Generator - A/C issue

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

This is kind of long but I need to give all the details:
I have a 2019, 2425 Coleman bumper pull RV. I have recently been in some “primitive” camping sites with no services. I have an EF3600ISDE Yamaha generator that is dual fuel (Gasoline or Propane). It is a great unit. Here is my issue and questions:
Yesterday it was warm enough to turn on my RV A/C unit. I had the generator running on propane and in full throttle mode not “eco” mode. The A/C fan came on for a minute or so and the generator stayed at 3450 RPM (normal full throttle mode RPM). When the A/C compressor kicked on the generator advanced a few hundred RPMs and then went into “overload” and cut power to RV. The generator cut back the RPMs and kept running at 3450 RPMs but stayed in overload mode. I cut off A/C, shut down generator, and restarted. Generator came back on and was supplying power to RV. I did not have anything else on in RV such as microwave, coffee pot, ect. I tried again to turn on A/C and same result: power to RV was cut and generator in overload mode. Experimenting, I disconnected propane and tried running generator on gasoline. Basic same result.
I noted that generator ran at 3450 RPM’s before turning on A/C when on propane or gasoline. During several attempts, some times the A/C would run a few minutes longer when compressor cut on than other times but always the generator would then go into overload mode and cut power to RV.
On a whim, I restarted generator and put it in eco mode. It ran at 2650 RPM’s on both gasoline and propane in eco mode, I then cut on A/C and much to my surprise the generator went to 3040 RPM’s and A/C stayed on and power to RV was not cut off. A/C and everything worked fine. When A/C compressor would cut off the generator would cut back to 2650RPMs and when compressor cut on generator would rise to the 3050 RPM range. This was on either propane or gasoline operation.
OK so the solution is to just run in eco mode HOWEVER I have a remote start/stop kit installed on the generator and instructions say “only remote start in full throttle mode and not in eco mode (actually any start up, key or remote, is supposed to be in full throttle mode). If I set up the generator in full throttle mode so I can use the remote start and not have to go outside to start the generator I can’t use A/C without going outside and put generator in eco mode. Kind of renders my remote start feature useless.
Any ides why generator would go into overload mode when set on full throttle mode? Any ideas how to correct this?

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

Reply to Chum Lee question:
Gen is a Yamaha EF6300ISDE. I believe the peak (surge) watts are 6500 with 5500 watts being the rated watts in normal running range. The gen is about 5 years old but only has 185 hours on it. I also think the A/C unit on my RV is rated at 13500 BTU

[Chum_lee]

Glenn And Kitty wrote:
The gen is rated well above the capacity of the A/C and is evident that it is capable of easily handling the load(s) in eco mode as it only rises to 3050 RPMs from 2650 RPMs and does not go into overload. I don't usually do it so as to ease the load on the gen but, with the gen in eco mode, I have had on the A/C, microwave, coffee pot, and electric water heater all at once. The gen did kick up to full throttle speed (3450 RPMs), but it did not go into overload.

If the issue was happening in reverse, that the gen would go into overload when running on eco mode but would handle the A/C compressor kick on in full throttle mode, I would agree with the "hidden" usage idea but since it works fine at the lower eco mode RPM it must be something with the gen advancing when in full throttle mode, even though it should not, that is perhaps causing the overload.

I find no specifications for an "EF3600ISDE" generator made by Yamaha. I am assuming it to be a 3600 watt peak genny, if it exists. (you referenced the above number in your initial post)

I do find one for an "EF6300ISDE" generator. (6300 watts peak) Is that what you mean?

If so, that generator should have plenty of juice to start/run a 13500/15000 BTU AC unit. (and lots of other stuff too) But before you waste more time, can you please confirm this? (or post the actual model that you do have)

Chum lee

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

I agree with phil's question as to why it works in eco mode if it's a hidden usage issue or battery charging operation.
I spoke with a Yamaha tech at a dealer and while he was puzzled by the issue and said it was a real head scratched, he also said I should not worry about starting the gen in eco mode.
While there is no real exact answer to the default overload when compressor kicks in and gen is in full throttle mode, as long as the A/C works in eco mode my wife will be happy... and you know I'm happy about that.
Glenn

[philh]

ndrorder wrote:
When the generator is first started, the converter will be trying to charge the batteries. That can be a significant load in addition to the A/C. When turning things off, that should also include the breaker to the converter.

