How much does it cost you to run your MH generator?

Gjac wrote:
You have some pretty good estimates so far but what I would do since your genset is 18 years old would be to disconnect the fuel line going into the main tank and insert it into a gal of gas and 8 oz of Seafoam and run the genset with your A/Cs running etc to fully load the genset. You will exercise the genset, clean the carb and upper section, and it will see what your genset will use under a full load.

That's a good idea. I think I will do this. Thanks

Dennis

You have some pretty good estimates so far but what I would do since your genset is 18 years old would be to disconnect the fuel line going into the main tank and insert it into a gal of gas and 8 oz of Seafoam and run the genset with your A/Cs running etc to fully load the genset. You will exercise the genset, clean the carb and upper section, and it will see what your genset will use under a full load.

Regardless of what it costs be sure to only run the genny with a decent load on it especially if you are just going to run it for 30 minutes. I usually run the AC when running the genny just for "exercise/maintenance"which is good for the AC and the converter is working as well. Once the AC has warmed up/cooled down I turn on the water hater while watching the voltage levels to insure they don't drop too low. By putting the genny under load it get hot enough to cook off the moisture that builds up in the crankcase. Bottom line, a genny will run better and last longer if it is always run with an adequate load.

:C

Built-in generator carbs don't gum up if you keep a bit of gasoline preservative in the main fuel tanks so the generators get some of the preservative whenever they're run.

This may even be better for the motorhome's engine, too.

dlt123me wrote:
I know, kind of a funny question... I just bought a used 95 Itasca Jamboree Class C motorhome. This is my first motorized RV and I am kind of wondering how long my generator will run on a gallon of gas.

What I am wondering is what it would cost to run my generator with the price of gas running about $4 a gallon. Would it run an hour or more on a gallon of gas? In other words, $4 an hour to run it? LOL

I have a 4 KW gas generator. Has anyone figured this out?

Thanks,
Dennis

It seems like the consensus is 1/2 gallon per hour. Another question would be "How much does it cost to not run it enough?" There are many that will tell you if you do not run it about 1/2 to 1 hour per month, your carb will gum up and cost you about $200.00 to fix. So, it might be that it costs you nothing to run. You could be sure to run it every month for that 1/2 to 1 hour at about $2.00. So, you avoid that $200.00 rebuilt carb every 100 months. :)

Thanks all... I just downloaded the User manual and know what to expect...

Dennis

Download this Onan .pdf document on their 4000 watt RV generators and scroll down to Page 2. Notice down near the bottom of that page that this size gas Onan generator consumes around 0.5 gallons per hour when loaded to one-half of it's capacity:

https://powersuite.cummins.com/PS5/PS5Content/SiteContent/en/Binary_Asset/pdf/Consumer/specsheets/a-1399.pdf

I figure that our RV's 13.5K BTU air conditioner loads our 4000 watt Onan generator to 40%-45%, which means that it will run between 2 and 2 1/2 hours on a gallon of gas. I agree on a built-in generator being "worth it's weight in gold" at times when nothing else will do. After all the $$$ we spent on an RV, we want it to be able to keep us comfortable at any place at any time. We can't always predict what camping situation we might wind up in, so why not be ready.

Also for what it's worth, with a convenient built-in generator in the RV the entire RV can be run as "all-electric" in an emergency with no hookups if ever required. For instance, if the propane system should ever fail the Onan could provide the power for heating the RV, the power for cooking food, and the power for heating water. :C

I have to laugh at my own question, since if I am hot, who cares how much it cost to run the air conditioner using the generator. I figured someone here would have an answer to my inquisitive question.

I am just the analytical type and was wondering how much it cost. Now I know.

Thanks for the responses...

1/2gal a hr when ac is on less when no ac

Onan states 1/2 gallon per hour so for us about a $1.65 per hour with $3.30 a gallon last time I gassed up. We use an inverter to watch tv, dvds, and HD satellite using the generator primarily for our high amperage items such as microwave-convection, AC unit or a couple of portable heaters depending on season, and heated appliances including those for hair.

We camp off the grid more than half the time and having the genny ready to power our entire rig with a press of a button makes for worry free fun. Average about 100 hours a year and don't give much thought to fuel costs, nothing beats being fully self-contained and the peace of mind that comes with it.