Cannot run A/C while at highway speeds

Corkey05 wrote:
It's also possible at higher speeds a vacuum condition develops around the generators reducing the air required for cooling. The generators may be shutting down from high (over) heat limits.

This has certainly occurred to me, but the generators are going into their "overload" mode, meaning, they shut down output AC and continue to idle. I am not familiar enough with the EU2000i to know if high temperature can force such a condition.

Ductape wrote:
Just to verify- your gens are still both running, but the overload lights are on? If yes, that rules out oil safety.

Yes, the overload lights are on on both generators, not the low oil light.

What is really perplexing is that I can run them with the "Eco" mode off, which essentially runs them wide open. Granted, they are not under a load as when they are running the AC, but when run wide open, in the exact same configuration as with the AC running, they run all day without going into an overload condition. This includes leaving all circuits in the trailer to "on", including the converter.

Ductape wrote:

What kind of stat, mercury or solid state? Does it have a restart delay?

It is a solid state thermostat, not a mercury tube. So I do not believe it is cycling. I do not have the model handy for it though. I am relatively certain that it has a restart delay.

Vacuum buildup is certainly something that I was leaning toward, but in the AC unit, not in the generators. I am not ruling it out, but I could certainly replicate the full load on the generators with several household space heaters. This would get the generators under a full load (but resistive, not inductive, so not a perfect test). I was really wondering what in the world in the AC could cause such a current draw, that it could force both gensets into overload, without tripping the AC breaker.

The suggestion about a max hold amperage measurement is a great idea. I do have a current probe for both DC and AC. I'll see what data that gives me. I can also probably rig something up (an AC light?) that will give me an indication of what speed is the culprit and how long it takes for it to overload. At this point, all I know is that it shuts down. I don't know how long it takes to get to that state.

Thanks for all the info. I appreciate everyone's well thought answers! And for those of you who said it's a real pickle, I believe you are right.....

Scott