RV Generators: Everything You Need to Know
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 พ.ย. 2024
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🎥 IN THIS EPISODE → Let's talk RV generators. I don't mean how to change the generator's oil I mean all the other things. How to start your RV generator. How to stop your RV generator. The most common question we get about RV generators. And finally what just might void your RV generators warranty. You may even have it connected to your RV generator right now!
These RV Geni tips will keep your generator purring and keep you powered up as you travel on down the road.
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*100% best **Generater.Systems** I have used. A test for hurricane prep here in Louisiana: three AC units, 5000, 5000 & 8000, 3 fridges, 2 device power setups, 4 flat screens....AND I had 40% of the power meter to spare.*
No idea. We do not own a Generac.
*Great solar **Generater.Systems** ! Was bought for camping and to use for a cpap machine! Worked perfectly!!*
We run the Genny while driving with dinner cooking. The crock pot is in the sink and roof air running. No issues. I have a small 5 watt night light in the electrical outlet up front, this lets me know at a glance the Genny is indeed running!
Thanks for the tip with the night light!
Wow, Stacy, you nailed it. that doesn't come easily from me. I am an Army trained generator mechanic, and a retired certified master truck mechanic. So many refuses to listen to the proper way of operating small equipment then when it breaks, they typically blame the equipment when actually all they had to do is take care of it just how you explained it. very well done. hope you and Phil are good. Safe travels
Thank you and thanks for watching!
You two are so good for the RV industry! A wealth of knowledge!
This is a great overview of the generator. We use the generator all of the time while driving down the road when the temperature is hot or if we need to charge our batteries. You can also void your warranty by not running it enough to keep it exercised. If you use your generator occasionally, you need to be intentional with the at least monthly exercise. At an presentation by Onan about the need to exercise the generator, specifically diesel generators, they had a call for service on a generator over 36 old with around something like 20 hours of use. With how we use our generator we are averaging about 300 hours a year and now we are fulltime, without solar, we are using it more. A common occurrence we have heard is once people get solar, it is common to exercise your generator since you use it less.
Great video on the generator. Here's a tip for when you are running it on grass or any potential flammable surface. Get a deep cake pan and put a inch or so of water in it and place it where the generator exhaust blows into the pan. This will trap any sparks/hot carbon coming out. I also use one on the Oasis exhaust .
Great tip! Thanks for sharing
We live in the south east us we have to use the genny going down the road. On the genturi debate, we almost didn't wake up because our neighbors didn't have one and were fogging us and themselves out in a campground when the power went out during a storm. Will take my chances on a warranty over chances with our lives. Great job on the video too.
Safe travels
Your channel does a great job of not wasting time between scenes. I appreciate you staying on point. Plus, great information. Thanks.
Great information! Thank you. Yes! We live in Texas - so we absolutely do run the generator while driving. To power AC and refrigerator.
Yes. We run our generator as needed to run the 3 A/C's as well as the residential refrigerator. We also use the gen to prepare dinner while we are traveling to our destination. I do my own maintenance on everything in the Motorhome including the electrical system. It's part of the enjoyment of owning a Motorhome.
We use our generator for our AC while driving when ever AC is needed. We also run our refrigerator when using the generator on those hot days. Another plus to having a Motorhome.
We do the same with our 5th. wheel
We run our generator on the road all the time. Keeps the RV cool in these Florida springs!
We also have a QD8000. Great generator, and we operate ours under load monthly, as well as have it serviced annually.
Stacy, what a great presentation on RV generators. Terrific job!
Absolutely do run our generator while we are driving! Sometimes you just need that extra bit of cool air in the back!
Great information. We try to run hours at least once a month. Like you said, keep it exercised. Lynn and Danny
Great info! Thanks! We have an older Class C RV (95) and the generator had always had issues starting according to the previous owner who spent hundreds on the issue. We found the Aux Battery cables were loose or disconnected behind the battery in the wall (most likely from factory 25 year ago!). Ground was off and hot was loose. In an area only accessible by taking off the brake light assembly. Another ground had been added to the battery compartment in a previous attempt, but the loose hot cable caused intermittent starting issues. “When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” -Spock
We use our fridge all the time when traveling, and our AC when needed or excising the gen. Thank you for the tips Stacy!
