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04-24-2015, 09:19 AM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location:
Posts: 52
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Generator
Hi all,
This will be my 3rd year with my RV and I have never fired up the generator. I am going to fuel up tomorrow and run it next week. Is there anything I should do before firing it up for the first time since I have never used it?
The dealer told me I should run it for a few hours every few months when I took it in to have some work done. I will have power where I am going, so I don't necessarily need it, but since it sounds like this is an area I have neglected I wanted to see if anyone had recommendations.
Thanks,
Bill
__________________
2012 Elevation 3612
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04-24-2015, 10:18 AM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bws1105
Hi all,
This will be my 3rd year with my RV and I have never fired up the generator. I am going to fuel up tomorrow and run it next week. Is there anything I should do before firing it up for the first time since I have never used it?
The dealer told me I should run it for a few hours every few months when I took it in to have some work done. I will have power where I am going, so I don't necessarily need it, but since it sounds like this is an area I have neglected I wanted to see if anyone had recommendations.
Thanks,
Bill
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It has not been ran in over 3 years? Has it ever had fuel in the carburetor? If so, you could have some varnish that may require a good carb cleaning and kit with new gaskets. I would remove spark plugs and squirt some oil or WD-40 in the cylinder and slowly turn it over with the pull rope if equipped. This will give the cylinder a good coat of oil. They usually come with a light coat from the manufacturing process but 3 years is a long time unless it was stored in a climate controlled environment. Make sure it is filled with oil and fresh gas. Fire it up and check it out. You should really fire them up at least monthly and run 5 to 10 minutes under load from then on. Treat fuel with Stabil or fuel stabilizer of your choice.
__________________
Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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04-24-2015, 10:38 AM
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#3
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 207
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X2...plus perform an oil and filter change, new air and fuel filter.
Also check all wiring to generator to make sure no connections have worked loose they may prevent it from starting, feeding load, or could cause a spark..
__________________
Jerry
2014 Elevation 3616 5er
2015 F350 6.7L Diesel 4X4 - long bed, dually
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04-24-2015, 11:23 AM
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#4
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location:
Posts: 52
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Thanks for the replies.
Can I get filters at auto zone or something similar or are they something that need to be ordered?
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2012 Elevation 3612
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04-24-2015, 11:32 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,154
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What make of generator is it?
Is this a permanent on board unit, or a portable?
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04-24-2015, 12:16 PM
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#6
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location:
Posts: 52
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I don't have the model number but it is an Onan that is built into the rig. I think all of the crossroads RVs have the same model. I want to say it is the 5500 but not sure.
__________________
2012 Elevation 3612
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04-24-2015, 12:52 PM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: United states of america
Posts: 1,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bws1105
Hi all,
This will be my 3rd year with my RV and I have never fired up the generator. I am going to fuel up tomorrow and run it next week. Is there anything I should do before firing it up for the first time since I have never used it?
The dealer told me I should run it for a few hours every few months when I took it in to have some work done. I will have power where I am going, so I don't necessarily need it, but since it sounds like this is an area I have neglected I wanted to see if anyone had recommendations.
Thanks,
Bill
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim D
It has not been ran in over 3 years? Has it ever had fuel in the carburetor? If so, you could have some varnish that may require a good carb cleaning and kit with new gaskets. I would remove spark plugs and squirt some oil or WD-40 in the cylinder and slowly turn it over with the pull rope if equipped. This will give the cylinder a good coat of oil. They usually come with a light coat from the manufacturing process but 3 years is a long time unless it was stored in a climate controlled environment. Make sure it is filled with oil and fresh gas. Fire it up and check it out. You should really fire them up at least monthly and run 5 to 10 minutes under load from then on. Treat fuel with Stabil or fuel stabilizer of your choice.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Pinkard
X2...plus perform an oil and filter change, new air and fuel filter.
Also check all wiring to generator to make sure no connections have worked loose they may prevent it from starting, feeding load, or could cause a spark..
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The above quotes should be cast in bronze! Great advice for any engine that hasn't be ran for for an extended period of time.
