My Impact 36LP runs fine under small load (lights/TV/Fridge), however when I turn on my RV A/C unit the generator slows and stops after about 2 minutes. JD

the first thing that I can think of is your engine speed is to slow causing the frequency to be below 60 hz. At half the hertz 30hz the tool will run at half the speed and most likely burn out since most tools are not built to run at variable frequencies. A 4 pole generator (the norm) needs to run at 3600 RPMs under load. Unloaded they are set at 3750 RPMs since they'll slow down slightly under load. There are many throttle setups for small engines so I can't give you a step by step on adjusting the throttle arm on your machine without seeing it. Oh, just a thought, does it have auto-idle button. If so turn it off, for some reason it is not sensing the load. If you have a multimeter with frequency on it, you can use it to help set the rpms.

• The Auto Throttle System switch needs to be in the off position.
• If the generator has not been used for awhile than the fuel is stale and the generator may be slow in responding to the load change. Replace fuel with fresh fuel.
• Attach a second load such as a 100 watt light bulb standard bulb with a tungsten filament. Observe the light as the heater cycles. If the light goes very dim than the generator is slow responding to a load change. Generator carburetor needs to be cleaned, tune-up. Run fresh fuel under load to see if carburetor will clean itself.
• Try adding choke to see if richer mixture reduces voltage dip. Check manual for mixture adjustments.

the unit has gone into over load
The total power requirement has exceed the output of the generator
for example if the generator is a 2.500 kw or kva then it will generate well at 1.8 kva or kw but it will not run forever at 2.5 kva -kw
When a ac is running the power requirement will be constant on the generator and with the fridge as well then the load will be at the maximum out put of the unit.
when the fridge starts again the extra load will exceed the max out put of the generator and it will slow down ( lights dimming ) and eventually go into overload mode
have an accredited electrician calculate your maximum load requirement for an external power supply and then get a unit that is at least 15.. kva kw better that required
generally fridges use 1000watts , ac conditions will draw over 3000watts and any thing else adds up . I am guessing that your generator is only 2500 unit

If this unit dies under load conditions, decrease your load and try it again.
If this happens under no-load conditions, check your fuel supply. Start with the filters, then check pressure and flow.

While you didn't indicate the btus of the HVAC I assume it worked before? What you are describing sounds like the engine isn't making horsepwer. A 2800 is a small unit that a HVAC and some lights is about all it can stand. The HVAC takes about 6 x current to start it, than it does to run it. If this inrush is high and the generator engine isn't producing full HP then it will shut off and die on under frequency. I would recommend having and engine leakdown test done (not a compression test, as that doesn't tell the whole story. This will ensure all valves and rings are mechanincally in good shape, then try a basix tune up, plugs filters etc.

To determine if it is from the breaker use a

Tong Tester


These would indicate what current is being consumed by the load.

Hello, I have the same exact generator, 2400 Yamaha. It works fine for my Ac, and then some. After it first kicks on, is the biggest surge. Then I have even after ac is running, I have had tv on and even used microwave. But as far as running you ac on your rv , not problem. I do it all the time. Mine is ulta quite, and 8 to ten hours run time on about a gallon of fuel. Mike

On the back side of the unit there will be a small thermostat switch mounted on the heat column. It will be round with two wires attached to it. In the center is a reset button. If this button does not restore power then the next step is to replace the wire coming from 12v supply to the thremostat switch. The wire will be red and will have a black sleeve on it. Under the sleeve is a safety diode (to prevent overheating and fire), it will be held in place with three bendable metal fingers. If the diode is bad it will not allow 12v power to pass through to the circuit board. Even though the refrigerator is running on 110v power the circuit board still requires 12v power to operate. The diode is a part of a FREE recall kit offered by Dometic so your local RV repair center should be able to help you out.

You may be UNDERLOADING the generator and it may be unstable with such a light load... see if it might behave running a heavier load... put a 100 watt light on it as a test,

According to the manual for this gen set, the maximum A/C unit that this can operate is a 13,500 BTU with a 3000 watt baseload at max air temp of 100 degrees F, at a max elevation of 500 ft.

You might have too much load to start the A/C and might need to shed some load (turn off other appliances, TV, lights, etc.) until you have the A/C up and running smoothly.

I would suggest that in order to determine if everything is OK, you start the generator and turn off all electric devices you have, and try to run the A/C all by itself. If the A/C runs OK, then you can slowly start to add back other electrical devices until you have things running smoothly.

If this is not in an RV and is a portable generator, you will be hard pressed to continually run an A/C unit, as the wattage draw for A/C units are continuous and normally not suited for running off such a small sized generator effectively.

If this doens't help, please comment back with more info about the exact application and situation so I can provide you with more detailed troubleshooting.

Hope you find this Very Helpful and best regards!