Generator running fast - Montana Owners Club

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2008, 07:07 AM

Took Montana in because our 2000 honda generator kicks off when I try to vaccum. Honda never did this before runs extremely fast when nothing is on, the rig is just hooked up. Then it will go back to normal after about 20 minutes or so and later on it does the same thing. Took generator into shop had it checked out it's fine. Folsom Lake RV's telling nothing is wrong, I'm thinking the rig is pulling power from somewhere, maybe the invertor?

jpbcny · 03-26-2008, 08:01 AM

Is your refrigerator set to gas only (NOT ON AUTO)?

Is the hot water heater electric switch off?

If either of the above conditions exist it can cause the generator to ramp up on startup, until the cooling or heating cycle is complete.

JP

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2008, 08:35 AM

No we where dry camping and I put the refrigerator on gas only, and hot water heater was on gas only. The dealer asked me about that to. When we took the generator in while on vacation and had them look at it, they started it and it was quiet and they plug in a vacuum and it increased like it should have. The only thing that I could think of was that the rig was pulling electricity from some where else but nothing was on. I didn't have the satelite on, or the TV. Absolutely nothing.

rogue · 03-26-2008, 09:00 AM

How long had you been dry camping, maybe your batteries were low and the converter was pulling a lot of amps trying to charge the batteries?

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2008, 09:47 AM

It was the first day when we plug in the generator. We arrived at 12:30 (saturday)set up camp and started the generator at about 5:30 that evening. And it continued to act like that the whole time camping. We took the generator in on Monday from the camp to a honda dealing to have him check the generator to make sure it wasn't the honda.

bsmeaton · 03-26-2008, 11:26 AM

According the the Keystone manual, the converter draws 5-9 amps. Not sure if you have tried this succesfully before or not, but it would seem that between the vacuum and the converter, you are taxing that generator. Try shutting off the breaker to the converter.

Debbie Asher · 03-26-2008, 11:55 AM

OK whats a converter is that what I was calling a invertor? What I don't under is why would I have to shut off the converter and were in the world is the converter? Do you get your talking with someone who is not familiar with all of this electrical stuff and my husband is even worse.

rogue · 03-26-2008, 12:19 PM

Debbie, The Inverter changes battery 12 volt Direct Current (12VDC) to 115 V Alternating Current (115VAC). The Converter converts 115VAC into 12VDC. So the Inverter allows you to use the battery power to run the normal house hold items like Vacuum, Television, etc. The Converter allows you to take 115VAC from the generator or RV plug and charge the batteries, and run the 12v lights, furnace, and 12v lights.

Hope that helps.

bsmeaton · 03-26-2008, 12:30 PM

Debbie - I think you meant "converter". Monty doesn't come with an "inverter", so if you didn't install one, it doesn't have one.

As Rouge says - the "converter" is like a big AC adapter for your cell phone. It converts 110VAC to 12VDC, with some going to charge the batteries and the rest going to run your 12V appliances and lights directly from the AC power.

These are built in and come on automatically, immediately drawing power. I don't know what model you have but mine is located under the stair and can be seen though the wood furnance return air grille.

There is an AC breaker in the panel you can use to shut it off.

rames14 · 03-26-2008, 04:38 PM

Debbie -
I assume your electric panel is in the bathroom. It's covered with a smoked grey (I'm colorblind, so forgive me if I get the wrong "color") piece of plastic. I would assume your panel is labeled for "converter". Turn that one off and try it again. Let us know if that helps. By the way, you will have to gently pry out the ends of the plastic cover as there are tabs that fit in there.

Debbie Asher · 03-27-2008, 05:34 AM

We have a 2006 2950RK Montana. I've never had to turn the converter off before. Could the batteries just be getting old? The electric panel is by the entry door. So to turn the converter off if it's not marked?

abonzer · 03-27-2008, 05:46 AM

I would turn off all the breakers except the main. Start the generator and hook it up. There should be no increase in RPM at this time. Then turn on each breaker and listen for the increase. When you hear the RPM's increase you will know what circuit is drawing the most current. I would also double check the water heater switch.

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