pianotuna wrote:
Hi mlts,
Warm up the generator for at least five minutes. Run a toaster or other high draw appliance and then switch on the air conditioner. Try it with the eco switch in the off position. Add a hard start capacitor to the air conditioner. Some folks have added relays so the fan motor starts after the compressor (or is it the other way round?).
I have a 13500 btu Dometic and the Yamaha 3000 iSEB. If I watch the voltage on starting in eco mode, the voltage sometimes drops to 90.
I just got my magnum "boost" inverter so I'm hoping that will take care of this low voltage event. I'll probably try to write a report about it soon.
You read my mind. I don't use eco mode with the A/C (as I know the generator won't spin up in time to eat 60 locked rotor amps that are thrown in its face.) I also run the generator in steps... firing it up, waiting 60 seconds, firing up the microwave for a minute on two cups of water, turning on the A/C fan (not the compressor), waiting until the microwave finishes, then after that, reaching for the thermostat and engaging the compressor. I leave my fridge in gas mode so it won't add its 300-400 watts to the equation when power comes on.
If I were keeping this rig for a long time, I'd pony up for the "hybrid" inverter you mention, which cures the voltage sag by drawing from the batteries.
However, I'm looking to move to a TC, short "C", or a "B" motorhome once I actually get vacation time (no point in bothering until then), and since I should have a built in genset with those, this problem will be moot then, although I would probably see about the Magnum converter/inverter if there is space for it, so my appliances are isolated from the surges/sags of shore power.
