Generator exercise October 26, 2020, 05:20:06 pm HiDuring the summer months when I ran my generator for the month with a load I used the ac. Now that the weather is cooler is it alright to just use the heat pump instead. I do not want to use a portable space heater.ThanksAngie
Re: Generator exercise Reply #1 – October 26, 2020, 07:00:37 pm Quote from: Angela Mcilwaine - October 26, 2020, 05:20:06 pmHiDuring the summer months when I ran my generator for the month with a load I used the ac. Now that the weather is cooler is it alright to just use the heat pump instead. I do not want to use a portable space heater.ThanksAngieSure, but it won't be the same heavy load as the a/c. Unless you are living in the LD and don't want to get cold, turn on the a/c regardless of the outside temp. I've done it for many winters here in the Denver area when exercising the genset.Chris
Re: Generator exercise Reply #2 – October 26, 2020, 08:49:29 pm Exercised our generator with AC running yesterday. It was pretty chili outside with the winds blowing. I had on a coat 🧥 🎃😀 now it’s done ✅ till next month. 1 Likes
Re: Generator exercise Reply #3 – October 27, 2020, 04:31:43 am Hi Angie; You don't want to run the heat pump, part of the roof air conditioner with it covered. The heat pump sucks heat out of the outside air by reversing the flow of freon. It needs to have full air flow capability on the roof and will damage it if it is starved for air. This is a lot more complicated than just heat strips in the roof air. Those don't run the compressor, so is safe covered. If you take the cover off, you can run the heat pump. RonB
Re: Generator exercise Reply #4 – October 27, 2020, 01:05:57 pm Running the generator without a big load does little good for the generator beside heating the oil. A big load is necessary to get the generator’s windings good and hot. This is necessary to drive out any moisture that has accumulated in the generator’s windings. Over time moisture can damage the winding’s insulation. This can cause the armature to fail, a very expensive repair.I have seen it happen many times.Run it with a heavy load.LarryEx generator mechanic 2 Likes
Re: Generator exercise Reply #5 – October 27, 2020, 02:22:11 pm Hi Larry; Running the generator does use gasoline to get fresh stuff into the line and carburetor. Also it burnishes the slip rings in the generator. The oil gets hot. But for true exercise it needs to run a significant load. Does LD provide a roof air that is a true source of heat, (heat pump) into the coach? or is it just the heat strips in the air circulation from a standard roof A/C unit. RonB quote from LD specs: 15,000 BTU low profile refrigerated roof air. S S S S S SIntegrated heat pump heater within roof air conditioner. S S S S S S
Re: Generator exercise Reply #6 – October 27, 2020, 02:32:49 pm Ron,I need to exercise the generator soon, probably tomorrow. It looks like from what I have been told that it is better to use the a/c rather than the heat pump which runs thru the same system. Since I have a 2019I don’t believe it has the heat strips that some were referring to. I hesitate to use a space heater as I had mentioned that reading Amazon that they may catch fire. Not sure if anyone has had that experience,ThanksAngie
Re: Generator exercise Reply #7 – October 27, 2020, 02:48:17 pm Hi Angie; Well, I've used little box heaters both in my house and in the motorhome, and I've never heard of one catching fire. They have shut offs if they get knocked over and such. Also they have internal fusable links that will 'kill' it if they get too hot. Many times RV'ers use these box heaters to avoid using propane in the 'standard forced air unit' that comes with your Lazy Daze. If you have 110VAC hookups, you are paying for the electricity anyway. Buy a good one, not the 'cheapest' one you can find. Something like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hunter-1-500-Watt-5-118-BTUs-Fan-Heater-Electric-Recirculating-Utility-with-Adjustable-Thermostat-74004/314063565 There is a lot of leeway in running the generator as far as timing, for maintenance. Plus or minus two months or so. You could run it every week, but shouldn't go four months. I'm in a warm sort of dry climate, and I try to run my generator at least once every three months, or whenever convenient. You could run a healthy extension cord from the motorhome, and run that box heater inside your house to at least benefit from some heat. 12 Ga. or better depending on distance and power use of the heater. RonB
