Continuous generator usage. How long?

[ramyankee]

Our kids have purchased some property southwest of us. The power is not in yet. If the deal goes through they will live in their TT. How long continuously can the genny be ran. Yes there will be monitoring and maintenance.

https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/100230-7200-watt-dual-fuel-generator/

This is the unit they will be using.

Thanks for any info.

[wa8yxm]

I will say again: the max run time on a generator is determined by the size and location of the fuel tank. If you have a big enough tank. or a remote tank (propane generators or Natural gas qualify here) or a Honda with the Extended run tank.

Weeks on end (With the E/R tank you run till it's empty or near empty. Unhook it an let the genny run with the on board. Remove tank to refill then re-connect.

NOTE: this is not a recommended procedure and those generators are not really big enough for whole house use

But the basic limit is the gas tank.

My Motor Home's ONAN has done several 26 HR runs

[RJsfishin]

edatlanta wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Just keep clean oil and fuel in it and let it run.
Generator is just a machine... it does not get tired, need breaks, or a nap.

I agree. It was designed to run and if properly maintained and serviced is will run until it wears out.

These are the only posts that know what their talking about.
And to ad to that, it will wear out after many more hours running continuously, than being shut down every day.`
Having said that, running a genset continuously for the OP's use, is about as ridiculous as as one can get.

[mr_andyj]

I would say really need to reconsider the whole mindset...

The only reason for a gen is to run Air Conditioner. You said SW, I think... nights will be cool? Away in the day?

For just a few days you can do whatever, but for extended time (weeks or more) you need SOLAR.

You can run a trailer of DC power, thats battery. You can keep the batteries charged on solar. Usually 200 watts is enough for 2 batteries and light use. If you want TV and laptops and all the lights on then maybe 300 watts and more than 2 batteries. You will need to calculate your amp hour needs and divide by two as you never want to run batteries dead, half-dead is not as bad.

For a stationary trailer you can put the solar on the ground and aim them/ angle them towards the morning sun, or evening sun depending when you will use the most electricity, or move them as needed.

For AC you need a generator (or a cost=prohibitively large bank of batteries). Get the smallest that will run the generator. usually 3500 models will do it.

If no AC then go solar.

If solar, get deep cycle golf cart batteries, or other similar deep cycle. Don't bother with the "marine" batteries that are half car half deep cycle. You want a real deep-cycle. Deep cycle batts will last longer and be able to be discharged many times more than a marine, meaning they won't die.

You will need a charge controller to go between the solar panel and the batteries. Get an MPPT controller (not pwm). They will be expensive compared to the cheap china ones, but really $80-$150 or so is not bad for what you are doing.

Get Mono crystaline panels. Not the flexible ones. The poly are maybe a little cheaper but the mono is better.

I can't imagine trying to run a giant inefficient generator all the time just to have power for the water pump or one light bulb or to charge a phone. What you will save on gas and oil (and price of gen) will pay for a solar system, and your hands wont smell like gas all the time.

[ramyankee]

Really appreciate all the feedback. I was looking for real world info, not just the brochure info, and I got what I asked for.

Very much appreciated... This is exactly what these forums are for. Real world info...

Just love it when the server is unavailable when l want to post a comment and have to try and try... Darn triple posts...

Sorry!

[ramyankee]

Really appreciate all the feedback. I was looking for real world info, not just the brochure info, and I got what I asked for.

Very much appreciated... This is exactly what these forums are for. Real world info...

[ramyankee]

Really appreciate all the feedback. I was looking for real world info, not just the brochure info, and I got what I asked for.

Very much appreciated... This is exactly what these forums are for. Real world info...

[deltabravo]

Big old open frame construction generators are very noisy, and will burn a lot of fuel since they run a full speed regardless of the load.

If I were doing something similar, I'd get a Honda EU7000, or a used EU6500.

I have an EU6500 and love it. I found it used on Craigslist.

[edatlanta]

time2roll wrote:
Just keep clean oil and fuel in it and let it run.
Generator is just a machine... it does not get tired, need breaks, or a nap.

I agree. It was designed to run and if properly maintained and serviced is will run until it wears out.

[garry1p]

Loaned my 3600W generator to friends who had a major power outage during an ice storm. Ran on their covered front porch 24/7 except to fuel and check oil for 14 days.
I suspect as long as you keep good oil in it it would run just fine for months on end at 7KW it will not be loaded and running hard. They are loud and if any distance to keep noise down be sure and run large enough power line.
It will not be cheap figure 1 to 2 gal per hour depending on load.

[Lwiddis]

“Yes, they can run for a short time on batteries but with no shore power for a short time there is no way to charge.”

In 2020 you claim there is “no way to charge?” S-O-L-A-R.

[cptqueeg]

I've run on a whole house generator(200A) multiple times for multiple days during power outages too long and too numerous to list. Conserving fuel, and limiting run time are huge. If it's not hot out shut it off before bed. Start it up and run it as little as possible in the morning and throughout the day. I'd rather use it spairingly and have it then go hog wild and have it break down. It should be easier if there are house batteries to fill the gaps for lights, and the fridge.

[wa8yxm]

Most generators have one of two "Maximum contious run time" figures

on that one it's "Till the gas tank runs dry" So you need to use the fuel consumption and tank size For safety reasons you need to SHUT DOWN to Refill.. I've gone to refill and accidently dumped gasoline over the genny.. RUNNING.. I'd have had a serious issue. Stopped.. Well I left it alone for a while and then re-started it (How long I leave to you but you want the gas GONE)

Generators with a remote tank (like my Onan) You should shut down to refill but if the distance is great enough... Make a decidsion.

I've run mu Onan 26 hours a couple times. portables from FUll to Empty more than once. In fact when I get a new portable I fill it. hook up 'Stupid' loads (light bulb or electric heater) and run it dry.. Conditions some electronic parts.

[jdc1]

The only thing you need a generator for is the AC, microwave and charge the batteries. It would be cheaper to get a couple of fresh batteries than run that generator all the time. If they are going to keep the trailer, invest in solar.

[valhalla360]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Best advice is to turn it off overnight. If you don't open the refrigerator, everything will be fine for at least 8 hours.

Oil level needs to be checked at least daily.

Run the fridge on propane, so you don't have to shut the fridge down at night.

But as long as the generator isn't being ran at max output, this is near ideal operation for getting maximum hours out of the generator. Engine is warm and plenty of oil throughout the engine.

I would check the oil once or twice a day...assuming no signs of leaks and call it good.

Probably the bigger issue is the fuel bill running 24/7 will get pricey real quick with that big of a generator (assuming the $1/gal gas doesn't stick around)

How long do they expect to do this? A week or two, in a heart beat. 6 months...this would get old and expect to wear out the generator.