Generator Service

Back in October or November the generator quit starting, I did not want to put plates on it to take it in so I just left it for the winter, trying it every month to no avail. It cranked enthusiastically but no start. I finally got it started a week or so ago after a long drive and it ran perfectly. It still needed a service so I took it in to the local White's Diesel & Marine on July10. It had not been serviced since 2012. Yes, I know! I started it before I dropped it off and it chugged, rattled and smoked so I shut it off and tried again, It started and ran perfectly! 

I left it with them and after one and a half hours they had it done. Just a regular service, plug, filter(s), oil change and carb adjustments. I paid the $325 Canadian bill and drove away with a perfectly functioning generator! FYI, the last time I had it serviced was in 2012 in Yuma, Arizona on our way into Mexico. They did the exact same service and charged me $180 US twelve years ago. Almost as much (after conversion) as I paid up here. I am happy! The furnace does not work but that is another story. It has eaten circuit boards for years so I may convert it to a "Buddy" propane heater. If it goes bad, you throw it away and buy another!

Motorhome Test Drive!

 

Great Test Drive!

 

Yesterday I had six new tires installed on the motorhome for $1,600 and decided to take it for a drive to 1) burn off some of the five year old fuel in it and 2) see how it runs with the new brakes, tires, transmission service, etc.

 

I headed south and drove it to Union Bay where I pulled into the beachfront parking area and walked to the little grocery store to buy something to eat. Back in the RV, on a whim, I did something I knew I shouldn't do, I hit the start button on the generator. A couple of months ago it refused to start. I cranked it for several minutes and it didn't even attempt to fire. Two weeks ago when I put insurance on it I tried again, using every trick I knew. Still nothing, crank but no start. I phoned the local generator shop and made an appointment for July 10. He warned me that a no start condition could be quite expensive to fix and to be prepared for the worst.

 

Well, back to the beach at Union Bay. I hit the start button, it cranked for about two seconds and started! It sounded smooth and strong! I let it idle for a few minutes and feeling very lucky, I turned on the roof air conditioner. I could hear the generator take the load but it handled it easily. I then put a cup of water in the microwave and turned it on as well. No problem, it carried both loads easily and was running smoothly. I headed home and ran the generator and roof air all the way home, about two hours. The generator still needs servicing but at far less cost than it was looking like.