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donandmax's avatar
donandmax
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014

Koehler 5 confidant generator

My genny is supposed to run both ac units. When I start the front ac everything runs perfect and gen. is still putting out 120V. After a few minutes I switch on the second ac and it immediately kills the gen. It used to drag the voltage down to 90 volts but would hold now when the second ac is switched in it kills the gen. like right now. Anybody got an idea of whats causing this. ?

38 Replies

  • BurbMan wrote:
    Will the rear a/c start and run if you start that one first without the front running? Interesting to see if they behave the same way if you start them in the reverse order, ie, will the front a/c kill the gen if you try to start it with the rear a/c running?

    He's right if want to test but be carful making the gen die with a load can tear something up in the gen.
    I would start by testing with a clamp on meter testing ac1 how many amps its pulling at start and how many running and then with ac1 off test the the amp pull of ac2 .
    Also what else is running while trying to run both ac's .
    You need to add up amps before you mess something up in the gen.
  • Will the rear a/c start and run if you start that one first without the front running? Interesting to see if they behave the same way if you start them in the reverse order, ie, will the front a/c kill the gen if you try to start it with the rear a/c running?
  • Kpackpackkelley wrote:
    How many amps is your gen rated for ? Is it a 120 volt only or a 120/240 ? Does it have two breakers or one at the gen ?
    Model and serial number would help a lot. If its a 30amp gen it's not made for 2 ac's

    Model 5ckm 110V amps 41.7 240 V 20.8 amps.
  • Kpackpackkelley wrote:
    If your gen is 5 k there's probably 2 breakers maybe a 30 and a 20. The second ac is probably on the 20 or the gen is wired to get the full output there's a lot of searching to do in your main panel with a multi meter.
    If your going to track all this you better be ready for some hair pulling or find a rv tech that you trust.

    Your right on all counts (2 breakers) they never trip...Yeah, think I need some pro help..
  • I'm not a big generator type, but Kohler was know for voltage regulator problems. I can see how two AC's might pull down the voltage signaling the Kohler board to shut down the generator as a safety.
  • If your gen is 5 k there's probably 2 breakers maybe a 30 and a 20. The second ac is probably on the 20 or the gen is wired to get the full output there's a lot of searching to do in your main panel with a multi meter.
    If your going to track all this you better be ready for some hair pulling or find a rv tech that you trust.
  • How many amps is your gen rated for ? Is it a 120 volt only or a 120/240 ? Does it have two breakers or one at the gen ?
    Model and serial number would help a lot. If its a 30amp gen it's not made for 2 ac's

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