Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-31-2021, 11:27 PM   #1
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 64
Default Air Conditioner Won’t Run on Generator?

We own a 2018 Winnebago ERA 170X. When connected to shore power at a campsite, the A/C works great. But when we’re dry camping or without electricity for some reason, I cannot get the A/C to come on with the generator running. I fire the generator, wait five minutes, then attempt to start my A/C and complete silence. I have other appliances off prior to attempt starting the A/C. One time it came on after the generator had been running 20 minutes or so. I note the Precision Circuits control board shows “AC on”. I also see “Compr Wait” and a two minute countdown. Even if waiting those two minutes and then trying to start, no luck. And I even broke down and read the owners manual. Any suggestions?
theHueg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2021, 01:04 AM   #2
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,058
Default

i was going to say maybe the generators not actually connected-but you say it worked once- so maybe you need a 'hard start capacitor' for the air conditioner.
gerrym51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2021, 02:24 AM   #3
Platinum Member
 
GeorgeRa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,141
Default

Perhaps transfer switch generator <> shore is not working. Do you have power on AC outlets with generator on?
GeorgeRa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2021, 12:54 AM   #4
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 64
Default

No power at outlets with generator running.
theHueg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2021, 01:26 AM   #5
Platinum Member
 
GeorgeRa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,141
Default

Seems as your transfer switch is kaput, perhaps wiring. See this video. A way to diagnose is to listen for clicking, as transfer is switching from shore to generator and back it will click.

Edit - I would check if you getting voltage at the generator, if not than generator is kaput.

GeorgeRa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2021, 02:18 AM   #6
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 64
Default

The breaker on the generator itself (had to crawl under the RV) was tripped.
theHueg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2021, 10:03 AM   #7
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Nantucket
Posts: 126
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by theHueg View Post
The breaker on the generator itself (had to crawl under the RV) was tripped.
I recently overloaded my generator by stupidly turning on the Truma heat and hot water, both on high and lost AC. I was thinking there might be a breaker on the generator but haven’t looked yet. I took a quick look and saw what looked like a key lock on the generator, hopefully the breaker is not locked up as I don’t have a key. Can I get to the breaker without a key?
magicbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2021, 01:07 PM   #8
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 64
Default

What appears to be a key hole may actually be what mine was, a large slotted fastener. Rotate with a slotted screwdriver, open door, and put a finger inside downward and flip the switch.
theHueg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2021, 03:15 PM   #9
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Nantucket
Posts: 126
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by theHueg View Post
What appears to be a key hole may actually be what mine was, a large slotted fastener. Rotate with a slotted screwdriver, open door, and put a finger inside downward and flip the switch.
Thanks so much. Mine is also a 2018 so I expect we have the same generator and I will crawl under and check it out. Thinking I needed a key has been making me put it off!
__________________
Dave
Era 170A
magicbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2021, 03:25 PM   #10
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Nantucket
Posts: 126
Default

Thanks again. You took a potentially big job and turned into a two minute fix. And the tip about reaching down for the breaker was really helpful as it can’t be seen.

And since it was so easy I wire brushed and sprayed Rustoleum on the battery and generator brackets.
__________________
Dave
Era 170A
magicbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2022, 05:28 PM   #11
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1
Default

Thanks to this post I was saved a lot of money and embarrassment if I had gone to the dealer. I found the generator circuit breaker on the generator, Onan 2500, hidden below the start button. You can't see it without removing the access panel, shining a flashlight down the panel area, getting you head up next to the start button and looking down with one eye below the start button. There is a yellow 2" long switch. In was in the down position and needed to be in the up position. A flick of the switch, a start of the generator and now my AC works when the generator is running!
jerryt is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 09:03 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.