Sunday, August 3, 2014

Still Kicking (Me and the Generator)

We are still plugging along here. I have not had much to say because I have not been doing much. We found a house sitter for this winter, a young woman who works at Home Depot and is currently boarding with friends. She came over the other evening for an interview and Norma was happy and when Norma is happy...

Today I fired up the generator in the motorhome and ran the air conditioner on it for 90 minutes, something that has to be done every month when it is parked to keep all the juices flowing. It fired up after holding the start button down for about five seconds and took the transfer of the air conditioner load without a hiccup. I guess I should have heated up a cup of water in the microwave at the same time but I forgot. Next month. I fired up the Ford engine for a few minutes and it also started and ran just fine.

All this preparation makes me want to get on the road!
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7 comments:

  1. Kevin ReadAugust 3, 2014 at 4:34 PM

    I'm sure there are conflicting viewpoints on this, but I have read that's it's not good for the engine to fire it up just "for a few minutes" after sitting unused for a period of time. Without getting to full operating temperature, it can cause condensation in the cylinders.

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  2. our awesome travelsAugust 3, 2014 at 4:51 PM

    Like Kevin said.
    Good exercise for the genny, maybe take your coach for a nice drive too, would be probably better.
    We do that every week or two.

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  3. living.boondockingmexicoAugust 3, 2014 at 5:06 PM

    I bet you the Tioga would like a night or two away once in awhile! Can't wait to see your trip plan.

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  4. CroftAugust 3, 2014 at 5:44 PM

    I thought about what Kevin and George said about only running the Ford engine for a few minutes and I must agree. Just a few minutes probably does more harm to the engine than good. I guess it was more to reassure myself that it will start when I need it than for anything else. Letting it idle for an hour or so would probably be better but without any load on it, maybe not. There is no insurance on the vehicle so taking it for a drive is not possible without a large expense.

    Thanks guys, this is how we learn things.

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  5. mexicokidAugust 3, 2014 at 10:38 PM

    So what are your winter travels!!! les

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  6. BillAugust 4, 2014 at 12:45 AM

    Reminds me of those guys who idle a diesel pickup. I've heard that's not good for them.

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  7. CalypsoAugust 4, 2014 at 11:18 AM

    I think that travel bug is in both of us. We are happy to have just arrived at our casa in Xico - to stay until the fall when we head back to the beach - tough life ;-)

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