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Old 08-28-2021, 01:48 PM   #1
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Strange Generator Issue

So I have this strange thing happening with my generator. If I have it running and go across a rough stretch of road the breaker to the A/C trips. It happens whether I'm running 1 or 2 A/Cs. A couple of summers ago we drove from AR to CO with both A/Cs running the whole time and never had this problem. It seems now the road doesn't have to be terribly rough any more to trip the breaker. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what was the fix?

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Old 08-28-2021, 02:38 PM   #2
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Just guessing the normal causes:
- low oil that vibrates below power cut-off
- loose or corroded cable/wire that vibrates to create power cut-off
- fuel flow or carb fault from vibration

If it was me…I would inspect while running and then see if I can create the fault that causes the power off
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Old 08-28-2021, 02:53 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Fish and Dear View Post
So I have this strange thing happening with my generator. If I have it running and go across a rough stretch of road the breaker to the A/C trips. It happens whether I'm running 1 or 2 A/Cs. A couple of summers ago we drove from AR to CO with both A/Cs running the whole time and never had this problem. It seems now the road doesn't have to be terribly rough any more to trip the breaker. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what was the fix?
Don't you have a breaker for each A/C?
Does only one breaker trip? Or both?

If the same breaker is always tripping it may be a bad breaker. Swap it out with another breaker to see if that resolves it.

It may also be a wiring issue that causes a short when you hit the rough road.
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Old 08-28-2021, 02:56 PM   #4
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Sounds like a loose wire since it only happens on rough roads. Start at the generator to see if any of the wires loose at the generator and work forward.


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Old 08-28-2021, 03:28 PM   #5
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If it’s the internal A/C breaker tripping it’s more likely not a generator problem.
Could be the breaker, wiring or A/C issue.

If it’s the generator breaker tripping with A/C on then follow the advice above.
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Old 08-28-2021, 03:43 PM   #6
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If it’s the internal A/C breaker tripping it’s more likely not a generator problem.
Could be the breaker, wiring or A/C issue.

If it’s the generator breaker tripping with A/C on then follow the advice above.
It's the lower breaker on the generator. Everything inside is fine.
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Old 08-28-2021, 03:45 PM   #7
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Don't you have a breaker for each A/C?
Does only one breaker trip? Or both?

If the same breaker is always tripping it may be a bad breaker. Swap it out with another breaker to see if that resolves it.

It may also be a wiring issue that causes a short when you hit the rough road.
Two breakers on the generator. One breaker controls both ACs and the microwave. Doesn't matter if I run one or both ACs it happens.
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Old 08-28-2021, 03:46 PM   #8
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Sounds like a loose wire since it only happens on rough roads. Start at the generator to see if any of the wires loose at the generator and work forward.


Paul
I need to look at the wires I suppose. Just the one breaker ever trips, though. But I really don't know what all else runs on that other breaker.
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Old 08-28-2021, 03:47 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by 16ACE27 View Post
Don't you have a breaker for each A/C?
Does only one breaker trip? Or both?

If the same breaker is always tripping it may be a bad breaker. Swap it out with another breaker to see if that resolves it.

