Hello I purchase a older gulf stream class a motor coach at the end of last year. The question I have is can you run the generator while driving or will it over load the system? I was just curious because I'm doing a road trip with the family and the kid's will be wanting to watch movie's or get on there lap top while I'm doing all the driving. plus wife will have to make coffee to keep me awake.

Not my cup of tea, just curious why running a generator when you have 12 VDC from alternator? Invert DC to AC.

Almot wrote:Not my cup of tea, just curious why running a generator when you have 12 VDC from alternator? Invert DC to AC. that will not run any of my electronics there is no power to the out lets correct?

We run our generator at times going down the road if we want to run the A/C also. We have a good dash A/C but the MH is a DP and therefore in hotter weather the back bedroom can get quite warm. If we're driving to make miles and stopping at a truck stop for the night, we'll get fuel and go to bed so it's nice to run the A/C for an hour ahead of time to get the bedroom cooled down.Bill

Yes, you can run your generator with no ill effects. We do it all the time, mainly for running the rooftop air conditioners.

steppinstone wrote:Almot wrote:Not my cup of tea, just curious why running a generator when you have 12 VDC from alternator? Invert DC to AC. that will not run any of my electronics there is no power to the out lets correct?Check all of your outlets. About half of ours work when driving. I think they did that so you can't overload the inverter or batteries with too much AC power usage.Bill

running you generator??? | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

Almot
Explorer III
May 26, 2016
The question was "Can I"...?
Yes you can. But you might not have to. Check the outlets and inverter ratings.

Hurting a generator by not using it while on the road - if you're going to use it later on the camp... have some doubts, but I'll leave it there.
steppinstone
Explorer
May 26, 2016
Dutch_12078 wrote:
steppinstone wrote:
I want to thank everyone for their input. I am new too the class a seen that is why I posted this. It is an older model 1989 all is original except for me remodeling the unit, hardwood 3/4 " oak flooring, granite counter tops, new leveling system, window awning's,my wife think's i'm crazy. But I enjoy the out come it look's beautiful hopefully the trip will be great, thank's again

Sounds great! I suggest having the unit weighed in "trip trim" though, to make sure you're not exceeding the vehicle's weight capacity.

I think my wife's luggage weighs more then any thing I put on too the coach... Just kidding...for real....
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
May 25, 2016
steppinstone wrote:
I want to thank everyone for their input. I am new too the class a seen that is why I posted this. It is an older model 1989 all is original except for me remodeling the unit, hardwood 3/4 " oak flooring, granite counter tops, new leveling system, window awning's,my wife think's i'm crazy. But I enjoy the out come it look's beautiful hopefully the trip will be great, thank's again

Sounds great! I suggest having the unit weighed in "trip trim" though, to make sure you're not exceeding the vehicle's weight capacity.
steppinstone
Explorer
May 25, 2016
I want to thank everyone for their input. I am new too the class a seen that is why I posted this. It is an older model 1989 all is original except for me remodeling the unit, hardwood 3/4 " oak flooring, granite counter tops, new leveling system, window awning's,my wife think's i'm crazy. But I enjoy the out come it look's beautiful hopefully the trip will be great, thank's again
catkins
Explorer II
May 25, 2016
For forward TVs that are view able by the driver, the outlet may have a shut off when the RV engine is running. They will not allow 110, regardless of source, to fire up the TV in question.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
May 25, 2016
Yes run it to your hearts content, many do as they are designed for this function. It is true you could use an inverter to deliver power to your outlets but that is not the question you asked. Running your generator while underway and for whatever reason is your call, this practice is commonly done by those who have that capability built into their rig. Happy Camping!!!
creeper
Explorer
May 25, 2016
In hot weather not only do we run the generator, we have to just to run the A/c units. The dash air will not cool the entire RV. We'll just turn off the dash air, run the roof A/c and we have a very powerful floor fan that blows cool air up into the cockpit area. It's must quieter then running the dash A/c on max and full blast.

Plus it's good exercise for the generator as they sit most of the time anyway, which is not good.
mlts22
Explorer II
May 25, 2016
On motorhomes, I always like running the genset while driving, if it is a fairly short trip (less than 200 miles round trip), just because it exercises it, especially if the rooftop air is on. I estimate I lose less than 1 MPG by doing this.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 25, 2016
most MHs have the 12v recp by the TV amplifier switch,
that is IF they have one at all
there won't be any in the living room area for the kids to use
Almot
Explorer III
May 25, 2016
Dutch_12078 wrote:
I wouldn't be surprised to find that an "an older Gulf Stream" does not have an inverter installed unless as an aftermarket add-on. run the generator all you want, the fuel mileage hit is minor compared to listening to complaining kids.

...or get 150-200W PSW inverter on Amazon with cig lighter plug. Not for coffee maker of course. Is this motorhome missing 12V receptacles too?