Exercising generator

[TEDDE]

I have checked all the archieves about exercising your generator at least once a month for at least an hour. My problem is.... up here in Canada it will soon be getting lots of snow and cold..yuk..Should I start my generator once a month ..while I can..or leave it alone until spring?? ( which is april at the earliest). I store my coach outside and not plugged in and can't plug it in..

How about the diesel engine ( 400 cummins ISL)?...same thing with that??

On my gasser I left it alone all winter, both motor and genertor, but this is my first Diesel pusher..What are the comments??

Retirement is coming so hopefully this cold stuff will soon be behind us...but not quite yet..

What a shock to the system.....entering your coach at minus 40 below...to check it out....I know I should leave it alone..but like to keep an eye on everything..break-ins,..roof leaks...mice..windows etc.. Our coach is stored in an outside RV storage lot with at least 200 other motorhomes/5ers/travel trailors/boats so if anyone was to get into that compound the shoping would be very good so that is why I keep an eye on evrything..security or not.

Time to dig out the long underwear....LOL

Thanks
Ted

[gaugeguy]

My experience with military equipment in extreme cold weather is to either store it in a climate controlled environment or to properly prepare all the equipment for for winter and let it sit; checking every two weeks or so for any cold weather damage.
We usually winterized everything and started the equipment only when necessary for a mission.
Repeated cold weather starting, idling and stopping causes more issues than it solves.

[BCooke]

I can tell you on larger diesel generators we start them year round but that is also 1 x week. Part of that is deposits, moisture and corrosion prevention.
They are also heated due to instant load.
I try to start my home generators 1x month year round. (I did say try...)
Hopefully someone has a more specific answer for you.

[RJay]

Your situation is extreme and I would recommend contacting a Cummins dealer in your area with experience with those extreme conditions. I would also ask them about a diesel additive to prevent gelling in those extreme temperatures.

[BryanL]

Cold weather engine storage is an interesting topic. As noted above, it is the moisture that is probably the primary problem followed by fuel degradation. A search brings up pages for boats ()Mercruiser Engine-Winterize Your Mercruiser Engine). classic autos (Winter Storage) and motorcycles (How to Store Your Motorcycle for the Winter - Cold Weather Motorcycle Storage Tips) that all seem to have some common ideas.

Clean everything up, drain what you can, and use treatments like engine fog oil and fuel stabilizers for what's left.

Batteries are another issue. The really need more than just a float or trickle charge. Since the 90's, desulfation techniques have been invented that can help avoid plate corrosion, overcharging, and can also reducing aging effects in batteries from just sitting.

This is related to why you need to repack trailer bearings every year. Cold weather temperature swings can cause condensation inside the hub. That can cause rusting. The same thing can happen in generator cores. Desiccants and sealing the parts can help some with this during storage.

[TEDDE]

Thanks to all who replied..Yes we have extreme cold up here but not all the time...only 2 months or so..LOL. But lots of snow..I have a solar panel on top of my coach so the batteries can hopefully stay charged. I have my house and chassis battery master switch shut off. Hopefully the snow will be blowen off in a blizzard and not pile up on the roof. We have lots of them through the winter.

I wil leave coach and generator down for the winter. I have put diesel conditioner in the fuel and ran the generator to make sure it got through the entire fuel system..

Thanks to all who advised me, I will leave well enough alone....

Can someone remind me once again why I live up here with the snow and cold..LOL

THx
Ted

[BCooke]

Scenic country?