|
|
02-13-2019, 10:34 AM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 71
|
Generator
I realize opinions are like...well you know. We seldom use our MH in camping areas where we don't have shore power. Question is "should I be exercising the generator" and how often? Can't wait for your responses
__________________
Andy & Cheryl & Mini-Poodle Sonny
2011 35H Bounder - 2012 Subaru Outback
Roadmaster Sterling - RVibrake
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
02-13-2019, 10:40 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
|
Would suggest at least once a month or every two weeks....under load. Maintain your genny religiously....when you need it....YOU NEED IT!!!
__________________
Mike, Betty & Sophie (Guard Cat)
Full Timers from the Great Lakes State of Michigan
2013 Silverado 3500HD Duramax Diesel & 2013 Cedar Creek Silverback
|
|
|
02-13-2019, 10:43 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 434
|
we run ours regularly while driving as we travel in primarily warm weather states and like to keep the coach cool. I have also heard it is good to run it and put a load on it.
__________________
Mike & Kelly
2017 Discovery 40E Freightliner Cummins 380hp
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
|
|
|
02-13-2019, 11:19 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
|
Run it once a month to flush the gas thru the carburator, so it doesn't foul the passages in it,
OR set it up where you can run the carburator dry and don't run it at all. If you need it, the fuel pump will prime it back up.
|
|
|
02-13-2019, 06:19 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Payson, AZ
Posts: 1,273
|
what does the owners manual say? what is make / model of the generator?
|
|
|
02-13-2019, 06:27 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 290
|
Yes.... Exercise your genny often to keep it healthy...
|
|
|
02-13-2019, 07:42 PM
|
#7
|
Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
|
We do not exercise ours. It will site 9-10 months between usage.
This spring I plan on adding a switch so I can disable the fuel pump. This will allow me to run fuel out of the carb bowl when I know the genny will be sitting for a long time without being run.
|
|
|
02-13-2019, 08:00 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Posts: 155
|
I have a diesel Onan in my motorhome. My manual states to run it under a load for 30 minutes every 30 days.
|
|
|
02-14-2019, 04:35 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 200
|
Exercising the Gen is not just for the fuel system, it is also to drive the moisture out of the windings.
I try to do 30 minutes with a load once a month.
__________________
2017 Thor Windsport 34J -The Hammer
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 80th Anniversary- Toad
|
|
|
02-14-2019, 05:11 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
|
All of the generator guides mention " running to drive the moisture out of the windings ", but the only complaint I've ever seen here is fouled carburators. Bad windings are extreamly rare.
The windings in a generator aren't any different then windings on electric motors, alternators, or transformers. Who exercises them ?
If you can get the gas out of the carb, you'll be fine.
We are hopefully on the edge of moving to fuel injection on RV generators. That would practally elemenate the gas fouling issues.
|
|
|
02-14-2019, 05:28 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western NY
Posts: 6,142
|
As you see lots of different opinions on this.
My feeling is....
Doing what mfg recommends is usually a good start vs what someone online told you
There are a lot of different conditions that can affect the need to exercise or not... warm humid, winter very dry air, gas or diesel, ethanol or non ethanol gas, treated or untreated fuel, run dry and "winterized" as is done w outboard engines.
There are more problems w gen under use that over use
So... evaluating risk / reward.... what's to lose by running it periodically when conditions suggest it might be a good idea vs not running it?
How many have problems due to exercising?
How do you know it will work when you want it?
__________________
Don & Marge
'13 Newmar Ventana 3433 - '14 CR-V TOAD
'03 Winnebago Adventurer 31Y - SOLD
|
|
|
02-14-2019, 05:50 AM
|
#12
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 57
|
Run once a month under load for 30 minutes. There are several reasons to do this. Running the engine lubricates oil seals and bearings as such, if you have a gas gen it gets that old gas out of it and brings the newer fresh fuel in. Also as far as the actual electrical side of it it keeps the the moisture out and just exercises the whole unit. If a generator sits for long periods of time it can lose its energy so to speak and possibly will need to be excited In order for it to work again. Usually that's on older units but have seen it happen. If you need to excite it you'll have to consult with either the manufacturer or a good tech to do so.
Just my 2 cents...
|
|
|
02-14-2019, 06:03 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,849
|
Running also prevents tarnish from building up on the slip ring, the tarnish can cause increased resistance which can burn out the voltage regulator board.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
|
|
|
02-14-2019, 06:05 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,473
|
The manual on every gen. that I have owned has said to exercise it if it's not used.
__________________
2009 Fleetwood Excursion 40E
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|