Generator Maint Question - First Oil Change

[jeffro01]

Getting prepared for our first big trip in the new coach and am curious about the generator maintenance. Specifically, we have about 11 hours on so far which is nothing but the schedule calls for the first change at 20 hours. Would you change it now before we go or wait until we come back assuming we get to 20 while we're gone? We don't plan on doing any dry camping as all of our sites along the way are full hookups but the wife made a good point about running the generator while we're in between nights in various parking lots and what have you to keep the dog cool since she'll have to stay in the coach.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Jeff

[che57vy]

You might have 20 hrs on it by then but do not think so if your not dry camping. Change it when you get back or when you have the best time to change it.

[Siamese]

I'd change it on the trip. Barring that, I'd change it when I returned home.

[Bassdogs]

Make a point to use it under a good load while you are on your trip and then service it when you get home. Its not that big or $$ of a chore and I believe it is good to perform that first service on time or sooner to eliminate any wear and tear stuff that might have been trapped in the oil after the initial uses.

[Camper_bob]

I agree to change it when you get back.

I accidentally let mine get to like 60 or 70 hrs before the break in oil change. Oops.

But I'm pretty good about changing it at the required interim intervals.

Go ahead and get an air filter while you're at it. I had to change my air filter just before the second oil change (maybe sooner, I can't remember). It was causing the motor to surge quite badly. New air filter, and she ticks right again.

[FYIB]

I put about 200-250 hours per year and only change once a year. Those Onan diesel generators are used all over the US by first responders and fire services and will put 20,000 a 30,000 hours on them with zero issues. While I’m not saying be silly and never change your oil that 10-20 hours is just a drop in the bucket.

[thirdktm]

If you're motivated to change it early, do it.
It'll cost less than $20 for oil and filter.
Then you know it was done right and when, and then begin the countdown to one year of use or 150 hours of use (a repairman told me to use 150 as a barometer for an oil and filter change).
It'll take less than an hour of your day....
I find it satisfying to taking care of some of the RV maintenance myself.

[bdreinv]

Don't forget the fuel stabilizer!

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by thirdktm

If you're motivated to change it early, do it.
It'll cost less than $20 for oil and filter.
Then you know it was done right and when, and then begin the countdown to one year of use or 150 hours of use (a repairman told me to use 150 as a barometer for an oil and filter change).
It'll take less than an hour of your day....
I find it satisfying to taking care of some of the RV maintenance myself.

Ditto on that suggestion. You did it, you know when and how it was done, and you will have a test run under your belt for the next time.

[jeffro01]

I'm normally a Mobil1 Full Synthetic kind of a guy... Any reason why I can't use it on the generator as well?

Thanks,
Jeff