How long do you allow your Generator to run?

[Campncouple]

How long do you usually run your generator? We have been having such hot weather that we turn it on while mornings are cooler but we notice that after several hours it will shut down.DH feels it gets too hot.
Have any of you experienced this problem?
Thank you for your time.

[westend]

campncouple wrote:
We have just brought home 2002 Damon Intruder.

The above posted on 8/23/15

[ol_Bombero-JC]

valhalla360 wrote:
Still not clear what type of generator we are talking about.

Make/Model/Rated wattage and what you are trying to run would be helpful.

As others have said, there should be no problem running it pretty much continously.

As above - more info would help..:@

~

[wa8yxm]

Usually 1/2 to 1 hour for exercise 1st of every month.

WHEN NEEDED.. (For example when on the road in hot weather) as long as needed.

When powering a Ham Radio Field day.. 25 hours

When powering house during a power fail.. As long as needed or 3 days (IF gas tank is full) whichever comes first.. After 3 days I need to re fill tank.

Onan generators are designed for the long haul.. They can easily handle runs lasting several days or even weeks. I knwo many folks who run 'em 12 hours a day every day from like May through September (They sell Soft Serve ice cream from a truck) First ONAN I ever worked on was so employed.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

11-days after hurracan Daniel for the Kubota 6 cyl. The Yamahahahahaha Kubota 3 cyl. ran for three months except for oil changes. 24/7, 90+ days.

[Bobbo]

When exercising, 2 hours.

When using, as long as needed. Days if necessary.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I've run mine for 3days straight. No problem.

[valhalla360]

Still not clear what type of generator we are talking about.

Make/Model/Rated wattage and what you are trying to run would be helpful.

As others have said, there should be no problem running it pretty much continously.

[Campncouple]

Thank you all. The cover is not original to the unit. It was replaced at rv center with a cover from a propane unit and ours is a gas unit. Is there any difference? Do you think this could be the problem? They told us it was not original but replaced because other cover was missing. It cools fine but will turn off after awhile .
You all are so helpful. Cannot get to our Service Center until Oct. 1. The cover was put on at the RV
Garage where we bought unit. Due to being used...no warranty.

[dougrainer]

Is this an RV designed Genset or an aftermarket stand alone Genset? RV Gensets should NEVER shut down due to heat if all of its parameters are to spec and it is installed to spec in the RV. Some are water cooled (Diesel) and some are Air cooled(usually Gasoline). Doug

[DrewE]

joebedford wrote:
Don't take the cover off - at least if it's an Onan. They rely on the cover to duct cooling air.

I assumed Mex was referring to the outside panel/door that is typically installed (as part of the motorhome chassis), rather than the access hatch on the generator unit proper. In some cases opening that panel and aiming a fan in might make a noticeable enough difference.

It wouldn't hurt to check the engine cooling fan, air louvers, radiator (if water cooled), etc. for leaves, mouse nests, and general debris and clean out any that you find.

(As for how long I run my generator for, it depends mainly on what reason I am running it for. It runs longer when I want to use the roof air conditioner than when I want to heat up something in the microwave or top up tires with an air compressor.)

[Harvard]

My Onan 4000 has a warning label that states over heat damage can occur if the unit is operated with the service panel removed.

[joebedford]

Don't take the cover off - at least if it's an Onan. They rely on the cover to duct cooling air.

[Trackrig]

Our 7.5kw diesel Onan in the front of our MH has run just fine for over 12 at a time in 100* + temps.

Bill

[WyoTraveler]

They are air cooled and shouldn't shut down. Make sure oil level is OK. Don't know which generator you have. Some of the Onan gas generators have fuel pump over heating problems. My fuel pump was changed out under warranty. The generator will also shut down if your gas tank gets low so you won't run out of fuel. Does it throw an error code?