Community Forums

KarenS144 · 05-08-2015, 06:12 PM

Gary & I have this "discussion" every time we're on the road when it is warm. I say crank the gen on and run the roof air. He wants to run the dash air which isn't an option right now since it needs to be juiced up. So today, on the 4.5 hour drive home, I "glistened", the dogs panted, he drove with his window open and the vents blew hot air.

We have an '11 Ventana DP with an Onan gen.

He claims he's read where one should not run the gen while driving. He also bases his opinion on the fuel pump going out on our gasser's Generac gen when we had it on while driving.

I say I've read more posts that say it's okay to do so.

So... which is it?

A. Fire up the gen & roof air and roll on down the road and be comfortable.

OR

B. Depend on dash air (when it works) and "glisten"/pant/sweat when it doesn't.

OR

C. Use both when needed to stay comfy.

DonDee · 05-08-2015, 06:17 PM

A. Fire up the gen & roof air and roll on down the road and be comfortable.

Kend51 · 05-08-2015, 06:18 PM

A. Fire up the gen & roof air and roll on down the road and be comfortable.

Campin Cajun · 05-08-2015, 06:19 PM

A!!!

KIX · 05-08-2015, 06:23 PM

A. Fire up the gen & roof air and roll on down the road and be comfortable. Use the dash aiur too if it's needed and works.

Ernie Ekberg · 05-08-2015, 06:26 PM

your husband is quite misinformed
I have 15,000 watts of power running all 3 airs and anything else- power on

HoneyBadger · 05-08-2015, 06:26 PM

There is absolutely no down side to using your generator while driving- the gennie functions perfectly well while the big box its inside of rolls down the road. If he actually read something that said it was a bad idea- well, they were wrong.

And your fuel pump issues had nothing to do with being in motion at the time.

bonzocfi · 05-08-2015, 06:35 PM

Power that bad boy up and be comfortable!!!

the_vfox · 05-08-2015, 06:39 PM

Light that fire and may the wind be at your back. Generators are made to be used, what better use is there?

nforus · 05-08-2015, 06:40 PM

Hey Karen,

The previous posters are right, run the Genny and be cool, On some coaches the extra engine fan speed needed to run the dash A/C on high is much more of a pain than running the generator. I personally have not seen a post on this or other forums about folks wearing out their generators, go ahead and run it, 3000 hours on the Genny is nothing if you perform regular maintenance.

PDR John · 05-08-2015, 06:47 PM

We run the genny and roof airs. Uses about the same fuel per hour, but the whole coach is nice and cool.

dengraham · 05-08-2015, 06:51 PM

Karen,
I was told the dash a/c will force the engine fan to run fulltime which will use up a portion of the engine horsepower. Even if it was only 2% that could be 1 to 2 gallons per hour. Running the generator typically will use 1/2 gallon per hour. You would save money if you used the generator for a/c rather than the dash a/c. (Your "mileage may vary.")

Lee L · 05-08-2015, 07:08 PM

Unless it is cold enough to cause frost to form on the inside of the windshield, and we need heat while rolling down the road, the generator is on and the A/C is cranked down....we like it "meat locker" cold!

Gordon Dewald · 05-08-2015, 07:23 PM

There is nothing wrong with running the generator while on the road. Especially if it keeps you comfortable.

Another issue solved is exercising the generator. Generators are supposed to be run regularly under load to keep them fit. Not enough running and you will eventually end up with problems.