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06-23-2015, 10:14 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 91
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Run generator all night?
Is it "OK" (realize that's a relative term) to run the generator all night if doing a Walmart stop?
This would be to have air conditioning.
That's a solid chunk of generator hours in one fell swoop. We currently have about 25 generator hours on a nearly three year old RV.
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06-23-2015, 10:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,495
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Check the oil , fire it up . The gen set is built to run continually.
Better used and maintained , than stored and ignored.
Just be sure you have fuel , gen set will shut down when tank drops below 1/4 full.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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06-23-2015, 10:31 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 6,401
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I have run my over 48 hours straight on a couple of occasions.
__________________
Wayne & Roberta
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis......It's really weird being the same age as old people. I thought getting old would take much longer.
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06-24-2015, 12:39 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Alpine Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Bellingham, WAA
Posts: 233
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I regularly run mine for 2-5 days on end w no problems. I do service my generator regularly and I do check oil levels every 8 hours of run time .
I do use two carbon monoxide detectors in my rig to err on side of caution plus a genturi to pipe fumes UP even when parked at some place like a Flying J or Walmart
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]TheDogNPonyShow - Bellingham WA USA
1998 Alpine 36MDS DP Toad 2000 Geo Tracker.
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06-24-2015, 03:43 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
Is it "OK" (realize that's a relative term) to run the generator all night if doing a Walmart stop?
This would be to have air conditioning.
That's a solid chunk of generator hours in one fell swoop. We currently have about 25 generator hours on a nearly three year old RV.
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Have done 25 hour runs on my Onan on several occasions.
In fact.. The onans are designed to RUN,, Continuously for days on end.
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Home is where I park it!
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06-24-2015, 03:57 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Foley AL
Posts: 7,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip426
Check the oil , fire it up . The gen set is built to run continually.
Better used and maintained , than stored and ignored.
Just be sure you have fuel , gen set will shut down when tank drops below 1/4 full.
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BTW ... it varies ... mine quits at about 1/3 full. Onan 7500 burns about 1/2 gal/hr. So, at $3/gal, an 8 hour run will cost about $12.
__________________
2005 Newmar Essex 4502, 2013 Caddy SRX
1997 HR Endeavor 37, CAT, 1996 Geo Tracker
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06-24-2015, 04:07 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,080
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No problem running the generator for extended period of time. Not sure how big your generator but you could end up burning enough fuel to afford a campground for the night
And I full well understand the advantages of Walmart. Late in out early to make some time. If at Walmart good chance some Semi will have his refrigerator unit running so your generation not bother anyone more than his.
Fire it up let-er-run. That's what they are made to do.
Russell
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06-24-2015, 04:47 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Marathon, Florida
Posts: 2,909
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DogNPonyshow
I do use two carbon monoxide detectors in my rig to err on side of caution
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Yes a CO monitor (or two) is a must have item. Even if you are not running your genny.
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Mark & Nancy
2004 Winnebago Vectra 40KD
Shep dog, R.I.P. Kenzie dog Toad 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler
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06-24-2015, 05:11 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,444
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All of my overnight are in Wal-Mart / Flying J. I always try to park with the exhaust pointed away from others. ( end spot, along curb, under big rig trailer ).
When I first started Flying J overnighting, a guy parked his SUV in the RV spot next to me. They we're going to tailgate a pizza. Once he setup, he noticed the generator exhaust. He moved to the car parking area. It made me more aware of my exhaust.
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06-24-2015, 08:10 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Jayco Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poinciana FL
Posts: 7,781
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If running the genny overnight I highly recommend you use a genturi or something similar, regardless of how many carbon monoxide detectors you have - they have been known to fail. It's also friendlier for any neighbors.
That said, we don't "boondock" often, but when we do I won't hesitate to use the generator for whatever amount of time that might be. On our past motorhomes that meant the generator ran without a rest for up to 4 days. Our current coach has an auto start feature that will limit generator run time based on demand and the state of the batteries. We spent 4 nights without hookups a couple of years ago with daytime temps in the upper 90s, nighttime lows near 80. The auto start feature is also tied into the thermostat and ran a cumulative 3 hours overnight rather than 8 or 10.
__________________
Jay and Peggy Monroe
"Can't take it with you, not leaving any behind"
2024 Jayco White Hawk 26FK
2024 Ford Expedition
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06-24-2015, 08:18 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
Is it "OK" (realize that's a relative term) to run the generator all night if doing a Walmart stop?
This would be to have air conditioning.
That's a solid chunk of generator hours in one fell swoop. We currently have about 25 generator hours on a nearly three year old RV.
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I've done it many times.
Heck one time I was at a show in New Jersey with no hookups for 3 days. I ran the genset in my old bus for 3.5 days straight, never turning it off once.
I did though, have a battery operated carbon monoxide tester that I just left laying on the nightstand right next to my head... HEY! You can buy one at walmart That's what I did.
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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06-24-2015, 08:20 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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As to fuel... I had a 40' fleetwood revolution, I pulled into newjersey between full and 3/4 - i ran the genset for 3.5 days. When I pulled out, I was just above 1/4 of a tank.
one 8-13 hour night shouldn't give you any issue at all. You *might* see the needle move a little.
OH and I also had a second CO Monitor, that I just pucked up by the pedals at the drivers seat right by the genset exhaust. Neither ever went off.
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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06-24-2015, 08:26 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Oak Creek, WI
Posts: 1,143
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Of course you can...
As others have wisely advised.. please make sure you have a functioning CO monitor... It really is a life saver..
Also, if you don't have one.. I strongly suggest purchasing or making a "gen-turi" device... We opted to purchase one of these Item (Camco Gen-turi)... probably one of the single best investments we made..
Also, with only 25 hours over a three year period.. you need to remember to exercise that generator each month (for me, it's one hour per month)... with generators.. it's like vacation... "use it, or lose it".. they thrive on being used... the more, the better..
Good luck and have fun... and enjoy EVERYTHING your RV has to offer.. that includes the generator !!!
__________________
Eric & Denise
2012 Itasca Sunstar 35F W/ 5-Star Tuner
2017 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
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08-04-2015, 01:00 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChallengerRN
No problem running the generator for extended period of time. Not sure how big your generator but you could end up burning enough fuel to afford a campground for the night
And I full well understand the advantages of Walmart. Late in out early to make some time. If at Walmart good chance some Semi will have his refrigerator unit running so your generation not bother anyone more than his.
Fire it up let-er-run. That's what they are made to do.
Russell
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While stopping at the Flying J I've noticed that the generator running at 3600 RPM is louder than an idling semi truck. I feel like I'm disturbing the truckers.
I don't care how many CO detectors I have I don't trust my life to them. I've been known to sleep through a few alarms before and if you sleep through a CO alarm you are never waking up. So no genny for me while I'm asleep. Eventually I'll get enough batteries to allow a small portable a/c while I'm sleeping. Until then a 12v fan will have to suffice.
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