Exercise genny while on shore power?

Depends. You need to exercise it once a month for 2 hours with at least 50% load. Can you get a 50% load on it while still plugged into shore power? When I had an on-board genny, I used the A/C in the summer and a pair of space heaters in the winter, but I had to unplug from shore power for that.

Exercise with a load.

The ATS will switch the RV from shorepower to the generator, but that should not be done with any significant loads present. I recommend flipping the park stanchion breaker off before starting the generator. Make sure the park rules allow running the generator at that time though.

Bobbo wrote:
Depends. You need to exercise it once a month for 2 hours with at least 50% load. Can you get a 50% load on it while still plugged into shore power? When I had an on-board genny, I used the A/C in the summer and a pair of space heaters in the winter, but I had to unplug from shore power for that.

Why two hours? I am not being snarky, I am being sincere.

My brother works on electric motors and said to make sure to give the windings a regular workout, but he said it doesn't need to be a large load, but they do need a load. I have been doing monthly runs on my Hondas for over 10 years, and running them 10 or 15 minutes, enough to warm up the oil good and give them a load.

To be absolutely sure nothing bad happens, I would unplug shore power first (or turn off breaker). I have an automatic transfer switch. One time I turned on the generator while plugged into shore power...don't remember if a load was on it, but I think not...and the situation burned my EMS that was plugged into shore receptacle.

Thanks for the replies.

Janss wrote:
To be absolutely sure nothing bad happens, I would unplug shore power first (or turn off breaker). I have an automatic transfer switch. One time I turned on the generator while plugged into shore power...don't remember if a load was on it, but I think not...and the situation burned my EMS that was plugged into shore receptacle.

Well, this what I expected to get for an answer, but thought I'd check with people that know. I'll have to do it when the DW is out for a walk instead of watching tv, and then reset some clocks and reboot the satellite receiver.
Glad you mentioned the EMS! Guess I'll unplug from that too when I flip the breaker. I was just worried about arcing the contacts in the ATS.

Hi,

Unplug.

Exerise.

Replug.

30 minutes @ 50% load, after a 3 minute warm up.

No reason the unplug. Transfer switch should give priority to the generator to run the RV. Load it up with a couple space heaters or some other significant load.

"Transfer switch shouldgive priority to the generator"


Now that is the stickler, the word should , if it doesn't , bad things could happen, that is why you unplug first

No need to unplug anything. That is why they call it an " AN AUTOMATIC TRANSFER WITCH". IT IS DESIGNED TO DO JUST THAT. It is not a decoration.