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RV
Manual We are developing an online Manual so that you may enjoy your RV to it's fullest. This is a work in progress and is subject to change at any given time. It is also a generic peace of work and is meant only as a general guide, it should not be taken as absolute fact. Each RV is distinct and individual in it's own right, do not take anything written here literally as it may or may not apply to the exact RV you will be using. Some information provided in these pages are only suggestions. Please read Your RV page as we have more helpful information.
A generator is another source of electric power. It's probably going to be powerful enough to operate your air conditioner. A good tip is to make sure you turn on the generator for an hour or more at least once a month. Should you have a generator? If you haven't missed it, you probably don't need it. Generators usually come equipped with an hour meter. If you buy a used unit and see very little time on the generator, you'd probably want to check to make sure the generator doesn't have leaking seals from disuse. Your motor home may be equipped with either a gasoline-powered generator or diesel-powered generator which will provide complete electrical self-containment when regular public utility AC power is unavailable. Controls are at the generator and at a remote control panel located inside the motor home. With the generator operating, power is available at all of the 120-volt power outlets in the motor home, just as if the cord were connected to an external source. The generator is also connected to the power converter, thus supplying 12-volt power as well. American RV Rentals has portable generators for rental.
Gasoline for the generator is taken from the main fuel tank through a special feeder tube which is higher in the tank than the feeder tube to the motor home engine. This arrangement prevents the generator from running the motor home fuel tank dry. NOTE. If your motor home is diesel-powered and you have the optional gasoline-powered generator, the generator has its own separate fuel tank.
Do not start the generator unit with a heavy power load. Always wait at least three minutes after starting generator before turning on (or plugging in) heavy electrical loads, such as the roof air conditioner. To start the generator, hold the switch in the START position until the unit starts, then release the switch. If the unit is slow to start, DO NOT hold the switch in the START position for more than 10 seconds. Release the switch, wait 15 seconds, then repeat. This will help avoid overheating and damage to the generator starting system. To stop the unit, hold the switch to the STOP position until the engine stops. If you release the switch too soon, the engine will continue to run.
Generator Operating Safety Precautions Read and understand the generator operating, maintenance and safety instructions furnished in your Owner Information Package.
WARNING DO NOT PLACE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL OR STORE ANY OTHER MATERIALS IN THE GENERATOR COMPARTMENT. WARNING DO NOT BLOCK THE GENERATOR VENTILATING AIR INLETS OR OUTLETS. THE ENGINE REQUIRES A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF COOLING AIR. RESTRICTED VENTILATING AIR INLETS OR OUTLETS CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE OR FIRE FROM ENGINE OVERHEATING.
EXHAUST GASES ARE DEADLY. INSPECT THE GENERATOR EXHAUST SYSTEM THOROUGHLY BEFORE STARTING THE GENERATOR ENGINE. DO NOT BLOCK THE TAIL PIPE OR SITUATE THE MOTOR HOME IN A PLACE WHERE THE EXHAUST GASES HAVE ANY POSSIBILITY OF ACCUMULATING EITHER OUTSIDE, UNDERNEATH, OR INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE OR ANY NEARBY VEHICLES. OUTSIDE AIR MOVEMENTS CAN CARRY EXHAUST GASES INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH WINDOWS OR OTHER OPENINGS REMOTE FROM THE GENERATOR EXHAUST. OPERATE THE GENERATOR ONLY WHEN SAFE DISPERSION OF EXHAUST GASES CAN BE ASSURED, AND MONITOR OUTSIDE CONDITIONS TO BE SURE THAT EXHAUST GASES CONTINUE TO BE DISPERSED SAFELY.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OPERATE THE GENERATOR WHILE SLEEPING. YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MONITOR OUTSIDE CONDITIONS TO ASSURE THAT GENERATOR EXHAUST DOES NOT ENTER THE INTERIOR, AND YOU WOULD NOT BE ALERT TO EXHAUST ODORS OR SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
WARNING DO NOT OPERATE THE GENERATOR WHEN PARKED IN OR NEAR HIGH GRASS OR BRUSH. EXHAUST HEAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.
WARNING DO NOT MODIFY THE GENERATOR INSTALLATION OR EXHAUST SYSTEM IN ANYWAY. DO NOT USE THE GENERATOR AS AN EMERGENCY POWER SOURCE TO A GENERAL RESIDENTIAL OR INDUSTRIAL UTILITY LINE. THIS IS ILLEGAL AND MAY CAUSE SHOCK OR ELECTROCUTION TO POWER LINE UTILITY PERSONNEL ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR POWER LINES. American RV Rentals has portable rental generators.
At temperatures above zero should use 30 weight oil. Run two hours per month at half the rated power. A good time to do it is when you're running the roof air conditioners. Oil change is 150 hours or annually. Air cleaner. Cummins-Onan filter is dry filter, and easy to change. Replace at 250 hours. Spark arrester -- aka muffler. Can clean every 50 hours. Pop the two plugs, start engine, and debris will be blown out. Run for 5 minutes, let it cool, replace the two plugs. Battery. Some are maintenance free. But don't let that fool you. If you can remove the caps, check cells with hydrometer. Check connections for corrosion, tightness. Spark plugs. Make sure gap is correct. A dime will work in emergency. Black sooty plugs indicates rich mixture. Perfect is chocolate brown. If porcelean stays white, too lean. If wet, either it's using oil or flooded. Onan filter is $12; generic exact same thing (fleetguard) is $4. Put fuel stabilizer tablets in over the winter. Fuels are getting unstable to reduce emissions. Fuel will quickly break down. Average shelf life of a can of gas is 3 to 6 months. Stabilizers will keep additives from breaking down. At 500 hours, need to adjust valves. Will hear a "tappet noise". Must be done at Onan dealer. Many RVers don't use generators often. So a key need is to exercise the generator on a regular basis. |
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