__________________
2017 Ford F350 Super Duty 6.7 King Ranch Crew
Sold the 2016 Crossroads Sunset Trail Grand Reserve 32BH
2020 Grand Design Momentum 320G
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04-29-2015, 05:58 AM
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#8
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 207
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I believe you can get filters at Camping World, and maybe other RV stores. Some auto parts stores also have them. I bought filters and plugs for a 2003 Onan Generator at an Auto Parts store.
__________________
Jerry
2014 Elevation 3616 5er
2015 F350 6.7L Diesel 4X4 - long bed, dually
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04-29-2015, 06:04 PM
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#9
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: WI
Posts: 183
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You will need to have a load plugged in to the generator to force it to produce electricity. Often the coils get weak after time.
If it won't make electricity while running, plug an electric drill into the Ginny and manually spin the motor or Chuck until it takes off.
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Ted
2013 Sunset Trail 31BH
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04-30-2015, 06:51 AM
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#10
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 207
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Bill,
Have you fired your generator up yet? Keep us posted...
__________________
Jerry
2014 Elevation 3616 5er
2015 F350 6.7L Diesel 4X4 - long bed, dually
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05-01-2015, 07:40 AM
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#11
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 26
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Just as a recommendation We typically run our generator on the way to our destination for short weekend runs. It allows us to get the trailer cooled off and the fridge seems to get cold faster that way. And it meets the requirement to run it every now and then. Stabil is your friend.
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Eric, Virginia
TV - 2013 Ram 2500 HD
Rig - 2014 Crossroads Elevation 3612 Toy Hauler
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05-01-2015, 07:47 AM
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#12
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: United states of america
Posts: 1,570
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Good comment on using Stabil. I couldn't imagine not having it in the tank on all equipment. I've had to clean/rebuild a few gummed up carb/float bowl..not fun
__________________
2017 Ford F350 Super Duty 6.7 King Ranch Crew
Sold the 2016 Crossroads Sunset Trail Grand Reserve 32BH
2020 Grand Design Momentum 320G
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05-01-2015, 01:07 PM
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#13
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location:
Posts: 52
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After getting everything set up I pulled the cover off and took a look around. I found all of the part numbers and headed in to town, but none of the local places had the filters.
I popped of the air filter cover and it looked good and checked the oil and it still looked good too. So I decided to proceed. I hit the prime for a few seconds and cranked it up. It didn't start up right away so I primed it a little more and it fired up and ran. I let it run for a few minutes and turned on the breakers it was fine after the first one then one I put on the second one it died. So I turned them back off and fired it back up. I let it run a while longer and turned the breakers on and it stayed on this time. So I walked around to the shore plug and turned off the breakers there. Everything inside turned off for a few seconds the flipped back on. I ran both air conditioners and the tv and refrigerator for about 2 hours.
When I get home I'll check out the filters and change the oil. It did smoke quite a bit at first, but after about 3 or 4 minutes the exhaust was clear.
Overall a pretty experience. I'll make sure to run it more often once I get everything changed out
Again, thanks everyone for the advice!
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2012 Elevation 3612
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05-01-2015, 01:14 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,154
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Yes, that really is a good feeling when everything works the way it is suppose to.
Sounds like you are on the right track with it now.
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05-01-2015, 09:47 PM
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#15
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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That's good news. I would not worry too much about filter. I would however change the oil after a few hours of break in. I personally use stabil in all my small engines. I learned my lesson many years ago and much carb work to keep a generator and pressure washer going. I always have it in my gas cans thru the winter and make sure to burn the last tank of the year in my mower with stabil and store full. Come spring it fires right up.
__________________
Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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05-04-2015, 05:38 PM
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#16
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 874
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You definitely should use a fuel preservative and start and exercise the generator on a regular basis.
Moisture build up can cause damage to your generator. When you exercise your generator it heats up the generator windings and eliminates this moisture build up. This monthly exercise regime also lubricates all of the engine seals and components and helps to prevent carbon build up.
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