Generator Usage

[JFlightRisk]

About 10 years or so. Much longer than an RV genny would remain dormant. It's much more likely to happen in a portable generator. The one you forgot about in your garage, or in the one you just bought at a yard sale that belonged to someone else that forgot it was there!

[hamerjk]

No need to apologise for your post. There are a lot of us out here looking for an answers. So you could help someone like me a rookie learn something new. I would like to give you an answer to this I was told by the tech who walked me through my MH today said in a gas generator you need to run at least an hour a month. He has worked at the dealer for the past 12 years. Also said to use like a sta-bil in the tank to help keep the gas fresh.

[GHen]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

OK, maybe. But isn't it a sealed oil system with a threaded cap versus dip stick, so how much moisture can get in there?

First, I’m not a mechanic although I have rebuild a few engines, so I don’t know for sure, but just like in a car, there needs to be some crankcase ventilation to allow the piston to move up and down, so it’s not completely sealed. In a car you have a PVC valve to provide crankcase ventilation.
I’m sure it’s not a lot of moisture or the oil would begin to turn white.
I have been told by many mechanics not to just start up my classic cars if they have been sitting for a while, the oil must come up to full temperature to clear out any moisture.
I only get my generators up and running once every couple months so I’m not following the manufacturer recommendations to the letter.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by GHen

I have been told by many mechanics not to just start up my classic cars if they have been sitting for a while, the oil must come up to full temperature to clear out any moisture.
I only get my generators up and running once every couple months so I’m not following the manufacturer recommendations to the letter.

I understand that about the oil, and it should be hot and up to temperature in probably 5 - 10 minutes or so, I can see letting it run for another 15 minutes to keep it up to temp and evaporate any minimal moisture, but 2 hours????

I do the same thing, I treated the gas in the Fall, but only fire up the genny every couple of months for 20 - 30 minutes with a electric heater plugged in as a load. I can't see the reason to run it multiple hours every month, seems like overkill.

I only run my backup house generator maybe twice a year, but it's propane, so I don't have to worry about the carb getting fouled.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

Another reason to exercise any generator, RV or portable. In time, the residual magnetism is lost, and the generator won't produce power. This can also happen if you run it for long periods with no load on it. Our portable genny at home gets started, and a trouble light plugged into it. I let it run for quite a while, and replenish the gas in the tank, with another dose of Stabil.

Yes, I think there is something in the manual about the winding needing to be exercised and moisture remove with running. I don't think it is only the oil that can be problematic.

https://rvdiychannel.com/2014/07/08/...rv-generators/

[Frodo13056]

My 2 cents on the generator use question: As everyone has already mentioned, use it or lose it! These coach generators sit essentially outside and are subject to heat, humidity, cold, critters, etc. Humidity is truly a generator killer as a humid environment will create rust on the rotor and stator which eventually lead to under voltage issues. I know because I had a Koehler 4000 watt generator on my boat :-). I never had issues with mine but lots of folks did. Here’s my recommendations for properly exercising a generator:
1) Check generator oil level and coach fuel level. The generator fuel pick up sits higher in the coach fuel tank to prevent you from using all your fuel so that your main engine will not run and you get stranded.
2) Make sure all 120 volt breakers are off on your power center.
3) Start the generator unloaded ( no 120v accessories on).
4) Run the generator unloaded for 15 minutes to warm it up.
5) After about 15 minutes, sequence on loads one at a time. Start your AC unit, wait a few minutes, start your water heater on electric (IF you have fresh water!), start TV’s and place a cup of water in the microwave and turn it on high.
6) Run fully loaded for at least 30 minutes.
7) Slowly shed each 120v load - one at a time while waiting 5 minutes or so.
8) Once all 120v loads are off, let the generator run unloaded for 10-15 minutes. This will allow a bit of a “cool down” period.
9) shut down the generator and write down the date of the run.
9) Do it again next month :-)

My personal experience doing this routine has really prevented me from having any generator issues to date.

[GHen]

Frodo, good advice.

[SloPoke]

Young wise man say....

