Operating the little ones and the big ones
Operating RV generators is easy if you follow a basic set of rules.
Keep the fuel fresh and clean in the case of gasoline and diesel fuel. Stale gasoline will cause hard starting, low power and varnishing in the engine fuel components. Plus, it smells like old paint. Old diesel fuel will support the growth of algae that will mess up the filters as well as fuel pumps and injectors.
Keep the filters changed as the manufacturers’ request. Air filters can get clogged with oil soaked dust and cause rough running. Fuel filters will absorb water up to their capacity then will pass the water on to the engine and cause sputtering and possibly shutdown. Oil filters can clog and either restrict oil to the engine or bypass dirty oil to the bearings and other internal parts.
Set up a generator so that the exhaust doesn’t affect any person or animal in the vicinity. Portable generators should be sited so the prevailing wind keeps the exhaust gases away from you and your neighbors. They may be younger, faster, and meaner than you.
Fill built in liquid fuel tanks with the engine shut down – unless your insurance is paid up. If you just love hospital emergency rooms, fill the tank while the generator is running – you will meet the nicest nurses – if you survive. Some of them might even believe that you could not have been that stupid.
Check the oil level and the condition of driven accessories. Oil is really necessary to prevent the engine from throwing parts at you when you least expect it. Belts and starting ropes won’t last forever and will break at the least opportune time. Check the oil before starting. Hot oil thrown out of a running engines’ dipstick tube will cause severe burns not to mention embarrassment.
Let the engine warm up before adding load. Gasoline and propane engines need to warm up for a few seconds before they will develop any appreciable horsepower. Diesel engines must warm up their combustion champers before they will accept large loads.
Don’t overload or under load a generator. Both can cause trouble. Overload causes the main and rod bearings to wear out faster. Under load causes moisture in an engine or generator to affect metal surfaces and wire insulation values in the generator.
Cool down the engine at no load before shutdown. This is basically a longevity factor. If you want the generator set to last a long time, let it cool down before shutdown. This prevents coking (yes, it’s spelled right) of the oil on overheated parts. Burned oil and overheat parts such as piston rings and exhaust valves will cause premature failure of the engine.
I know this is going to cause disention in the ranks of all my fellow red neck generator operators, but — following the manufacturers’ directions is normally the best way to get the most life cycle cost effectiveness out of an RV generator set.
Generator Jim