We now keep our mh in an enclosed garage (nose in first) and I really need to exercise the generator but I don't want to start the mh and pull it out of the garage just for this and I don't want to drive the mh and I can't just run the generator inside the garage.So, I'm thinking of getting a long hose of some type (maybe even lengths of pvc pipe and run the generator's exhaust out of the garage.Is this harmful to the generator (too much back pressure maybe).Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.Ron

If its a diesel generator, unlike gasoline, let it sleep till spring. Farmers let their diesel equipment sleep 4-5 months at a time without harm.

Retired JSO wrote:If its a diesel generator, unlike gasoline, let it sleep till spring. Farmers let their diesel equipment sleep 4-5 months at a time without harm.It's not the diesel side of the generator that needs exercising, it is the electrical side.I would think one of the exhaust hoses that mechanics use would work. if they don't cause back pressure on cars, they shouldn't cause back pressure on generators.

jhilley wrote:Retired JSO wrote:If its a diesel generator, unlike gasoline, let it sleep till spring. Farmers let their diesel equipment sleep 4-5 months at a time without harm.It's not the diesel side of the generator that needs exercising, it is the electrical side.I would think one of the exhaust hoses that mechanics use would work. if they don't cause back pressure on cars, they shouldn't cause back pressure on generators.Straight from page 10 of the Onan generator Manual. Exercising Your GeneratorIt 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.I'd let it sleep.

I'd run it at 50% load once a month to dispel any moisture that might have accumulated. I want my generator to operate at 100% proficiency when it's needed so the small amount of fuel used is a small price to pay.

I run my Onan 8000K Gen. monthly, while in Winter storage, just as described in my Owners Manual. It also helps to keep my house batteries fully charged, especially in the extreme cold weather we have been having lately.Question for Retired JSO, How many Farmers have diesel generators used for RV use? I doubt they have any in Farm Equipment.

Generator Exhaust Hose | Good Sam Community

lanerd
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2014
The garage was designed to have the mh in nose first. Location of mh door will be near the walk in door, 50amp power connector close to power cable compartment, and same for wet bay connections. Just never crossed my mind to design in an exhaust port for the generator.

I think the dryer hose/vent will work. I will go to Home Depot this after noon and see what they have available. I can probably spice together two hoses to make them long enough.

Thanks again to all who replied....some really great ideas and recommendations.

Ron
jondrew
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
lanerd wrote:

....My problem is that since I have the mh in nose first, it is about 45' to the garage door opening and I'm unsure if extending the exhaust pipe this distance would be harmful to the generator.

Ron

You can buy this on amazon. I doubt 45 feet would cause a back pressure issue, but at these prices it might be worth flipping the MH around

Connector/dp/B000EILZZM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390257019&sr=8-2&keywords=exhaust+hose
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
Ron, you have solved your own problem. Put some hangers in the block to hold the hose off the ground when it is not being used, to keep it from being under foot.
lanerd
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2014
45 feet of dryer hose? Nope, that's not gonna work.

However, that got me to thinking and I could install a dryer vent opening in the side of the garage closest to the generator's exhaust pipe. That shouldn't be more than 8'. My garage has 4' of concrete blocks and then 12' of wood framing above that....so I'd have to make the vent dryer opening about 5' off the floor and it would be about another 5' over to the exhaust pipe.

Thanks, I think that will work just fine.

Ron
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2014
Dryer vent is not rated for exhaust temps, but if it's working, Well, that's good.
1BryNelson
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
Just use a household dryer hose. Push it up on gen exhaust pipe as far as you can. Heat won't hurt it, no back pressure problem and not costly.
jhilley
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
Exercising the generator also heats the coils and drys them.
Alfred622
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
I got 8' of flexible dryer vent at a home store. The stuff I got is 4" in diameter. I bent one end so it would be a snug fit over the generator's exhaust pipe. Then I run it under the garage door and go outside about 3'.

As near as I can tell, it works great. No problems.
C-Leigh_Racing
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
Theres a type of rubber hose, a thick heavy high temp type, you can find for exhausting the gen set like your wanting to do.
I've seen it in a thread or two, but lord help remembering where the thread is or where one could buy it from.
Kinda puts you in the mind of a steam hose, or it was steam hose & they were using it for the exhaust.
There should be somebody on here that might know where.
Neil
donkeydew
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
a inline duct fan (amazon carry them) on your hose would eliminate back pressure and get the fumes out

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