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brndnew2rvg's avatar
brndnew2rvg
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014

Gulfstream BT Cruiser Procedures

I am looking for the appropriate procedures for starting my a/c, heater and hot water heater while connected to an electrical source or when running the generator.
  • Best to give the generator a couple of minutes to warm up before putting a large load (a/c or microwave) on it. I'll usually start the Onan, let it smooth out, then start the a/c on 'fan only' to put a small load on the Onan. Wait about two minutes, then start the compressor.

    Jim, "Shin: A device for finding furniture in the dark."
  • Yes, the A/C is AC (bad pun) so it only runs when plugged into shore power or on the generator.

    The heater is propane. When you turn on the propane tank, light a stove eye first. That flushes the air out of the propane lines and ensures that the heater will light. You don't have to do that every time you run the heater, just when you open the propane tank after having it shut off.

    Both the water heater and the refrigerator run off propane too, but each may also run off of 120v AC. Some do, some don't. Usually, the water heater has 2 separate switches, one for electric and one for gas. You can run both while showering or using a lot of hot water for faster recovery. The refrigerator usually has an AUTO setting, a GAS setting and OFF. If set to GAS, it only uses propane. If set to AUTO, it uses electric when plugged in or on generator, and uses propane otherwise.
  • OK, thats why I was confused due to when the propane would be needed to be turned on. So, once I have the propane turned on and I select the heat on the control panel, I should get heat, correct? The a/c should turn on whether its using electric (plug in) or the generater?
  • I just turn them on. If this doesn't address your concerns, I don't understand the question.

    The heater doesn't use the 120v system. It is propane and 12v. The water heater may or may not have a 120v electrical heating element.