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al koffman · 08-24-2007, 02:50 PM

The manual says to run gen at least once a month under load for an hour. What does one hour accomplish that 15-20 minutes wouldn't?

al koffman · 08-24-2007, 02:50 PM

The manual says to run gen at least once a month under load for an hour. What does one hour accomplish that 15-20 minutes wouldn't?

**Petro** · 08-24-2007, 02:57 PM

Al;

It is my understanding it is to warm up the windings and dry out any accumulated moisture. I believe it is also to flush out the fuel system. It helps keep carb or injectors clean.

Don

TXiceman · 08-24-2007, 03:03 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Petro:
Al;

It is my understanding it is to warm up the windings and dry out any accumulated moisture. I believe it is also to flush out the fuel system. It helps keep carb or injectors clean.

Don </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That be the reasons. The alternate is to long term store the generator which will require you to run the generator dry, spry the fuel system and engine with a VOC oil to prevent rust bith internally and externally and change the oil and filter. The generator will need to be kept in a warm dry area to keep the windings dry. The material the winds is coated with is hygroscopic in nature, so it want to absorb moisture.

Letting the fuel system gum up is a mess and expensive to repair and you can burn out the windings if they are allowed to get too damp.

It takes close to one hour to get the winding good and warm and drive off the moisture.

Ken

bill carle · 08-24-2007, 04:10 PM

Ken: It never ceases to amaze me how much can be learned on this site. I was aware of the fuel problems with the generator when not run but had no idea about the windings. Thank you sir.... bill

Two Bit · 08-27-2007, 07:02 AM

In addition to the moisture and the old fuel issues metioned...
Some generators that have been stored for long periods lose their "internal magnatism" (cant remember the technical terms) and must be reflashed with an external current usually, from a battery, in order for them to again produce electricity. This "reflash" (again, not the correct technical term) must be done by someone who knows what they are doing, or the generator can be damaged.

RustyJC · 08-27-2007, 07:24 AM

Robert,

Excitation??

Rusty

Don (W5IT) · 08-27-2007, 07:48 AM

As Ken and others have mentioned the gnerator needs to be RUN to continue to operate properly.

The magnetic field will be lost over time. Thus no excitation to generate electricity. The magnetic properties are what supplies the field voltage. On the genrators I operate here at the power plant have this voltage supplied by a D.C. converter. (A BIG one)

I am hearing rumors that Onan is looking at a change in waranty policy. Rumor is that they are going to start denying warranty if the run hours do not cover the schedule listed in the owners manual.

******** This is just RUMOR so far, but I have heard it from two differant Onan certified tech's.*******

Of course I RUN mine. When I got the Raptor in April it had just under 100 hours on it. When I shut it down yesterday afternoon it had 270 hours. (Well 269 and 8/10) If a month goes by where we don't use the rig, I will start it, turn on both A\C units and let it run for two or three hours.

Two Bit · 08-27-2007, 08:30 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RustyJC:
Robert,

Excitation??

Rusty </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think that's it...but it is so hard to do on Mondays

RustyJC · 08-27-2007, 09:10 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Two Bit:

I think that's it...but it is so hard to do on Mondays

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ain't THAT the truth!!

Rusty

TXiceman · 08-27-2007, 10:29 AM

Bet'ca that Don can confirm that he sees a lot more generators with low hours with problems thn high hour units.

I have seen a number of them with over 2000 hours and going strong.

Ken

Don (W5IT) · 08-27-2007, 10:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXiceman:
Bet'ca that Don can confirm that he sees a lot more generators with low hours with problems thn high hour units.

I have seen a number of them with over 2000 hours and going strong.

Ken </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep, usually the stator that has gone south on low hour units..... They ain't cheap either!

Ken I can top the hours run..... I have seen over 10,000 hours a several times on genny's in tour busses.

Heck I have seen Onan Quiet Diesel 7,500's with 5,000 hours or better many times.

Do the maint. (Oil changes, oil and air filter changes) and run them!

Nonno · 08-27-2007, 03:11 PM

For us who live up north and our MH's sit outside behind a snow drift all winter, what should we do?

My usual procedure is blow out the water lines, change MH & Generator oil, fill gas tank w/stabilizer running it thru MH & Generator engines and then disconnect coach battery. Now it sits all winter except once a month for 2 or 3 days I hook the trickle charge up to top off the chassis and coach batteries. If I were to start the generator at those times, first of all it's cold soaked and I would now need a winter weight oil but what do I "put on" to meet the load requirement?

Don (W5IT) · 08-27-2007, 03:57 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If I were to start the generator at those times, first of all it's cold soaked and I would now need a winter weight oil but what do I "put on" to meet the load requirement?

Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rule of thumb is equipment to reach 80% of rated load.