How long should you run your " Gas Generator at one time ?

[wvufan1958]

4000 watt Cummins

[fonzie]

Exercising Your Generator (page 10)
It may seem surprising that “not” using a machine could cause performance
problems, but with RV generators that’s exactly the case. Regular “exercise” is
an important part of keeping your generator healthy. Lack of exercise can cause
moisture build-up and fuel system degradation that make it run poorly. In fact,
in as little as 30 days, the fuel in gasoline-powered generators can begin to gum
and varnish the fuel system. Fuel varnishing results in hard starting and surging. (A
surging generator never settles at a stable operating speed.)
To prevent such problems, it is recommended to run gasoline generators at a
minimum of 50 percent capacity (2000-watts, or one air conditioner for a 4000-watt
set) for two hours once every four weeks. This is necessary to help keep moving
parts lubricated, expel moisture and control fuel varnishing in the carburetor. A long
two-hour exercise period is preferable to several short periods. While traveling, this
can be accomplished by running the air conditioning. If you own a diesel generator,
regular exercising can help reduce internal condensation and helps keep seals
lubricated.

http://power.cummins.com/sites/defau.../F-1123-EN.pdf

[Mars]

The above is what I did on my last two THs with Onan units. Never had an issue in over 10 years...

[ilmor]

I've ready that excercising the generator is a good idea. I'll just add that mine is running great with only about 200 hours on it in 7 years. I just run it when I need to (microwave, battery charge or a brief a/c when dry camping) or when I want to test it after the winter for the most part.

[5er_tom]

Years ago when we purchased our Class C, we were told to run the generator often. The MTBF ( mean time between failure) for these units is about 3,500 hours. So, don't be afraid to use it. And yes, it is very important to exercise it frequently. You might consider running it while driving, using the A/C so it has an electrical load.


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[SeaDog]

I ran the generator on my class A a min of once a month for at least 30 at about 75% load there were times when I was in the desert I ran it 24 hours a day for a week. They seem to do best when run IMHO

[DaveSchwartz]

Not quite the same, but I have a 16kw standby generator at home that has a self-exercising function that runs it once a week for 15 minutes at half speed. The objective is to get the oil warm enough to evaporate out any condensation and also cycle a bit of fuel through the fuel pump and carb/injectors (not an issue on a propane/NG unit).

[wana65stang]

All the reasons listed for running your generator apply to ANY internal combustion engine,not just generators, if you prep a engine properly for long term storage and prepare it for restart, you don't need to start it while in storage. On the other hand if you don't store it correctly , fire that puppy up once in a while

[Garrette]

Generators are designed for continuous duty. I excerise mine regularly and run it for ever how long I need.


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[wana65stang]

100% agree on letting it run for as long as you need it.

[SeaDog]

It would seem there is consensus on generator operation wvufan keep us post on how you proceed

[77rednecktruck]

i just got back from a 2 week 7000 mile cross country trip and the gas generator on my 2016 3011DS has 2.4 hours on it when I started. It is now up around 80 hours. I ran mine for 3 days straight while driving from southern california to alabama in the 100 degree weather. no campgrounds at night so the only way to stay cool was to run the generator and AC.

[EXTremist]

I just got back from Country Fest where I ran mine non-stop (almost) for 5 days. From just over 3/4 tank until it shut down for fuel on Sunday...whatever you've been told about "oh it will only run down to a 1/4 tank to not leave you stranded" take with a grain of salt...Mine left me with exactly 5 gallons left in the main tank! Not very much to get to a station especially when I'm towing.

Luckily gas was about 5 miles away. It seems whoever put the tap in my tank for the generator feed line put it damn near at the bottom!

[77rednecktruck]

Originally Posted by EXTremist

I just got back from Country Fest where I ran mine non-stop (almost) for 5 days. From just over 3/4 tank until it shut down for fuel on Sunday...whatever you've been told about "oh it will only run down to a 1/4 tank to not leave you stranded" take with a grain of salt...Mine left me with exactly 5 gallons left in the main tank! Not very much to get to a station especially when I'm towing.

Luckily gas was about 5 miles away. It seems whoever put the tap in my tank for the generator feed line put it damn near at the bottom!

that is cutting it pretty close. I have not run mine down that far but maybe I should test it while at home to see where it actually cuts out at.

[wvufan1958]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I get different answers from different people. Cummins people said .not to run for 5 days or more, got almost 20 hrs. on mine changed the oil today for the first time

[wvufan1958]

Dang muffed was in the way...has anyone run into the same trouble? Thanks.

[RamblerGuy]

If you run your generator continuously for days, I suggest shutting it down occasionally to check the oil.

[izzaboomer]

During hot summer does anyone leave generator and air-conditioned run while refueling?

[waiter21]

The longest I've run my generator is probably when I'm traveling and the dash air can't keep up with the AC. The generator may run for 6- 8 hours at a time.

Yes, I leave the genny running, I also leave the engine running while refueling.

[Gidyupgo]

izza, our fuel stops have all been covered and we do shut both motors down while fueling. Not worth the risk, but that's just my 2cnts.