Generator won't run AC anymore

[JBBeaubeaux]

I have a 6-year-old Honda EU3000is that for years has had no problems running our AC in our 2001 30' Airstream while dry camping. Today, in 93 degrees, it keeps shutting off the electricity (but keeps running) with the 'overload error.' One thought was I can't get my truck near the Airstream, so I am using a 25 extension (heavy duty) that makes the run 50 feet. Any ideas why this might be happening? Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Belegedhel]

Well, no doubt, that extra 50' of extension cord is aggravating any other issues you might have. What gauge of wire are you running on your extension? Any other adapters? You might also check all the blades on the plugs to make sure they are shiny and not corroded/oxidized.

But what is also probably happening is your starting capacitor on the AC is going bad, and eventually you will have to replace it. Something else to try would be to run your hot water heater and refrigerator on gas so that basically the only thing you have pulling on the generator is the AC.

good luck!

[Al and Missy]

The extra extension cord is probably dropping the voltage causing the AC to draw more current. If so, this is not good for the generator or, in particular, the AC. You said it was "heavy duty". Is that commercial heavy duty, or RV heavy duty? With a 3000 watt generator and a 30A service on the Airstream you should be running #10 wire as a minimum, maybe even #8.






Al

[mikextr]

What's your elevation? There is a 3.5% power loss for every 1000 ft above sea level. And yes, the 50ft cord is part of the problem.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Unfortunately we live in a day and age where "heavy duty" may not mean much at all. Even knowing the wire gauge of a cord is not as helpful as it once was. Copper is no longer the only choice for cables. Copper coated aluminum is a fraction of a cent cheaper to use (and less conductive). It'a also tough to spot ( it *should* be labeled on the wire .... possibly in an unreadable font).

One as yet unmentioned point - the EU3000 is a great generator .... but ... It's only a 23A unit in terms of full running current. Your A/C likely pulls upwards of 16A running under some conditions. That only leaves another 7A for "everything else". It's pretty easy to have another amp here and amp there (fridge at 3A, converter at 4A, ....) put you "over the limit".

Bob

[guskmg]

You need the 30 amp RV size wire, but your best bet if the start capacitor is suspect is a SoftStart by MicroAirf or your A/C That will reduce the required amps considerably.
guskmg

[JBBeaubeaux]

Thank you for all the help and advice. It is greatly appreciated!!!!

I have discovered that if my 4 AGM batteries are at 100% so that the Maxum 2000 inverter is not needing to charge them, the generator works great running the air conditioner. If the batteries are low at all and need to be charged, the generator cannot run the air conditioner more than a few minutes. Not sure why, but at least I now know what is causing the overload on the generator.

FYI: We never run the Refrigerator or hot water heater on AC while using the generator or air conditioner.

Again thank you for your help!

Jim Beaubeaux

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Inverter = gizmo that turns 12V (from the battery) into 120V (to run a hair dryer)

Converter / charger = gizmo that turns 120V (from generator or shore power) into 12V to charge the battery or run the control board in the fridge.

Hybrid inverter / charger = gizmo that has both in one box.

If the charger side of your setup can put out a lot of current, then it's going to pull a lot of power off of 120V. I see over 11A at 120V when my batteries are being charged. That 11A plus the 15 A the AC likely pulls gets you up to 26A. That is well over the 23A that a Honda 3000 will supply on a continuous basis.

Bob

[HHPJ]

Question:

I have been dry camping in Santa Fe, NM, 2200 Honda Generator, with easy start, and have ran into the same problem.

Will switching the battery to “Store” keep the invertercharger from using the amps to charge the battery?

Thanks you all Rock!
Hart

[Bill M.]

Good you found the problem. I have to turn off my converter to run the microwave or the AC in my 30 amp trailer with a Honda 2000.

Switching to store will shut down the fridge. Look for the breaker to the converter.

[mikextr]

Originally Posted by HHPJ

Question:

I have been dry camping in Santa Fe, NM, 2200 Honda Generator, with easy start, and have ran into the same problem.

Will switching the battery to “Store” keep the invertercharger from using the amps to charge the battery?

Thanks you all Rock!
Hart

You're at about 7200 ft elevation in Santa Fe. Even with EasyStart, it's likely that your generator just can't produce enough power to run the AC at that elevation. I was boondocking at Angel Fire a couple of weeks ago and tested my Honda EU 2200 to see if could run the 15K AC with EasyStart at 9000 ft. Nope. It would not run the AC. The compressor would start and run then shut off after a few minutes. Checked for damage when I got home and the combo worked fine at near sea level.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

An EU2200 has a rated running power of 1800W. That's 15A at 120V. Your A/C, even with an Easystart can pul 14 to 16 amps depending on conditions. Toss in altitude and you have multiple problems ....

Bob