10Kw generator operating questions - 2009 Camelot

[jfasano88]

Sorry what are tags? I have a simple question. Is it ok to run generator very short time. I run my generator to make coffee and then turn it off. Sometimes when just using coffee maker I trip the invertor. That is why I do it. I make 4cups by afternoon. I do it maybe 4 or 5 times. Also when I use microwave. I do this while traveling. 14 days. Most of the time I am on shore power. 
John 2009 Monaco Camelot kfq 

[Ivan K]

That's how we do it. Mostly on solar, generator only for the high current appliances. 

As far as tags, the extra rear axle, tag axle, if that's what you ask about.

Edited November 15, 2023 by Ivan K

[jfasano88]

Tags. I mean when you set up a new topic it aks for tags. Your answer : does it mean you do what I do when your solar won’t work

John 2009 Monaco Camelot kfq 

[Ivan K]

Ok, yeah it means I do what you do, but our reason is to preserve batteries. Our generator doesn't mind, I just give it a minute or two to stabilize before turning the coffeemaker on.

[jfasano88]

I hope we are right

[96 EVO]

Your still going to want to give it a good hour or two run occasionally, with a good load on it.

[Steve P]

Tags are labels, essentially keywords.  They can be used later in a search. 

[Tom Cherry]

9 hours ago, jfasano88 said:

Sorry what are tags? I have a simple question. Is it ok to run generator very short time. I run my generator to make coffee and then turn it off. Sometimes when just using coffee maker I trip the invertor. That is why I do it. I make 4cups by afternoon. I do it maybe 4 or 5 times. Also when I use microwave. I do this while traveling. 14 days. Most of the time I am on shore power. 
John 2009 Monaco Camelot kfq 

Welcome.  I edited the title as well as your signature so folks will know what kind of rig you have as there are so many different systems used, that, essentially, do the same thing….but are different.  To answer your question….as well as illustrate.

Read the section in your owners manual on your diesel generator.  The rule of thumb is this.  Start your generator and let it run for around 5 minutes, then turn on a load…like an AC or such.  The roof top HVAC’s actually have a “protection” circuit so that when power is applied….they pause for 120 seconds (memory) to ensure that the genny is warmed up and the voltage is stable.  If you can start something, manually, like a Microwave….do NOT do this for at least 3…I prefer…5 minutes.  Otherwise, if the genny cannot tolerate or supply the load, there will be a board fault and it will shut down.  Don’t ask me how I know this….but others, like me have learned.

The same rule applies to shutting the genny down.  Turn off the load…like shutting down the AC’s and let the genny cool down for 5 or so minutes before shutting off.  The manual may say 2 minutes which is a minimum….but many of us think longer, up to 5 reduces the chance of damaging the genny.

NOW….here is where “a generic” comment will not apply.  You have a “brush” model 240 VAC 50 A Onan Quiet Genny. Your Genny is the equivalent of a 50 Amp pedestal.   In my shorter Camelot, I have a 120 VAC, 35 A one….except it has TWO circuits….so, mine, based on how the actual generator was designed…has NO BRUSHES.  

So, you need to know that your brushes will get dirty or corroded due to lack of use and the voltage will vary….NOT GOOD.  Every 3 months, you need to run your Genny at 50% load for at least half an hour….an hour would be great.  Your Genny can supply 100 Amps of current…(Line 1 & Line 2 are each 50A or 2 X 50 = 100).

Three AC or Heat Pumps will draw close to 50 amps.  The inverter will be charging, so that might add in another 5 - 15 amps….and if you have the Aquahot in ELECTRIC and use a little hot water…bingo…a good load and the brushes will be polished.

BUT….on my 8.0KW….I do NOT need to do that.  Sometimes folks read the recommendation for a 10KW….not realizing they have a 8 KW and then assume “ALL THE SAME”.  Fully understanding which rig others have and if their systems are the same is essential.  

One OTHER TIP.  The 5 button thermostat, assuming it is OEM and you don’t have a fancy Microair BT unit is no longer available.  To preserve the life, most of us NEVER use the ON/OFF switch on the bottom.  I leave mine on.  We use the MODE function and then select each zone and go to OFF.  The mechanical switch fails first…”usually”.

 

[Dr4Film]

When we are traveling from point A to point B, we always stay someplace free with no hookups. If it is in a warm humid area we always run the generator and AC's to keep cool while on the road. We always start the generator to fix lunch many times. Then the generator is running again just before we retire for the night. In the morning I start the generator again to recharge the house batteries from the nights use plus make coffee and use the microwave. Once the batteries go through Bulk and somewhere into Absorption, I turn off the generator and get the coach ready to roll for the days run.

I have no concerns about starting the generator just for a few minutes as it gets plenty or use when not parked on shore hookups.

When we are parked for extended periods of time I always exercise the generator once a month for a couple of hours under load.

