Running generator for 12+ hours?

I have done a few 25 hour runs.. In theory I can run mine for up to around 50-70 hours assuming a full fuel tank when I start.. Then I need to.. Re-fuel

I agree there are better ways to power those small loads while driving, but to answer the question... there is no reason you cannot operate a genset for 12 hours day after day. Check the oil between uses, and perform specified maintenance.
Most gensets experience trouble or failure from not being used. Some people get a lot of hours out of their generators, a VERY (very) FEW will actually wear out a generator from use.

X2 you can do it but better ways .the inverter is the best.

Fla904 wrote:
Onan microlite 4000 1998 ford Shasta class C. It will only be used during the driving portion of the trip, which were going to be doing 800+ miles a day around 12-13 hrs of driving (we're young early twenties) yes I know that sounds ridiculous to some of you but it is what it is we can do it, it's just siting on your butt all day..... Anyways the gen will be powering a tv, Xbox, and refrigerator all day. Is that bad for it?

We make an 800 mile journey 4 to 8 times a year, half of those trips in the Motorhome the other in the car. When we travel in the summer, we are usually running the generator the entire time to run the A/C.

Interesting solution the previous owner had. I would think turning off the Propane supply would have been an easier choice than cutting and capping the supply line. We lost power for 5 days this past summer while camping. With the frig running on propane, we only ran the generator a few hours a day to charge the battery. Without propane to the frig, we would have had to run it for days on end.

-Michael

If you decide to run the generator for 12+ hours, stop it occasionally and check the oil level.

Last summer I left the Onan 5500 in our 96 Southwind run for 9 hours non-stop. The generator was under a load and the RV was stationary.
I know it doesn't use oil so I didn't stop it to check.
The generator ran great (still does) and gave me no problems.

I often run it while driving. No problems.

Follow the advice of others and you won't need to run it full time while driving.
But you can, no problem.

Enjoy your trip.

Definitely, get that cut propane line repaired.

Fix the propane line. You will find it cools the fridge better in summer. So you will need it. Some people are afraid of there shadow. Past owner must have been one of them.

Ran our Kipor 2000 for 12 days straight once (with stops for fuel and an oil change) after Hurricane Ike cam through. Usually the oil life is given in hours of runtime - check for that in the manual.

rvten wrote:
Fix the propane line. You will find it cools the fridge better in summer. So you will need it. Some people are afraid of there shadow. Past owner must have been one of them.

I just don't understand why she didn't just empty the tank and turn it off.... Went to camping world (which I REFUSE to use for any mechanic work) just to get a rough guess on how much a new line will be and they quoted me at over 500.00!! So that's the main reason I didn't get it fixed. Already put 2k into it this past week on remodeling the interior so will probably fix the propane line in a month or two. Thanks again for everyone's advice, will probably just run the gen ac and entertainment stuff while driving. I heard it's actually more beneficial to run the gen ac than the cab ac. Idk how that's true but go figure lol :@

Fla904 wrote:
Anyways the gen will be powering a tv, Xbox, and refrigerator all day. Is that bad for it?

I would install an inverter.
Size will depend on the fridge.

Run the generator as long as you need power or have fuel no problems there. My thoughts on 800+ miles a day is going to take 16 to 18 hours in/or pulling a RV.