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Old 10-02-2017, 07:56 PM   #1
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Air Conditioning On Generator

Hello, sometimes when my air conditioner compressor starts, it overwhelms the 2.5 kw generator and causes it to shut down. Other times, the generator just bogs down, but then recovers. Is this usual, or do I possible have a bad start capacitor? There is scant electrical information in the ac manual, so I cannot find the running current, let alone the inrush current. Any insight would be appreciated.
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Old 10-02-2017, 08:00 PM   #2
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Hi

To be "comfortable" with the stock AC, you need about a 3KW generator. Bogging down is a bad sign. You likely will damage the AC and the generator.

Bob
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Old 10-02-2017, 08:13 PM   #3
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" micro air easy start" will solve your issues. There are a couple of threads on this subject.
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Old 10-02-2017, 08:24 PM   #4
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Hi

To be "comfortable" with the stock AC, you need about a 3KW generator. Bogging down is a bad sign. You likely will damage the AC and the generator.

Bob
Agree with Uncle Bob. Also agree with grandtimes (if you live below 5000 feet elevation).
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Old 10-02-2017, 08:52 PM   #5
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The sometimes is not just the AC but what else you are running at that time. The frig on electric, the convertor, are the 2 bigger loads but any AC usage will add and cause the problem.

Get a plug in AC volt meter and watch it while using the Air. If the voltage drops below 105 volts, from your combined loads, don't leave the Air as you will damage it before it shuts itself off.
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Old 10-02-2017, 09:18 PM   #6
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+1 on the Easy Start.
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Old 10-02-2017, 09:26 PM   #7
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http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...d.php?t=162618

Quite a few threads on the subject. If you are okay with the initial cost, the answer is “Easy”.
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Old 10-03-2017, 08:12 AM   #8
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The Easy Start is one solution. On my Interstate when I've had this issue of generator not holding the load from A/C in hot weather I discovered the problem was the Power Control System (PCS) installed by Airstream on the later model Interstates. I have always been able to get the generator to power the A/C by turning off all the other 120VAC breakers. In my research I determined that the PCS trips the power in "GEN" mode at 18A, when the generator is actually able to but out +20A.
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Old 10-03-2017, 08:46 AM   #9
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I'll be doing the voltage test today, but in any case, it seems that the "easy start" is a no-brainer, as the generator capacity is not well-matched to the ac load. Is that correct? Does anyone know what the start and run amperes are?
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Old 10-03-2017, 08:47 AM   #10
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Never mind on the amperes; just found online.
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Old 10-03-2017, 10:22 AM   #11
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Yep, the "Easy Start" is a solution

I installed our Easy Start a few months ago, with no issues. Buy the installation part pkg too, if you decide to buy this system. Type in "airstream" in the right place and get a $40 discount.
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Old 10-03-2017, 01:48 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HowieE View Post
The sometimes is not just the AC but what else you are running at that time. The frig on electric, the convertor, are the 2 bigger loads but any AC usage will add and cause the problem.

Get a plug in AC volt meter and watch it while using the Air. If the voltage drops below 105 volts, from your combined loads, don't leave the Air as you will damage it before it shuts itself off.


Now that I have found the RLA to be nearly 15 amps (compressor and fan together) and the generator peak amps to be about 20, that even under ideal conditions, they're not a great match. Will need, at a minimum, the easy start capacitor system. Can't believe that the gen can actually hold up under the inrush current.
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Old 10-03-2017, 08:48 PM   #13
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The add-on items are good for short term usage but you might want to start looking at upgrading the Generator. My AS has 2 roof top units that also have electric heat strips. The generator is a 6500kw Onan propane generator. Actually would prefer it to be diesel but at least the generator can handle the loads with no problem. It takes more to heat than to cool and I can still run the microwave while the roof units are operating.
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Old 10-03-2017, 08:57 PM   #14
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Turn OFF eco mode or whatever your generator calls it.
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Old 10-03-2017, 10:03 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Mike1997 View Post
The add-on items are good for short term usage but you might want to start looking at upgrading the Generator. My AS has 2 roof top units that also have electric heat strips. The generator is a 6500kw Onan propane generator. Actually would prefer it to be diesel but at least the generator can handle the loads with no problem. It takes more to heat than to cool and I can still run the microwave while the roof units are operating.


Is there a larger capacity generator that will fit under an Interstate?
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Old 10-03-2017, 11:05 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by 3bcamper View Post
Is there a larger capacity generator that will fit under an Interstate?


No. Sadly people use phone apps that don’t tell them what forum they’re in so they reply with things totally irrelevant to this forum. Not their fault, but I sure wish whatever app these folks are using would correct this ongoing problem .......
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Old 10-04-2017, 02:00 PM   #17
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No. Sadly people use phone apps that don’t tell them what forum they’re in so they reply with things totally irrelevant to this forum. Not their fault, but I sure wish whatever app these folks are using would correct this ongoing problem .......
Yes - there is a 3,000 Watt diesel generator that will fit under the Sprinters. It is made by Power Tech Generators in Leesburg, FL:
https://www.powertechgenerators.com/...ter-van-rv-3kw

Here is a company selling them in Colorado for about $6,000, plus $2,000 to install it:
http://sprintergenerator.com/

They are a little larger than the Onan LP generators installed by Airstream in the Interstate vans.

The phone apps do tell you which sub-forum your are responding to, but it doesn't jump out at your. The slightly off-topic comments we get from trailer and larger motorhome owners usually come because they use the "Unread" feature on phone apps or the "New Posts" featured on the Air Forums web page.
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Old 10-04-2017, 02:03 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Boxster1971 View Post
Yes - there is a 3,000 Watt diesel generator that will fit under the Sprinters. It is made by Power Tech Generators in Leesburg, FL:
https://www.powertechgenerators.com/...ter-van-rv-3kw

Here is a company selling them in Colorado for about $6,000, plus $2,000 to install it:
http://sprintergenerator.com/

They are a little larger than the Onan LP generators installed by Airstream in the Interstate vans.

The phone apps do tell you which sub-forum your are responding to, but it doesn't jump out at your. The slightly off-topic comments we get from trailer and larger motorhome owners usually come because they use the "Unread" feature on phone apps or the "New Posts" featured on the Air Forums web page.


Thank you!
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Old 10-04-2017, 03:01 PM   #19
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Yes - there is a 3,000 Watt diesel generator that will fit under the Sprinters. It is made by Power Tech Generators in Leesburg, FL:
https://www.powertechgenerators.com/...ter-van-rv-3kw

Here is a company selling them in Colorado for about $6,000, plus $2,000 to install it:
http://sprintergenerator.com/

They are a little larger than the Onan LP generators installed by Airstream in the Interstate vans.
Man that is one heavy generator at 260 pounds! In comparison the Onan Microlite 2.8 KW that we have in newer interstates clocks at 113 pounds. I suspect it is also a lot less expensive though it also bogs down some under the AC start up load.
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Old 10-05-2017, 01:01 AM   #20
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One fairly easy check (at least for a technician) is the governor. A governor adjustment fixed an issue with the generator shutting down on compressor start and stop in our old Roadtrek.
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