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01-12-2012, 07:00 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 94
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wintertime genset load
I understand running A/c and generator in summertime to put load on generator so whats the best way to exercise generator in wintertime?
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01-12-2012, 07:04 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Don't mess with Texas
Posts: 3,118
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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.
__________________
Jim with Judy
2017 Newmar Ventana 4369, 2005 Jeep Wrangler (Rock Crawler), 2016 Jeep Wrangler (Mall Crawler)
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01-12-2012, 08:18 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Northwestern Montana
Posts: 3,514
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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.
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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
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01-12-2012, 11:52 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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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.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
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01-13-2012, 10:14 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Plymouth, MI
Posts: 176
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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?
__________________
2015 Providence 42M, Cummins 450 ISL 9L), Allison 6-spd transmission, Freightliner chassis. Towing - 2017 Jeep Patriot (manual trans) with Air Force 1 brake system. Save Save
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01-13-2012, 11:16 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: On the Road
Posts: 604
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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?
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Onan says 2 hrs. a month and prefers 2 hrs. at one time.
__________________
Jerry J.
2008 Winnebago Vectra 40TD
2007 Honda CRV
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02-18-2012, 08:49 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 799
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I never exercise my generator in the winter is that bad?
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02-18-2012, 08:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: On the Road
Posts: 604
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ninos
I never exercise my generator in the winter is that bad?
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Time will tell. Do you have a propane fueled generator? Which generator do you have?
__________________
Jerry J.
2008 Winnebago Vectra 40TD
2007 Honda CRV
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02-19-2012, 12:49 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Posts: 5,173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ninos
I never exercise my generator in the winter is that bad?
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Check your manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.
__________________
Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
2006 Tiffin Phaeton - 2011 Cadillac SRX
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02-19-2012, 12:56 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 799
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I have a onan 7500 quiet diesel
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02-19-2012, 05:37 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cashiers, N.C. USA
Posts: 275
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Book says to run for 2 hours once a month year round to keep seals from drying out and to lubricate its self.
__________________
2001 Travel Supreme
36' Diesel
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02-19-2012, 07:10 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Glenrock, WY
Posts: 43
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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 
__________________
"Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber." -- Plato
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02-19-2012, 07:36 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Glenrock, WY
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ninos
I have a onan 7500 quiet diesel
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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)
__________________
"Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber." -- Plato
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02-19-2012, 07:54 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Don't mess with Texas
Posts: 3,118
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In my opinion, the exercising is as much or more for the genset electronics.
__________________
Jim with Judy
2017 Newmar Ventana 4369, 2005 Jeep Wrangler (Rock Crawler), 2016 Jeep Wrangler (Mall Crawler)
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