RV Repair: Dometic Roof AC, class c rv, realistic answer

Question
Our 2004 Gulfstream Conquest Class C RV has been parked under cover for a couple of weeks.  It has been extremely hot (temps around 100) for the past few days.  I routinely start the generator and roof AC every couple of weeks and when I did that yesterday the thermostat to the Dometic roof AC does not seem to be operating properly.  The fan works fine; however, when I slide the thermostat contol down to start the AC, the generator surges in the 70-80 degree range as if the compressor is trying to come on but it doesn't actually come on until the thermostat is moved down to below 60 degrees.  At that point, the compressor appears to work OK.  If it wasn't for the apparent power surge heard from the generator in the 70-80 range, I'd assume the thermostat just needs adjusting.  We are leaving next week for a 10-day trip and I'm unsure whether this is a problem that needs fixing prior to that trip.  It appears we'll be able to manually control the AC but I don't want to damage anything by operating it that way if it is ill advised.  We've never had this problem before and am wondering if it may be linked to the extreme heat somehow.  I tried it again this morning when the outside temp is about 85 and experienced the same problem.  Thank you for your prompt reply!

Answer
Hi Bill:

What type of thermostat do you have for your air conditioner? Is it a digital one or a regular mercury type thermostat?

You stated that you routinely start the generator and run the air conditioner. Have you experienced a problem similar to the one that you are now having?

It sounds as if the thermostat is initially starting the compressor, otherwise the generator would not surge, because of the initial heavy demand.

Right now, its really hard for me to give you a realistic answer, until you either give me the model number of the air conditioner unit, or let me know if the thermostat is one of the mercury type, digital, or just a thermostat with a set of contacts.

I will be awaiting a reply Bill, then hopefully we will be able to determine exactly what is happening with your a/c unit.

Regards, Larry