[Steve P]

@Tom Cherry Inquiring minds... how do we know whether our genny has brushes and needs exercise, or is brushless and does not?  I am glad you brought this up... I have not seen it in the genny posts I have read.  All I know is that mine is an 8K diesel Onan, and I service it regularly (oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter).  And like @Dr4Film, we run ours a lot while traveling, sometimes for air conditioning, and definitely at lunch.  As described, we use Mode to control A/C, not the on/off switch.  Brushes, or no brushes?... above my current pay grade and experience. 

[Tom Cherry]

36 minutes ago, Steve P said:

@Tom Cherry Inquiring minds... how do we know whether our genny has brushes and needs exercise, or is brushless and does not?  I am glad you brought this up... I have not seen it in the genny posts I have read.  All I know is that mine is an 8K diesel Onan, and I service it regularly (oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter).  And like @Dr4Film, we run ours a lot while traveling, sometimes for air conditioning, and definitely at lunch.  As described, we use Mode to control A/C, not the on/off switch.  Brushes, or no brushes?... above my current pay grade and experience. 

Reread my post.  All 10/12/maybe 12.5 KW gennies are 240 VAC.  THEY HAVE BRUSHES.  The lower ends, 8.0 & 7.5 KW do NOT have a “brush” system.  Therefore the “lets clean the brushes drill” is NOT necessary.  However, we have had folks that read a “generic” comment and thought, mistakenly, that the 120 VAC 7.5/8.0 needed “exercising”.

That is why a “generic” comment….made for a rig that is not the same as “yours” can be misleading or misunderstood.

The other generic comments about starting with no load….then waiting….then disconnecting the load and letting the genny run to cool down is necessary on any ONAN Quiet Diesel….or, in reality….any generator,…I practice this religiously on my home standby portable generator.

Hope that clears it up.

[waterskier_1]

Bit of clarification.  The 10K and 12.5K are similar to 40 Amp and 50K pedestals as Tom points out.

Running the generator for an hour or so has more to do with the engine than the generator portion.  Granted you need to load the generator portion to load the engine.

I sometimes run mine in the morning, depending on what I'm cooking.  I can make coffee off the inverter, but not if i'm running the electric griddle and/or toaster.  Even though I have 1400 Watts of solar, I still use this time to start charging the batteries, often before the solar starts producing.  So, if your batteries need to be charged, just let the genny run for an hour even though it doesn't take that long to make coffee.  I can run the microwave off the inverter too, but choose to only if it's less than 5 minutes, and not in convection mode.  You have to replace the power you removed, so I run the generator if I'm baking.  It's usually just a minute or so to start defrost dinner I forgot to take out of the freezer.

I am confused by your statement regarding 4 cups, 4 or 5 times.  Are you making coffee by the cup?  or are you making 16-20 cups of coffee?  In either case, what I did was purchase a good glass insulated carafe, similar to what pancake houses use.  I started doing this when I was totally non-electric, so I used a percolator coffee pot on the stove, but only had 2 burners so once it was make, I poured it in the carafe, to free up the burner.  It  was still quite warm the next morning (what I didn't drink the previous day).  Now, I still do that, instead of leaving the coffee maker on to keep the pot warm.  You might consider this.

  -Rick N. 

[Dr4Film]

We haven't percolated coffee since 2007 when I used a single use coffee maker called a Senseo in Alaska at my oldest son's In-laws house. Bought one and now have one in the house and one in the coach. We make our own pods with Peets coffee beans.

Grind the beans, seal the pod, drop the pod into the Senseo and bingo, the best tasting coffee except for when I am at my younger son's place in Fairbanks where he makes percolated coffee with a commercial Bunn Coffee Maker.

[Guest Ray Davis]

2 hours ago, Dr4Film said:

When we are traveling from point A to point B, we always stay someplace free with no hookups. If it is in a warm humid area we always run the generator and AC's to keep cool while on the road. We always start the generator to fix lunch many times. Then the generator is running again just before we retire for the night. In the morning I start the generator again to recharge the house batteries from the nights use plus make coffee and use the microwave. Once the batteries go through Bulk and somewhere into Absorption, I turn off the generator and get the coach ready to roll for the days run.

I have no concerns about starting the generator just for a few minutes as it gets plenty or use when not parked on shore hookups.

When we are parked for extended periods of time I always exercise the generator once a month for a couple of hours under load.

Pretty much our routine too but we may be a little more inclined to grab a spot at a CG for a night.

Staying at Walmarts etc has always been a little concerning, we usually don't know much about whats around us.  However, in a a motor home I have the option to crank the engine and drive off which we have done.  Sleeping in a trailer adds another whole layer of concern in scary situations.  Many casinos allow parking plus they have good food.  I am not a gambler but I do like staying there.

We also are not hesitant to run the genny all night especially when it's hot & humid.  That's why I have 6k plus hrs, yet it still hums along.  I figure that's why I bought it and if necessary I'll but another one.  I'm addicted to air cond.  There was a time we enjoyed roughing it, tents etc, that was really fun times with the kids, they love playing out on the ground,  but now I've gotten old & soft.   Still love going places though.

[Steve P]

2 hours ago, Tom Cherry said:

Hope that clears it up.

Yes indeed.

[jfasano88]

Thanks Tom I always like your post. 
John