Why Exercise Generator and How Ofter?

[TallPaul]

I have a Generac in a 2000 Gulfstream. The manual says to exercise the generator for a half hour once a week. That's 26 hours a year. Seems like a lot. Wouldn't once a month be sufficient?

What needs the exercise, the dynamo or the gasoline engine?

What is the minimum frequency to exercise to prevent problems?

Can it be for less than half an hour? In summer I would think 15 minutes is enough, whereas half an hour makes sense in winter.

[TallPaul]

I have a Generac in a 2000 Gulfstream. The manual says to exercise the generator for a half hour once a week. That's 26 hours a year. Seems like a lot. Wouldn't once a month be sufficient?

What needs the exercise, the dynamo or the gasoline engine?

What is the minimum frequency to exercise to prevent problems?

Can it be for less than half an hour? In summer I would think 15 minutes is enough, whereas half an hour makes sense in winter.

[RV Wizard]

Onan's manual instructs to run the generator for 2 hours with a 50% load on it each month. THe reason to excersize the generator is many things. The windings, slip rings and brushes will acummulate moisture. Running it drives the moisture out and cleans everything up. THe engines need excersizing to use the fuel that has been sitting in a gasoline carb and allow fresh fuel in. keep the cylinder wall from corroding and sizing moving internal parts. We have more problems with generators that are not run enough than those that are run alot. Just keep up the maintenance (exersizing is part of it) and you will be ready for power the next time you want it.

[TallPaul]

Thanks. Once a month makes sense. The load thing does too as the manual says not to run a long time without a load. Not sure how to load it up in winter though. Summer is easy, just turn on the air con. Well, maybe could run the air in winter, but probably will only do fan as it would be too cold for the compressor to come on. Maybe why Generac says half hour because that is an okay time frame without load. I'll probably do half hour, once per month. I know this unit sat a lot in first 7 years as only had 9700 miles, so that gen certainly didn't get it's exercise, but best to get it on a program now while it still runs well.

Thanks

[JC2]

TallPaul
You could run a small electric heater on the high setting which should generate somewhat of a load for about 1/2-1Hr.

[full-timer]

I run mine once a monthe for 45 minutes with a load and haven't had any problems with it. Don't worry about the amount of hours,its when you don't run them is when you have troubles. I've got 960 hours on mine.

Joe

[David K]

I use the electric heaters as mentioned above to put a load on the generator. Turn on all of the lights and the TVs also --- just to make sure that they are all in working order. Test the radio and cd changer. That way, you can catch the little items and still exercise the generator at the same time.

[TallPaul]

Ah, electric space heater is a good idea.

So what happens to a generator if you run it too long with no load?

[RV Wizard]

You do not build up sufficient heat to drive the moisture out, burn fuel and wear and tear on engine with no benifit.

[TandW]

Generally, no load running is a run rich condition. I use 2 1500w barn heaters to load up my O4000w

[TallPaul]

Ah, good. Then I don't have to worry about destroying the generator running it, say, to charge my cell phone or something, but do need to load up for the monthly run. Space heater probably best in winter. Certainly heat is helpful, though some airflow is going through the generator, but maybe not getting in all the tight places.