*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.*
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!
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
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 .
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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...!
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.
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
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.
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!
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 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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
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.
