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07-08-2012, 05:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 225
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Can I run my gas generator all night non stop with a/c on?
Hi fellow RVers, this is my first post to this forum. I hope I'm not breaking any rules (if so please advise me). I have a question... can I run my gas generator in my class A motorhome all night long with some lights TV and our A/C on as well. At bedtime useing only clock and A/C. We have never tried dry camping and may try somewhere tomorrow night, but I don't want to burn up my generator in the process. If you have experience please advise me of the do's and don'ts of running my generator. Thank You!
Tom & Kathy
Mesa AZ
2005 Nat'l Dolphin 5342 LE
Currently in Alabama on the way to Florida on Monday.
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07-08-2012, 05:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 192
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We use ours for days at a time run everything like normal just make sure you have more than a quarter of a tank of gas as some generators have a cutoff at a quarter of a tank make sure your windows are closed and the ac is on and enjoy
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07-08-2012, 05:42 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 860
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In 2004 I ran our generator for 6 days stright 24 hrs. a day. We had 4 storms one after another and no electric in the house. I did open the cargo door so it got all the air it needed.
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Mike, Janet & Duchess (cavalier King Charles)
2008 35B windsport, Brazel's rear TracBar, Koni shocks & Safe T plus steering
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07-08-2012, 05:51 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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There are two answers... Many campgrounds limit generator use at night, usually after 10 or 11 pm they say SHUT THEM OFF.
The other answer is YES, and YES But.. Provided you are not breaking any noise rules.
BUT... You may not wake up in the morning.
Many RV's the way the generator is mounted and plumbed (Exhaust) exhaust can seep into the rig, and hardly a year goes by we don't read of someone who after running a generator all night failed to wake up in the morning.
On my coach, 2 hours was the limit when new before the CO alarm did what it's designed to go (Get very annoying).. I put a Gen-Turi generator exhaust extension on it and have since done some 25 hour runs with no annoying beep beep beep from the co detector. and I woke up in the morning too, as you can clearly see. (Not posting from "Golden.gates.com" or like)
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Home is where I park it!
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07-08-2012, 06:08 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sarasota,FL
Posts: 455
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All of the advice above is excellent. A good CO alarm is a must. Generators were made to run. Whenever I start moving the generator is up and running and stays running until we hook up to shore power which is not necessarily every night. The important thing is to ensure you have some kind of load on it. It is not good for the generator to run in an open field (no electrical device online).
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Lynda & Ronny Sarasota, Florida
2005 DutchStar DP 3809
Bailey (3lb Teacup Poodle)
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07-08-2012, 06:45 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 10,530
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Hi and welcome to the forum. You've gotten good advice.
Best of luck
Rick
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Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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07-08-2012, 07:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Ford Super Duty Owner Carolina Campers
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,266
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I run mine as necessary and as rules/laws permit. I have run mine 72 hours straight. Genny likes to run. Run it.
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2002 National Dolphin LX 6356
Workhorse W-22 chassis
Don't believe everything you think.
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07-08-2012, 07:05 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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If I was going to run the generator while sleeping, I would install a couple of more good quality CO detectors in the RV. Also, diredt the exhaust up and away from the RV...like a Genturi.
I would not take a chance on not waking up.
Every few years there is a death at the Houston Rodeo where someone was sleeping in their RV in the parking lot with the generator running.
Ken
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Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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07-08-2012, 07:19 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: florence,south carolina
Posts: 156
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remember to check the oil
__________________
03 damon challenger 329
workhorse
"the cheapest beach house i'll ever own and can move it when ever we want"
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07-09-2012, 08:48 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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One more comment: Many RVers go for years without starting the generator, Then when they need it.. No joy.
How I do it, Roughly the 1st of every month I will run it for at least 1/2 hour, usually while going from point A to point B (That is driving) under at least 1/2 load. Summer time I hit the Air conditioenrs, Winter, it's space heaters.. but the idea is 1/2 hour under 1/2 load every month.
Why about the first.. Well if the first is a Sunday,, Well.. I usually drive the house on Sunday.
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Home is where I park it!
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07-17-2012, 08:39 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 225
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Hello fellow travelers, just wanted to pop in and say a sincere THANK YOU  for all the great information. We did our first dry camping and everything went great. We are enjoying our trip to Florida and are currently staying in Stagecoach RV park in St. Augustine. We did not have WiFi for quite awhile... that's why the long delay to say Thank You to ya'all.
Tom & Kathy 
Mesa Arizona
2005 Nat'l Dolphin 5342 LE
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07-17-2012, 10:01 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Spring Valley AZ
Posts: 1,226
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomd85208
Hello fellow travelers, just wanted to pop in and say a sincere THANK YOU for all the great information. We did our first dry camping and everything went great. We are enjoying our trip to Florida and are currently staying in Stagecoach RV park in St. Augustine. We did not have WiFi for quite awhile... that's why the long delay to say Thank You to ya'all.
Tom & Kathy
Mesa Arizona
2005 Nat'l Dolphin 5342 LE |
Did you run the gen all night ??
__________________
Don, Mary and Spooky
'00 Bluebird Skoolie Conversion
Geo Tracker/Dodge Neon/Aprilia Scooter towed
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07-18-2012, 10:52 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Henrico, VA
Posts: 421
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You should try the state park in St Augustine! We stayed there a few nights in April and didn't want to leave.
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Good things come to those that wait. 
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07-18-2012, 10:58 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,692
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Howdy and welcome. There shouldn't be any problem running the generator but as mentioned be sure to have an operating CO detector on board.
__________________
Steve & Sally / Hudson Our Little Pom / Heidi, Houston & HiTee Forever in our Hearts
04 NEWMAR MACA 3778 W22 / 05 PT Vert
Michigan (Summer) Michigan (Winter For Now)
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