Hey all,Traveling through Florida, getting a bit warm. We decided to turn the generator on and run the ac. Well, the ac won't run. It worked about a month ago this way.We've tried with inverter on and off. Noticing our load meter isn't lit up. Frig and Kool Matic fan and microwave are getting power.Any thoughts?

Have you checked the circuit breaker which is dedicated to the roof AC?? could be tripped which would not affect the other items you mentioned. If the AC circuit breaker is tripped, you may have a problem with the AC unit, possibly need a "hard start" capacitor.

OP: right after posting I realized that I forgot to mention that I checked the circuit breakers. Nothing tripped. Flipped them off and then on again for good measure.There is power to the ac controls/thermostat. Everything was working this morning while plugged in.

Can you hear the compressor come on? I had two motors freeze up two weeks apart.

Check the circuit breakers on the generatorMany RVs with 30 amp service have, the a/c on one of the breakers, and one breaker for the rest of the houseSo you can trip the a/c 20 amp breaker on the generator, and have the problem you describe

Have you measured electrical output of generator? Also - as AC age they take more "juice" to start up - sometimes a hard start capacitor can help.

AC on Generator | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

k_jensen6
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2015
OP: It was the generator breaker. :)
Thanks all,
wolfe10
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Yup, start by turning the two on-generator breakers OFF and back ON.
k_jensen6
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2015
OP: we no nothing about this kind of stuff.

wasn't sure if the inverter had anything to do with it or not. That's why I tried with it both off and on. No problem with generator starting, ac control unit works, (lights up and can change settings), ac just doesn't power on.

Will check generator breakers upon arrival at destination.

We did have the oil in the generator changed a week ago.

Will keep you posted.

Thank you for your suggestions.
JimM68
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
More details on the RV and the problem, please?

If we're talking a big coach with a house inverter, everything you mentioned as "does work" runs off the inverter.

The a/c control circuits and fan run on 12 volts, battery power. Only the compressor needs the genny or shore power.

Does your EMS show genny power present?

I'm guessing transfer switch, or possibly the breakers on the genny itself.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2015
k.jensen6 wrote:
We decided to turn the generator on and run the ac. Well, the ac won't run.
We've tried with inverter on and off.
What exactly happens when it 'won't run'? Is it just silent? Does the generator lug, or sound like it's working? Is the electric WH on?

What does an inverter have to do with it?
rv2go
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2015
Did the transfer switch work? Do you have electrical power to other devices?
ksg5000
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2015
Have you measured electrical output of generator? Also - as AC age they take more "juice" to start up - sometimes a hard start capacitor can help.
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 10, 2015
Check the circuit breakers on the generator
Many RVs with 30 amp service have, the a/c on one of the breakers, and one breaker for the rest of the house
So you can trip the a/c 20 amp breaker on the generator, and have the problem you describe
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2015
Can you hear the compressor come on? I had two motors freeze up two weeks apart.
k_jensen6
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2015
OP: right after posting I realized that I forgot to mention that I checked the circuit breakers. Nothing tripped. Flipped them off and then on again for good measure.

There is power to the ac controls/thermostat. Everything was working this morning while plugged in.