Generator use

[2008DYN]

We own a 2008 Monaco Dynasty Coach. At time of purchase dealer installed new generator. We’ve noticed a lot of similar age coaches have low hours of use. We use ours while traveling with the air on and dry camping while enroute to final destinations. We’ve already totaled 1086 hours in less then four years. Is this considered normal useage.

[RVThere]

Generators are made to run! My 2017 already has 855 hours and my 2008 has over 3700 hours. Just keep up with the maintenance.

Many people use their coaches only in campgrounds and run the frig on propane while traveling thus don't have many hours on the generator.

[FlaCats]

For most generators, it's recommended that you run them at least two hours a month. Whether traveling or sitting at home, we've always made a point to run ours, with a load on it for part of the time, for at least those two hours. Fuel can "gunk up" the carb or get "stale" in the lines. Servicing the generators is not easy to do depending on how it's set up in a coach, the locations of service centers not necessarily nearby & the repairs can be costly.
As with any motorhome, use & enjoy all its features to accommodate your traveling lifestyle.

[jelag]

Remember to service it when you have long run times... I watch my Onan's hour meter and make sure I service it at the right intervals... mine has a Kabota diesel and its a simple task to put new filters in the unit as needed....

And YES they can run forever with good service... the Onan's are more than standby power...

[momdoc]

If you service it correctly and when due your unit is just about broken in

[geordi]

My Onan with a Kubota diesel has 2600 hours on it right now, and I've upgraded it with an external large capacity fuel filter, next upgrade will be a larger oil filter located remotely from the internal unit. I use mine for many hours continuously, it has run for a week 24/7 before and no issues. Use good oil and keep up on the maintenance and you will get great service from them.

Let them sit, and they will degrade just from neglect.

[Bahamaniac]

My 6500 sat for 4 years untouched when we bought the coach. It fired right up and ran like a top! Performed the 250 hour maintenance (only had 198 hours) and she runs like a top to this day! Of course I do run it every few weeks with a load now that I own it!

[Roadglide54]

I Believe in useing stable in the fuel on my 5500 Cummins onan. That's not a lot hours for a 12 year old coach

[2008DYN]

Originally Posted by Roadglide54

I Believe in useing stable in the fuel on my 5500 Cummins onan. That's not a lot hours for a 12 year old coach

Thanks for your reply. The coach is 12 years old but the generator is only three. I keep up with the oil changes every 250 hours with Cummins recommenced Valvoline Diesel oil.

[2008DYN]

Originally Posted by RVThere

Generators are made to run! My 2017 already has 855 hours and my 2008 has over 3700 hours. Just keep up with the maintenance.



Many people use their coaches only in campgrounds and run the frig on propane while traveling thus don't have many hours on the generator.

Thanks for your reply. I’ll keep doing what I be been doing. My useage will be going down since my wife and I have altered our normal travel route. Less generator and more shore power.

[2008DYN]

Originally Posted by momdoc

If you service it correctly and when due your unit is just about broken in

Thanks. Reassuring to know.