Forum Discussion

kcgaz's avatar
kcgaz
Explorer
Jul 09, 2017

Two Questions

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!
Class A

20 Replies

Show More
  • Branson_N_Tucso's avatar
    Branson_N_Tucso
    Explorer II
    Jul 10, 2017
    Just a thought, check your batteries and make sure the water levels are up. If needed use distilled water to bring to correct level.
  • jyrostng's avatar
    jyrostng
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    In that heat, the gas in the bowl will evaporate in a month or less. In the Dry conditions you have I would only run your generator for a few minutes, just to make sure it's exercised. Running with little or no load builds carbon in a short time I wouldn't run the AC with the cover on.
  • Goldencrazy's avatar
    Goldencrazy
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    Bew gas does not age like the old stuff. A couple of months ill not turn it to varnish. Let it wait.
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    You could run your genset with the water heater and the refer running...that would be an appropriate load.

    I'm guessing the cover you're talking about is one of those big Class A covers that cover the roof and all the way down. Maybe leaving access to the RV via the main door. In the case of one of those, no, you don't want to run your AC.
  • OLYLEN's avatar
    OLYLEN
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    I would still run the Gen for, the I think yours is Gas, to run fresh gas into the carb. I that dry heat the generator part should not have moisture to be a problem. I would guess and only a guess in that heat 30 minutes under light load would do the trick to get the fresh fuel to the carb and be warm enough to take care of moisture if there were any in the motor oil.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2017
    No. It will overheat. Are you sleeping under two blankets now at night?
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2017
    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?
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 09, 2017
    I would skip the exercise during very hot and dry conditions.
    Best is to just go camping for the weekend.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2017
    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 ??

About Motorhome Group

38,739 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 27, 2025