Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: generator stalls when converter tries to charge battery


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hiker108

Colorado

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Posted: 09/30/19 12:17pm

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I have Yamaha EF2000iSv2 generator.

When RV is hooked up to house A/C and just charging battery (with converter on) my handy dandy watt monitor shows it drawing less than 2 amps.

If I connect RV to generator, I can run lights and heater, etc (approx 6 amps) with battery disconnected. However, if I turn off converter and have battery hooked up, with generator running, it stalls out if I then turn on converter breaker. Watt meter is still showing only 1.6 amps as the generator bogs down and stalls. Weird that this doesn't happen with battery disconnected and OTHER 12 volt stuff turned on!

Any thoughts??

Ed

bgum

South Louisiana

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Posted: 09/30/19 12:46pm

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What is water heater on?

hiker108

Colorado

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Posted: 09/30/19 04:22pm

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All AC circuits OFF. Only Main breaker and converter breaker. With ALL DC fuses removed, turning on converter breaker causes generator to stall (while watt meter showing less than 2 amp draw). Water Heater has it's own breaker/circuit.

I'm suspecting 'tri-mode' converter.

CA Traveler

The Western States

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Posted: 09/30/19 06:13pm

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Blue sky guess is that the charger is generating AC noise that the gen cannot handle.

With your charger off connect a portable car battery charger and see if that works.

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ScottG

Bothell Wa.

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Posted: 09/30/19 06:55pm

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My buddy had the same problem with his Yamaha EF2000 and trying to start his PDI9260 charger. The camper next door came over and offered him his Honda eu2000i - which had no problem with the load.

When he got home, I brought my eu2000i over and we did a number of tests starting various high load items (AC, toaster oven) with both gens. Each and every time my Honda would start them without struggling, even on Eco, but the Yamaha wouldn't do it.

The Honda's are known for their extreme surge capacity. They've been measured putting out twice their rated current.
The Yamaha just can't do the same.

Scott, Grace and Wesly
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whiteeye42

Rock Springs Wyoming

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Posted: 09/30/19 06:56pm

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try taking the generator off eco mode and check the batteries to make sure they are full of water. How old are the batteries it might be that some of the plates inside the battery are touching each other and causing to much draw on the gen set

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hiker108

Colorado

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Posted: 10/01/19 08:12am

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Thanks for all the responses. I DID run a portable car battery charger from the Yamaha generator to charge the battery directly and it did fine! The battery was new a few months ago. With the battery disconnected and the Yamaha connected, I can run all AC and 12 volt appliances no problem. So, I'm not suspecting the generator. It is only when I have the battery hooked up that the generator stalls when I turn on the WF-8955PEC converter.

CA Traveler

The Western States

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Posted: 10/01/19 08:46am

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I would also suspect the Wfco as they are lower end not so great chargers. However it could be that either one or both together are the problem in that the design is marginal in terms of generating a "good" sine wave or rejection of a "not so good" sine wave. With the battery connected apparently the Wfco acts differently and the gen stalls. I suggested AC noise which can be viewed with the right equipment.

ScottG posted some tests indicating it just might also be your gen.

At any rate there are many posts concerning Wfco poor battery charging.

djousma

SW Michigan

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Posted: 10/01/19 12:41pm

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hiker108 wrote:

Ed,

I see from your signature that you are in Colorado? At what altitude? Most of the generator manufacturers offer a high altitude kit that is just a leaner carb jet. Its not uncommon for any generator to make less power at the higher altitudes.

Dave
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