Monthly generator start up?

[Charlie 3931fb]

Hey All,

I was talking with one of my neighbors today and he saw me going out to my toy hauler to start and run the generator for about 20 minutes. Then I went and ran my generator in my Montana.

The toy Hauler is on gasoline, the Montana is LP. He was telling me that because of running on LP that I DO NOT need to run my generator monthly. Was told by the dealer to run it monthly because it makes no difference what fuel you run it on.

Who is right? At the campground that we live in I was able to get a 125 LBS external tank so using up fuel was not the concern of running the generator.

I still think that being a motor regardless the fuel but its the oiling of the motor that is the reason why the monthly run up.

Thanks for your help AGAIN...

[mhs4771]

I got this info from an Onan Tech: He said the monthly running of a Propane Genny was not required or needed, BUT he did say it still need to be run to keep the armature and associated parts/contacts clean, just doesn't need to be monthly, quarterly or maybe semiannually.

[Last2Die]

Our next unit will have the LP generator. Will the generator run 3ac units..? And is it loud..?

[bleedmichigan]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Our next unit will have the LP generator. Will the generator run 3ac units..? And is it loud..?

Depends on the size of the gen set.

As for running it monthly what does it hurt. Better to run it and make sure it works then let it sit till you need it and have something not work.

[Last2Die]

Originally Posted by bleedmichigan

Depends on the size of the gen set.

As for running it monthly what does it hurt. Better to run it and make sure it works then let it sit till you need it and have something not work.

It’s the 5.5 unit.

[richfaa]

We run our gas generator monthly for 30 mins gas is a bit easier to find than propane. Except for two times at Quartzsite we have not used our generator for camping in the last 14 years.

[bleedmichigan]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

It’s the 5.5 unit.

My 5.5 will run two ac, microwave, w/h. Not sure if it will run three ac at start up. I would doubt it.

[Last2Die]

Originally Posted by bleedmichigan

My 5.5 will run two ac, microwave, w/h. Not sure if it will run three ac at start up. I would doubt it.

Should have added all 3 would have soft start.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Our next unit will have the LP generator. Will the generator run 3ac units..? And is it loud..?

Change those 30# tanks for 100# tanks as LP goes fast on a genny.

[Last2Die]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Change those 30# tanks for 100# tanks as LP goes fast on a genny.

Will those fit in the same space..? They seem rather large lol. The Think the Units I’m looking at will have at least 3 but maybe 4 30# tanks. 120# total.

[Charlie 3931fb]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Will those fit in the same space..? They seem rather large lol. The Think the United I’m looking at will have at least 3 but maybe 3 30# tanks. 120# total.

I have 2 40 lbs tanks and the fit each side fine. I also have a 50 lbs that I keep in the back of the truck so that gives me 130 lbs of LP fuel. I have yet to fill my 40's I and still one 1 and we eat home everyday so we are using the stove top a lot, at least 2 time a day. The oven we use 3 to 5 times a week. We had 3 power failures so we already have 14 hours on the generator. Tomorrow I think we will switch to tank 2. But, I forgot that we started with 30's when we came home with the trailer. THANKS HONEY....

[scottz]

I exercise mine. Probably not monthly, but every couple months. Why not do it?

The Montana came with twin 30 lb tanks. I ordered two 40 lb tanks; should be here tomorrow. I measured, they will fit, but I have to move my switch over valve a little to one side. If anyone is interested, you can get two 40 lb tanks from Walmart on-line for $140, free shipping.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Pack-Fl...?selected=true

[RMcNeal]

One thing not mentioned, is that when you exercise your gen set, make sure it is under a load. In other words, don't just start the motor and let it run. Hook up something that will draw electricity. I use a hair dryer since it is small and pulls quite a bit of juice. Not running under a load could cause the armature to demagnetize and reduce the ability to generate electricity over time. Happened to me on a portable generator at home.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by scottz

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Pack-Fl...?selected=true

My local Tractor Supply had the the 40s in stock for $100 plus tax. I had them purged and filled there too. They fit with no changes.

The 5500 will suck one dry in about 7-8 hours with two ACs running.

[Charlie 3931fb]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

One thing not mentioned, is that when you exercise your gen set, make sure it is under a load. In other words, don't just start the motor and let it run. Hook up something that will draw electricity. I use a hair dryer since it is small and pulls quite a bit of juice. Not running under a load could cause the armature to demagnetize and reduce the ability to generate electricity over time. Happened to me on a portable generator at home.

I was also told to keep up on the fireplace to run it at least once in the summer month. It to keep hair and dirt from getting into the heating coils. Would that be enough draw on the generator?

[Dave10]

Gasoline generators need to started frequently because the fuel contain ethonal that absorbs water which corrodes the internal parts of the carborater. Propane does not corrode those parts. However it's good to excersize a propone fueled generator to keep the motor lubed internally. 3-6 month intervals should accomplish that.

[chill]

have a 5500 LP -- It will run two just fine however I can pop the circuit if I use the wrong appliance (microwave) past that. on the 55Kw it does note they recommend only one AC running. As noted it will depend on the size of the gen you put in as well as the size of the AC's

[vipermanden]

I have a dumb question. If you are on shore power hooked to a 50 amp post, do you need to disconnect before running the 5500 Onan Lp gen? I guess to put a load on it, you would need to go shut down the power at the post, and then run the gen with one A/C, or whatever to put a drain on it. I know a couple of times when the RV park power went out, they said to go turn off the breaker, and turn on the generator, and then they would tell us when their power was restored, then i would turn off the gen and then go put the shore power back on?

[Dave10]

No need to do anything. The transfer switch is designed to give the generator priority. When the generator is shut down the transfer switch reconnects shore power.

[McRod]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Our next unit will have the LP generator. Will the generator run 3ac units..? And is it loud..?

Propane is less efficient than gas and your asking if it can do more?

Not likely.

Propane is better (cleaner) for the generator and the environment, but that could be offset by the extra demand. A 5500 watt gas generator would likely output about ~4750 watts on propane. Then take into account elevation and you can loose another 3% of power per 1000 ft of elevation.

A 5500 watt generator will not be able to run everything on a 50amp RV the size of most Montana's. For that to be possible you need a 12500 watt, 50 amp, generator. Otherwise, you will be relegated to switching things off while other things run (which is what most people do). A generator of that size is not feasible to haul around in your Montana. We use one at our off grid home base, but it does not travel with us.