I'm a firm believer in the concept that the fastest way to make a machine deteriorate is to leave it sitting in the garage, unused, for an extended period (example my buddy had to have his whole fuel system on his motorcycle, tank & all, replaced, because it sat idle for so long that the water got in the system and rusted everything from the inside out)...So, here's the issue...should we occasionally run our generator even if shore power is available, just to give the gennie a workout? if so, just standing alone, disconnected/under a full load (aircon) or under a light load/for how long?thx

I disconnect from shore power while test running genset. You must test run under load.

If memory serves, Onan says to run under load for 1/2 an hour every month. It doesn't need to be a full load, but should be something noticeable. (As always, you ought to give it a minute or two to warm up before applying a substantial load, and let it cool down without much of a load before shutting it down.)I don't generally manage that frequency of running it, but I do make an attempt run mine every now and again for a decent amount of time; it maybe averages out to every couple months.

I run my Westinghouse invert monthly under heavy load - 15 minutes. Warm up five minutes, cool down five minutes. No issues after five years.

I run a 1500 watt resistance heater and of course the converter on my 4000 watt genset.

I always ran my generator at least 30 minutes, but usually an hour each month. Actually I would take the motorhome out for a Sunday drive, once a month, about 50 miles each way. Run the genny with a/c load on it. Gave the tires/slides/jacks all a chance to move. And, always enjoyed the ride and the lunch in it. Was told not to let the gas varnish in the generator or I would have big problems.

Running a generator to exercise it when there's shore power?

jdc1
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2021
I didn't start my Honda generator for 6 months to a year for many years. It fired up every time I needed it to. But...That's a Honda for you. At 15 years old.....it still fires up without a hiccup.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2021
Yes you should exercise the gen from time to time to lube parts, eliminate moisture, remove any rust. Some may say they never do. As far as while shore paper is available, it may be best, but not a must perhaps to switch the shore power off before starting the gen. May prevent issues with the transfer switch.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Feb 24, 2021
our home 20 kw back up propane genny auto start exercises once a month. for a few minutes.its battery is maintained, from the home power. Fuel is not the issue, no water or contaminate can enter into propane, as could happen with water condensation in gas or diesel tanks.
engines , derive their power from an fueled internal power source. in definition from motors whiich are powered by an external power source, such as electrically, should be exersized occasionailly to maintain them when you need them
LadyRVer
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2021
I always ran my generator at least 30 minutes, but usually an hour each month. Actually I would take the motorhome out for a Sunday drive, once a month, about 50 miles each way. Run the genny with a/c load on it. Gave the tires/slides/jacks all a chance to move. And, always enjoyed the ride and the lunch in it. Was told not to let the gas varnish in the generator or I would have big problems.
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 24, 2021
I run a 1500 watt resistance heater and of course the converter on my 4000 watt genset.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2021
I run my Westinghouse invert monthly under heavy load - 15 minutes. Warm up five minutes, cool down five minutes. No issues after five years.
DrewE
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2021
If memory serves, Onan says to run under load for 1/2 an hour every month. It doesn't need to be a full load, but should be something noticeable. (As always, you ought to give it a minute or two to warm up before applying a substantial load, and let it cool down without much of a load before shutting it down.)

I don't generally manage that frequency of running it, but I do make an attempt run mine every now and again for a decent amount of time; it maybe averages out to every couple months.
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 23, 2021
I disconnect from shore power while test running genset. You must test run under load.

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Running a generator to exercise it when there's shore power?

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