Running Generator

[TNTraveler]

How often should you run your generator? Also do you need to run it with load on it? :roll:

[holmesaw]

I was advised to run my generator about 20 minutes every month at full load.

[bob3nliz]

I was told the same. About 20 min. under load. :) bobnliz

[stonesfan]

Thanks for the info on how often to run Generator. Question; When you say " Under Load " which items should I start up, Air Con, Washer, etc............................ :?:

Thanks,
Bruce

[bob3nliz]

no need to run everything your aircond works best. bob

[stonesfan]

Thanks Bob.............................................. :mrgreen:

Bruce

[RayHarkness]

work it good...dont' be bashful..it needs that.....r

[neondon]

An easy way to figure the load in watts is to plug in a 120v heater or two. The ceramic cube heaters we have are 700 watts on low, and 1500 watts on high. No calculation needed, just live far enough north to have those heaters. Start the generator first, then add the load...'see you south of here.

[THenne1713]

I try to follow emergency GEN standards= 1/2-hr/ weekly + 1-hour/ month under 50% (1500w) load; keeps things lubed/ operating and detects problems early vs in the campsite; E.G. fuel pump failures usually start with surging/ dying after 45-60-minutes.

[THenne1713]

In winter, just add 1500w electric heater as load

[Frutza]

Don't forget a cool down period

[DolceFarNiente]

Don't forget a cool down period

Super important; never try to start or stop your gennie under load. Always give it 5 minutes cool down and 2 or 3 minutes warm up.

[Wild Irish]

Not totally on topic, but I thought I'd pass this on while we're discussing gen's. I parked my old Gulfstream Classic and was unable to get back to it for over a year. When I did, It took a lot of cranking to finally get it to start, as the gas had gone bad. I could not get the generator to run properly. It would start and run great, as long as I held the start button down, but died as soon as I let go. I figured it had a circuit board problem (suggested by some forum members) so I removed that to send in for repairs. Later, I noticed a gas leak on the motorhome main engine carburetor, so overhauled that. When I tried to start the old 460 Ford, it ran out of gas. I finally realized that my generator problem was simply the safety feature that won't let you run gen if you have less than 1/4 tank of gas. Someone had syphoned the gas out of my tank and left me with an empty tank.When I first tried to start the generator, I had assumed the gas guage was broken, because I KNEW the tank was full when I parked it a year previous. I also discovered that my "locking" gas cap could be unscrewed without inserting a key :-(