Originally Posted by Frodo13056

My 2 cents on the generator use question: As everyone has already mentioned, use it or lose it! These coach generators sit essentially outside and are subject to heat, humidity, cold, critters, etc. Humidity is truly a generator killer as a humid environment will create rust on the rotor and stator which eventually lead to under voltage issues. I know because I had a Koehler 4000 watt generator on my boat :-). I never had issues with mine but lots of folks did. Here’s my recommendations for properly exercising a generator:
1) Check generator oil level and coach fuel level. The generator fuel pick up sits higher in the coach fuel tank to prevent you from using all your fuel so that your main engine will not run and you get stranded.
2) Make sure all 120 volt breakers are off on your power center.
3) Start the generator unloaded ( no 120v accessories on).
4) Run the generator unloaded for 15 minutes to warm it up.
5) After about 15 minutes, sequence on loads one at a time. Start your AC unit, wait a few minutes, start your water heater on electric (IF you have fresh water!), start TV’s and place a cup of water in the microwave and turn it on high.
6) Run fully loaded for at least 30 minutes.
7) Slowly shed each 120v load - one at a time while waiting 5 minutes or so.
8) Once all 120v loads are off, let the generator run unloaded for 10-15 minutes. This will allow a bit of a “cool down” period.
9) shut down the generator and write down the date of the run.
9) Do it again next month :-)

My personal experience doing this routine has really prevented me from having any generator issues to date.

Old wise man say: kinda the same thing - USE IT or LOSE IT.

Middle age fertility doctor say: Use it or lose it

Onan Diesel generator mechanic say - when I had our Generator serviced: Use the hell out of it - if you do it will last longer than you do.


We do, it works well every day.... today included.

[serfas01]

My generator is the Onan Marquis 5500 watt. I had several instances of hard to start. Added Stabil, etc. but it didn't seem to help much. I started using premium fuel and it has started super since then. I exercise it about 45 minutes to one hour on a monthly basis and it starts right up. I use an air conditioner and electric water heater for the load except when cool. Then I use the Heat pump.

[putz]

Sometimes you just cannot run the gen every month so in that case disconnect the gas hose going into the gen and run it dry. You can also use a 2-5 gal gas can with sta-bil or seafoam to run the gen after it sets for awhile. That way you will not be using the old gas in the rv.
Anything is better than just letting it set with old gas in the carb.

[Butch C]

If you are looking for ethanol free gas go to pure-gas.org and click on your state.

[joe w]

Agree and as well we run non-ethanol fuel and use full synthetic oil. Also installed a fuel shut off valve so when finished with the generator I close the valve and let her(the carb) run dry.

[Jopopsy]

Originally Posted by joe w

Agree and as well we run non-ethanol fuel and use full synthetic oil. Also installed a fuel shut off valve so when finished with the generator I close the valve and let her(the carb) run dry.

Can you put a link to the valve you used? Install instructions? I like the idea of running the carb bowl empty.

[joe w]

I purchased locally at a small engine repair shop. Pinched the supply side hose shut and made a cut, installed the valve and some hose clamps.

[Jopopsy]

Originally Posted by joe w

I purchased locally at a small engine repair shop. Pinched the supply side hose shut and made a cut, installed the valve and some hose clamps.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-07-403...s%2C158&sr=8-2

[GHen]

Originally Posted by Butch C

If you are looking for ethanol free gas go to pure-gas.org and click on your state.

Great tip, thank you
I found a couple more near my home that I didn’t realize sold ethanol free gas.

[joe w]

Mine is some sort of plastic(nylon?) that is made for gas however that which you illustrated looks to be a good choice.

[JimD]

I don't know if all models have drain valves for the float bowl but apparently the 4K one does. Would be easier to drain the carb than running it dry.

[Jay2504]

Another reason to run under load is the brushes that make contact with the armature. Jat

[Jopopsy]

Originally Posted by JimD

I don't know if all models have drain valves for the float bowl but apparently the 4K one does. Would be easier to drain the carb than running it dry.

I did not know that - and I really appreciate you sharing that !