Good tip. So many do not exercise on a regular basis. Easy to do. We run the genny and AC while driving often.
Very informative, great job. Learned a whole lot. Thanks! You guys have very basic no frills videos that I really enjoy.
Good to see that an expert presented this episode instead of old what’s-his-name! Well done!
😂
I love that you did this video! You make it so easy to understand! Great job!
We are in a 40 foot 5th wheel. Ours is propane and is fully auto, still good info.
I would like to offer 1 suggestion, have them do an oil analysis when you change your oil. It can be an early warning if your starting to have problems or abnormal wear. Early detection and correction can be a huge savings. Thanks for another GREAT video and always providing such great info.. Safe travels.
Great tip!
Thanks for the reminder, I need to run my generator more often (always a good time to sit in the camper while it's stored and think about places I'd RATHER be parked! Also, I didn't know you could run it while driving with the A/C on! The dog will thank you our next summer trip!
Yes, we run our generator, fridge and ac’s as we’re driving down the road 😊.
We do exercise our generator by running the AC while in travel. We have it serviced and use it whenever we boondock. We love our Onan QD8000!
Dash air on the Bus is disabled because of a propensity for the AC compressor to freeze/fail. The generator does an excellent job of keeping us cool while driving... Good vid; covered important points...!
we run our AC and Gen all the time. I like it cold inside. thank you for the tips keep up the good work
Yes! We always run ours down the road in our 07 mountain Aire!
We just purchased a motorhome last month. Thank you for the great tips!!
We bought a 2018 Jayco Alante last December with 4500 miles. I don’t think previous owner did any maintenance. The generator was hard to start, loped for a while, then smoothed out before transfer. I put Seafoam in the tank and ran the generator once a week while being stored. Now it starts good and smooth. Hopefully out camping soon.
thanks little lady. first newbie to it, read manual. had questions. wasn't sure if you can start it while plugged in at house. suprised you can run it while traveling.
There has been many post on RV forums about starting your generator under load. The biggest argument is whither you need to shutdown ACs and such when going from shore power to generator power. Many say that the RV manufacturers put a generator start switch in the power bay so you can start it then disconnect shore power. The argument is that there is no start up load for appliances. I do that and most RVers I know do as well.
We absolutely run our generator while driving. Especially in the Nevada desert. Sometimes for hours at a time.
Generator maintenance is very important!
Live in Florida and we drive with the Generator on for our AC!
Thank you Stacey. What a great video(missed Phil a little). As a woman this was a great tutorial and learned a lot. Thank you so much.
I noticed on your map that the upper mid-west seems empty. You all need to come up this way. Today I saw the last of the snow. Great time of year to visit.
Enjoyed your video. My wife and I are new to RVing. Our first cross country trip will be this Friday 8/12/22
Thank you so much on your video. We learned a lot.
We would like to learn more about our water systems, and dumping.
Hope to see you on the road in the future.
Eddie & Alicia
Yes we drive with the generator on especially when hot to run the AC, or the fireplace when cold to keep the puppies comfy too.
We dont have a generator but really appreciate all the videos you guys put out.. thanks for sharing
We always run our QD8000 generator to use both airconditioner while we are underway on travel days.
Great video! We use our generator and AC while traveling as well.
We use our generator while driving all the time! Runs the AC to keep the coach cool.
Great tips, my tip is for gasoline generators that just will not start. Resist the temptation to use starter fluid in carburetor as the risk of engine backfire and flames is high and the cramped location makes it difficult to smother flames coming from carb effectively. A few tense moments I'll never forget.
Thanks for the tip!
I often drive with my generator running, especially in hot weather so I can run my air conditioner. Appreciate this video!??thanks
You bet!
LABEL TAPES - Forget about those fancy spread sheets and trackers that get stuck in a drawer or forgotten! Instead I put date/time/item & next due date/time on 1 or more label tapes and a fix them to the generator or engine in a convenient place. That way when I check the oil or coolant, it’s easy to look at the “tapes” and see what’s coming up or due. Filters, belts, hoses & plugs (as appropriate) are also part of the “tapes” program. When an item is replaced, a new label tape with updated info goes in its place. PS - at the end of each tape I also add the part # in parentheses. This makes it easy to order a replacement when you use your onboard spare.
