running generator often?

richnwendy · Post by **richnwendy** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:15 pm

Manual suggests running generator once weekly for 30 minutes. Seems excessive; what are your practices?

mockturtle · Post by **mockturtle** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:39 pm

Once a month is all I do, under load.

bigdipper · Post by **bigdipper** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:38 pm

If RV is in prolonged storage, putting fuel stabilizer in tank can also help generator go longer between exercises.
Ralph

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 7:42 pm

Dont use ethanol, and when you exercise it under load make sure you allow a cool down period before shut down.

oliverpsmile · Post by **oliverpsmile** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:35 am

A good engineering practice is to run at least once a week generators considered "emergency". It is a test of the SYSTEM readiness to function properly. The system includes batteries, transfer equipment, generator-engine assembly etc.

Our generators are way out of this critical usage. They are not different than any gas engine driven equipment spread all over in our garages or garden sheds. Most troubles in the engines are due to gasoline deterioration in the carburetors. So as mentioned above gas stabilizer, preventing deterioration, OR draining the gas would be sufficient to keep the engine for very long time witout so called exercise.

In accordance of German big engine builders every cold engine start is equal of 6 hours normal wear and tear.

My practice is - check the generator/transfer before trip and drain the carburetor (run it with disconnected gas line) after the trip. And since my generator is so "difficult to start" Guardian unit I use spray to help it out.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 12:42 pm

Spray? Like ether? ........ degrades top cylinder lubrication during start up, that adds some time to normal wear and tear calculation also.