The smaller motorhome in my signature has a 5500w Generac generator that is not producing current at higher loads. The generator starts and runs fine when using the coffee maker or the microwave, but when I turn on the AC, the compressor will run for about 10 minutes and then the generator stops producing any current to the motorhome but the Gen does stay running.
If I shut the Gen off and restart it, it starts producing current again as long as I don't run the AC more than a few minutes.
Why would the Gen stop power after 10 minutes of using the AC?
If I shut the Gen off and restart it, it starts producing current again as long as I don't run the AC more than a few minutes.
Why would the Gen stop power after 10 minutes of using the AC?
larry barnhart wrote:hotjag1 wrote:
Generac service center did a lot of testing and determined that when the GEN was under heavy load (AC) the voltage regulator would get warm and the voltage would increase. When that happened an internal resetting circuit breaker would open and cut power output from the GEN.
The voltage regulator under lighter loads such as coffee maker or microwave wasn't drawing enough power to heat up the voltage regulator as this only happened with the AC on. They replaced the voltage regulator and ran the AC for over an hour and everything worked as designed. $100 labor and $100 regulator and so far, so good.
Where did you get the repair done?
chevman
Yakima Generator...98902 They are a factory authorized service center for Onan, Generac, Champion, and a couple of other brands. I definitely thought they were reasonably priced and knowledgeable and I was able to watch and ask questions the entire time that the tech was diagnosing everything.
Generac service center did a lot of testing and determined that when the GEN was under heavy load (AC) the voltage regulator would get warm and the voltage would increase. When that happened an internal resetting circuit breaker would open and cut power output from the GEN.
The voltage regulator under lighter loads such as coffee maker or microwave wasn't drawing enough power to heat up the voltage regulator as this only happened with the AC on. They replaced the voltage regulator and ran the AC for over an hour and everything worked as designed. $100 labor and $100 regulator and so far, so good.
The voltage regulator under lighter loads such as coffee maker or microwave wasn't drawing enough power to heat up the voltage regulator as this only happened with the AC on. They replaced the voltage regulator and ran the AC for over an hour and everything worked as designed. $100 labor and $100 regulator and so far, so good.
D.E.Bishop wrote:
From past experience I can tell you that if the brushes are not in contact with the slip rings your generator will shut down.
My suggestion is to first check the circuit breakers on the genny.
The circuit breakers aren't tripped, and as soon as I shut the Gen down and restart, I have power again. I have located a Generac repair facility about 3 hours from my home and have made an appointment to have them look at it on Thursday. Generac repair facilities are far and few between, but I will report what they find out.
I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions that I have received about this problem. Thank-you!
way2roll wrote:
Since it continues to run, it sounds more like the ATS than the overheat shutdown. Does anything else other than the AC continue to run? Is there a code on the panel?
When the Gen cuts power, nothing in the coach works. When this happens, I checked with a meter and there is no power to the ATS. The odd thing is that when I personally shut down the Gen and then retart it a minute later, I have power to the coach again. I'm wondering if worn brushes or contacts would do this when a heavy load is put on the Gen.
akrv wrote:
Went to a rally in Cashmere WA it was a 100 degrees the whole time. Every one that had 5500 generacs would shutdown when the AC was running and air temp got over 98 degrees. Turns out there is a high temp oil switch maybe yours has same problem. Almost all the units were 98-2004
That's a good thought as it has been pretty hot here. Did the Gens quit running or stop producing power? Mine keeps running but power output stops.
