Community Forums

touringmn · 01-24-2018, 04:49 AM

The owner's manual for my Onan 6500 watt generator recommends firing the unit up every month. However, I have the unit stored for the winter months, which means the batteries are removed. My unit will not fire without the batteries.
How do I maintain the unit? Or am I doing something wrong again

okcnewbie · 01-24-2018, 05:07 AM

Many people don't bother when in storage.

If you want to follow Onan instructions than you'll have to temporally hook up at least one battery while you run the genset.

twinboat · 01-24-2018, 05:13 AM

What you should do is remove the fuel line, from the gas tank side of the fuel pump, and start the generator.

It will run for a minute or so and then die out. That will remove most of the gas from the carburetor and help protect from the aging gas, causing problems.

I always, and you should, re-connect the line, so its ready to go when pulled out of storage.

Gigattime · 01-24-2018, 04:25 PM

We store ours at our house so I run the generator under load for 2 hours per month. This also keeps batteries charged. Dealer recommended as long as batteries were charged there was no need to remove them in the winter.

plasma800 · 01-24-2018, 09:55 PM

and from what I'm reading, these generators really do need to be run... they can get stale fast, so you might have to just run a battery out there and watch a ball game while you run the genset for a bit.

mrgrayaz · 01-25-2018, 04:45 AM

Remember, it's not really about the engine (esp. for the Diesel's) it's for the windings on the actual generation side.

touringmn · 01-25-2018, 04:56 AM

Thanks all for the replies. Mine is LP fueled vs diesel or gas, so it is not about stale fuel.
My battery supplier was quite clear, Don't buy my batteries if you are not going to bring them in for the winter. I live in MN, so I have to challenge the keep them charged is adequate.
But, as stated above, it is the windings that need staying fresh.

Okay, now I need to play the single battery connection.

How long do you run yours? It is too cold to watch a game while I run the Gen. Nice idea though

twinboat · 01-25-2018, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgrayaz

Remember, it's not really about the engine (esp. for the Diesel's) it's for the windings on the actual generation side.

If you read the whole Onan operators manual, you will see that it is about the engine.

For long term storage, Diesel, LPG and fuel injected generators can be stored as is. They recommend a gas treatment for the carburator models.
From the Cummins On an manual,

Q: I will not be using/exercising my generator every month. What do I need

to do?

A: LPG — No special requirements.

Gasoline — Depending upon your location in the country, gasoline can start

to deteriorate in as little as 30 days. Treat the entire fuel tank with gasoline

stabilizer. Run genset for two hours at 50 to 70 percent load.

This process will circulate the treated fuel through the entire fuel system.

Diesel — Diesel is a very stable fuel. If the recreational vehicle will be in

storage greater than six months, treat the entire fuel tank with a diesel

stabilizer. Run genset for two hours at 50 to 70 percent load. This process

will circulate the treated fuel through the entire fuel system.

touringmn · 01-25-2018, 05:13 AM

Hmm, controversy [emoji6].

Seems that it is more about the fuel according to this excerpt of the manual.

Thanks for that. Guess I should find the manual, read it, and then learn/decide

kerryvan · 01-25-2018, 06:53 AM

I believe it is 30 min a month minimum at over 50 percent load. This is to dry out the internal parts of the generator portion. Depending on the age/design it is the windings or magnets. The newer design with magnets, the glue degrades and they fly off, major $$$ repair.

plasma800 · 01-25-2018, 07:28 AM

Let's make sure we look at the WHOLE picture..

Q: Why do I want to exercise my genset?
A: Regular exercising the genset heats up the alternator windings and removes
or expels excess moisture. In sets equipped with brushes, exercising helps
prevent corrosion buildup on slip rings. Running the genset also brings fresh
fuel to the carburetor on gasoline and diesel gensets.

Q: How often do I need to exercise my gasoline/diesel/
LPG generator?
A: Ideally, Cummins Onan generators should run for 60 to 120 minutes every
month. Once the genset is started, add as much load as possible (i.e., air
conditioner, heat pump, hair dryers, other appliances). The objective is to place
a 50 to 70*percent load on the genset.
17

Q: I will not be using/exercising my generator every month.
What do I need to do?

A: LPG — No special requirements.
Gasoline — Depending upon your location in the country, gasoline can start
to deteriorate in as little as 30 days. Treat the entire fuel tank with gasoline
stabilizer. Run genset for two hours at 50 to 70 percent load. This process will
circulate the treated fuel through the entire fuel system.
Diesel — Diesel is a very stable fuel. If the recreational vehicle will be in storage
greater than six months, treat the entire fuel tank with a diesel stabilizer. Run
genset for 2 hours at 50 to 70 percent load. This process will circulate the
treated fuel through the entire fuel system.

What I take the No Special Requirements to mean is this:
There's nothing extra you can do to protect it further than just leaving it alone whereas with gas or diesel please do these other things too.

NOT to mean, that not exercising it won't cause the internals to rust or build up moisture or the oil to go stale.

If you want your generator to be in it's best condition, you would operate it once per month under a good to heavy load.

I've read many reviews of LP generators seizing up 2 and 3 years into ownership. I'm pretty sure there is also a schedule for changing the oil, oil filter and air filter.. these are important to keep up with in my opinion.

wa8yxm · 01-25-2018, 08:13 AM

That one is so easy to answer......
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1...ter-62306.html

https://www.lifewire.com/best-portab...arters-4140286

Any decent one (I'd go with at least 600 amps_ or even a garden tractor battery is enough to jump the Generator. Recharge the battery after use. Leave hooked up at least till the transfer seitch transfers as the generator NEEDS 12 volt to work, Load generator with space heaters on low (Multiple circuits at least 4 space heaters) or install 20 amp outlets to dedicated breakers and use 2 space heaters on HI (my method)

plasma800 · 01-25-2018, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

That one is so easy to answer......
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1...ter-62306.html

https://www.lifewire.com/best-portab...arters-4140286

Any decent one (I'd go with at least 600 amps_ or even a garden tractor battery is enough to jump the Generator. Recharge the battery after use. Leave hooked up at least till the transfer seitch transfers as the generator NEEDS 12 volt to work, Load generator with space heaters on low (Multiple circuits at least 4 space heaters) or install 20 amp outlets to dedicated breakers and use 2 space heaters on HI (my method)

That's smart. Wa8 knows his stuff.