Proper Generator Use

[BlessedFam10]

Hi all, just recently purchased a 2018 Georgetown GT5 series 36B. First time RV owner and would like any tips available on setting up my unit for the first time at a campground and if there is a checklist out there to go by... also I have a 7K Oanan generator and my question is do I have to run it while traveling or will my batteries power my AC effectively.

Thanks,
Ty

[rk911]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

BlessedFam10 wrote:
... if there is a checklist out there to go by...

Checklist for people who only use their RV a half dozen or so time a year are a great idea ! My daughter has several.

packing including hitching
setup
teardown

She has hers in a protective sleeve so you can carry it around without it falling apart.

I'm sure you will get a lot of good tips, but in the end, you will have to make your own checklists.

checklists are not just for the occasional user. we've been doing the RV thing since 1986 and still use a comprehensive checklist before departing home or a campground every time. our checklist has evolved over time as will the OP's.

[D_E_Bishop]

As far as Trip Lists are concerned, I have two, #1 is the departure list for the RV, #2 is the departure list for the towed.

It doesn't matter to us if it is departing the storage yard or a campground, we use the same lists.

Ours are basically the list found in the owners manual of our first rig and modified to our specific needs. The towed list is a melding of the instructions in the Suzuki manual and what I instinctively knew or read here on RV.NET.

We also have a list of things to have on board before we depart the S&B the first day. That includes LP gas, engine fluids, tires and brakes. Some food is kept on board all the time, some is trip specific. The always have and the trip food lists are the DW's lists, the house and chassis conditions list are my responsibility.

I don't have nor need a list for setting up camp. The list of supplies takes care of most things and creature comforts take care of leveling, what utility to hook up and of course the greatest creature comfort of all, is making sure the DW is happy with the view before leveling.

So follow all the hints given here on the forum and personalize it, then sit back and enjoy a cool or hot drink of your choice and enjoy the view.

[wa8yxm]

Ok A/C. ON my motor home (Which reminds me A/C maintance (on my car) is something I need to do) when Driving I normaly use only Dash Air. however if it's August... Well. sometimes dash is not enough Then I use "Onan" air for want of a better name (the Roof A/C's powered by my ONAN)

No battery power...generally speaking. Will not even run the A/C in fact it's not set up to power them. and even if it was you would need over 3,000 watts of invwerter and a much bigger alternator than your vehice has to keep up with it (like 400 amps or more of alternator).

[Bill_Satellite]

hohenwald48 wrote:

craig7h wrote:
I will always run my generator while driving down the road. One it runs the house AC and two it will keep the fridge on 110 instead of propane. Let it run thats what its for.

Running the generator just to operate your dual mode refer on 110 is a pretty expensive way to cool your food. You might want to consider a small inverter for that purpose.

If you also need the house air conditioner operating then that's a different story.

Even better, just run the fridge on propane while driving! There's no need for 120V. That's why it is designed that way.
Roof top A/C? Sure, run the genny but you may find that the coach dash air (engine powered) is plenty.

[STBRetired]

If you are going to be in a campground without electrical hookups, invest in a GenTuri generator exhaust stack which will get your generator exhaust above your RV so that you and your neighbors don't breathe the noxious fumes.

[hohenwald48]

craig7h wrote:
I will always run my generator while driving down the road. One it runs the house AC and two it will keep the fridge on 110 instead of propane. Let it run thats what its for.

Running the generator just to operate your dual mode refer on 110 is a pretty expensive way to cool your food. You might want to consider a small inverter for that purpose.

If you also need the house air conditioner operating then that's a different story.

[georgelesley]

Find checklists online or in some rv books, but they will not be exactly specific for you. Add or subtract items often for the fisrst few trips. We store ours in plastic cover sheets both the set up and ready to move list this way and use an erasable marker each time, ticking items off as we complete them. Then erase and start over next time.

After using them several times I organized them in the order we actually do the items, first things first, less important next, etc. your owners manual will likely have some items that should be done before others, particularly when slide outs should be opened/retracted and when leveling jacks should be deployed/retracted. Different model rv’s have different procedures.

BTW, the suggestion to camp in your driveway for several days first is a great idea. We did that for several days and only allowed in house trips for potty. You will learn more that way than you will ever learn online asking others. We then took a short trip maybe 20 miles away and camped a few days.

Crawl before you walk, walk before you run, etc. you have just spend a very significant amount of money, practice so you can enjoy your investment to the fullest.

[jplante4]

I would try the dash air first. Unless it's >85° the dash air should keep the front cool.

Your batteries should charge off the engine alternator while you're driving, but the inverter/batteries will not run an A/C.

It's generally recommended to camp in your driveway the first time. If this isn't possible, camp somewhere close so you can dash home to get stuff you forget.

[craig7h]

I will always run my generator while driving down the road. One it runs the house AC and two it will keep the fridge on 110 instead of propane. Let it run thats what its for.

As for check list its truly up to you. I guess the main thing does your owners manual say put jacks down before or after you put the slide out. I fist plug in to shore power, turn generator off, level unit, put slide out, hook water and sewer up. Relax.

[theoldwizard1]

BlessedFam10 wrote:
... if there is a checklist out there to go by...

Checklist for people who only use their RV a half dozen or so time a year are a great idea ! My daughter has several.

packing including hitching
setup
teardown

She has hers in a protective sleeve so you can carry it around without it falling apart.

I'm sure you will get a lot of good tips, but in the end, you will have to make your own checklists.

[FIRE_UP]

BlessedFam10 wrote:
Hi all, just recently purchased a 2018 Georgetown GT5 series 36B. First time RV owner and would like any tips available on setting up my unit for the first time at a campground and if there is a checklist out there to go by... also I have a 7K Oanan generator and my question is do I have to run it while traveling or will my batteries power my AC effectively.

Thanks,
Ty

Yep,
It depends on which A/C you're talking about. As has been stated, the rooftop A/C needs 120VAC to run. The engine A/C needs, well, the engine. If the dash A/C is not keeping up with the heat in the cab, well then, you'll need to fire up the generator and, then turn on the roof A/C to augment what the dash is putting out.
Scott

[MrWizard]

RV roof top A/C needs 110v
shore power or generator power

yes you can run the generator while driving,

[larry_cad]

If you are not plugged into shore power, and if you want to run the AC, you will need to run the generator. Your batteries are not able to run the AC. I run my genny frequently while traveling for that specific reason.