We live in Arizona where we have had extreme heat over the last week with more hot weather to come. First Question - I know that I need to run my generator under a load every month or so, but my rig is covered. Can I run the AC off of the generator with the cover on? The top of the cover is the white thicker material, will it allow the AC units to breath, or will they overheat under the cover?Second Question - We put containers of water in our rig and they evaporate quickly, do any of you use a humidifier in your rig to protect the wood during hot weather?I know these questions may sound silly, but I want to make sure that we are taking good care of our rig during these extreme conditions. As always, I appreciate any and all responses and advice!

No way should you run the AC under a cover.

kcgaz wrote: Can I run the AC off of the generator with the cover on? NO. Absolutely not.But the point is to get the gen good and HOT and that shouldn't take much load when it's above 100 F to begin with. If you turn the battery switch ON, just the load of the converter/charger should be plenty.....and about 15 minutes of run time should do it.Humidity: IF your pans of water disappear quickly, any "humidifier" you use will run dry real quick too. More/larger containers for the water maybe ??

I would skip the exercise during very hot and dry conditions.Best is to just go camping for the weekend.

Forget the once a month thing. Your generator will be fine.NEVER try to run your A/C unit with some kind of a cover.There's no need to ever put a cover on your A/C unit.What part of this question have I left unanswered?

No. It will overheat. Are you sleeping under two blankets now at night?

Two Questions | Good Sam Community

Mile_High
Explorer
Jul 17, 2017
Passin Thru wrote:
Actually, the reason for running or exercising your generator is to burn the moisture out of the crankcase. run it til it gets hot and then 10 min more thus you will boil condensation out of the crankcase and pistons. That's the reason for every 30 days and you get condensation in Yuma where it's 119 every day. I am a aircraft mechanic so let the others do their's their way.
Interesting.....I heard it was to dry any condensation off the armature that can cause corrosion and that the crankcase issue was a myth. I guess we all grab onto to what we want to believe.

We don't get the 119, but we get the -17 and I just leave the dang thing alone in those extremes. I'll wait 90 days and run it 3 times as long. :)
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 17, 2017
Passin Thru wrote:
Actually, the reason for running or exercising your generator is to burn the moisture out of the crankcase.

And since most have carbs, it also is to keep fresh fuel flowing to prevent gum in the carb.

And....once the unit comes up to operating temperature, any water in the oil is LONG gone so any extended run time is not necessary.

Then....the "pistons" don't retain water. Maybe that was a typo ??
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Jul 17, 2017
Actually, the reason for running or exercising your generator is to burn the moisture out of the crankcase. run it til it gets hot and then 10 min more thus you will boil condensation out of the crankcase and pistons. That's the reason for every 30 days and you get condensation in Yuma where it's 119 every day. I am a aircraft mechanic so let the others do their's their way.
Blaster_Man
Explorer
Jul 17, 2017
Keep using the water, I've been doing that for years. I have 15 scattered around the MH.
kcgaz
Explorer
Jul 16, 2017
Thanks for all of the great advice as always, I really like the idea of a gas shut off valve and will have to check my line clearance. Also like the idea of running heaters outside, had not thought of that. Happy Camping all!
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
wilanddij wrote:
I solved the "run every month" problem by adding a shut-off to the generator gas line. Turn off the gas, let the gen run till it dies from lack of fuel, and it can sit forever. When you need it again, make sure to prime it before cranking.

That will work just fine....IF....you are in a stable dry environment.

But if you are in an environment where the temperature and humidity has wild swings, moisture will accumulate in the crankcase, the exhaust and the windings of the alternator/generator itself.

Keeping junk from accumulating in the carb is not the ONLY reason for periodic running. That applies to the truck/tractor/chassis engine too.
wilanddij
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
I solved the "run every month" problem by adding a shut-off to the generator gas line. Turn off the gas, let the gen run till it dies from lack of fuel, and it can sit forever. When you need it again, make sure to prime it before cranking.
GrampaR123
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
I also cover our rig and I solved this issue by using our 2 small portable electric heaters. I plug them into an outside plug on the rig and turn them both on high heat. It provides more than enough load on the generator.
Of course my next door neighbor complains that I'm "heating up the neighborhood" by running the heaters outside but...........LOL.
Happy camping.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
Goldencrazy wrote:
Bew gas does not age like the old stuff.

What exactly is "Bew" gas ??

All evidence indicates that ethanol "ages" faster than the old pure gas.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
Bill.Satellite wrote:
Forget the once a month thing. Your generator will be fine.

BAD advice, Bill.
A gas model tends to evaporate gas in the carb and gum it up.
Running periodically and keeping stabilizer in the gas helps prevent that.

In a hot and dry environment you shouldn't have to worry about condensation in the engine or exhaust but cleaning/replacement of carbs is expensive.

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