Generate Your Life: RV Generator Upkeep
03-23-2016
Author: in RV Repairs / Maintenance / Upgrades
Having an RV generator in your coach can become an item that many campers could not live without. However, if you do not put in the upkeep needed to keep it running safely it may not generate a thing. So here are a few things that you can do to keep your generator working whether you store it for the winter or live in it full time.
Start It Up
Generators are known for convenience of power but for inconvenience of noise. Some RV parks will not allow you to run your generator after a certain hour as to keep tranquility in the park. If you store your RV, you may go months without using your generator. Regardless of your RV usage, you will need to run your generator from time to time. Like any other mechanical device your generator needs to be ran to keep the fuel from going bad and moisture from damaging the generator. If you are not using your generator every month it is best to start it and let it run for a couple of hours at a time.
Give It the Old Once Over
Beyond just starting your generator you should be sure to carefully look around it before you start it. Make sure that there are no signs of leaking fuel or oil. You should look at the exhaust for leaks as well and around the filters to make sure things are working properly. Before you start the generator check the oil level. Starting your generator when oil level is low can cause damage. Also, try to keep the area around the generator clean and free of debris. Finish up by checking to see if all of the wiring is intact.
New Parts Please
Your RV generator has air, oil, and fuel filters that need to be changed every so often as well as the spark plugs. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance intervals which are listed by amount of usage per hour. The generator will come equipped with an hour meter which makes it easy to check. I would recommend using the filters, plugs, and oil suggested in your owner’s manual and having your generator serviced by a certified repair shop as directed. Some tasks may seem easy to DIY but it is always a good idea to have it looked at occasionally by the professionals if possible.
Last…and Certainly Not Least
RV generators put off carbon monoxide. That being said the most important upkeep you should be doing with your generator is making sure that there isn’t any exhaust leaks and that your detectors are all working properly. I left this task for last to make an important point to everyone. Detectors work great but they can malfunction. In order to keep them in good shape, the batteries (if it uses batteries) should be changed every six months and it should be tested every time you use your RV. If it is hardwired, test it every time you use your RV and replace it as recommended. Again, I make this point last to draw attention to it because as many as 500 people per year die in RV carbon monoxide related deaths. Please, be careful out there and as always…Happy Trails!
Start It Up
Generators are known for convenience of power but for inconvenience of noise. Some RV parks will not allow you to run your generator after a certain hour as to keep tranquility in the park. If you store your RV, you may go months without using your generator. Regardless of your RV usage, you will need to run your generator from time to time. Like any other mechanical device your generator needs to be ran to keep the fuel from going bad and moisture from damaging the generator. If you are not using your generator every month it is best to start it and let it run for a couple of hours at a time.
Give It the Old Once Over
Beyond just starting your generator you should be sure to carefully look around it before you start it. Make sure that there are no signs of leaking fuel or oil. You should look at the exhaust for leaks as well and around the filters to make sure things are working properly. Before you start the generator check the oil level. Starting your generator when oil level is low can cause damage. Also, try to keep the area around the generator clean and free of debris. Finish up by checking to see if all of the wiring is intact.
New Parts Please
Your RV generator has air, oil, and fuel filters that need to be changed every so often as well as the spark plugs. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance intervals which are listed by amount of usage per hour. The generator will come equipped with an hour meter which makes it easy to check. I would recommend using the filters, plugs, and oil suggested in your owner’s manual and having your generator serviced by a certified repair shop as directed. Some tasks may seem easy to DIY but it is always a good idea to have it looked at occasionally by the professionals if possible.
Last…and Certainly Not Least
RV generators put off carbon monoxide. That being said the most important upkeep you should be doing with your generator is making sure that there isn’t any exhaust leaks and that your detectors are all working properly. I left this task for last to make an important point to everyone. Detectors work great but they can malfunction. In order to keep them in good shape, the batteries (if it uses batteries) should be changed every six months and it should be tested every time you use your RV. If it is hardwired, test it every time you use your RV and replace it as recommended. Again, I make this point last to draw attention to it because as many as 500 people per year die in RV carbon monoxide related deaths. Please, be careful out there and as always…Happy Trails!
Comment
jlesueurApril 1, 2016 | 06:13 AM
It's probably worth adding, that the part about "running the Generator for ',a couple of hours' should be with some type of load. A/C or several lights or some 110 system equipment on. Running the gen. without a load (electrical) of some kind is actually not " good for it". Thanks
Author: Tammy Daly
