Chinese Generator Shopping?

With the huge influx of Asian made generators, there's plenty of questions about acquisition, care, and feeding of these little guys. Check out a good source pointed to in our sister blog, RV Boondocking

Take Care With Your RV Generator

Got a "built in" RV generator? Don't have to "plug and unplug" shore power cords when switching from shore power to the genset? Then you have an ATS (automatic transfer switch). They're convenient, indeed, as the rest of us without them have to go outside, typically open a door, and plug the shore power cord into a special receptacle fed by the genset.

However, there are a couple of caveats you need to be aware of: An ATS is not a "perfect" device, and problems can occur. Here's a good rule when firing up the generator when using an ATS. In fact, this is a good rule when firing up any RV generator, ATS or not: Reduce power consumption before firing up the generator. That means, make sure the air conditioner, the microwave oven, the portable electric space heater--any of those "big draw" devices are turned off.

A big surge in electrical current can actually damage an ATS, and in some cases, the genset itself. There have been cases, too, when the ATS somehow wasn't fast enough to isolate the generator from the shore power system--with very nasty and sometimes expensive results. Take the extra moment to reduce your power consumption before you hit the start switch.

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The Generator "DUH" Factor

If you read our "Boondocking" blog, you'll know that for years we've been strict proponents of alternative energy for RVing. Solar panels, wind, that's been the hardline from our camp. And then (gasp) we bought an RV with ("Mama! Cover the kid's ears!") a generator.

It's been an experience. We haven't fore sworn solar, and when we'll soon be transferring our wind generator system to the new research rig, but we've actually grown slightly fond of the generator. But as things go, there has been a bit of a break in period.

For starters, there wasn't much time on the clock on our little Onan LP generator when we first got it. Unless they turn back engine time clocks like odometers on old cars. We had the most cussed time trying to get the thing to run. We finally replaced the spark plug, which is a bit of story in itself. (Built-in generator, little tiny hole to maneuver the plug wrench on a swivel, up from under the rig, and finally get the thing out). The new plug was all she needed.

We hit the road a few weeks ago from our normal stomping grounds, and half the party got sick on the road. Las Vegas, hot August days, nobody likes lying around feeling yucky in sticky heat. Turn on the genny! A quick run up, a few turns of the engine, and "silence." Not the time for a dead generator. I nearly expected the buzzards to start circling.

Happily, the problem was a quick fix. An inspection of the oil level dipstick proved us way down, and a few ounces of the precious petroleum product restored Onan's good humor, and air conditioning was ours.

So generator newbies, keep close in mind the simple fixes first. Check that oil level. Check out that sparky plug. Air cleaner clean? Sufficient voltage to turn over the starter? Is the fuel supply sufficient? (Gasoline or diesel in the tank, or LP in the cylinder?) RV generators are, for the most part, pretty happy little creatures if you keep up on the ordinary care and feeding.