Generator - Run Time

[lakebum]

A few weeks ago we took delivery of our first Class A, never had a generator in any of our RVs before so wasn't sure...

We have been volunteering at a NASCAR race twice a year for close to 15 years and have a place to park within the track with 50 amp service, however this year they have rented 3 travel trailers to accommodate others and told me we were welcome to still bring our Class A but would not have shore power but could run our generator.

My question is, we will be there for 4 days and was not sure how long we could continuously run the Onan diesel generator? Fuel will not be an issue and I am sure we will shut it down while we are away from the Coach. But is there a "too long"? How many hours could I run it?

[FormerBoater]

Genturi is a nice courtesy to your neighbors, but CO is not a real issue with diesel generators.

Your CO monitor is a must in case there are gasoline powered genny's "in the neighborhood".

I would change the oil prior to the race and you should be good to go.

[wa8yxm]

Onan Generators are industrial type units (Even the RV ones) and how long you can run it depends on two things.

How much fuel is in the main fuel tank for the RV (The generator can only use the top 3/4 of that tank)

How much load is on the genrator.

Basically. Fill the tank at the "Last Diesel before parking" and watch your main dash fuel gauge from time to time... In my case (Gasser 70 gallon tank) I can go about 3 days.


Answer 2: Till you run out of fuel for the generator

SUGGESTION: if you do not have one, GEN-TURI

Without the Gen-Turi it only took my generator 2 hours to set off the CO alarm.. So Consider a Gen-Turi. (With the Gen-Turi I've hit 25 hours on a few occasions and no alarm).

[Dale_Traveling]

Ran my gas generator for a week in the driveway after loosing power when a hurricane blew thru. Ran the coach AC along with other systems plus the fridge in the house. Never skipped a beat. Dittos on the daily oil and cooling check along with a fuel top off before parking for the event.

Either make or buy a venturi stack for the exhaust. Your neighbors at the track will thank you.

[Cloud_Dancer]

Busskipper wrote:

Cloud Dancer wrote:
I've done this 3 times, in the infield of big NASCAR races. I've never had a problem running the ONAN 7.5 Quiet Diesel genarator for long periods of time. Yes, it does shut itself off whenever the oil pressure goes down OR it overheats. Mine developed a shutting-down problem at about 800 hours of life. After several weeks of attempting to find the problem, I finally discovered that I had to remove the small radiator and take it to a real radiator shop to get taken apart and thoroughly cleaned (full service). NOTE: Simply flushing it while still in the unit does NOT solve the problem.

Check the OIL and Clean the radiator - This or Similar will help, just follow the instructions.

The reason Onan's last so long they shut down if they are not running correctly.

BOL,

Just to be clear. The exterior condition of my radiator was never the problem. On mine, it was the buildup of mineral deposits INSIDE the cooling tubes that were preventing the full flow of the coolant. The exterior of the tubes and fins of the radiator were always clean.

[Busskipper]

Cloud Dancer wrote:
I've done this 3 times, in the infield of big NASCAR races. I've never had a problem running the ONAN 7.5 Quiet Diesel genarator for long periods of time. Yes, it does shut itself off whenever the oil pressure goes down OR it overheats. Mine developed a shutting-down problem at about 800 hours of life. After several weeks of attempting to find the problem, I finally discovered that I had to remove the small radiator and take it to a real radiator shop to get taken apart and thoroughly cleaned (full service). NOTE: Simply flushing it while still in the unit does NOT solve the problem.

Check the OIL and Clean the radiator - This or Similar will help, just follow the instructions.

The reason Onan's last so long they shut down if they are not running correctly.

BOL,

[Cloud_Dancer]

I've done this 3 times, in the infield of big NASCAR races. I've never had a problem running the ONAN 7.5 Quiet Diesel genarator for long periods of time. Yes, it does shut itself off whenever the oil pressure goes down OR it overheats. Mine developed a shutting-down problem at about 800 hours of life. After several weeks of attempting to find the problem, I finally discovered that I had to remove the small radiator and take it to a real radiator shop to get taken apart and thoroughly cleaned (full service). NOTE: Simply flushing it while still in the unit does NOT solve the problem.

[jpmihalk]

I have also heard that most NASCAR events have RV's all parked closely together so they require (this may vary from event to event) some sort of exhaust vent that takes the fumes away from the generator tailpipe and vents them up above the roof. There is a product called a Genturi that does this or I think they can be made very easily out of parts found at a hardware store.

[lakebum]

RoyB wrote:
Of course all of those NASCAR party goers live on the top of their RV's whooping it up big time... They even jump from trailer to trailer and never hit the ground haha... One time was enough for me... Sometimes you gotta sleep haha...

Every trailer had a generator running the one time I went - things were all very loud everywhere for about a week and a half...

I was glad to get back to the peace and quiet of the creekside camping...

Did got to drink a few Texas long necks tho

Roy Ken

I hear you...believe me. I had rather be somewhere else. This is for a fund raiser for our youngest child Band Boosters. We get $15,000 per year to work 2 races. Also we are in a gated compound away from the NASCAR fans, but we can almost hit the grandstands with a rock. Really nice location. Last child in band, but still has 3 more years...

[Sam_Spade]

Effy wrote:
They are designed to run 24/7. As long as it's in good running order and maintained it can run continuously for thousands of hours.

I would try and make sure it's vented above the roof line. A genturi might be a good investment. Nothing to do with the gen running mechanically, just safer and considerate of those around you.

THIS.

Three additional notes:

It should be stopped once a day to check the oil level.

You should do a good inspection to ensure that there is no obstruction to the cooling air....inlet or exhaust.

Most are equipped with a fuel tank sensor and will not run the main (shared) tank below a certain level. Best to have the tank close to full just to be sure.

[RoyB]

Of course all of those NASCAR party goers live on the top of their RV's whooping it up big time... They even jump from trailer to trailer and never hit the ground haha... One time was enough for me... Sometimes you gotta sleep haha...

Every trailer had a generator running the one time I went - things were all very loud everywhere for about a week and a half...

I was glad to get back to the peace and quiet of the creekside camping...

Did got to drink a few Texas long necks tho

Roy Ken

[ksg5000]

Make sure you keep a eye on carbon monoxide if you or nearby rigs are running Generators a lot. Your rig likely has a detector - make sure it works - you can buy a portable battery powered one for about $25.

[rcmiller32]

You can run it 24/7 if you like. Just make sure you have the oil level and coolant level checked, before you do. Also give yourself between 1/2 to 1 gallon of fuel per hour while you are running it. You might also want a Genturi exhaust pipe so you do not gas your neighbor's out. Have herd several tracks require them.

[lakebum]

Great. Good news. It was serviced by the prior owner at Cummins / Onan shop and again by the RV Dealer we purchased it from. I have all of the service tickets.

It only has right at 700 hours on it now, so we will see how it does.

Thanks

[Effy]

They are designed to run 24/7. As long as it's in good running order and maintained it can run continuously for thousands of hours.

I would try and make sure it's vented above the roof line. A genturi might be a good investment. Nothing to do with the gen running mechanically, just safer and considerate of those around you.