Thanks for the replies. So, if I understand correctly at startup the AC draws enough to exceed the amp capacity of the generator. So rather than tripping a breaker, the generator apparently has some mechanism that shuts it down. That's what I'm wondering about: does it have such a mechanism (and apparently it does from what has been said here) and what is it and where is it? Would a hard start capacitor on the AC help? For when the generator quits is when an AC starts and some combination of appliances are already working, the total running amps though never is more than 21 or 22.
