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02-05-2015, 05:34 PM
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#1
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geezer with gadgets
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
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Another Newbie Question
Getting ready to purchase a used Sunseeker 3170ds. Have owned TT in the past, but first time with a MH. Never had a generator before, so my question is how long can we run it while vacationing. We are planning a trip to Texas this summer and know that we are going to be running it 24/7. Any advice?
__________________
Sent from my Atari 2600
2011 Sunseeker 3170ds "Ladybug"
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee TOAD
Days camped 2015: 37; 2016: 66; 2017: 86 2018: 57 2019: 30
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02-05-2015, 07:32 PM
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#2
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Bristol, IN
Posts: 18,971
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Well, rate of consumption is about .5 gallon at half load. (.3 no load .7 full load)
You have a 55 gallon tank, with the inlet being 1/4 tank up.
55 x 3/4= 41.25 gallons 41.25/.5= 82.5 hours straight give or take.
However when you're at a campsite you'll be plugged in, so no gen necessary.
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02-05-2015, 08:03 PM
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#3
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geezer with gadgets
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
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Thanks
Thanks for the info. I just don't want to burn the unit up by over use. So I should be ok running it while driving to keep the interior cool. Yes, plug in when parked at camp site.
__________________
Sent from my Atari 2600
2011 Sunseeker 3170ds "Ladybug"
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee TOAD
Days camped 2015: 37; 2016: 66; 2017: 86 2018: 57 2019: 30
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02-05-2015, 08:32 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 279
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 757Dave
Thanks for the info. I just don't want to burn the unit up by over use. So I should be ok running it while driving to keep the interior cool. Yes, plug in when parked at camp site.
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Not quite sure how you could burn it up by overuse??? It is designed to be used
For the intended purposes. Unless your dash A/C isn't working or you have a full baseball team riding in the back, there should be no need to run the generator going down the road.
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02-05-2015, 08:41 PM
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#5
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geezer with gadgets
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
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Baseball team?
Thanks for the info. There will be seven adults traveling together on this trip, so almost a full baseball team! They will be demanding to stay cool. So will be running generator while driving. But that is all we will be using it for while in motion. Again, thanks for your input.
__________________
Sent from my Atari 2600
2011 Sunseeker 3170ds "Ladybug"
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee TOAD
Days camped 2015: 37; 2016: 66; 2017: 86 2018: 57 2019: 30
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02-05-2015, 09:54 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 55
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We run our generator going down the road with the roof a/c on all the time with no problems. I think it actually saves fuel over running the truck a/c.
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02-05-2015, 09:59 PM
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#7
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geezer with gadgets
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
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Thanks, glad to hear that. Wife and I have been to Texas many times in the summer and know how hot it can get. Want to keep everyone cool, but didn't want to do any damage doing so. Glad to hear that you have not had a problem.
__________________
Sent from my Atari 2600
2011 Sunseeker 3170ds "Ladybug"
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee TOAD
Days camped 2015: 37; 2016: 66; 2017: 86 2018: 57 2019: 30
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02-05-2015, 11:12 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: iowa
Posts: 285
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Run that generator often and under full load. we have a 2011 3170 pushing 1200 hrs on generator. The onan was built to work and the ones that have problems with them are the ones that rarely run them. Fire it up going down the road crank the air down and have someone microwave you popcorn and enjoy.
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02-06-2015, 07:13 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 279
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fozzy
We run our generator going down the road with the roof a/c on all the time with no problems. I think it actually saves fuel over running the truck a/c.
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Well, if you do the math, it works out about the same. 8 and 1/2 MPG works out to 7.05 gallons (at 60 mph) per hour. If you drop to 8 mpg using the dash air, you will use 7.5 gallons (at 60 mph) per hour. If the generator uses .5 gallons per hour, it works out darn close to the same total fuel consumed. If you only have two people sitting in the front, the dash air should be all you need to stay cool. No reason to have 2 motors running.........but if it makes you happy to run both, go for it.
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02-06-2015, 08:30 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Gaylord, MI
Posts: 161
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All this math to predict fuel consumption is a guess at best. Many factors determine fuel consumption such as weight, speed, temperature, crosswinds, etc. Sit back and enjoy the country. There's a gas station on just about every corner.
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02-06-2015, 08:53 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 3,188
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When we purchased our Class C several years ago the folks at Camping World told us the biggest issue with generators was due to lack of use. We were told 3,500 hours is a reasonable life for an Onan generator. Use it!
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
Tom & Renée
Durham, NC
2021 Jayco Class C model 27U
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02-06-2015, 11:35 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 279
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Quote:
Originally Posted by biznsa
All this math to predict fuel consumption is a guess at best. Many factors determine fuel consumption such as weight, speed, temperature, crosswinds, etc.
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Pretty sure you missed the point. Point being that you don't save any gas by running the generator and the motor w/A/C off than you do with just running the motor with the A/C on.
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02-06-2015, 11:42 AM
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#13
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geezer with gadgets
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
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Wow!
Checked in this AM and saw all of these great responses to my question! I really appreciate everyone's efforts on my behalf. I believe I am going to enjoy reading and interacting with everyone. Again, Thanks.
__________________
Sent from my Atari 2600
2011 Sunseeker 3170ds "Ladybug"
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee TOAD
Days camped 2015: 37; 2016: 66; 2017: 86 2018: 57 2019: 30
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02-06-2015, 11:43 AM
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#14
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Bristol, IN
Posts: 18,971
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I think you missed his point. Sit back, relax and don't sweat the small stuff.
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02-06-2015, 12:55 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 279
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I get the point. My analytical side of my brain overpowers the relax side sometimes.
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02-06-2015, 03:08 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Gaylord, MI
Posts: 161
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I do believe the point was is it okay to run the a/c continuously without doing any damage, not how much fuel it uses. At least, that's the way I read it.
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02-07-2015, 02:05 AM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 55
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Sorry to start such a controversy. Every forum has "that guy" now we know who he is.
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02-07-2015, 03:18 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 361
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Bclemens and ActionJackson.... Can you please keep the math to a minimum I think I hurt my brain?
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My wife keeps saying I don't listen to her -Or something like that?...."My advice has no basis ,more reliable them my own meandering experience" Baz Luhrmann
2011 Sierra 355QBQ 1986 F350
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