Generator question

[richp5]

My rv is plugged in to power while resting for the past 7 weeks and it will continue to sit idle until I use it on January 10th. Can I run the generator, just to keep it active while it's plugged in or should I unplug it prior to starting up the generator? The only reason I ask is I have to crawl under it to unplug and then plug it back in due to placement of the outlet. BTW, it's parked outdoors in SoCA so no winterization concerns. Thanks for any replies!

[shootist]

If you dont have a transfer switch, unplug it, but do it at the other end of the cord, why go under it? If your cord is hard wired to the rv and the gen is factory installed I would think it has a transfer switch also

[twinboat]

You can start the generator and it will switch over to generator power, regardless of shore power being on or off. It has a 30 second delay.

Do it with the air conditioners and other high draw items off and you will be fine.

Once it switchs over, add some load. They recommend that. Just turn the load off before switching the generator off. It will switch back to shore power.

That's how a Automatic Transfer Switch works, automaticly.

If you just want to run the generator with no load, switch off the breakers on its control panel. It will run but not send out any power. No power, no automatic transfer.

[momdoc]

Twinboat is correct in that to properly exercise your generator you need to run it under load ( run a couple of AC units) for 30 min or so. You should do this every month or so.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by twinboat

You can start the generator and it will switch over to generator power, regardless of shore power being on or off. It has a 30 second delay.

Do it with the air conditioners and other high draw items off and you will be fine.

Once it switches over, add some load. They recommend that. Just turn the load off before switching the generator off. It will switch back to shore power.

That's how a Automatic Transfer Switch works, automatically.

If you just want to run the generator with no load, switch off the breakers on its control panel. It will run but not send out any power. No power, no automatic transfer.

However, if you cannot place a load on your genset it does little good for it to run, just burns(in your case) gas.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

However, if you cannot place a load on your genset it does little good for it to run, just burns(in your case) gas.

Burning the aging gas left in the carburator is a good thing.

While the gas in the tank is sealed from the environment, the gas left in the carburator bowl is open to the atmosphere. It can foul and start to varnish just sitting there.

Even the generator manual says to run it to burn the gas thru the carburator, while also heating the generator head windings.

There are many more fouled carburators then bad windings in RV generators.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Burning the aging gas left in the carburator is a good thing.

While the gas in the tank is sealed from the environment, the gas left in the carburator bowl is open to the atmosphere. It can foul and start to varnish just sitting there.

Even the generator manual says to run it to burn the gas thru the carburator, while also heating the generator head windings.

There are many more fouled carburators then bad windings in RV generators.

My gas genset has a fuel shutoff valve, and a drain screw on the carb to conveniently drain the carb for storage. I suppose I shouldn't assume other brands do have these.

[richp5]

Thanks all for your posts. I will run it with both air conditioners activated on Saturday (hope it's still warm as Friday it will be in the upper 70's) and enjoy some football on the tv. I'll also unplug before firing it up.