A/C on generator question

CA Traveler wrote:
Again you've got to fix the DC problem first, ie the light problem. Many controllers use DC including A/Cs and won't operate without DC. The outlets indicate they are now on the 30A CB as expected.

I suspect that someone has changed/modified your rig wiring/equipment beyond what you've just found. Given what you've posted it's strange that you have lights except when a gen CB is tripped. Also the gen should continue to run with CBs tripped.

Double check: The lights are OK w/o gen or shore power indicating at least some battery power, correct?

Given what you've posted I'm not surprised that you haven't gotten "straight answers".

Thanks CA Traveler. Lights are fine on battery, and on shore power. They're fine on generator UNTIL either generator CB trips. The generator does continue to run with either or both CBs tripped. (Not withstanding the one time I saw the generator stop. I ran it several hours yesterday with CBs in various states and it never stopped running.)

dougrainer wrote:
Yes, he should have 12 volt lights in the RV, But, That will not cause his Genset breaker tripping problem. The Black/yellow stripe Genset wires designate which is 20 and 30 amp wire feed If you look on those 2 wires you will see a 20 and a 30 on the appropriate wire. That is an Onan color code. Since you have 50 amp service, it takes BOTH the 20 and 30 amp breaker to engage the Auto transfer box. I assumed you had a 30 amp service RV, which my post was correct on for a 30 amp RV with a 5500 genset. Now, at this point go back and reverse the black wires on the Genset feed to get it back to Factory spec. Make sure everything 120 is OFF and run the Genset and then run just both AC units. IF the 20 amp breaker still trips, I would suspect you have a rear AC that is defective and the compressor is pulling too many amps. IF SO, connect to 50 amp service and run the AC units, IF the rear AC trips ITS 20 amp breaker in your main breaker panel, you have a problem with that AC unit. If you had your unit in my shop, the FIRST thing I would do is a performance/AMP check of the Rear AC to see if it is operating to spec. If Good, then I would trace the reason the the amp draw tripping the breaker which may be the Front AC which I would also Performance/Amp check, to rule out both AC units. Doug

Thanks Doug. I will put the wires back to their original state and do as you've stated. (I didn't see the 20 or 30 on the wires though it may have been there and I missed it. They said "cb1-load" and "cb2-load" though.)

I may not be able to connect to a 50 amp service since I'm at home now and only have access to regular household outlets. (15 amps? 20?) Regardless, I'll do what troubleshooting I can.