Stacy, thank you for the video! It is so refreshing to hear someone with knowledge that can explain things quickly and consisely. I do have one question: What is meant by running the generator at a 50% load for 2 hours, and 75% load for 2 hours
The load means how much power is used by the devices that the generator is powering. So 50% load means the generator is working at 50% of its capability. Just turning on the generator without turning on items that draw power does not help the generator. You will need to make the generator is working at 50-75% of its ability. So use large draws such as air conditioners to accomplish this.
@@todayissomeday is % load a reading on the generator? Thanks 🙏 🙏
No. Having 2 AC's or heat pumps (rooftop heater) running at the same time would put a big draw on the generator.
@@todayissomeday I was reading your RV Blog- It was so helpful! It said for new generators to run it at 50% load for two hours and 75% load for two hours. It was hard for me to quantify how much 50/75% is EXACTLY
You are amazing!! Inspiring!! This was soooo helpful as I am still learning about my Thor motor coach van!!THANK YOU!!!!
Welcome
Phil is the best! Way to go Phil!
Great information Stacy! Really informative and helpful! Our generator right now won’t staying running or idling. Have it scheduled to go to an rv place to look into it, but if we can do a few of these things,maybe we can troubleshoot and get it running! Thanks again!
Nice. 150 hours is a looong and optimistic value in ideal circumstances. Better to go with 100 hours or yearly. There is a fuel filter which preferd to replace at each oil change. You"d been surprised if you do an analysis ont that 150 hours oil. Thanks for educating the masses.
Wonderful tips. Always helpful reminders! Thank you
Great tips and tricks. We use the genny going down the road to run the AC on really hot days
FF Pro Tip: If you put a cinderblock on the ground under the exhaust, it will soak up the heat & disperse it as well as blocking the hot air from hitting the dry grass.
Love it!! Thanks
We have an older diesel pusher. Our dash ac is not the best...so we run the genset while driving and use the house ac all the time.
I often considered adding a curtain behind the seats to contain the dashboard air up front. I never found a good solution with the slides and seat positions. When driving west, in the afternoon, the Sun shines in that big beautiful windshield and makes the cockpit hot. I too turned on the roof air to cool the whole works.
Thank you for the tips! Although I know that I can, I have yet to use the RV A/C's or generator while driving as there's only two of us and the dash A/C is sufficient. We do however fire it up often when we stop for lunch along the way and it's too hot to eat outside.
Phil, Stacy's a keeper; ya' better limit camera-time and keep sending her to the Little Red School House! -- She's GOOD!
Frankly, had wondered about the hour descripency in the readings; clarified, now. Have towable, so this vid is NOT TOTALLY to my needs, but, GREAT info, indeed! Love the info you provide, Phil and Stacy!
Y'all Be Safe!
Thanks! I learned a lot here!!
Thanks for such GREAT tip, we forget these things or maybe get a little lazy.
Stacy, that was a great video. That is all great information.
All Excellent tips!👍Oh and we use ours also driving in hot weather
Yes it beats the dash air I found that I lose about 0.1 mpg when traveling
Great, helpful info as always. Thank you!! Stay safe!
Thanks, you too!
Have you ever experienced summers in Louisiana lol? Definitely run our roof air using the genny.
Another information packed video! Question - does your drive engine sufficiently charge your house batteries when you drive? How long does it take to charge them?
Good job Stacey !
Hi guys
My wife and I absolutely love your videos.
We have a question. We are in northern Canada and for over half the year our unit is frozen in the drive way. (5th wheel toy hauler) since the 5500 Yamaha generator gets fuel from the the rear fuel pod I have no way to get gasoline antifreeze in the generator lines, we have to remove our batteries in winter as well. Just asking your community what they all do in the deep frozen north.
Unfortunately, we can't answer that. We try not to sit in the deep freezing weather.
Hi Stacy. How you guys are blessed. Why does the Genturi void the warranty on generator? I mean it's only a temporary hook up while stationary??
Yes, when needed on hot days, I have no issue using the genset on travel days. Question for you guys, did you do the 1000 hr Mx yourself or did you have the pros take care of it? If you used the pros who did you take it too?
Clean fuel is a must. Yes you can get cheap fuel but what you are buying is deep fryer grease. Not refined diesel. I can't tell you the problems you will have with cheap diesel but a few is plugged filters damaged fuel pump and injectors. And if you have a regen system it will screw it up quickly.