Re: Generator exercise Reply #8 – October 27, 2020, 04:02:43 pm Newer LDs have have pumps, the A/Ci is run in reverse.95% of full timers and winter campers use small electric heaters. In twenty years on the forum, I have never heard of any fires caused by one. Not sure where you are getting your information on heater And heat pump usage.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Generator exercise Reply #9 – October 27, 2020, 06:23:58 pm We ordered a small 500 watt ceramic electric heater from Amazon to take the chill off when hooked up to 30 amp. You may have to copy and paste this link as it doesn't appear as a hyperlink Amazon.com: AmazonBasics 500-Watt Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini Heater -...It wasn't but a few bucks over twenty dollars and it does work. Some nights temps in the mid 30's this little jewel kept the RV about 63 degrees running on the 500 watt setting. As I recall it also works on 250 watts if power is iffy.Placed on the floor it was the most effective for us.We have used similar heaters for years with no issues.Cheers!Tony R (aka codefour) 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Generator exercise Reply #10 – October 27, 2020, 06:56:25 pm Angie, if you are concerned about a fire hazard, run it outside on an extension cord.I do that in the summertime to keep the heat out of the rig. Joel
Re: Generator exercise Reply #11 – October 27, 2020, 07:29:49 pm LD went to heat pumps in the 2010 models and forward. The heat strips were before 2010. 1 Likes
Re: Generator exercise Reply #12 – October 27, 2020, 08:02:19 pm Angie, I have a 6 battery house battery bank, that typically gets down to about 80% in the morning. In the summer, I usually do not need to run the generator, as my solar panels will fully charge the battery bank on most days. After a month of good summer weather, it will then be time to use the AC to exercise the generator. In the winter, however, I will run the generator on most days for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on whether the day is sunny or overcast. Thus, there is no need for me to exercise the generator; it gets plenty of exercise charging my batteries.If you have a big battery bank like I do, if you draw the batteries down to the point where it takes about 1.5 hours or more to bring them up to about 95%, that will provide ample load to exercise the generator. If you only have two batteries, that won't do it. It is not enough load. As suggested above, use a radiant heater. I have been using a Lasko 1500 Watt ceramic heater for 12 years. That is enough draw to give the generator a workout, and as Larry said, my experience has been that they are safe, as long as you use a little sense. Don't point it at close surfaces. Point it at open areas. Once a month, use a vacuum and/or a compressor to blow out accumulated dust.Kudos for wanting to take good care of your gennie.Ken F in NM
Re: Generator exercise Reply #13 – October 27, 2020, 09:01:20 pm Quote from: Kenneth Fears - October 27, 2020, 08:02:19 pmAngie, I have a 6 battery house battery bank, In the winter, however, I will run the generator on most days for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on whether the day is sunny or overcast. Thus, there is no need for me to exercise the generator; it gets plenty of exercise charging my batteries.If you have a big battery bank like I do, if you draw the batteries down to the point where it takes about 1.5 hours or more to bring them up to about 95%, that will provide ample load to exercise the generator.Ken F in NMKen, I don't know the size of your charger, but, e.g., if it puts out 70 Amps while charging, that is only about 850 Watts, or about 7 Amps from the generator at 120V. For a 4000 W generator, this is a pretty light load. Still, running it for 45 min. or more should do the job. A 1500W heater will do even better, though.Steve 1 Likes
Re: Generator exercise Reply #14 – October 28, 2020, 09:38:27 am Steve, I agree. My controller will pass 85 to 90 amps at 80%, tapering slowly down until I am at about 40 amps after an hour, when I will be at about 90%. So, I am starting at about 1170 watts initially, tapering down to 500 watts after an hour. It works well for me, charging every day in the winter, but in the summer, even though my battery bank is at about 80% in the morning, as i have not been running the gennie daily, I use the AC to exercise the gennie.Ken F in NM
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