Do you Exercise that Generator

I also learned the hard way. I also think that the need to exercise may not be as critical with fuel-injection equipped generators.

In Dec 2011, I needed an angioplasty and ended up with four stents installed. I'm fortunate to still be on the planet. During my convalescence, the generator monthly exercising dropped off my radar screen for 5 months. When I finally got to it in May 2012, it wouldn't start, and, despite repeated attempts to trouble-shoot, hasn't run since.

We're FHU campers, so it hasn't been an issue so far, but we will need to get it fixed before we put the rig up for sale in the spring.

I've replaced the fuel pump and all fuel lines from it to the carb. I've also soaked the carb in SeaFoam to try and remove any varnish deposits. It will prime and crank, but it backfires like crazy and spits our big gouts of white smoke, then quits. White smoke usually indicates an attempt to burn coolant, but this thing's air-cooled!

I've worked with engines for a lot of my life, including a couple of years working for Norton Motorcycles, but this POS has me flummoxed.

KJINTF wrote:
Actually I leave mine alone for 4 or 5 months at a time
They typically start right up after a long winter in a heated garage
Never had a problem with the many RV generators we have had over the past 30 years

I used to be like that with my gas powered equipment. Then "they" started changing the gas mix, mostly the addition of ethanol. Now when equipment sits fuel lines rot, carb floats stick, fuel intakes get clogged (mostly with the******from the rotting fuel lines).

KJINTF wrote:
Actually I leave mine alone for 4 or 5 months at a time
They typically start right up after a long winter in a heated garage
Never had a problem with the many RV generators we have had over the past 30 years

That's a good key, heated garage.

IAMICHABOD wrote:

mustangglp wrote:

old guy wrote:
I know this may sound a little silly asking this, but if you are in a quake zone and your house is destroyed how do you think the RV will survive? I wish you all the luck in the world.

Trailer is mounted on springs and tires and made to flex. Also The trailer
Has stand alone power in case lines are down

EXACTLY In my case the RV is far enough away from the house that it will be safe. It will provide power, shelter heat or A/C plus food and water.

I have heard a lot of stories about people that have survived all sorts of natural disasters and had their R/V save them when there is ample warning to prepare. Here we have no warning !! So I am always prepared.

We learned this during the 94 quake, house and coach were fine but no power. Pulled the coach out onto the street "just in case" and figured if electric stayed off more than a couple hours we could power freezer and fridge. Went to start genset no start turn key on and check gas, 1/4!!! We now never park coach if there is less than 3/4 of a tank indicated.

SolidAxleDurango wrote:

noe-place wrote:

SolidAxleDurango wrote:

old guy wrote:
I know this may sound a little silly asking this, but if you are in a quake zone and your house is destroyed how do you think the RV will survive? I wish you all the luck in the world.

Likely they would both be destroyed based upon proximity...

However, the possibility exists such that the utility infrastructure will be destroyed when the home is undamanged. Having the RV prepped helps in this type of scenario.

Here in Oklahoma, we face the same type of scenario with ice storms or tornadoes.

You assume his rv is in the house? :R

I did not assume that at all.

Not even because of being based on proximity? :h

Actually I leave mine alone for 4 or 5 months at a time
They typically start right up after a long winter in a heated garage
Never had a problem with the many RV generators we have had over the past 30 years

Yup and I missed one month and regretted it. Very had to start skipping that month. My grandpa though told me he couldn't remember the last time he started his .. I'd bet it's been a couple years. That won't be good!

Just did mine yesterday, its been 6 weeks and did not start up quickly but ran it for an hour under load. We are expecting rain, then drops in temps to sub zero tomorrow.

Yes, 2 hours every month with at least 50% load just like Cummins/ONAN calls for in the manual.

Summer - air conditioner
Winter - a pair of space heaters, on separate circuits.

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

old guy wrote:
I know this may sound a little silly asking this, but if you are in a quake zone and your house is destroyed how do you think the RV will survive? I wish you all the luck in the world.

............

BTW - yes, your post sounds *very* silly..:S

~

X2. Silly. And kinda snarky.

Jim, "Past tense means you used to be nervous."