Running the AC from the Onan

Mr.Mark wrote:
I'm still trying to get my hair to lay back down after trying Doug's '120 volt test'..... that genny makes juice with no delay!

:E

MM.

correct and if the control board does not sense 120V the genny will shut down

Simple way for me to tell is... BEFORE I turn on power or turn off power, I make sure all major appliances are turned off inside the coach. Then, I start the genset, go inside and wait for the microwave clock to start flashing. Then I turn on the A/C units one at a time. I've had the electric water heater, both A/Cs (13.5 and a 15) and a hair dryer running OR the microwave running....but not both. So far, everything seems to run just fine off the genset. And it DOES take about 2-3 minutes for the power to switch on after starting the genset.

dougrainer wrote:

Groover wrote:
My 6,000 watt Onan quiet diesel will not start both air conditions at the same time. I have to be sure that at least one is off when I start the generator or they will trip the main breaker. Once I get one running and that they are starting randomly I have not had any isues. This is really annoying but I have not found a good (and easy) solution to it yet.

It should. The only thing that would cause it is, the RARE time BOTH AC compressors would start at the EXACT same time. Since the compressors only pull a 1 to 2 second hi amp start load, the odds of yours everytime starting within that 1 to 2 seconds is astronomical. You don't state what year and brand RV, but if you have a 1500 to 3000 watt Inverter/Charger and it is set to HI AMP battery charging that will cause an extra 11 to 14 AC amp draw on the system, which will kill or trip a breaker on a Genset. The fix is to reset the Charger amp draw to a lower setting to get it down below 6 amps. Doug

PS, HOW many motorhomes do you own??????? You posted 9/17/2017 you put all new tires on your Newmar and on 9/18/2017 you posted you had a 35 Pallazo????

I own a 2013 Pallazo 33.3 but I did make some remarks about that time on the thread about super singles. I am sorry if that confused you. Since my Pallazo is already 4 1/2 years old I am already thinking ahead to what I am going to do in another year or so when I feel compelled to put new rubber on it.

As far as both AC's starting at the same time, they are on the same circuit from the generator along with the 100amp battery charger and they all get energized simultaneously. The thermostats are electronic and seem to have identical delays on starting the compressors. The three devices combined have a running draw of about 32amps and there are two or three 30amp breakers and one 35amp breaker in the line. They are Penguin II air conditions and thermostats. I would like to change the time delay on one of the thermostats if possible. I believe that just a second or two would solve the problem.

I'm still trying to get my hair to lay back down after trying Doug's '120 volt test'..... that genny makes juice with no delay!

:E

MM.

iam pretty sure we all know what I was saying in that its normal from the time a gen set in a RV starts and the power finaly gets to the AC and the ac delay start kicks in and the ac finally runs can take 3-5 minutes LOL

gutfelt wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

gutfelt wrote:
all MH generators run for a minute or three before the 120V power is produced and the ATS is activated add to that all AC units also have start delay no matter gen power or shore power
so the whole deal sounds fine especially after 21 years

NOT TRUE. Once the Genset is running at 1800 RPM's(5 to 10 seconds after start) IT IS PRODUCING 120 VOLTS! Don't believe me? Take the Genset 120 wires loose from the Junction box and hold them in your hand and crank the Genset. At your funeral they will induct you in the Darwin Awards annual list:B

You are confusing the 1 to 2 minute ATS delay. Doug

PS, most Gas Gensets MUST see 120 produced before they stay running from the start switch.

your misunderstanding my post! So as to be less confusing for you I will say by the time u start your gen set and it kicks in the ATS and the AC senses 120V and actually starts the AC it can be 4-5 minutes so in reply to the OP post yes 5 minutes can be normal

I did not misunderstand you. YOU stated it wrong. READ your post again. You stated that "ALL Gensets run a minute or 3 BEFORE 120 is PRODUCED. NOT TRUE. Yes, 1 to 3 minutes BEFORE the ATS closes. You need to edit your original post to reflect the correct operation. Doug

kiwiiam wrote:
If you turn your Generator on while there is a heavy load such as the AC operating, you run a significant risk of damaging/welding the transfer switch. You should turn heavy loads off prior to starting.

although its not recommended to do such its really wont do any damage and really there is no reason any one would do such but have to ask why would you do that and what does it have to do with the subject being discussed here?

If you turn your Generator on while there is a heavy load such as the AC operating, you run a significant risk of damaging/welding the transfer switch. You should turn heavy loads off prior to starting.

dougrainer wrote:

gutfelt wrote:
all MH generators run for a minute or three before the 120V power is produced and the ATS is activated add to that all AC units also have start delay no matter gen power or shore power
so the whole deal sounds fine especially after 21 years

NOT TRUE. Once the Genset is running at 1800 RPM's(5 to 10 seconds after start) IT IS PRODUCING 120 VOLTS! Don't believe me? Take the Genset 120 wires loose from the Junction box and hold them in your hand and crank the Genset. At your funeral they will induct you in the Darwin Awards annual list:B

You are confusing the 1 to 2 minute ATS delay. Doug

PS, most Gas Gensets MUST see 120 produced before they stay running from the start switch.

your misunderstanding my post! So as to be less confusing for you I will say by the time u start your gen set and it kicks in the ATS and the AC senses 120V and actually starts the AC it can be 4-5 minutes so in reply to the OP post yes 5 minutes can be normal

When transferring from SHORE to GENERATOR (or back to shore) Power OFF for THREE FULL MINUTES

An Air conditioner needs that long to "Reset" before power is restored.

On the generator it can take from 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes from the time it actually starts to the time power is delivered (you should hear a CLUNK).

You may count that time as part of the 3 minute down time for the A/C.

Transfering back is usually instant.