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Noisey A/C when start up Generator

ryder1100
Explorer
Explorer
have '96 Fleetwood class C Jamboree Rallye and when starting generator I get a noise coming from the roof top A/C and the generator labors and struggles until I shut the A/C breaker off and generator becomes full power. A/C does fine in cooling but need to keep breaker in off position until needed. The thermostat is in off position when staring generator.
Anyone out there experienced this or know what my problem is??
Kind regards,
Ryder 1100
11 REPLIES 11

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
ryder1100 wrote:
The thermostat is in off position when staring generator.
If this is true then I have no idea why the a/c is trying to run.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

Rick_Jay
Explorer II
Explorer II
ryder1100,

It would help us a bit if you answered the questions that were asked. There are numerous possibilities.

Do you notice any problem with the A/C starting when on shore power? Or is it on the generator only?

"...and when starting generator I get a noise coming from the roof top A/C and the generator labors and struggles until I shut the A/C breaker off and generator becomes full power."

Are you saying that with the A/C off at the thermostat and you try to start the generator, the A/C is loading down the generator? Or are you trying to start the generator with the A/C on?

As mentioned previously, as many loads as possible should be off when starting the generator and off when shutting it down.

I had a relay fail in one of our A/Cs that caused the A/C to be on all of the time. It wouldn't shut down except by the breaker. Does your A/C exhibit this behavior?

Our rig has a transfer switch to switch the power from shore power to generator power. When starting the generator, there is about a 30 second delay before the generator output is connected to the motorhome. Do you have a transfer switch? If so, perhaps that timer circuit isn't working properly.

Also, I believe your air conditioner has a hard-start capacitor in it. It's purpose is to ease the load upon startup. Perhaps that is failing, or has failed.

If it's not any of those, then perhaps there is a problem with the generator output. How many hours are on it? Has it been serviced regularly?

~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy Cruise Master 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (27-Angel since 2008), 1 girl (22), 2 boys (23 & 20).
2001 Honda Odyssey, Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.

ryder1100
Explorer
Explorer
The best info that has been given to me is from Dave & Kathy when they stated that in my original post that the A/C is off at the thermostat!
Thanks D & K.

Still no fix or solid info.

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
ryder1100 wrote:
.. when starting generator I get a noise coming from the roof top A/C and the generator labors and struggles until I shut the A/C breaker off and generator becomes full power.0
Hmm.. how long have you been operating it this way?
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

cgmartine
Explorer
Explorer
In some motorhomes, when turning the thermostat off, it takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes for the ac to shut off. Once the load is off, then the generator can be turned off. Just one question...does your ac make the same noise when connected to shore power?

2chiefsRus
Explorer
Explorer
We Cant Wait wrote:
Turn the A/C OFF at the thermostat. Start Gen let it warm up , then turn A/C back on. Easy Peasy Simple.


The original post indicates that the poster already has the AC off at the thermostat. Anything else to suggest??
Dave & Kathy
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Rick_Jay
Explorer II
Explorer II
gbopp,

You are correct. In fact, for all engines, it is best to remove the load before shutting them down.

~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy Cruise Master 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (27-Angel since 2008), 1 girl (22), 2 boys (23 & 20).
2001 Honda Odyssey, Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I believe the reverse also applies when shutting down the generator.

Remove the load from the generator BEFORE shutting down.

We_Cant_Wait
Explorer
Explorer
Turn the A/C OFF at the thermostat. Start Gen let it warm up , then turn A/C back on. Easy Peasy Simple.

cgmartine
Explorer
Explorer
All appliances, in particular the ac and microwave, should be off whenever you turn on the generator. Allow the generator to reach full operating power, then turn on the ac. If your generator seems to struggle under a full load, then perhaps it may need some fine tuning.

1492
Moderator
Moderator
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