Then why does it work in eco mode?

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

The gen is rated well above the capacity of the A/C and is evident that it is capable of easily handling the load(s) in eco mode as it only rises to 3050 RPMs from 2650 RPMs and does not go into overload. I don't usually do it so as to ease the load on the gen but, with the gen in eco mode, I have had on the A/C, microwave, coffee pot, and electric water heater all at once. The gen did kick up to full throttle speed (3450 RPMs), but it did not go into overload.

If the issue was happening in reverse, that the gen would go into overload when running on eco mode but would handle the A/C compressor kick on in full throttle mode, I would agree with the "hidden" usage idea but since it works fine at the lower eco mode RPM it must be something with the gen advancing when in full throttle mode, even though it should not, that is perhaps causing the overload.

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

I know RPMs cause mu gen has an RPM meter.

I may have screwed up and duplicated my post.

[Chum_lee]

duplicate

[2oldman]

How do you know the Rpm?

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

The gen is rated well above the capacity of the A/C and is evident that it is capable of easily handling the load(s) in eco mode as it only rises to 3050 RPMs from 2650 RPMs and does not go into overload. I don't usually do it so as to ease the load on the gen but, with the gen in eco mode, I have had on the A/C, microwave, coffee pot, and electric water heater all at once. The gen did kick up to full throttle speed (3450 RPMs), but it did not go into overload.

If the issue was happening in reverse, that the gen would go into overload when running on eco mode but would handle the A/C compressor kick on in full throttle mode, I would agree with the "hidden" usage idea but since it works fine at the lower eco mode RPM it must be something with the gen advancing when in full throttle mode, even though it should not, that is perhaps causing the overload.

[Chum_lee]

IMO, what you are experiencing is a generator that is too small for the loads that you are imposing on it.

As others have mentioned, there are potentially numerous electrical loads which may automatically duty cycle through your electrical system without your knowledge.

Based on the ambient temperature, humidity, elevation, barometric pressure, fuel (gasoline or propane) your generator may not be able to generate full rated power. IMO, generally, when your genny keeps kicking off (due to overload) that's what it is trying to tell you.

IMO you need to do some data logging so that you KNOW what the loads are. Don't guess.

Chum lee

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

If it is OK to start generator in eco mode I would be good with that and that would solve a lot of issues. I have forgotten it was in eco mode and have started the gen with no problem. I always have everything in the RV turned off before I ever start the gen. Even when it's running, I don't use two large draw systems at the same time. Such as, if I'm going to use microwave I turn off A/C. I don't even use electric water heater at same time as A/C.
I am confused by the "overload" malfunction when I am in full throttle mode and turn on AC.
Follow up:
I have now been running gen in eco mode and A/C for several hours. The gen is cycling from 2650 RPMs to 3050 RPMs as the A/C compressor cuts in and out. Everything is working fine but I had to go back and test again. Now I'm really confused:
The A/C was running as described and compressor was in off cycle. I switched gen from eco mode to full throttle mode and when A/C compressor came back on, nothing happened. Gen continued to run at full throttle and did not speed up and A/C (and everything in RV) stayed on. Gen did not go into overload.
It is very hard to figure this one out ??? I think I have a ghost in either my RV or my gen that is messing with me.

Original poster

[ndrorder]

When the generator is first started, the converter will be trying to charge the batteries. That can be a significant load in addition to the A/C. When turning things off, that should also include the breaker to the converter.

[2oldman]

Glenn And Kitty wrote:
Gen start very easy and If it's OK to start the gen in eco mode I'll be good with that.

You should start a gen in eco mode, otherwise it's full bore when cold. Your owner's manual should address this.

[Glenn_And_Kitty]

I always turn everything off in the RV before I turn on gen. The only thing I turned on was A/C when the gen would go into overload.
Gen start very easy and If it's OK to start the gen in eco mode I'll be good with that.