wintertime genset load

[ToledoCharli]

I understand running A/c and generator in summertime to put load on generator so whats the best way to exercise generator in wintertime?

[Elkhartjim]

Heat pumps, if you have them. Water heater on electric, if you have water in the tank. If none of the aforementioned, maybe an electric space heater or two.

[dieselclacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim Heat pumps, if you have them. Water heater on electric, if you have water in the tank. If none of the aforementioned, maybe an electric space heater or two.

What works for me to load the generator during cold months is to use two
electric space heaters, microwave oven on high, toaster, anything that uses electricity to heat it. Good advice from Elkhartjim on having water in the water heater before heating it with power from the generator, don't even ask me how I know!!

Dieselclacker

[wa8yxm]

Electric space heaters of course.. 1500 watts a pop so 2 of them is about right for an Onan 5500 watt,

I do not particularry like running them on RV wiring, I've smelled the overheated wire when I've done it. so I installed a couple of proper 20 amp outlets 12ga wire, Solid under a screw connections.. but many use them without issues on normal RV wiring.

[Fencebuster]

We've gotten there with a space heater, using a vacuum cleaner (trying to pass the time in a useful way), hair dryer, sometimes run the hot pot and then the coffeemaker and microwave.

We slowly add to the load but would appreciate knowing how long to keep the load up - 1/2 hour long enough to run at about 60% load?

[Jerry J]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fencebuster <<<<< We slowly add to the load but would appreciate knowing how long to keep the load up - 1/2 hour long enough to run at about 60% load?

Onan says 2 hrs. a month and prefers 2 hrs. at one time.

[ninos]

I never exercise my generator in the winter is that bad?

[Jerry J]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninos I never exercise my generator in the winter is that bad?

Time will tell. Do you have a propane fueled generator? Which generator do you have?

[historyljc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninos I never exercise my generator in the winter is that bad?

Check your manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.

[ninos]

I have a onan 7500 quiet diesel

[Smokyjoe]

Book says to run for 2 hours once a month year round to keep seals from drying out and to lubricate its self.

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

I try to do it on a warm day if possible.. I don't want to 'fire it up' when super cold out, but I'm also curious to see if it will work.

I currently live in mine and want to at least keep the gas in the line fresh just in case

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninos I have a onan 7500 quiet diesel

Keep in mind that diesel engines don't like the cold weather too much

Make sure that you can run it long enough to get to FULL operating temp. Also, let it warm up for a while BEFORE applying a full load and it will thank you in the long run

Also, fuel additives, winter blend diesel, #1 diesel, or a little bit of straight kerosene will aid in starting and prevent fuel filters from plugging when the mercury drops (since 'summer' #2 diesel starts to wax around 20*F)

[Elkhartjim]

In my opinion, the exercising is as much or more for the genset electronics.