Exercising Generator

[Desperado13]

I am planning on exercising the generator. I know it needs to be run under load for at least 30 minutes. My question is this, can I use the heat strip on the furnace to put it under load? If so, one unit or both?

Thanks!

[MSHappyCampers]

I wasn't even aware that a propane furnace had a heat strip!

[t55watson]

2 ceramic heaters will work.

[TonyMac]

I run both heat pumps, which produce about half a load. Can you see how many amps your rv is using? My 8kw generator produces (8000w/120v) 67 amps, so I'd look for about 30-35.

[ChasA]

The manual for my Onan generator says to run two hours at 50% load.

[Desperado13]

Thanks so much for the responses. I'll download a manual and double-check the recommended time.

[TonyMac]

And don't forget to warm it up. Run it unloaded for two to five minutes before you exersise it, and cool it off by running it unloaded two to five minutes. I start mine while still plugged in to shore power and run it unloaded for a few minutes to warm it up. I then open the shore power cb at the post to switch power to genset and load it up. Run it loaded for a half hour or more, then I unload it completely, and close the shore power cb and allow the gen set to run for a few minutes unloaded before I shut it down.