Is the maintenance spreadsheet updated from a couple of years ago, I have that one. I guess I'm a little late getting my genny exercised this month, I was supposed to do it on the 1st. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
It's the same basic sheet and you tweak it to your rig's needs.
On the Onan diesel generator, there is a plug in the exhaust that needs to be remove periodically to blow out built up soot under a load.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing.
Great info. I need to check mine out
We have run the generator while driving to run a blow dryer, so far haven't needed to run the A/C (Bigfoot 29SL class-C)
great video's. I ran my onan 4ky and an oder of burnt rubber came from generator after a few minutes of running. I shut it down , any suggestions?
Want to buy some apparel and was wondering about how they fit, I'm about as big as Phil and what size you think??
Run the generator and acs in our 5th wheel so its cool when get in after set up
Loved your video about the generator but the one thing I wanted to find out, can I be plugged in and still run the generator while it's in storage it says it should run for at least a half hour to an half hour when in storage.
For our set up, our transfer switch will handle where the power comes from when plugged in and the generator is started. As a rule, I do not run the generator while plugged in. As for storage, not sure what type of storage you are referring too, open air, enclosed, climate controlled? I would not run it in an enclosed space for the fumes. Always make sure you are properly vented when running the generator. Refer to your manufacturers manual for best options.
Well done, learned something new today!
Thanks!
Great information. Here are some additional tips
1. Do don't have to prime a diesel generator on each start. You only need to prime, if you ran your coach out of fuel or it is having a hard time starting. It is best to try to start it normally, if it doesn't start then prime. otherwise you are wasting fuel.
2. In addition to turning off your high power appliances, if it is cold outside it takes longer for the generator to come up to temperature, so it is a good idea to turn off the breaker on the generator OR your main breaker on your breaker panel in your RV and let the generator warm up before putting a small load on it. If it is cold out, a lot of times the generator will start, then the transfer switch will switch power to the generator and the generator will die, because it was not warm enough.
Thanks for sharing these tips!
21,000 rv's models 21 22, from multiple manufacturers have faulty lpg gas connections, an the rv companies are not notifying owners till July. Please spread the word
Eye protection? Plz consider using Eye Protection working under your RV. Cheers!
What kind of instant pot do you use? I want a small one!
I do drive while my gen is running, but usually only on super hot days or for the last hour or so before I arrive at my destination. This ensures my RV (a Class C) is cool by the time I’m done setting up, and it ensures my pets stay cool.
Great tip!
Generator use on the road? Always. For some strange reason the chassis AC only works when I'm not at highway speeds. We turn that on while we're warming up during breaking camp to cool the cockpit, then the generator comes on and the front AC is set to keep the coach cool. Then it's "Shift Colors, underway" as we move from full hookup campsite to full hookup campsite. We are not boondockers by any stretch of the imagination, Glampers all the way so Cracker Barrel is not one of our stops. Maybe someday when the FLA set expires and I replace them with LiFePO4. Fair winds and following seas. Oohrah!
I use my generator for AC while traveling, because the chassis AC just doesn't cut the mustard. My RV is 20 years old so warranty is way past being an issue.
I use my gen set alot while driving
Great information, nice to not have Phil fumbling over his words. Plus, we all know you do all the maintenance. LOL
Good to know! Thanks for sharing 👏🏻
You bet!
Wow, great job as usual. Is Phil, ok? Didn't hear him, see him. LOL. stay safe
So we're buying a class A 30' gas engine RV. Forest River george town. It has an Onan 4,000 watt generator. We have 2 1800 but AC units. The dealer is saying it can run both the AC units. Is that possible? I think for sure one but not 2. Any thoughts.
Great information, Thankyou.
With normal usage and routine maintenance how many hours can I expect my Onan 4000 generator to last before rebuild or replacement?
That is a tough one to answer. I would call Onan and ask the experts.
Thanks for the advice!
You bet!
Rule 1) Regardless of how much you use your Gen change your oil every year if you don't use it much or at all. Service is the key to a long life and problem free. You should start and run your gen every few months for 20+ mins. You can always do more if you feel the need.
We go by run time. I don't waste good oil and filters.
Well we were sitting at a Harvest Host brewery and saw this