AC cuts off with Generator

The 5500 generator should easily handle the two ACs. Is the generator set to summer on the air intake?. Is the oil level full? Will it run continuously without AC?

kokois1 wrote:
Thanks everyone I will try a few of the suggestions and see if it does make a difference. The AC does, I have two units, does run well on shore power. As you have suggested I may be overloading the generator which is a 5500.

I'm thinking that even two smaller 13.5K btu A/C units could overload a 5500 generator if they are both trying to start at the same time, especially if you have anything else running at the time. You might even get an overload situation if you have one A/C running and attempt to start the other unit while power is being drawn by frig, converter, lights, etc. I'd try shutting everything off, start one unit and then wait a minute and then try starting the other unit to see what happens.

Beyond that you might consider installing start capacitors on the A/C units to given the generator some assistance in getting the A/C units started. There is a huge power surge when A/C units start.

Thanks everyone I will try a few of the suggestions and see if it does make a difference. The AC does, I have two units, does run well on shore power. As you have suggested I may be overloading the generator which is a 5500.

It's a power thing. Your generator is not putting out enough amps to supply the AC. Try running the generator for 15 to 30 seconds before turning on the AC and start by turning it on low cool. Especially if it is very hot outside. I have had to turn my frig on gas and turn the breaker on my microwave so less draw on generator for awhile. My AC can also trip the 30 amp electrical if I go to med or high cool asap.

If your generator has an electronic control system, it could be shutting off based on the status of the charge in your battery. It's been a while since I had owned a gas unit, but my current diesel system has a lot of selectable features on the control board that could give one a headache just getting it to run right.

Does the A/C unit start/run on shore power?

Is the generate still supply power when the A/C shuts down or did the generator overload protection kick in shutting down power from the generator?

Some generators have overload protection that will should off output power if the overload protection kicks in. The generator may continue to run but NOT produce power.

There may also be some type of circuit protection on the A/C unit that shuts the unit down if the compressor doesn't start after a certain period of time. If the A/C runs on shore power and only shuts down when you try to start it with the generator the A/C unit may be overloading the generator on start-up.