Monthly generator start up?

[fulltilt]

Hey Charlie
For what it's worth my house standby gen set is NG/LP, I'm running on LP, the factory has a default timer setting built into the board which exercises the gen set 20 minutes once per week. I can alter the day & time of day that it runs, but I cannot change the 20 minute exercise nor the interval of once per week.

[oeeman]

The reason for a periodic run is to look for what is called “ hidden failures”. It is a well documented maintenance task that catches thing that no other test will. It is designed to insure that your system will be available when you need it. If the consequence of it not working is low then you don’t have To perform the test.

Kevin

[Drdon1057]

In my opinion you should run any engine at Least once a month bimonthly is better do circulate oil thru out the motor so your seals don't dry out. I have been working on everything from lawn mowers to big articulated rock trucks for a living. Run your engines also helps keep batteries topped off. Just my opinion but I never had a problem when doing this. 10 minutes once a week is what I do and haven't had to replace a seal yet. Also if you have a separate fuel tank for generator remember to drain and refill once a year unless you use it every month for at least 10 to 20 hours a month. Just my opinion but it works for me. Happy Trails to You.

[Reeltirement]

For people that are thinking about a Onan 5.5 KW, I have a Onan 6.5 KW that is the same generator as the 5.5 with the same footprint ,LP is the way to go.

[richfaa]

We were RVers back in the day when CG power failures we not uncommon any CG that wanted to stay in business upgraded power over the years so that is not much of a issue anymore. We do not boondock the closest we came to that was Quartzsite and we did use the generator. We still carry it around for emergencies and I am sure if we got it out of the truck we would have a emergency at the next campout.

[Charlie 3931fb]

Get this! I was at a Onan Generator repair shop with a buddy and I ask the guy what my start up times, he said once a week. Who every you ask I guess that s going to be the answer.

[Silverado Sam]

Originally Posted by 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.

Non ethanol fuel is available in many locations. It's a bit more expensive but doesn't absorb water like the regular stuff. You can find a gas station that carries ethanol free gas at https://www.pure-gas.org/ It's all i put in my genny. It's also good for anything that doesn't get used a lot like weed eaters and chain saws

[mhs4771]

Yes, and if you have an older Chain Saw the ethanol gas will eat the fuel line. Don't ask how I know!