Generator runs until AC starts

[palmerjp]

I have a kohler confidant 5 genset. I can start the generator from outside onlu and it runs fine until I turn the AC on. It will power the fan and blow air but when I switch to AC the motor shuts down.
Any ideas

[j-d]

Generators like yours are interesting because they "idle" with no load at the same RPM as "full speed" with a heavy load. BUT the carburetor throttle plate is in a different position and a different fuel flow path is used. So... One might be OK at Idle and poor at Full. Or OK at Full and poor at Idle. That's why the guys are suggesting carb cleaning. It's probably harder to clean the Idle circuit, so you may be lucky with feeding it a cleaner. See if you can find a wattage load that starts to open the throttle. Say an electric heater. Start it tipping into the power range and see if you can clean it, then add more load. Work your way up to the A/C.

Also possible you don't have a Start Assist (sometimes called Hard Start) Kit on your A/C and need to add one.

[gbopp]

palmerjp wrote:
I am not tripping any breakers
Is there any way to clean carb without removing carb and or generator

You don't need to remove the carburetor or generator. Tap into the fuel line going into the carb, feed the gas/Seafoam mixture into the running generator. Shut off and leave it sit for several hours.
The Seafoam will dissolve the gunk in the carb.
Start the generator, see if it solved the problem. Repeat if necessary.
Try it before tearing the carb apart or replacing it.

Also, replace your carburetor fuel filter.

[rstanek]

You may want to check to see if you gens governor is working properly, if you use your gen a lot, the governor can go out of adjustment, had that happen to me, similar problem as you have...adjustment solved the problem.

[palmerjp]

I am not tripping any breakers
Is there any way to clean carb without removing carb and or generator

[MrWizard]

Either you have fuel problems with the generator aka carb etc..
Or you have an A/C compressor problem , bad start capacitor or bad compressor
You could try a clamp on amp meter some place in line maybe inside the the a/C
But since you are not tripping any circuit breakers?
Try cleaning the generator carb with sea foam

[palmerjp]

pianotuna wrote:
The start up surge from the compressor is overloading the generator.

Is there anything I can do about it

[pianotuna]

The start up surge from the compressor is overloading the generator.