Generator on for Ac while traveling

Thanks for all the input. I didn't know if that was a norm or not. Our class A has about 32,000 miles but right at 100 hours on the genny. So when I was doing my math either the previous owner didn't run it much in the summer, didn't use the ac, or I am just wrong on the amount of hours I feel it should have. This is what got me thinking. Thankfully I asked because I would have been flipping out if the air shut off with a quarter tank left. LOL Thanks for all the advise

Running the 7.5 Quiet Diesel generator is no problem, on the road or at camp.
It's worth the extra fuel, comfort and convenience is what we like.

BTW I also get the most cooling out of the dash air conditioner by turning off the hot water that goes to it. I installed a manual valve, and it really works.

Not a problem. We use it anytime the dash air won't keep up, usually after the outside temp gets over 90 or so.

Hi,

I found I could keep my class C cool by using the dash air with the roof air set on low fan. My inverter is happy providing the energy for the fan (and the fridge, too).

Generators love to run! It also keeps fresh fuel in the genny system.

Using the air while driving not only keeps you nice and cool, the coach is cool when you arrive at your destination.

We have four alternators on our engine and four inverters so we can run all 4 roof airs from the inverters if we want. But, I will run the generator to exercise it.

Many times the house air is enough to even keep the front cool so I will turn off the dash air.

Keep cool! Use the genny!

MM.

willald wrote:
One downside to doing this that I really hate: Like already said, genny cuts off when you get down to only 1/3 or 1/4 of a fuel tank. This limits how far we can go before refueling in the summer.

Absolutely true for our rig as well.

For this issue, I'm currently doing some work on ours and have the gas tank out. I'm going to extend the generator fuel pickup tube another couple of inches. This should allow the generator to run down to the 1/8 tank level. I never let it get down that low, but we've been "inconvenienced" a few times when it would cut out with the current pickup tube length.

willald wrote:
Oh, one other thing I've learned with our Onan genny about running it when on the road: It will shut off if you make a very sudden movement, like a 'panic' stop, sudden swerve/turn, etc. I think its the low oil switch that kicks it off in a sudden movement, as too much oil sloshes away from the sensor. I've tried putting a little more oil in, doesn't seem to matter. It rarely happens and takes almost a 'panic' type movement to cause this, but it is something to be aware of. Not a big deal, if I see after such a movement that the generator has shut off, I just reach over on the dash and hit the 'start' button to re-start it.

This too was a problem for us, and I concur that it is related to the low oil level switch. When we were having the problem I was using 5W30 oil in the generator as I could use it year round. However, I switched to straight 30 weight oil (per the manual) for the warmer months and this problem seems to have been eliminated. Well, I haven't noticed it since switching oils. But if we use the rig in late Fall, Winter or early Spring, I have to change the oil to the 5W30 for the colder temperature operation. (What tipped me off about this is that I never experienced the problem during the colder months, only during the summer and usually hot summer days were the most likely for the situation to occur. And even though 5W30 is supposed to act like a straight 30 weight oil at higher temperatures, apparently it doesn't.)

To the OP...as all are saying, it's perfectly fine to run the generator while cruising down the road.

~Rick

Advice from a moron..................

The first time I ever drove a Class A, I about sweat to death. It was so hot inside and the chassis AC did not work. Then each time I drove the coach during the summer months it was pretty much the same thing. By the time I reached my destination I would be soaked.

In the winter, while going to football games, the chassis heat could not keep up with the outside cold so I would freeze while driving it. Then when I got to the tailgating spot I would fire up the gen and run the coach heat. After the game we would use the gen to run the heat and watch TV. When we were going to hit the road I would shut it down and drive it home all while shivering.

Its sad to say that I did this for YEARS before I figured out it was OK to run the gen while driving. DOH!!

So like I said when I started this post, advice from a moron....... run the gen and be comfortable.

Absolutely fine to run the generator and rooftop a/c's while driving. About 90 degrees outside and we will turn ours on, otherwise the front dash a/c keeps up fine. We don't worry about the diesel mileage at this point because the comfort is worth it to us. And sometimes we will use the generator for short term like running the microwave while rolling as well. Happy and cool trails to you!

This is absolutely fine, it was designed to work this way. 'Tis one of the main reasons why motorized RVs have a generator, and towable RVs don't: You have to keep everyone comfortable when on the road with a motorized unit, but not with a towable.

We do this all the time when traveling in the summer. The dashboard A/C will keep things cool enough up front for me and DW, but it will not even begin to cool the rest of the coach. Our kids would be very hot and unconfortable if we didn't run the generator and overhead AC unit.

One downside to doing this that I really hate: Like already said, genny cuts off when you get down to only 1/3 or 1/4 of a fuel tank. This limits how far we can go before refueling in the summer.

Oh, one other thing I've learned with our Onan genny about running it when on the road: It will shut off if you make a very sudden movement, like a 'panic' stop, sudden swerve/turn, etc. I think its the low oil switch that kicks it off in a sudden movement, as too much oil sloshes away from the sensor. I've tried putting a little more oil in, doesn't seem to matter. It rarely happens and takes almost a 'panic' type movement to cause this, but it is something to be aware of. Not a big deal, if I see after such a movement that the generator has shut off, I just reach over on the dash and hit the 'start' button to re-start it.

Not familiar with your model, but would it help to set the dash air to recirculate so your roof unit is not having to cool outside temp air coming in?
(I did read the part about your dash air not working)