Hi everyone,
I wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone facing a similar issue.
I tried running a Yolco TC290 portable air conditioner (R290 refrigerant, rated at 416 W cooling capacity) using a Victron Phoenix Inverter VE.Direct 12/500. While the AC unit would power on, it shut down immediately whenever the compressor tried to start. During that moment, the inverter cut output for ~20 seconds, which clearly indicated an overload condition.
Although the Phoenix 12/500 is rated for 400 W continuous and 900 W peak, it seems the inrush current of the compressor exceeded the short-term peak capacity of the inverter.
I then upgraded to the Victron Phoenix Inverter 12/1200, and now the Yolco TC290 works without any issues. Measured power consumption is around 80 W when idle and ~380 W while cooling, which matches the spec. No soft start module was needed.
Conclusion:
If you’re planning to run the Yolco TC290 on a Victron inverter, go with the 12/1200 model to ensure stable operation during compressor startup. The 12/500 is not sufficient for this specific use case.
Hope this helps someone in the van/camper community!