Comments on: Exercising your RV Generator

By: Chris Budd

Chris Budd — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:19:32 +0000

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.

By: Roger

Roger — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:22:31 +0000

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?

By: M Hotchin

M Hotchin — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:22:42 +0000

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.

By: Charles Skinner

Charles Skinner — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:05:47 +0000

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?

By: Mark Skotek

Mark Skotek — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:04:07 +0000

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.

By: Pkunk

Pkunk — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:24:31 +0000

“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.

By: Jdfrancis

Jdfrancis — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:36:26 +0000

There is no difference between gas and LP powered generators in the requirement for exercise.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:38:05 +0000

I echo the question – what about LP generators. Anybody with more input than their imagination?

By: Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:42:30 +0000

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.

By: Bruce Couter

Bruce Couter — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:22:31 +0000

I would imagine the above applies to all types of gen sets, gas, diesel and propane.