Running generator while driving

[GoneFishin]

Are there any safety isues to be concerned about if we decide to run the generator while driving?

Who doesn't run it and why?

It is a little noisier with it on. I think some of you run it so you can have the air conditioner on and the coach is cool when you arrive at your destination. Are there other reasons to run it other than the AC?

I guess I'm equating it to having the LP gas open and powering the refrigerator while driving.

Thanks!

[GoneFishin]

Are there any safety isues to be concerned about if we decide to run the generator while driving?

Who doesn't run it and why?

It is a little noisier with it on. I think some of you run it so you can have the air conditioner on and the coach is cool when you arrive at your destination. Are there other reasons to run it other than the AC?

I guess I'm equating it to having the LP gas open and powering the refrigerator while driving.

Thanks!

[mountainkowboy]

Do it all the time, along with the fridge on lp.

[RonNBama]

Ditto, me too. Think of it as a positive safety move since the fridge will be using 120V instead of that deadly LP.

[loranimal]

Use it all the time to run the A/C's. Can't even tell it running while driving down the road.

[FloridaAnn]

For 8 yr. while fulltiming we ran generator with full load, makes travelling more comfortable, keeps generator in good condition, keeps dust, dirt, etc out of unit and lastly we remembered to check all units regularly for needed cleaning, maintaince, etc. because they were in use. Whether luck, or our use of units, we did not loose A/C, refrig, generator, etc during that time. We now 3/4 time and still use same principle. One other component is our pets were more comfortable and the outside nose didn't upset the dog as much and gave us extra sense of security as windows closed and locked.

[crudeman]

It only takes one short trip with it off, when its nice and hot and you will see why everyone runs them. As mentioned before its good for the genny also.

[mom2mastiffs]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoneFishin:
Are there any safety isues to be concerned about if we decide to run the generator while driving?

We ran ours the entire way from AZ to Ohio pretty much non-stop except when we stayed at a campground in Illinois! The dogs appreciate the a/c blowing on them while they sleep on the bed listening to Harry Potter Cds

[teofff]

My dash air is not adequate in hot weather, so always use the gennie....

[ronboc]

I agree with others about running it as needed. Air movement shouldn't create a carbon-monoxide issue, nor should any heat build-up.

As was mentioned, it's also a bit safer since frig will then run on AC with no LP flame in the coach.

Even tho there are a LOT of variables, it 'seems' from my experience (and from a lot of what I've read) that it is more efficient (fuelwise) than running the dash AC. Also reduces a bit of the energy draw from the engine, if needed to go up hills or accelerate quickly (like we're gonna try to win any race).

Ron

[Socal36]

I do it all the time, mostly for the Ac's or the nuker if the wife is making something on the go. Only bad deal is it sucks the fuel down faster hehe and gotta watch that 1/4 tank! Your gen will die at 1/4 fyi!

[SRT]

Run the generator when it is hot out. Run the front A/C to supplement the dash air. Not a problem while traveling to B from A.

[ronboc]

Maybe this is as good of an opportunity as any to throw out the question of anyone having made any real-life evaluations about fuel-consumption differences between running the dash-air and the genset. Every time we pull into a fill-station, it's all about $$/gal and how we wish all destinations were downhill with a tailwind. But is it really?

According to the Onan literature, a 'typical' genset will 'typically' use somewhat less than one gallon/hour at almost anything less than full-load (more like 1/2 to 3/4 gallon/hr). And I've heard from several different sources that the rule-of-thumb for a dash A/C is that running it will reduce an engine's fuel-mileage by about 10%, and horsepower by about the same margin.

Using simple 10/10 math (ten fingers and ten toes) and the assumption that an rv will get 8mpg at 60 mph, the genset is consuming 0.75-1.0gph (and probably less) while the dash A/C takes maybe 0.8gph from the pump-total.

I'd suppose an already-loaded coach will want to have every tiny bit of horsepower available when entering an on-ramp or chugging up a hill, but a lot of coaches these days come with bigger engines and lots of oomph, so it may not be that big of a deal with a dash A/C running. However, I do know that I still tend to cut it off when wishing for that little extra kick getting up to speed but it may be just me, as I never see a difference either way - I'm still slower than turtle on valium.

Here in Texas in the summertime, one is hard-pressed to keep up with the heat even with all shades drawn and both A/C's running, so for me it's "Onan-Time" way earlier in the day than Miller-Time. If it costs more, I'll pay for it at the pump (I hate having my legs stick to the seat-upholstery).

[76dc]

Run mine most of the time, cannot think of any reason not to run it.