Who made the 30 day exercise rule for generators??

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Slolane

Another issue with generators is that the insulation on the windings absorbs moisture from the air. Wet insulation is not good........

Running the generator under load will heat the insulation and drive off the moisture, prolonging the life of the generator.

That is what the generator manufacturers say is the reason for running diesel, gas and propane generators. With gas units it's to also keep fresh gas in the float bowl. Diesel and propane units don't need to worry about that last one though, but the windings can still go bad due to moisture in the windings so they should also be run with a half load.

[Ray,IN]

Cummins/Onan made the "rule". Read your owners manual.

Originally Posted by jondrew

Fortunately they have not figured out how to put corn squeezings into diesel yet

Yep, it's "figured out"; Ethanol Information: E Diesel
Some folks worry about bio-diesel made from soybeans, just wait_. Currently some engineers are concerned about the corrisiveness and flamability of ethanol in diesel fuel systems.

[Dutch Star Don]

Personally, I've never exercised either of my Onan diesel generators (two different coaches) in 11 years. With that said, I live in warm/dry Southern California. If I lived in a wet climate I would probably do differently.

[Murf2u]

Originally Posted by twinboat

A year and a half ago, I picked up a 1999 MH with 6 hours on the original generator.

I put 500 trouble free hours on it since.

It will now be stored for up to a year with no running.

I did pull the gas line and run it dry.
Wish me luck.

Exactly my experience.

In fact I have a friend with a summer place on an island in the Great Lakes. The utility people wanted a small fortune to bring electricity to the island so he bought a used 4K Onan from a motorhome and installed it in a shed. It gets used a LOT during the summer, then run dry in October and left until the next April. Never had a problem yet. He's been doing this for 10+ years now.

[69Stang]

When my parents still had my MH it sat for 2 1/2 years without being ran. Once I fixed the loose wire on the coil it fired right up and works great. I ran it for 2 hrs straight on our trip to Brunswick over New Years without an issue. Dad did use a gas stabilizer, but that was it.

[dnystrom]

When I was working we started our Fire Station Generator (35k) Weekly and ran for 1/2 hour with load. So yes, They liked to be run. That's what they do.

[Maverick50]

Many, many years ago 50 plus, my dad used to start the lawn mowing tractor just be for it put it away for the winter. He then took to air cleaner of and poured oil into the carburetor and then shut it down. He then drained the gas. Next spring new gas and it started right up. He basically coated the cylinder walls and valves with oil. An excellent rust inhibitor. Drain gas or use a gas inhibitor to keep varnish from forming. I feel the area that you are in or have been in, would dictate whether starting is necessary.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by dnystrom

When I was working we started our Fire Station Generator (35k) Weekly and ran for 1/2 hour with load. So yes, They liked to be run. That's what they do.

I'm not sure what running a generator every week actually proves.

I understand that it is a test run to make sure it will start.

That does not guarantee it will start the next time.

On the day it don't, you will still have to fix it.

[dnystrom]

[QUOTE=Mr_D;2897604]That is what the generator manufacturers say is the reason for running diesel, gas and propane generators. With gas units it's to also keep fresh gas in the float bowl. Diesel and propane units don't need to worry about that last one though, but the windings can still go bad due to moisture in the windings so they should also be run with a half load.[/QUOTE



Well that makes sense as the generator I was mentioning was in Western Washington where it's very damp.

[TonyMac]

From my Owners' Manual:
Generator Exercise
Ifuse of the generator is infrequent, “exercise” the generator once a month byoperating it at approximately half the maximum rated output for two hours. This“exercise” will help promote better starting, more reliable operation andlonger engine life. This procedure drives off moisture, lubricates the internalengine parts, replaces the old stale fuel with a fresh supply, and alsopromotes removing oxides from the electrical switches and contacts.
NOTE:
Avoid short run periods of the generator. Run thegenerator set under a load for a minimum of one-half hour.

[ralphie]

I made the 30-day rule; are you failing to comply? Seriously, l've seen the suggestion from generator mfgr. Onan but can't put my hands on the source. Otherwise, the general consensus, anecdotally, is to run gensets monthly, under load, but do not run the RV engine at all unless it can be brought up to operating temps for some length of time, commonly thought to be one hour or more. This topic has been bandied around the internet for years and I really don't think it much matters what you do.

[jondrew55]

Well you don't want to run your coach engine at idle for very long so you don't plug up your DPF system (newer engines). But I try to drive my coach at least once a month. Just like the generator I've got so much invested in this thing I want to see and hear it running.

There's lots of videos on YouTube of people starting up diesel generators that haven't run for 10 years. Kind of interesting to watch.

Originally Posted by ralphie

I made the 30-day rule; are you failing to comply? Seriously, l've seen the suggestion from generator mfgr. Onan but can't put my hands on the source. Otherwise, the general consensus, anecdotally, is to run gensets monthly, under load, but do not run the RV engine at all unless it can be brought up to operating temps for some length of time, commonly thought to be one hour or more. This topic has been bandied around the internet for years and I really don't think it much matters what you do.

[MSHappyCampers]

Onan says to run it and that's good enough for me!

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Onan says to run it and that's good enough for me!

I completely agree, if I or someone I know and trust was anywhere near it.

Like I said wish me luck.