| When I worked at a RV dealership, every spring our | | | | your generator. When you exercise your generator it |
| service department was booked with appointments | | | | heats up the generator windings and eliminates this |
| for generators that either wouldn't start, or if they | | | | moisture build up. This monthly exercise regime also |
| did start they had that all too familiar surging sound. | | | | lubricates all of the engine seals and components and |
| This was a result of letting the generator sit for | | | | helps to prevent carbon build up. |
| periods of time without starting and exercising it. | | | | So, what exactly do I mean when I say exercise |
| Lack of use is one of the biggest problems with | | | | your generator? For a gasoline generator I mean that |
| generators. In gasoline generators the fuel breaks | | | | you start and run the generator with at least a 50 |
| down and gums up causing hard starting and surging | | | | percent load for at least two hours every month. It |
| problems. This can happen in as short a period of | | | | is extremely important that you run it with this |
| time as one month. | | | | minimum rated load. Generators are designed to run |
| RV generators are extremely dependable and in | | | | with a load placed on them. Our motor home has a |
| many cases will out last the RV if they are properly | | | | 4,000 watt generator so I can either turn the roof |
| maintained and cared for. They do not require your | | | | air conditioner on in the summer time, which is about |
| constant attention, just some basic maintenance. The | | | | 2,000 watts or I can use a couple of small portable |
| first thing you need to understand about maintaining | | | | electric heaters if it's cold out. It's always better to |
| your generator is that they need to be exercised on | | | | let your generator run for longer periods than it is for |
| a regular basis. This applies to gas and diesel | | | | short periods. Check your generator owner's manual |
| generators. Gasoline generators could have fuel | | | | for load ratings specific to your unit. |
| related problems in as little as one month of sitting | | | | Other maintenance intervals for generators are based |
| idle. This is one of the biggest problems, but it can | | | | on usage. Your generator set will have an hour meter |
| easily be prevented if you get in a habit of exercising | | | | so you can monitor the usage. Consult your owner's |
| the generator on a monthly basis. | | | | manual for maintenance intervals. |
| Some people think that they could avoid this by | | | | The bottom line is, do not hesitate to use your |
| adding a fuel preservative to the fuel tank and then | | | | generator and when you do use it put a load on it. A |
| running the generator long enough to get the | | | | little exercise and preventive maintenance will keep |
| preservative through the generator set. You | | | | you generator in top operating condition and provide |
| definitely should use a fuel preservative whenever | | | | many years of faithful service. |
| the unit will be in storage, but there are many other | | | | Happy Camping, |
| reasons to start and exercise the generator on a | | | | Copyright 2006 by Mark J. |
| regular basis. Moisture build up can cause damage to | | | | |