Community Forums

stevel720 · 06-13-2016, 09:00 AM

Another new owners question here. It's been almost a month since we picked up our new Tiffin from Lazy Days and I want to give the generator a good workout to verify it's in good working order. I tried finding this info in other forums but like any other issue I found different instructions on the best way to do it. Am currently hooked up to 50amp. Can I just turn off my ac's and crank up my generator? Or should I disconnect the power first, then crank up the generator to add a load for testing?

Thanks again for all your great answers!!

Steve

okcnewbie · 06-13-2016, 09:09 AM

In general;

Power up the genset for a few minutes than apply load.

Remove load and let the Genset run for a few minutes before shutting down.

You really need to get your hands on the owners manual and maybe even the service manual. If you give the model/spec number someone can probably help.

lllkrob · 06-13-2016, 09:38 AM

To properly test the generator:

1) Turn off shore power

2) Start generator

3) Induce load ( turn on both ac in summer or a couple electric heaters in winter

4) Run generator for 1 hour under load

5) Remove load on generator and allow to idle for 5 minutes

6) Turn off generator

This procedure should be done at least monthly for gas powered generators and quarterly for diesel powered generators.

stevel720 · 06-13-2016, 09:45 AM

The unit is a Onan 7000. The reading on the dash shows it already has over 17 hours as it appears the dealer ran it many times. The quick start guide says to turn off the ac units and other large appliances, then prime and start. After it runs for 2 minutes load can then be placed on the unit.

I guess to be safe I'd turn off the ac units and turn off the breaker for the fridge. It doesn't mention disconnecting the power from the 50 amp service but I assume for the best test I would do that also. Then turn on the generator, wait a couple minutes, then apply the load turning the ac units and fridge back on. Then let the generator run for 15-20 minutes to give it a good test.

The more I read about the issues people have with inverters and breakers tripping the more I think it would be best to wait and do the day before I take the coach back to Lazy Days. lol

mmartin · 06-13-2016, 09:58 AM

You shouldn't need to disconnect the shore power, that's what the transfer switch is for. It sees 110 power from the generator and switches power from the generator leg and disconnects the leg from the shore power.

allegro1x · 06-13-2016, 03:40 PM

Per Onan rep. at Tiffin Rally a few years ago, if you aren't regularly using MH run gen. at least 1 hr each month and always have it running when your traveling. Also, have a/c, refrig, etc. turned off before you start gen and then turned off before you stop gen. It cost a member of our good sams club $3,800 to get his repaired at a Cummins/ Onan location and he was told to run it a lot, because the electronics got messed up because of not being used. Good Luck, Dave

Podivin · 06-13-2016, 03:53 PM

mmartin (and all) I agree that you shouldn't have to unplug shore power because the transfer switch should handle it. But what if the transfer switch was bad - how would you know? You'd be merrily running the air conditioner (or whatever) thinking that the generator is working nicely. When all the while you're actually running on shore power because the transfer switch is not doing it's job.

Also, if the generator is running but not actually making electricity due to some problem or another then the transfer switch isn't going to switch from shore power because it won't 'see' the generator current.

I admit that any time I've run the generator just for exercise I've always left the shore power cord plugged in. It just did occur to me that I don't REALLY know if the generator was working properly, I just assumed all was well.

It now seems to me that we need to unplug shore power at some point during the generator test just to make SURE that both the generator and transfer switch are working as designed.

HHg · 06-13-2016, 04:08 PM

I've got the 10k diesel generator in my Phaeton. Owners manual says to run 2 hours per month under 3/4 load.....

Thanks
Hhg

Melmoses · 06-13-2016, 05:14 PM

I always unplug shore power before starting genset. Why, because I lost a transfer switch. Started banging on the contacts. Tech said that it does put a strain on it switching and it can sometimes cause a failure like mine.

I don't turn off fridge but do turn off ac's and all heavy loads. Start then wait a couple of minutes for genset to reach full power. Then turn on the ac's. We have 3 so that is enough. I run it for a couple of hours while I do other stuff. The turn off ac's. When all are off I turn off genset. I only exercise it like this when we aren't going to be on the road for a couple of months.

I follow the maintenance schedule religiously because I don't want any problems when on the road. I don't always run it when traveling in the winter but I make sure it does run at least 2 hours a month.

Mr_D · 06-13-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHg

I've got the 10k diesel generator in my Phaeton. Owners manual says to run 2 hours per month under 3/4 load.....

Thanks
Hhg

We have a 12.5K and our instructions are the same. I turn on the 2 - 2000 watt AquaHot elements which really isn't half loaded, then add a couple of the heat pumps.

dabrooks · 06-13-2016, 07:42 PM

I have a RV garage with 50 amp service. I make sure all loads are off and then I always turn off the 50 amp breaker before I start the generator. After exercising the generator I turn off all loads let the generator run with no load for 5 minutes and shut it down.

I also think there is a good possibility the delivery driver ran the generator not the dealer.

Roger G · 06-13-2016, 08:13 PM

One of the reasons for the hours on your generator is its use at the factory. After returning from paint the coaches go through final finish and the techs run the generator for heat or AC while doing all the final touches, cleaning and inspection.

lotsoftoys · 06-14-2016, 02:49 PM

It is always safe to unplug from shore power before starting the generator, but if the transfer switch is functioning properly it will transfer over to generator power after the built-in delay. The Operator Manual should be on the DVD included with the Quick Start Guide. If not, a good reference is the Cummins Onan Handbook. You can download it at http://power.cummins.com/sites/defau.../F-1123-EN.pdf. This also includes your maintenance intervals, maintenance parts and several good tips to keep your generator running.

cronauerdj · 07-07-2016, 07:28 AM

I also have a 2016 36 LA with Onan RV QG 7000 generator
I did not get service manual can any one help
trying to find out how often I need to change oil and filter
I have 42 hr on it now