Generator can only run AC with everything else off

[sato4000]

I've have a durostar 4400 peak 3500 watt generator. It runs everything but the AC fine without any issues. To power the AC however I have to turn all of the other breakers off except for the main and the AC otherwise the breaker on the generator will flip. Is this normal? The AC is a roof mounted dometic in a coachmen freedom express toy hauler. Does this mean with everything off except for the AC the AC is pulling close to 3500 watts continious? When i got the trailer brand new I had issues with the water pump. Come to find out they had wired it backwards at the factory and burned out the motor. I'm not an electrician but just wondering if something else could be wired wrong or something to have it drain that much power.

[ken07734]

I myself have a problem where I cannot use the 30 amp shore power as it trips the breaker on the pedestal at every park I go to. I have been using the 50 amp with the adaptor...I also can only use my generator with the main and the A/C breakers on only.

[RoyB]

You certainly have to really watch the way some of these generators are rated.

A typical 4000WATT generator may have two 120VAC receptacles that only gives you 2000WATTs each. There may be no single receptacle on the unit that will give you the total rated output or if there is you think you can get the full rated output from the 20AMP receptacles because you don't have the right adapter cord to use the one single receptacle.... You may find this by reading the manual but it will be in some small area somewhere in the instructions and doesn't catch your eye.

Note this Champion Generator rated at 6000WATTS Starting /5000WATTs running



When you look at the specs real close you find a different story...


When using the connector (4) with the appropriate RV30A adapter you only have 2500WATTs available to use

When using the 120VAC Receptacles (5) you only 2400WATTS available in each of the two separate receptacles.

And of course you really only get to use about 90% of these rated WATTS on top of that...

There is no single connector here to run your 30A trailer with the 5000WATTS you was expecting to have.

Have to be knowledgeable on what you are buying it seems

Roy Ken

[wa8yxm]

YOu may need to install a "Hard Start" kit on the A/C. this limits the inrush current on the compressor and makes it easier to start.

Fact is the A/C can easily draw 50-60 amps for an instant when it's starting, Usually NOT long enough to stall the generator or trip the breaker...

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Maybe it's a Green Acres thing? :B Remember that?

[JiminDenver]

We have a 350/4000 and it won't run the AC and the microwave at the same time. At 5280 ft it will run the AC and the converter but I have to shut the converter off at 9-10,000 ft. The converter can pull a lot of Watts and high altitude cuts the generators power

[flylipsdaddy]

You may have the water heater running when the switch is on and not be aware of it.My 3000 honda won't run the air and the water heater at the same time,or the air and the microwave either.When they are pushed to capacity,it doesn't take much to pop a circuit on my Generator.

[sato4000]

turner66 wrote:
Maybe you've already considered this, and I don't know much about your specific brand of generator, but most portables have multiple outlets, with varying ratings, and seperate circuit breakers for each (or at least a breaker per group of outlets). It would be important to understand which circuit you're plugged into and the rating/protection on that particular circuit.

For example, I bet you have at least one 120v outlet rated and protected at 20A. If you were plugged into this one, I can easily see how you can have issues running more than the AC. In fact, my larger 15k AC draws right at 19A running on a 100 deg day.

You probably only have a single outlet which is capable of delivering the full output of the generator and that would be a 30A twistlock. If you're using this one and still tripping the gen breaker, I would get a clamp on amp meter and see what the draw really is when it trips. It could be tripping early, or you may have something that is just drawing more than it's normal rating.

Good luck

Yes I am using the 30amp twist lock.

[turner66]

Maybe you've already considered this, and I don't know much about your specific brand of generator, but most portables have multiple outlets, with varying ratings, and seperate circuit breakers for each (or at least a breaker per group of outlets). It would be important to understand which circuit you're plugged into and the rating/protection on that particular circuit.

For example, I bet you have at least one 120v outlet rated and protected at 20A. If you were plugged into this one, I can easily see how you can have issues running more than the AC. In fact, my larger 15k AC draws right at 19A running on a 100 deg day.

You probably only have a single outlet which is capable of delivering the full output of the generator and that would be a 30A twistlock. If you're using this one and still tripping the gen breaker, I would get a clamp on amp meter and see what the draw really is when it trips. It could be tripping early, or you may have something that is just drawing more than it's normal rating.

Good luck

[sato4000]

Water heater and Fridge are on gas but if their circuit breakers are on than the AC won't start or will cut out.

[sato4000]

jackandh2o wrote:
Just got back from a vacation in Wyoming. I have a Kipor 3000 and at 6700 ft. I had to turn the converter off to run the genny. At sea level everything runs just fine.

Ray

How do you turn the converter off?

[sato4000]

The AC works great on shore power. When the AC is running on the generator if I turn on any of the breakers other then main or AC the circuit breaker on the generator immedietely breaks and the AC stops.

[jackandh2o]

Just got back from a vacation in Wyoming. I have a Kipor 3000 and at 6700 ft. I had to turn the converter off to run the genny. At sea level everything runs just fine.

Ray

[Sandia_Man]

If your AC works OK on shore power, it appears that your generator is not supplying rated power and nowhere near it's surge rating as it should easily operate your rig's AC with power to spare.

[bgum]

Is the water heater and frig on gas rather than elec?

[2oldman]

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