Exercising Generator

[Dogpatch]

What do you guys do to periodically exercise your generator? What loads do you put on it? What about in winter?

[spritz]

I'll go first (I guess ), I run it weekly about 1/2hr - 45 min. with a Ac unit running on full blast Don't run it in the winter though too cold here. You'll get more info to follow...

[Sky_Boss]

SEE

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/on-ex...or-167868.html

As to winter...my whole goal is to not have a winter any more. LOL

Seriously, fire up a hair dryer and/or a big vacuum cleaner. Turn on every light, TV and maybe the Microwave too. Trust me, the hair dryer and vacuum at the same time will take you to nearly 20 amps.

[08 Beaver]

Dogpatch, I run my generator approximately 1/2 hour every other week in the summer with the A/C for the load. In the winter I have a portable heater I plug into the 110 outlet. Seems to be working so far. Hope it helps.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by 08 Beaver

Dogpatch, I run my generator approximately 1/2 hour every other week in the summer with the A/C for the load. In the winter I have a portable heater I plug into the 110 outlet. Seems to be working so far. Hope it helps.

Summer, two airs.
Winter, two electric space heaters.
However I seldom exercise mine......(If I had exersized mine 1/2 hour every other week It would have over 200 hours more on it than the current 360 total hours!
Mel
'96 Safari

[Old Scout]

WOW--360 hrs on a 1996 genset--so what are you saving it for???? Lots of opinions here and some facts. Seems like once a month for 30 minutes, at 1/2 load is about right--key is warm up the components and drive off any moisture that has accumulated. Not sure how cold "too cold" is but winter and storage is the prime time to exercise your genset. Having it set for months in cold weather is not good for the engine or the generator.....just saying

[sc3283]

mine gets used only when needed. I know the genny police disagree.

I do not run it during the winter...winter running can do more harm than good on a gas or diesel engine..both take a very long run to get oil warm enough to eliminate moisture. Moisture makes acid which can harm the engine internals.

my 1996 Onan has 246 hours

it is a matter of choice to or not to.

if you choose to...put large loads on it as suggested above...ACs, heat pumps, portable heaters

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by mel stuplich

Summer, two airs.
Winter, two electric space heaters.
However I seldom exercise mine......(If I had exersized mine 1/2 hour every other week It would have over 200 hours more on it than the current 360 total hours!
Mel
'96 Safari

To be honest, a 1996 MH with only 560 hours on the genny would seem rather "light" to me. I wouldn't think badly if it had twice as many hours on it.

[TonyDi]

I'm not sure I understand what a lot of people are "saving" their generators for? Most gennys have a good long life when taken care of. If you are going to run it in winter just make sure to run it long enough to evaporate any water that may present. As most have said they run their gennys 1/2 hr. That is more then enough time to bring the temp up and evaporate any moisture.

[HD4Mark]

I use the same method as others. When it is warm out run it for 20 min or so with a/c on. When it is cold, go south and run it for 20 min or so with the a/c on Actually when it is not warm enough for the a/c an electric space heater, hair dryer or the microwave will pull enough amps to warm it up. Make sure to at least put a bowl of water in the micro though. It is supposedly not good to run them empty.

[sc3283]

Not saving mine....it had 149 hrs when I bought the RV almost 2 yrs ago. I just use it when it is needed

[GaryKD]

Hi dogpatch,
I run the generator 1 hour every other month if it has not been exercised during that time. Turn on the A/Cs for load. Been doing this since 1978.

[DeWat]

1 hour every month with both ACs running in the summer, and both heat pumps running in the winter. In addition, I will run the genny and roof ACs while traveling so I can skip that month of running it while parked.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

I'm not sure I understand what a lot of people are "saving" their generators for?

I'm not "saving" it, I just have not used or exercised it not using it often!
Mel