AC runs sporadically on built in generator, but normal on shore power.

[Mountainsarebest]

2013 Airstream Interstate.

Any suggestions.

 

[youngnretired]

Can you explain a little on what happens? There's the circulation fan that starts first, then the compressor kicks in. Does only the circulation fan run and the unit shut down when the compressor is to start? Does the generator surge or stay running smoothly?

 

[Mountainsarebest]

Can you explain a little on what happens? There's the circulation fan that starts first, then the compressor kicks in. Does only the circulation fan run and the unit shut down when the compressor is to start? Does the generator surge or stay running smoothly?

Generator runs always. The circulation fan starts a few seconds after the thermostat is turned on like normal. It runs several seconds, then I hear the compressor kick in based on the generator draw. It runs maybe another minute or two, then the fan turns off. After a couple minutes it kicks back on (and I think the compressor kicks in too), and it will run this cycle for 10 or 15 minutes until I shut it off. This generator is the original factory unit with 3.5 hours, so I would think the generator is working fine?

AC performs normally on shore power.

On what is probably an unrelated issue, I can smell propane in the coach after the valve is turned on no matter if any or no appliance is used, including the generator.

 

[jjrbus]

I would not take an Onan for free!

Facebook

 

[booster]

As youngnretired notes, the generator sound will be important as in is it slowly down a lot or surging.

If it is not, make sure nothing else is running in the van on AC power and this includes battery charging as it can take enough power to overload the generator capacity which on an LP unit is only 2500 watts.

If all that is OK, there would probably be something in the air conditioner causing it, like a bad capacitor that makes the starting load higher for the compressor. An easy start installation might be in order for the air conditioner.

 

[GallenH]

Re propane: I had a valve that would leak when opening/closing. IOW it leaked when it wasn't in the full open or full closed position. I had the valve replaced at a propane place. I also bought a propane detector that I use to check everything out periodically.

Amazon.com

 

[Mountainsarebest]

Thanks for all the replies. I need to investigate the issue further. In this case the propane valve is electronic. I should buy a propane sniffer as suggested, but looking underside, there is no clearance to investigate above the generator without dropping it. I'm not set up to do that. The previous owner put in an instant hot water heater a few months ago, wondering if a propane connection was bungled when that was installed?

I need to investigate how to turn off the charging when the compressor is being used, complete newby here. Possibly turning off a breaker? I don't have the unit here now to check it. Though the unit was plugged into shore power overnight before trying the generator, so would assume batteries would have been at full charge already.

As for the generator, I would surely hope there is nothing wrong with it (other than the brand perhaps), as it has all of 2.6 hours on it. It has 13 years age, but has virtually never been used before.

 

[GallenH]

I've used the propane sniffer on several occasions not related to that valve. Once I was getting the propane alarm going off and I used it, actually finding nothing. I vacuumed the alarm to draw out dust, etc. and the alarm stopped going off. Another time I got some lp trapped during a fill. Used the sniffer to locate area; found nothing leaking; vented the area with a fan and soon everything read clear. One time it was the lp regulator leaking around the second stage. Replaced the regulator and problem solved. It gives us a peace of mind.