help from the electrical wizards

dockmasterdave wrote:
Based on other people saying the Wen 2000I ran their 13,500 ac I got one.

Your first mistake. :W

I understand that what works for 1 person might not work for another.

Apparently not, as wishful thinking overcame your "understanding" ... what made you think you'd be the exception? :R

It worked perfectly for almost 2 hours then went into overload.

Of course it did but that doesn't mean the genset still wasn't running right at the edge of it's capability. What Mr Wizard refers to as "heat creep" is an increase in compressor head pressure - the longer it runs, the greater the heat load it has to deal with, so the more head pressure will increase. The compressor increasingly wants to draw even more power from a generator that can't supply it so what happens? - the only thing it can, it goes into overload and if properly designed shuts off power to it's output receptacles, thereby protecting the genset's inverter. You should be happy this happened, not discouraged. :R

Bottom line - while your genset may initially successfully start and run your A/C under some conditions there's no guarantee it will continue to successfully cycle the compressor as temperatures rise or as operating elevation increases. If that's your expectation then you need a genset with greater capacity.

And yes, I've been there with two different Honda EU2000i gensets, three different A/C units all equipped with a SUPCO SPP6 hard start cap. ;)

Most likely you are right on the edge of having enough power. If I had to guess, I would say the electrical cables are heating up causing the resistance to go up. The increased resistance is more than the generator can handle. Once the cable cools, the generator can start and the cycle repeats itself.

dockmasterdave wrote:
.... Based on other people saying the Wen 2000I ran their 13,500 ac I got one........

I bought the same one on a WOOT sale. It does run my microwave but the AC puts it into overload. I didn't expect it to run the AC but I tried anyway.

thanks mrwizard.
I'm not sure if it overload due to cycling or just increased heat in the genny.
Looks like I made a mistake, and bought too small for "MY" a/c.
I knew it was a possibility, now to figure out the best way to remedy this.
Thanks everyone.

A Start kit, only helps prevent overload from the high start up current of the compressor, the lock rotor surge amps
It will not help with 'Heat Creep'
Where the load amps goes up because of the increased load trying to cool the RV as outside temps rise, and compressor heat up

Turn the A/C to full cold all the way up so the compressor stays on and does not cycle
If it will not stay running, the only thing you can do is get a bigger generator

It is a start capacitor. Your generator already starts the air conditioner. The capacitor may help with voltage sagging when the compressor starts, but it can't increase the VA output from the generator.

dockmasterdave wrote:
Pianotuna

Can you tell me why you don't think it will work?
I ordered the capacitor. I don't mind being out $19.00, but if it is not likely to work, will any harm be done by putting it in?


This recent thread gave me hope I wouldn't have to spend a lot of money, by my standard, to have a back up for a/c.

Running Generator at Near Max Capacity

dockmasterdave wrote:
Running Generator at Near Max Capacity

You need more generator.

dockmasterdave wrote:
Last try, all breakers were off except main, and a/c.
it ran about 45 mins, and overloaded again.

This overload was with all breakers off except main and A/C correct?

Does seem odd that the air conditioner would start-run and later overload.
Did the compressor cycle off and back on?
Are you using eco mode?

Best I can say is that you need to measure the power being used and see if it is within the rated amount. One of those kill-a-watt meters should give you a good picture of what is happening.

Pianotuna

Can you tell me why you don't think it will work?
I ordered the capacitor. I don't mind being out $19.00, but if it is not likely to work, will any harm be done by putting it in?


This recent thread gave me hope I wouldn't have to spend a lot of money, by my standard, to have a back up for a/c.

Running Generator at Near Max Capacity

No, it is not likely to work.

dockmasterdave wrote:
After reading up on the hard start capacitor mod, it sounds like this might work.
Any words of warning, or is this pretty much a safe mod for a novice?