Extend Your RV Generator’s Lifespan: Key Maintenance Steps

Keep the Lights On: Essential Maintenance to Extend Your RV Generator’s Lifespan

The hum of an RV generator is the sound of freedom for many travelers. It powers your air conditioner on a sweltering afternoon, keeps the fridge cold, charges your devices, and ensures you have lights when you’re miles away from the nearest hookup. It’s a vital piece of equipment, essentially a small engine working hard to provide you with power. But like any engine, your RV generator requires regular care to perform reliably and, crucially, to last for years to come.

Ignoring generator maintenance is a common pitfall that can lead to costly repairs, frustrating breakdowns during a trip, and significantly shorten its working life. Proactive maintenance isn’t just about fixing things when they break; it’s about preventing problems before they start, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and maximizing your investment. Let’s dive into the key maintenance steps that will help your RV generator serve you faithfully for the long haul.

1. The Power of Regular Exercise (Using It!)

This is perhaps the most overlooked, yet most critical, maintenance step for an RV generator. Generators are designed to be used. Letting them sit idle for extended periods is detrimental. Fuel can gum up carburetors or fuel injectors, seals can dry out and crack, and internal components don’t get the necessary lubrication.

• Why Exercise is Key: Running the generator circulates oil, lubricating internal parts and seals. It helps burn off moisture that can accumulate in the engine and exhaust. It keeps the fuel system flowing and prevents sediment buildup.
• How Often and How Long: Most manufacturers recommend exercising your generator at least once a month. Run it for 1 to 2 hours.
• Under Load is Best: Don’t just let it idle. Connect some appliances (like the air conditioner, microwave, or space heater) to put at least a 50% load on the generator. This brings the engine up to operating temperature, which is essential for burning off moisture and ensuring optimal performance.

Think of it like keeping your own muscles active; regular exercise keeps them working smoothly.

2. Oil Changes: The Lifeblood of Your Generator

Just like your RV’s engine or your car’s engine, the generator’s oil is crucial for lubrication, cooling, and cleaning. As oil ages, it breaks down, loses its viscosity, and becomes contaminated with combustion byproducts. Running an engine on old, dirty oil dramatically increases wear and tear.

• Frequency: Consult your generator’s owner’s manual for the specific recommended interval. Many manufacturers recommend the first oil change after a short break-in period (often 20-50 hours) and then every 100-200 hours or annually, whichever comes first. If you use your generator heavily, you’ll need to change the oil more frequently.
• Type of Oil: The manual will also specify the correct oil type and viscosity based on expected operating temperatures. Using the wrong type can harm the engine. Generators often use specific oils, so don’t automatically assume automotive oil is suitable.
• The Process: Change the oil when the engine is warm (not hot) to ensure proper drainage. Always replace the oil filter (if your model has one) every time you change the oil. Dispose of used oil responsibly.

Changing the oil and filter on schedule is one of the most impactful things you can do to extend your generator’s life.

3. Air Filter: Letting Your Generator Breathe Easy

A clean air filter is essential for proper combustion. The engine needs clean air to mix with fuel. A clogged or dirty air filter restricts airflow, leading to:

• Reduced performance
• Increased fuel consumption

• Potential engine damage from dirt bypassing the filter

• Inspection: Inspect your air filter regularly, especially if you’re traveling in dusty or dirty conditions.
• Replacement/Cleaning: Paper filters usually need to be replaced when dirty. Foam filters can sometimes be cleaned and re-oiled according to the manual’s instructions. Replace the filter annually, even if it looks okay, as part of your preventative maintenance schedule.

Replacing a cheap air filter is far less expensive than repairing an engine damaged by inadequate filtration.

4. Fuel System Care: Preventing Clogs and Corrosion

Fuel quality and the fuel system are common sources of generator problems, especially in RVs that might sit for periods. Gasoline degrades over time, leading to varnish and gum deposits that can clog fuel lines, filters, and carburetors or fuel injectors.

• Fuel Stabilizer: If you plan to store your RV (and thus the generator) for more than a month, always add a quality fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank before storage. Run the generator for a few minutes after adding the stabilizer to ensure it circulates throughout the fuel system.
• Fuel Filter: Your generator likely has one or more fuel filters (often inline). These prevent contaminants from reaching the carburetor or fuel injectors. Replace the fuel filter(s) according to your manual’s schedule, or more often if you suspect you’ve gotten bad fuel. Clogged fuel filters can cause stalling or poor performance.
• Clean Fuel: Whenever possible, use fresh, high-quality fuel. Avoid fuel that has been sitting in auxiliary cans for extended periods.

A clean fuel system ensures reliable starting and smooth running.

