generator use

[jhughd]

I am new to the generator world and need some advise. I have been told I need to run the gen each month for 30 minutes at 50% load. My question is, what constitutes a 50% load? I supose both AC's running would be a good load, but what about during the winter? How do I determine how much load is on the gen?

Thanks.
JD

[jhughd]

I am new to the generator world and need some advise. I have been told I need to run the gen each month for 30 minutes at 50% load. My question is, what constitutes a 50% load? I supose both AC's running would be a good load, but what about during the winter? How do I determine how much load is on the gen?

Thanks.
JD

[JerryForwood]

Plug in an electric space heater, approx 1500 watts. Most of them have a switch for 600 watts to 900 watts to 1500 watts. I usually set mine on 1500 watts and settle back to watch some TV if I don't have something else that needs to be done.
Jerry

[Rick Long]

Add up the wattage of the appliances you turn on.. when you reach half of your generator's output your there. I use a 10' extention cord and go from appliance to appliance, testing each one, like the toaster, blender, coffee maker, fans, heaters, etc. It's better to know now if they work or not than in the middle of a trip and it puts a load on the Genny. Besides, you have to do something during that half hour.

ps. also check the water in your batteries, just because your already there.
Here is a link to a good list from Good Sam ERS..
http://www.goodsamers.com/members/ar...icleid=1197415

[JoeT]

I assume you have and Onan generator. Onan says to run it two hours monthly. When I run mine in the summer I turn on both roof AC's, all of the lights and TV's. In the winter I turn on the heat pumps.