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curlyguy966 · 11-03-2020, 05:31 PM

Greetings All!
I have a 2002 30' SeaBreeze MH with two AC units (front and rear). My problem is the front AC unit will run great for 10 minutes and then just shut off completely. The rear AC unit continues to run and cool just fine. When the front unit shuts down it is tripping the 20A breaker on the Generac 5.5KW generator. The breakers for the AC units in the MH do not trip. I have not tested to see if the problem occurs when connected to shore power as the rig is in storage and I'm getting ready to head out on the road so was doing basic system check before I left.
I just checked the capacitors for the front unit with my Klein multimeter and they all operate within normal parameters. All wiring was connecting nice and tight.
I'm mechanically and electrically inclined but figured somebody out there may have encountered a similar problem and perhaps help me avoid doing a LOT of unnecessary troubleshooting
All other AC systems seem to work fine on the generator also (MW, outlets etc).
Thank you in advance for any insight.
Michael

**Spdracr39** · 11-03-2020, 05:33 PM

How long has it been since your generator was serviced? Mine was doing the same thing and new filters took care of it.

curlyguy966 · 11-03-2020, 05:34 PM

Serviced the generator 6 months ago and got a green light.

36PFT · 11-04-2020, 07:18 AM

Hi. Does this happen with only the front air on? You need to check the amp draw with the air running. It sounds like you are over 20 amp draw and the breaker trips. What amp rating is each breaker in the panel?

jacwjames · 11-04-2020, 07:19 AM

My front AC was starting to pull higher amps, I could see it on the EMS display. It would occasionally kick the breaker in the panel. Went on top and pulled the shroud, checked the motor itself and I could barely turn the shaft by hand, my guess it was a bearing failure. Found a replacement motor and changed, cost ~$125.

chuckftboy · 11-04-2020, 06:47 PM

Best place to start is with an amp meter to see if the a/c is drawing high amps. If it is the problem lies in the a/c or the connection feeding it. Your volt meter should tell you if the unit is getting low voltage which will also run the amps up.
Process of elimination should lead you to the problem. Also don't discount a weak breaker at the gen set as a possibility.

Xmcdog · 11-04-2020, 06:54 PM

Watch the amps over the ten minute period. If the amps slowly climb and then in the last few seconds climb rapidly, then you have bad compressor bearings. The rotor is rubbing on the stator.

36PFT · 11-05-2020, 07:43 AM

Great that you found the problem. Stan

aether_one · 11-05-2020, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36PFT

Great that you found the problem. Stan

He did? Enlighten the classroom.

scenic route · 11-05-2020, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36PFT

Great that you found the problem. Stan

Did I miss something? What was the fix?

wildcatter · 11-05-2020, 08:22 AM

Try cleaning the AC coils and the filter first, then go to looking at the AMP draws, while you are up there cleaning the coils you can look at the bearings and see if they are starting to seize up.

Outbound · 11-05-2020, 11:29 AM

Great he fixed a/c, but I missed the fix.

TOM GUY · 11-05-2020, 01:41 PM

Curleyguy996 is the OP. The FIXES were from other people posting.

There is still a problem.

Tom

House Husband · 11-05-2020, 02:57 PM

Easy and cheapest place to start is cleaning the condenser. Then put an amp clamp on the AC assembly to see if the AC is over amps or the circuit breaker on the generator is bad. If the AC is over amps, move the amp clamp to the blower motor to see where the over amps is coming from.

Richard