We recently traded the old '95 Sportsman for a '05 Cougar. The sportsman ran on two- 6 volt batteries, the new one has two 12 volt batteries. My problem is that my Honda 2000 ran everything fine on the old trailer, except the AC. First trip out with the new trailer and everything runs fine. Then with no additional draw the generator will ramp up to full throttle and overload. Right now we are boondocking and EVERY time I turn on the generator it shuts off. My thoughts are that the inverter draws more power charging the two 12 volt batteries than the two 6 volt. Would going back to two 6 volts solve my problems? Has anyone else had issues like this or can enlighten me to potential problems. Mark and Tracy (Camping with limited power)

Need more input.You don't have your WH on electric do you? Perhaps by inverter you mean inverter/charger?. If you do have an IC the charge rate can be adjusted. The 2000 is capable of about 1800/13 = 138a of charging. That's a lot, and the genny would be screaming. Sounds like something else is on, or the 12v batteries are shot.

Do you have an inverter/charger OR a converter/charger.That 05 Cougar.......is that trailer 50A or 30A? (the 1995 Sportsman was 30A?)I suspect you have a converter/charger.Turn the 110V AC circuit breaker OFF that powers that converter (or un plug from outlet if it isn't hardwired to a CB)Then fire off generator.......if it runs OK then problem is with converter OR those batteriesYou can test converter by disconnecting battery cables......fire up generator....turn converter ON (110V AC circuit breaker ON or plugged back in)... If generator runs OK and converter output is 13.6V DC then batteries are problem Have batteries load tested.

Turn off the electric part of the water heater.

It's not your batteries. Your old RV had a low amp converter that did not draw much from the generator. The new RV has a proper converter that does higher amps when charging the batteries.This means you can't run as many other things with the gen as well as charge the batteries as before until the batteries are charged up more and amps taper down enough to let the gen run those other things.

Might check your batteries. They may be bad and drawing a lot of current..

Generator Overload | Good Sam Community

wolfe10
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013
Yup, need more facts.

If OP has a good inverter/charger, many offer a "Power Share or Power Save" programming option. This limits the amps of 120 VAC that can be used to charge the batteries.

And, as others have mentioned, an electric water heater element is a huge draw.

And automatic on the refrigerator will switch to ELECTRIC as soon as 120 VAC is on. Need to put it to GAS if you don't want it to switch to electric.
Peg_Leg
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013
The fridge being on automatic would cause me a problem once in a while. Once I remember to switch it to gas all seems to be well.

A 3 stage converter may pull you down, depending on other loads, until it kicks down a step. You need to turn off all the breakers but the converter and then start adding circuits one at a time until you find your current hog.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2013
I'm with everyone else. Make sure the water heater and refrigerator are on gas. Anything that heats pulls a lot of amps even at 120v.
rvtunneldanny
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013
Have you checked the oil level in the generator? sounds like it is shutting down due to low oil or not setting level.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 02, 2013
Hi,

What make and model is the converter?
PGCruisers
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013
Hopefully that's not the case as Batteries are brand new
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013
Might check your batteries. They may be bad and drawing a lot of current..
BFL13
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2013
It's not your batteries. Your old RV had a low amp converter that did not draw much from the generator. The new RV has a proper converter that does higher amps when charging the batteries.

This means you can't run as many other things with the gen as well as charge the batteries as before until the batteries are charged up more and amps taper down enough to let the gen run those other things.
Carl_n_Susan
Nomad II
Nov 02, 2013
Turn off the electric part of the water heater.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2013
Do you have an inverter/charger OR a converter/charger.

That 05 Cougar.......is that trailer 50A or 30A? (the 1995 Sportsman was 30A?)

I suspect you have a converter/charger.
Turn the 110V AC circuit breaker OFF that powers that converter (or un plug from outlet if it isn't hardwired to a CB)
Then fire off generator.......if it runs OK then problem is with converter OR those batteries
You can test converter by disconnecting battery cables......fire up generator....turn converter ON (110V AC circuit breaker ON or plugged back in)... If generator runs OK and converter output is 13.6V DC then batteries are problem
Have batteries load tested.

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