5. Spark Plug: Igniting Performance

The spark plug provides the necessary spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture. A fouled, worn, or improperly gapped spark plug can cause:

• Hard starting
• Misfires
• Rough running

• Reduced fuel efficiency

• Inspection: Inspect the spark plug annually. Look for deposits, signs of wear, or damage.
• Cleaning/Replacement: You can sometimes clean light deposits with a wire brush, but it’s often best to replace the plug according to the manufacturer’s recommended interval (often every 100-300 hours or annually).
• Gapping: Ensure the new or cleaned plug is gapped correctly using a feeler gauge, as specified in your manual.

Replacing the spark plug is a relatively inexpensive task that can significantly improve starting reliability and engine performance.

6. Cooling System Maintenance (If Applicable)

Some larger RV generators are liquid-cooled, similar to a car engine. Smaller portable or built-in generators are often air-cooled, relying on a fan to push air over cooling fins.

• Liquid-Cooled: Check the coolant level regularly and ensure it’s at the proper mark. Inspect hoses for cracks or leaks. Keep the radiator fins clean of dirt and debris. Follow the manual’s schedule for coolant flushes and replacements.
• Air-Cooled: The cooling fins on the engine block and cylinder head must be kept clean. Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate and act as insulation, causing the engine to overheat. Use compressed air to blow out the cooling fins regularly. Ensure the cooling air intakes are unobstructed.

Overheating is a quick way to cause serious and expensive engine damage.

7. Keep it Clean

While you don’t need to wash your generator like your RV’s exterior, keeping the exterior and intake areas clean of dirt, leaves, rodent nests, and other debris is important. This prevents material from being drawn into the cooling system or air intake.

• Regular Wiping/Blowing: Periodically wipe down the accessible parts and use compressed air to clear vents and cooling fins.

8. Inspect the Exhaust System

The exhaust system routes dangerous carbon monoxide gases away from your RV. Inspect the exhaust pipe for damage, leaks, or blockages (like mud dauber nests). Ensure connections are secure. A leaky exhaust system is a serious safety hazard.

9. Visual Inspections and Connections

Get into the habit of a quick visual inspection before and after running the generator.

• Look for any leaks (oil, fuel, coolant).
• Check for loose wires or connections.
• Inspect belts (if applicable) for wear.
• Ensure the generator’s mounting bolts are secure.
• Check the battery connections (if the generator has its own starting battery).

10. Consult Your Owner’s Manual

This cannot be stressed enough. Every generator model is different. The owner’s manual is your definitive guide for:

• Recommended maintenance intervals (hours/time)
• Specific oil type and quantity
• Fuel filter type and location
• Spark plug type and gap
• Coolant type and capacity (if applicable)
• Troubleshooting tips

Follow the manual’s recommended maintenance schedule diligently.

FAQs Section

Q: How often should I run my RV generator?
A: At least once a month for 1-2 hours, preferably under at least a 50% load. This is called "exercising" and is crucial for lubrication and preventing fuel system issues.

Q: What kind of oil should I use in my generator?
A: Always consult your generator’s owner’s manual. It will specify the correct SAE viscosity and API service class based on operating temperatures. Do not assume automotive oil is suitable unless the manual states it is.

Q: How often should I change the oil?
A: Refer to your owner’s manual. A common interval is the first change at 20-50 hours (break-in) and then every 100-200 hours or annually, whichever comes first. Heavy use requires more frequent changes.

Q: What happens if I don’t use my generator for a long time?
A: Fuel can degrade and gum up the system, seals can dry out, and internal parts can rust. This often leads to hard starting, poor performance, or failure to start altogether. Regular exercise and fuel stabilization are essential for preventing this.

Q: Do I need to use a fuel stabilizer?
A: Yes, if you will be storing your RV (and generator) for more than a month. Add stabilizer to the fuel tank and run the generator for a few minutes to get it into the fuel system before storage.

Q: My generator struggles to start or runs rough. What could be the problem?
A: Common causes include old or no fuel stabilizer, clogged fuel filter, dirty air filter, a worn or improperly gapped spark plug, or overdue oil change. Start with the simplest checks based on your maintenance history and consult the manual’s troubleshooting section.

Q: Can I perform this maintenance myself?
A: Many of these tasks (oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug, visual inspections) are well within the capabilities of a DIYer with basic tools and the owner’s manual. For more complex issues or if you’re uncomfortable, consult a qualified RV technician.

Conclusion

Your RV generator is a powerful and convenient tool that enhances your RVing experience by providing independence from shore power. However, it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it appliance. By committing to a routine maintenance schedule that includes regular exercise, timely oil and filter changes, fuel system care, and general cleanliness, you are making an investment in its future.

Think of generator maintenance as a small effort now to prevent major headaches and expenses later. A well-maintained generator is a reliable generator, ensuring your lights stay on, your food stays cold, and your adventures remain powered, trip after trip. So, grab your owner’s manual, gather your supplies, and give your generator the care it deserves – you’ll be rewarded with years of dependable service and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your power source is ready when you need it most.