Mandolin Guy
West Central Georgia
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Joined: 10/10/2007
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I was wondering just how long a generator should run before a load is applied and when the load should be removed prior to shutting it down.
Over the years, I've allowed about 5 minutes before turning anything on. By the same token, I've turned everything off about 5 minutes before shutting the generator down.
I know it's not good to apply a load immediately but I'm wondering if 5 minutes on either end is too much or too little. I figure I read it somewhere but I just don't remember. I've just always tried to stick with the 5 minute rule.
It's an Onan, 4K, NGE, 2 cylinder
David
There are three kinds of people in this world: those who can count and those who can't.
Retired Cop, 31 years
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 12/07/2000
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Our's has a 2 min delay on start up and I just shut it off without turning anything off. The switch over to the inverter is usually quick enough that the TV doesn't even go off.
Deen - Vancouver, WA
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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Mine has an AT switch that takes a few minutes to energizes the system. So I userly watch the Television. When the red power lite comes on, I know it's ready. On the back end, I give it two or three minutes before shutting down with nothing on but the converter. That stays when ever there is power. Bill
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Mandolin Guy
West Central Georgia
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Joined: 10/10/2007
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Mine is releasing power within about 30 seconds but I still wait.
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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Mine is whatever the transfer delay is going in. Coming out I just shut it off unless the A/C is on, then it gets a cool down period. I treat the portables the same way.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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How long to run it.. Depends on the generator.. I think the ONAN in my coach it's 30 seconds before the ATS kicks in, One poster up thread says his is 2 minutes.
If it's a portable.. Then it's the length of time it takes you to get from the just started generator to the main circuit breaker in your coach (Turn breaker off and plug in before starting, turn on once running)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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weissmand
Los Angeles, CA
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Joined: 07/13/2004
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I've got a yamaha. If it's cold, I wait about a minute for the engine to stabilize. If it's warm, it's stabilizes in about 20 seconds, so 30 seconds is about normal.
Shutdown is 2 minutes after load is removed; However, if the battery is on a taper charge and it's running at low speed, I'll disconnect the load, wait 15-20 seconds and shut down.
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TEXAS
Centerville Tx
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Joined: 08/17/2003
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The way you are doing now is just fine. You should allow time for the engine to warm up before loading up.I think most load ups at this time is done by a timer. If you have a turbo charged engine,I would let in run at least five minutes. This will give the turbo time to slow down.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Check the Onan manual. They probably give such info. Not from the manual, but I turn on small loads (A/C fan only, for instance) about a minute after start-up, then add major loads after about 3-4 minutes. One modification I plan to make in the Tiger is to put the start switch in reach from the driver's seat so I can start it before parking, instead of waiting until I stop to begin warm-up.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
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C-Leigh Racing
Nashville NC
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Joined: 01/22/2007
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If you stop & think about it, the engine on a gas Onan gen is about the same as a mower engine, so how you would treet one of those the gen would need the same treetment.
Warming the engine first would alway be good before adding a load so as to get all the functions of the engine performing as they should for best preformance.
Engine oil for instance, the oil, for it to work proper needs to be good & warm so all the chemicals within the oil can clean the inside of the engine ridding it from harmfull deposits.
HD oils will suspend harmfull deposits & carry them on into the filter where they are removed, so I guess you could say it would be good advice if your going to start the gen, at least warm it up good before you shut it off or add a big load.
For the most part of my life I have been a small engine mechanic & over those years, 95% of the small engine repairs I made was a fuel related problem from the crapie gas we have to pay through the nose for.
Even some of the 5% repairs left out of 100% total still was from gas that got into the crankcase oil.
A good warm up & cool down wont hurt a thing be it the generator or the engine on the housecar, just makes things last longer.
Neil
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