It seems we go through periods where there are a number of posts relating to generators. We have just had one in which overheating was the topic, but I think we have seen almost every problem discussed.
From time to time I swing by Russell Coach just to see what is happening and to try to learn. On a recent visit Rob Russell and I were talking about generators. To put this in perspective a generator problem on an entertainer coach is as serious as a heart attack. Literally, because on an entertainer coach those five or six roof airs are not going to work unless the generator is working. Rob stated that it is not unusual when a coach starts out on a tour that the generator is started immediately and except for shut downs to service the generator such as an oil change, the generator doesn't get turned off until the bus returns from the tour.
So what does that mean relative to us? Simple, his generators are working and working almost all the time. It is not unusual for his generators to rack up the hours, and the hours on his generators range from 20,000 to over 35,000 hours. The lesson for me is clear. We need to run our generators often and hard. If we need to run our roof airs or cruise airs we shouldn't try to rely on inverters or battery power, but we should turn on the generator and run all the units at once. We are doing the best thing we can for our generators by exercising them and loading them.
Long ago we got in the habit when we were not connected to shore power to crank up the generator and load it up. But we have been cautioned about running a generator with a light load. I'm not sure any of us, or the entertainer coaches ever really put a heavy load on our generators. The roof airs on a typical entertainer number 5, so the maximum load might be 5 times the current draw from the AC units plus maybe some lights or a microwave used for a few minutes to make popcorn. That might add up to 75 amps on a 20KW generator which is about 167 amps. So basically even when everything is running generators are not even working at 50%. When the interior temps on a coach get where they need to be the AC units start cycling so the load drops a whole lot more. Same with us. So apparently running a generator, even lightly loaded is not going to adversely affect it.
So every chance I get to run the generator, and load it up I do so. It is in my opinion never going to wear out as we use it, and it is just nice not having to worry about energy management such as when connected to shore power, or running down the highway.