumps that sound like a toolbox falling off the roof - just smooth, quiet startups that don't make my whole RV shudder.

The real test came when boondocking with my Honda 2200i generator. Before the SpartanStart, starting the AC was a gamble - half the time it would trip the inverter or make the generator scream like a banshee. Now? It purrs to life effortlessly, even when running other appliances simultaneously.

Installation took me about 15 minutes - identifying the three wires was straightforward using my unit's manual. I appreciated that Spartan included quality crimp connectors, though I opted for heat-shrink butt connectors for extra protection against moisture. The mounting tape has held solid through Arizona's brutal heat and bumpy desert roads.

What surprised me most was how this transformed my power usage. My clamp meter showed starting current dropped from nearly 50A to just over 20A! This means I can now run two AC units sequentially on my generator where before I couldn't even start one reliably.

The only minor gripe? The case is slightly bulkier than expected, but considering it houses components that prevent $1,000+ compressor failures, I'll take that trade-off any day. At this price point compared to competitors, the SpartanStart delivers professional-grade performance without the premium price tag.