Exercising your RV Generator
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When I worked at a RV dealership, every spring our service department was booked with appointments for generators that either wouldn’t start, or if they did start they had that all too familiar surging sound. This was a result of letting the generator sit for periods of time without starting and exercising it. Lack of use is one of the biggest problems with generators. In gasoline generators the fuel breaks down and gums up causing hard starting and surging problems. This can happen in as short a period of time as two months.
Running and exercising a generator is just one aspect of owning and using a generator. Let’s start from the beginning. RV generators are what truly make your RV fully self-contained. What a feature, instant electricity at the push of a button. We take electricity for granted in our homes because we don’t have to do anything to get it, with the exception of paying our monthly electric bill. This is part of the problem with RV generators, we expect the electricity to be there when we need or want it just like in our house. The problem is this magical source of electricity requires a certain amount of care and maintenance from the owner.
Safety first! Always keep in mind when you use a generator there is carbon monoxide. You should always inspect the exhaust system on the generator set before using it. Do not operate a generator with a damaged exhaust system. If you’re using a portable generator set make sure the exhaust is directed away from the camping area. Test your carbon monoxide detector for proper operation prior to using the generator.
RV generators are extremely dependable and in many cases will out last the RV if they are properly maintained and cared for. They do not require your constant attention, just some basic maintenance. The first thing you need to understand about maintaining your generator is that they need to be exercised on a regular basis. I mentioned a moment ago that gasoline generators could have fuel related problems in as little as two months when sitting idle. This is one of the biggest problems, but it can easily be prevented if you get in a habit of exercising the generator on a monthly basis.
Some people think that this can be avoided by adding a fuel preservative to the fuel tank and then running the generator long enough to get the preservative through the generator set. You definitely should use a fuel preservative whenever the unit will be in storage, but there are many other reasons to start and exercise the generator on a regular basis. Moisture build up can cause damage to your generator. When you exercise your generator it heats up the generator windings and eliminates this moisture build up. This monthly exercise regime also lubricates all of the engine seals and components and helps to prevent carbon build up.
So, what exactly do I mean when I say exercise your generator? For a gasoline generator I mean that you start and run the generator with at least a 50 percent load for at least two hours every month. It is extremely important that you run it with this minimum rated load. Generators are designed to run with a load placed on them. It’s always better to exercise the generator for longer time periods than it is for short periods. Check your generator owner’s manual for load ratings specific to your unit.
Other maintenance intervals for generators are based on usage. Your generator set will have an hour meter so you can monitor the usage. Consult your owner’s manual for maintenance intervals. The bottom line is, do not hesitate to use your generator and when you do use it put a load on it. A little exercise and preventive maintenance will keep your generator in top operating condition and provide many years of faithful service.
Mark Polk
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Does anyone think that a rv dealer goes out and runs generators that they have for sale ? I dont think so.So the buyer is the one stuck?
If it’s a new RV the generator is under warranty and if its used most dealerships do a pre-deliverly inspection on the unit to make sure every thing is operating properly. The improtant thing here is that the owner continues to exercise the generator on a regular basis after they purchase the RV.
Lets not forget that the generator needs a oil change
Love getting all this advise on RV’s…we are new to all this and any little bit helps..
I have been starting the rig and letting the generator run for about 5-10 minutes….live in Ontario so the winter is rough..however it sounds like I am not letting it run long enough..thanks for the info.
Cathy and Archie
Run the genset at least an hour a month (two is better) at 50+% load. Run the air conditioner. That will provide the necessary load, and it will also provide healthy exercise for the A/C, which also should be exercised periodically (monthy) to maintain seal and bearing lubrication. Most generators use +/- 1/2 gallon of gas per hour. Cheap insurance to prevent $100/hour plus parts plus inconvenience to get it fixed and running at the dealer.
I forgot to qualify that you should do this even in a cold climate. Run the furnace to heat the RV, then run the generator with the a/c on minimum. It’s work, but it’s good for the health of the genset and the A/C, for your pocket book and for your personal sense of accomplishment.
All this talk about gas gen sets, what about propane gen sets?
I would imagine the above applies to all types of gen sets, gas, diesel and propane.
Wow! 2 hours a month. I do exercise my generator during the off months, but it has only been for about 15 to 30 minutes each month during those months. Knock on wood, I have not had a problem yet. I do use Stabil fuel stabilizer with every tank full of gas I put in my toy hauler. I do change the oil every 50 hours.
I echo the question – what about LP generators. Anybody with more input than their imagination?
There is no difference between gas and LP powered generators in the requirement for exercise.
“There is no difference between gas and LP powered generators in the requirement for exercise.”
Except that the fuel does not gum up or go bad like gasoline. Propane also runs so much cleaner that carbon monoxide is less of a situation, plugs don’t carbon up, & oil doesn’t get diluted from flooding.
my generator sits for more than 6 months at a time and I have it for about 10 years, I run the engine out of gas by disconnecting the fuel pump until is runs out. when I need the generator it gets fresh gas at this time.
Most of your information seems to be about large generators. I use a 1000 watt Honda and a 2000 watt Honda. Does all that you write also apply to small Hondas, which I love, by the way. Do they need to be “exercised” like the larger ones? If so, how can I “put a load” on mine when they are at home in the garage and not in my 5th wheel?
Charles – You could run an electric heater or a hair dryer off the larger generator. That should pull about 1500 watts.
For the smaller one, perhaps just some portable lights – you only need 500 watts.
Will turning on the air conditioner in the winter actually provide a 50% draw if the air conditioner is really only running the fan since it is so cold in the camper already?
I own a 2006 Jayco Greyhawk GS30 Class C Motorhome with a Onan 4000 Microquiet Generator.
I was boondocking the last trip out. During the middle of the night while we were sleeping we were awakened buy a strange noise. I checked outside the rv and couldn’t find a cause. We went back to sleep. A short time later the generator started up on it’s own. To my nowledge, the generator isn’t set up to start automatically. I thought someone was starting it from outside the coach on the gen. I shut it down from inside and went outside to investigate. The compartment was locked. When I opened the compartment to check it out, it started again as I looked at it.????? The 1st noise we heard turned out to be the generators starter engaging/disengaging. I think my coach battery is bad. Can the bad battery cause this to happen? If not, does anyone have any suggestions?
Any comments would be appreciated.