Onboard Generator Service

We put about 300 hours a year on our motorhome’s gas onboard generator. I do the generator manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance. I have replaced the 2 generator spark splugs, once, since I’ve owned this motorhome. Otherwise, I’ve replaced the air filter a few times, and done the oil and filter changes every 150 hours. The service work schedule is on the placard at the generator, but also in the Onan manual. During longer periods of time when the generator is not in use, I exercise the generator by starting it up, and putting a load on it (running both air conditioners, or other heavy draw appliances), for an hour or so, once a month. I keep a log book of when I do anything on the generator, so I can keep up with the scheduled maintenance. Doing the generator service tasks, are not difficult, nor do they take a lot of time. After doing an online search on the subject, I found a video demonstrating an oil change service on the same generator that I have. I’m in agreement with the way that this gentleman does his Onan generator service on this step-by-step video HERE .

In the summer, sometimes we use the generator while going down the road, and run the motorhome rooftop air conditioners to cool the coach. It’s nice to arrive and have a cool motorhome, instead of waiting a while for it to get cool, after plugging into the power source.

We dry camp (boondock) 3 or 4 times a year, for several days each time, and a properly functioning generator provides less stress and no worries. When dry camping, and using the generator, I use a Genturi exaust attached to the generator, that lifts any fumes up and away from the campsite and away from neighbors. I use the manufacturer’s suction cups and hooks to keep the Genturi exaust tubes pointing straight up. I make sure my rooftop vents are closed, though, during generator run times, unless a vent fan is on, and blowing air out of the interior bathroom or cooking areas.

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