|
|
08-14-2014, 06:01 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 47
|
Generator Dies When Air Conditioner Is Turned On
I have a 2015 sunseeker 3170ds. Onan 4k generator and dometic AC unit. I have ran the air conditioner in the past while on the generator and it worked fine. Now when I turn on the AC the generator dies. Even with everything off.
During trouble shooting. I started the Generator. Turned on the dometic AC fan (not air conditioning). Turned on the water pump and water heater. Turned on three TVs. Then I microwaved water for 30 sec. The generator died when there was 5 seconds left. I was trying to rule out the generator thinking it may be the surge capacitor on the AC. I have no way of determining my load. Does this sound like a normal load for a 4k generator to shut down?
By the way, the AC works great on site power with no issues. I am still under warranty but I would have to drive 3 hours for the service plus lose my RV for a while.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 06:06 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
|
Fuel and air filter changed?
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 06:09 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Crawfordville, Florida
Posts: 610
|
I have a 4700 and it can be a challenge at times to keep running. So here is what I do.....run gen with no load for 20-30 min then turn a/c on low fan, seems to run great when gets a real long warm up.
__________________
Jerry. Vietnam vet.
Retired
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 06:11 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 317
|
It's a guess but from the description of your troubleshooting it sounds like your generator is not putting out enough juice. The water heater and microwave should be able to run together. The other items mentioned don't take that much.
In my experience, my main breaker will trip before my generator runs short. To give you an idea of what is enough to trip it, we had ac, elec water heater, microwave and coffee pot on. All was well until the girls cranked up the elec fry pan 😀. That tripped the main 30 amp breaker. But it didn't kill the generator.
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:26 PM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 47
|
The generator only has 15 hours on it. I don't think a filter can be the problem.
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:34 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
|
Don't forget the electrical load of the refrigerator. If it is in Auto it will automatically switch from propane to electricity when electricity is available from either the shore line or the generator.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:37 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 47
|
Anyone else have a similar issue?
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:41 PM
|
#8
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
4000 watts is roughly 33 amps.
Is that surge watts or running watts?
A/c approximately 14 amps
Microwave approximately 14 amps
Converter approx 3-4 amps
TV x 3 approximately 9 amps
I'd say your maxed out!
Look at this for help.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...aws-17300.html
TURBS
"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:45 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
|
What is your altitude? Like all engines without a turbocharger the generator loses power with altitude. There's an altitude adjustment on the generator carburetor that will help if over 3000 feet.
I suggest switching refrigerator from auto to gas and turn off the water heater electric switch. Generator should carry A/C and all the remaining loads - battery charger, lights, refrigerator control board, lp/co detector.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:50 PM
|
#10
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 47
|
I have no idea. Can you tell me? See picture.
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:54 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
|
No idea about what? Replies seem to have crossed.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 08:55 PM
|
#12
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
Looks like 4000 watts running.
FYI
Typical power output change based on ambient conditions:
- Temperature: Power output decreases 1% for every 10° F (5.5° C) increase
- Altitude: Power output decreases 3.5% for every 1000 ft (305 m) increase
TURBS
"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:03 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
|
Adding to Turbs standard temperature is about 60 degrees F. At 100 F would loose 4% and if at 5000 ft also loose another 18%. If loaded at sea level could be over at this condition.
I think like Turbs the TV's and other loads are just too much with microwave and water heater and/or A/C. Start with A/C only and add other loads.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:05 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 47
|
I am on the coast. 0 altitude. I have everything off, including fridge. When the compressor kicks on the generator dies. I verified the altimeter setting. It is on zero.
Thanks for all you help guys. I guess I may just have to take it in.
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:05 PM
|
#15
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RamblerGuy
Adding to Turbs standard temperature is about 60 degrees F. At 100 F would loose 4% and if at 5000 ft also loose another 18%. If loaded at sea level could be over at this condition.
I think like Turbs the TV's and other loads are just too much with microwave and water heater and/or A/C. Start with A/C only and add other loads.
|
The a/c and microwave alone are quite possibly 28 amps. [emoji106]
TURBS
"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:23 PM
|
#16
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jlklingejr
I am on the coast. 0 altitude. I have everything off, including fridge. When the compressor kicks on the generator dies. I verified the altimeter setting. It is on zero.
Thanks for all you help guys. I guess I may just have to take it in.
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
|
with all due respect I don't think the generator has a problem.
I think you're just overloading it.
TURBS
"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:26 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
|
There have been some bad fuel pumps. That may be your problem.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:28 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: iowa
Posts: 285
|
that generator should trip the breaker long before it dies due to overload. I would be looking at the fuel system. The onans have had a history of bad fuel pumps.
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:36 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
|
Depends on the load. I've had generator stall before breaker tripped when AC started. Was so fast breaker did not have time to respond. If AC was already running and say water heater came on which has little inrush load above normal amps breaker may trip first.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 09:44 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 202
|
I have same generator, runs everything no problems. I did have a bad fuel pump with less than 5 hours run time, in my case it wouldn't start.
2014 Sunseeker 3050S
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
__________________
2014 Sunseeker 3050S
Honda CRV (TOAD)
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|