Posted 2009-02-17 7:36 PM (#99651) Subject: Generator use
Member
Posts: 44 Location: albany, ga
have bought a generator to use vs hooking up to electric and water at horse shows. The cost to hook up has gotten crazy, so I thought that I would just use a generator. Is it ok to run the generator 24 hrs a day for 4 days in a row? Or, should I shut it off for some time during the day? I will have dogs in the camper all the time, so during the summer it will be difficult to shut the air off. I will not be parked next to anyone so I do not need to worry about the generator bothering other campers. Your advice is appreciated.
Posted 2009-02-17 8:46 PM (#99656 - in reply to #99651) Subject: RE: Generator use
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
If there is no restrictions from the campground. I suspect you could leave run as long as you want.
What's the difference of running a generator for 8 hours straight or 24 hours straight? You will develop the same heat, need the same cooling effort etc.
Posted 2009-02-17 9:20 PM (#99662 - in reply to #99651) Subject: RE: Generator use
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Hundreds of people run em like that for a week or better at a time at Clinton AR. during the chuckwagon races Labor Day weekend and week prior. Appropriate oil at the appropriate level, turn off and let cool a bit to add fuel, and you should be ok. As always, use a CO 2 detector.
Posted 2009-02-17 10:28 PM (#99666 - in reply to #99662) Subject: RE: Generator use
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by flyinghfarm on 2009-02-17 10:20 PM
Appropriate oil at the appropriate level, turn off and let cool a bit to add fuel, and you should be ok. As always, use a CO 2 detector.
As FF has stated, be very careful when refueling. With long, continuous usage periods, the muffler can become almost red hot. Any fuel spills onto it, or vapours near it, can cause an instantaneous fire. If you can't touch the muffler without burning your fingers, don't go near it with gasoline. Let it cool to the touch first, and always have a fire extinguisher at hand.
Posted 2009-02-17 11:11 PM (#99668 - in reply to #99651) Subject: RE: Generator use
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: washington
I usually just run mine long enough to recharge the 2 trailer batteries and run it while I am using appliances that require it, ie, microwave, A/C, etc. I don't run it all night or all day. I also don't let the trailer batteries get down too low.
Posted 2009-02-19 4:30 PM (#99757 - in reply to #99651) Subject: RE: Generator use
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
What size is your generator? You might want to keep some extra gas cans with ya'. Air will suck some juice and make it work harder. Ditto on checking the oil. Does your generator have an automatic shut off? Whether it does or doesn't, I would check the oil every time before refilling it with gas. Yes the pipe will be hot. Just use common sense (keep everything clear of the generator and use a funnel when filling) and you'll be fine. My older generators are an 1800, and a 3500. But my newest one is a 5000 and it has an indent by the gas hole so if you happen to overfill or spill, it reroutes the gas away from the side where the exhaust is at. It also has a flame arrestor on the intake and exhaust. Gard has a valid point about the exhaust. Again, common sense.....and you'll be fine.
Generator use
