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06-19-2015, 09:53 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 146
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Generator while driving
2007 Sunseeker 2860ds
In very hot weather, we'd like to beat the heat by having the unit cooled before setting up camp. Can we run the generator the last couple hrs of driving time? Any other tips when arrival is midday in the high 90s. Thanks! !
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06-19-2015, 10:11 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 51
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We run the gen set so we can stay cool if the temp is hot enough the dash air is also used. And we can use the crock pot or rice cooker while under way so supper is ready when we get to our campsite
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06-21-2015, 09:44 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,485
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Yes..
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
__________________
2014 Sunseeker 3170 DSF
Dorothy, Garrette and Miss Bella.
Retired and having fun.
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06-22-2015, 08:04 AM
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#4
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geezer with gadgets
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
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Yep!
__________________
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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06-22-2015, 12:32 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 958
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I know people do run the generator while traveling and I have not heard anyone blame a generator failure on doing it. However I would not but that's me. My reasons are that it will put maximum heat stress on the air cooled engine and generator for the following reasons:
The cooling air intakes are close to the road which would be hotter than any campsite might be.
It is also just behind the v10 engine which will heat the cooling air even further.
At these temps you are adding to the stress by putting a high load on the generator because the AC is the largest load except for using the electric mode of the water heater.
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06-24-2015, 03:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lake Wylie
Posts: 502
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Generator while driving
I had a salesman tell me people run the gen for air conditioning instead of dash air for better fuel economy
I too worry about the gen getting proper cooling
As for the last hour or two of your trip to precool the coach,
Go For It!
I do that all the time
__________________
I never saw a Hearse towing a Trailer
'71 Dads VW camper pop up Van
'78.....tents
'93 Coleman pop ups (I'm Dad)
'04 Fleetwood Jamboree 26q
'14 Sunseeker 2860DS
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06-24-2015, 09:03 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 146
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Thanks for all the responses! !
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06-24-2015, 09:28 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 gen set often and hard and it wont let you down. the people with generator problems are the ones that never run them. I have over 800 hours on mine and run it going down the road whether it is a 2 hr drive or a 8 hour drive. As far as better fuel economy it is so little difference I cant tell and the only ones that seem to be able to are the salesmen.
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06-25-2015, 06:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 188
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In the same as Ibrunning above. With a family of five living in Texas, there is only a few months out of the year I can get by without running the generator for the roof air.
On our long travel days it runs from sun up till we pull into a campground for the night.
__________________
2011 Sunseeker 3170DS - 30,000 miles explored
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07-03-2015, 08:48 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 120
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Pulling a toad up and down mountains in the desert heat I promise you you're going to want to cool on the generator rather than cab air. You need all the HP you can get out of that v-10.
Just carry a box full of replacement fuel pumps for that Onan generator. I think they must make those things out of bubble gum.
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07-03-2015, 10:01 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,485
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Generator while driving
My genny uses .409gal per hour. This is a one time measurement over an 8 hour period. Stopped at Pilot, filled up, parked, ran genny for 8 hrs+-15min, filled up next morning. AC and Coffee pot.
__________________
2014 Sunseeker 3170 DSF
Dorothy, Garrette and Miss Bella.
Retired and having fun.
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07-03-2015, 04:54 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 146
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Thanks to all of you for offering your generator testimony. Our generator is built in our Sunseeker. How do we fill it up?
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07-03-2015, 05:05 PM
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#13
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Wait till next year...
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Southern Worcester County
Posts: 1,135
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Runs off your chassis fuel tank.
__________________
Mary and Me
2015 2650s "Finally" SOLD
2015 Jeep Cherokee Toady
2023 Geo Pro FD19 "Almost there"
2022 Race Car Red HR Long Ford Transit 250 "The Iwish Roamer"
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07-03-2015, 05:27 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 146
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Thanks, NED!
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07-03-2015, 05:39 PM
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#15
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Wait till next year...
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Southern Worcester County
Posts: 1,135
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One more thing, It should shut off at 1/4 tank-so you dont run out of gas for chassis
__________________
Mary and Me
2015 2650s "Finally" SOLD
2015 Jeep Cherokee Toady
2023 Geo Pro FD19 "Almost there"
2022 Race Car Red HR Long Ford Transit 250 "The Iwish Roamer"
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07-04-2015, 06:52 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 146
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That's great news! !
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07-04-2015, 05:13 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,485
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Uses about .4gal/hr fyi
__________________
2014 Sunseeker 3170 DSF
Dorothy, Garrette and Miss Bella.
Retired and having fun.
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07-04-2015, 05:33 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 146
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We'll definitely be using the generator next time.
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07-07-2015, 07:37 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Jackson, GA
Posts: 341
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We found that by turning it on about 45 minutes before getting to our site, the RV is comfortable when setting up. If it's not hot, not a problem.
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