Monthly Generator Run Under Load - Regardless

[edatlanta]

Regardless of the weather I run my Onan 5500 every month with a load. I might miss the first day of the month a day or two, but I NEVER miss doing it monthly. This morning it was 26 degrees when I started it and it hasn't missed a beat for the past 55 minutes. I'm just about ready to shut it down until the New Year.

A bit of exhaust visible due to the cold temperature.

[2naEagle]

Good reminder. So I went out and did the same.

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by 2naEagle

Good reminder. So I went out and did the same.

[rockymountainRVer]

What do you run to put a load on the generator during the winter?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by rockymountainRVer

What do you run to put a load on the generator during the winter?

I run a space heater. Probably not quite half load, but it's a load for sure.

Last time I did my "exercise", it wasn't hot enough to run the AC for load, and not really cold enough for the space heater. So I opened the door and pointed the space heater outside for my run.

If you happen to have water in your water heater, you could run that on electric. It pulls 10-11A. Between that and the converter, you could probably get pretty darn close to 15A. But it's likely you will have winterized and won't have water in your tank, so if that's the case DON'T run the water heater...

[rockymountainRVer]

Good suggestions. Many thanks.

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by rockymountainRVer

What do you run to put a load on the generator during the winter?

Electric fireplace and a couple of ceramic heaters. Instant load.

[campersam9]

When you exercise your generator that is the best thing you can do. This helps keep the static charge in the generator. I have to flash 5 or 6 per year.

[curver900]

it's minus 20 this morning.. my generator can get exercise in April...
Drain the carb in the fall and wait till spring.. still works and starts up like new after 11 years....

[campersam9]

Because you drain the gas. Most of my work was old fuel. Clean and replace if you can get one.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by curver900

it's minus 20 this morning.. my generator can get exercise in April...
Drain the carb in the fall and wait till spring.. still works and starts up like new after 11 years....

It's not just the carb since the same applies to the diesel geny's, you can get moisture build-up on the stator and rings.

"Moisture build-up can result in damage to the generator. When you exercise the generator, it heats up the generator windings and eliminates moisture."

[CAG]

Originally Posted by campersam9

Because you drain the gas. Most of my work was old fuel. Clean and replace if you can get one.

Seafoam! I run the air conditioner for a load.

[GABob]

Ceramic heater and add the microwave a few times to cycle the load. Not sure if it helps all that much but figure it doesn’t hurt.

[campersam9]

I would never work on a diesel! The fuel smell. I can’t stand it. I am fussy about my tools. No diesel fuel near my stuff. Gas is bad enough.

[curver900]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

It's not just the carb since the same applies to the diesel geny's, you can get moisture build-up on the stator and rings.

"Moisture build-up can result in damage to the generator. When you exercise the generator, it heats up the generator windings and eliminates moisture."

sadly it is so cold here that all the moisture is frozen...

[campersam9]

Diesel are not the best for cold climates unless it has a heater. We have ours hooked up to propane. Add a heat blanket to the bottle is a big help. We found that out by freezing one nite. The next day an old RV neighbor told us about that.