It may also be a wiring issue that causes a short when you hit the rough road.
I'm wondering if it's a bad breaker. That one lower breaker runs both ACs and the microwave, but it's only ever that one breaker that trips.
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Old 08-28-2021, 03:48 PM   #10
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Thanks for all the replies. Seems the consensus is loose wiring somewhere or maybe a bad breaker.
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Old 08-28-2021, 05:15 PM   #11
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I'm wondering if it's a bad breaker. That one lower breaker runs both ACs and the microwave, but it's only ever that one breaker that trips.
It's very unusual for a two breaker generator to have one breaker power both A/Cs (not to mention the addition of the microwave). Since it's not the A/C breaker tripping it's got to be either a bad breaker or an intermittent short. My crystal ball says to check your Automatic Transfer Switch connections. Specifically the twist-on wire connectors. This is a known common lack of attention to detail area for Thor installers. Many have found bad/loose connections that have melted the plastic part of the connector and wire insulation. This could certainly be the cause of your issue.
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Old 08-28-2021, 05:48 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by 16ACE27 View Post
It's very unusual for a two breaker generator to have one breaker power both A/Cs (not to mention the addition of the microwave). Since it's not the A/C breaker tripping it's got to be either a bad breaker or an intermittent short. My crystal ball says to check your Automatic Transfer Switch connections. Specifically the twist-on wire connectors. This is a known common lack of attention to detail area for Thor installers. Many have found bad/loose connections that have melted the plastic part of the connector and wire insulation. This could certainly be the cause of your issue.
Thanks. I didn't think about the transfer switch being a problem.
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Old 08-28-2021, 07:56 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Fish and Dear View Post
I'm wondering if it's a bad breaker. That one lower breaker runs both ACs and the microwave, but it's only ever that one breaker that trips.
Could you give the model of generator? I can only find info on the generic 5500 generator with one breaker... mind you it has 2 poles, meaning two breakers connected with a bar so if one pole trips the other will trip too.
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Old 08-28-2021, 08:12 PM   #14
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I was just looking at the Hurricane brochure and the 29M should only have one A/C... so only a 4000W generator. Please clarify.
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Old 08-28-2021, 09:01 PM   #15
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I was just looking at the Hurricane brochure and the 29M should only have one A/C... so only a 4000W generator. Please clarify.
The 29M came as a 30amp with one AC and a 50amp with two ACs. Mine is the 50amp with the 5500 Onan generator. It has 2 separate 30 amp breakers.
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Old 08-28-2021, 09:02 PM   #16
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Could you give the model of generator? I can only find info on the generic 5500 generator with one breaker... mind you it has 2 poles, meaning two breakers connected with a bar so if one pole trips the other will trip too.
It is the 5500 Onan generator. It has 2 separate 30 amp breakers not connected by a bar.
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Old 09-01-2021, 09:11 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Fish and Dear View Post
So I have this strange thing happening with my generator. If I have it running and go across a rough stretch of road the breaker to the A/C trips. It happens whether I'm running 1 or 2 A/Cs. A couple of summers ago we drove from AR to CO with both A/Cs running the whole time and never had this problem. It seems now the road doesn't have to be terribly rough any more to trip the breaker. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what was the fix?
I'm guessing that the same thing might happen on shore power, that is if you can find a long enough extension cord.

Between your generator and your breaker panel is an ATS (automatic transfer switch). The switch is operated by a big-ass solenoid that closes when it senses power from the generator. If that coil is weak and that switch chatters for any reason, the A/C will feel it as a short lull, then a massive spike. The surge of start current could easily trip the breaker.

So, there may be nothing wrong with your generator. Your next steps should be to open up the ATS and tighten all the connections.

To further diagnose, you could connect an old-school analog voltage meter to the generator side of the ATS. A digital meter would be too slow. If the needle moves when you hit a bump, the generator is at fault. Then measure the panel side of the ATS. If the needle moves there, but not at the generator, your issue with the ATS.
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Old 09-01-2021, 10:58 PM   #18
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I'm guessing that the same thing might happen on shore power, that is if you can find a long enough extension cord.

Between your generator and your breaker panel is an ATS (automatic transfer switch). The switch is operated by a big-ass solenoid that closes when it senses power from the generator. If that coil is weak and that switch chatters for any reason, the A/C will feel it as a short lull, then a massive spike. The surge of start current could easily trip the breaker.

So, there may be nothing wrong with your generator. Your next steps should be to open up the ATS and tighten all the connections.

To further diagnose, you could connect an old-school analog voltage meter to the generator side of the ATS. A digital meter would be too slow. If the needle moves when you hit a bump, the generator is at fault. Then measure the panel side of the ATS. If the needle moves there, but not at the generator, your issue with the ATS.
Thanks for this info.
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Old 09-02-2021, 01:07 PM   #19
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Thanks for this info.
You could also try this:
1. Turn on the generator
2. Plug a household table lamp into an AC outlet.
3. Turn on either the microwave or the A/C or both.
3. Rap on the ATS with a rubber hammer to simulate a bumpy road.

If the ATS is good, nothing should happen. But, if the light blinks, the microwave resets, or the A/C makes funny noises, there is something wrong inside the ATS.
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Old 09-02-2021, 07:30 PM   #20
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I'M betting it's the transfer switch connections.
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