Ok for the vehicle to idle for 3-5 hours?

GMCChevy said:

For sure if you already have a gas hook up.
We're stuck with getting propane from Costo or the odd gas station that sells it so with no power for long enough time to need more fuel I'd rather have the convenience of going to any gas station to fill up if I don't have enough in jerry cans already.
I think the one advantage to diesel is that stuff lasts a long time without going bad, but I'm not sure if there's an issue with the parts gumming up over time sitting? And i don't think cheap diesel generators are as common as gas or propane.

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We have a few propane sellers very close. We go without power for a few, to several, days, every now and then; due mostly to ice storms [11 days is the record, so far]. I've collected a few 20 lb tanks, over time, for space heaters. I can get 40 lb tanks if needed.

LOL, I'm all hot to get a portable generator when a tornado, or an ice storm, kills power. Then I relax, and get all motivated again after the next big storm.

I also haven't figured out yet how big a one I need.

joe

homesick said:

I already have propane tanks, and it's a neat, clean set-up; and it has a shelf life of forever [AFAIK].

joe

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LPG does not go bad, but if sitting for many year may lose the added odorant for detecting leaks, which *could* be a safety concern. Also, the tanks themselves must be re certified after 12 years.

homesick said:

LOL, I'm all hot to get a portable generator when a tornado, or an ice storm, kills power. Then I relax, and get all motivated again after the next big storm.

I also haven't figured out yet how big a one I need.

joe

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That's how I am. We used to rarely loose power and when we did it was very short. Now the last several years we've lost power a few times for several days straight. I start liking the idea of a generator, then I think If I get one it'll probably problematic when we need it or not be big enough and it's only going to waste space in the meantime and be awkward to get out.. then I move on to other things until it goes out again.

tahoe_highcountry said:

Hi everyone,

I have a 2023 Tahoe diesel engine.

I live rural in a temperate climate with rainstorms. During fall/spring at least once a month the power goes out because trees fall.

Anyway, during this time we need to charge our electronics and hang out in a warm spot because power doesn’t get fixed for 1-2 days.

Is it ok for the engine to idle for 3-5 hours at a time? We use this time to charge our phones and iPads.

Thank you.

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I wouldn't do it. Buy a backup generator that runs on propane.

PPV_2018 said:

LPG does not go bad, but if sitting for many year may lose the added odorant for detecting leaks, which *could* be a safety concern. Also, the tanks themselves must be re certified after 12 years.

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Thanks.

joe

GMCChevy said:

That's how I am. We used to rarely loose power and when we did it was very short. Now the last several years we've lost power a few times for several days straight. I start liking the idea of a generator, then I think If I get one it'll probably problematic when we need it or not be big enough and it's only going to waste space in the meantime and be awkward to get out.. then I move on to other things until it goes out again.

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All it takes is a new shiny object to catch the sun.

joe

tahoe_highcountry said:

Hi everyone,

I have a 2023 Tahoe diesel engine.

I live rural in a temperate climate with rainstorms. During fall/spring at least once a month the power goes out because trees fall.

Anyway, during this time we need to charge our electronics and hang out in a warm spot because power doesn’t get fixed for 1-2 days.

Is it ok for the engine to idle for 3-5 hours at a time? We use this time to charge our phones and iPads.

Thank you.

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It looks like this thread got off topic, and it’s frustrating to watch people answer the wrong question so they can address their own grips and opinions.

To me you’re not asking “is it worse to leave it idling than not” but rather you want to know “will there be unmitigated problems from doing so”.

My first part answer is RTFM - check what the manual says and call your dealer. My second part is I’m not aware of any modern LD diesel that that can’t to this. What nobody is speaking to is you will simply have to be more conscientious on some maintenance tasks than if you didn’t idle as much. Nowhere in the manual or public knowledge are LD diesels idling a lot and having warranties not honored or major repairs.

GMCChevy said:

That's how I am. We used to rarely loose power and when we did it was very short. Now the last several years we've lost power a few times for several days straight. I start liking the idea of a generator, then I think If I get one it'll probably problematic when we need it or not be big enough and it's only going to waste space in the meantime and be awkward to get out.. then I move on to other things until it goes out again.

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this is why you run it for a little while every few months, if it doesn't idle or doesn't start etc, then you address it while it's not a emergency situation

Doubeleive said:

this is why you run it for a little while every few months, if it doesn't idle or doesn't start etc, then you address it while it's not a emergency situation

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Exactly what I do about every 4 or 5 months. I put just enough gas in there let it run for about 15-20 minutes shut it off drain the gas out of the tank and start it back up and let it run out. Also my neighbor electrician installed a main plug on a breaker 220v at my breakers box so all I do is shut the main breaker off that brings the main power in the house run the big cord out my dryer vent to the generator and power up the house. 9500 watt generator. The only thing I can't run is the central AC I have small window units for that and the heat pump I have small space heaters for that.

tahoe_highcountry said:

Hi everyone,

I have a 2023 Tahoe diesel engine.

I live rural in a temperate climate with rainstorms. During fall/spring at least once a month the power goes out because trees fall.

Anyway, during this time we need to charge our electronics and hang out in a warm spot because power doesn’t get fixed for 1-2 days.

Is it ok for the engine to idle for 3-5 hours at a time? We use this time to charge our phones and iPads.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

I have a Firman dual fuel inverter generator that puts out 3500 watts. It’s quiet and small/portable. More than enough to power anything in your house. I might even set up a mini panel to be able to run a few circuits directly off the geny without having to plug things in. Only thing I can’t power is my heat pump but the nat gas back up furnace doesn’t require much juice at all.

In the meantime I run a couple of extension cords into the house to power our fridge and deep freezer. Charges any electronics and runs appliances like kettles and toasters.

Cost me like $600 Canadian a couple years ago @ Costco. Doubt it’s more expense in the US. I think I’ve only needed to use it 3 times for power outages in 2 years but still worth imo and a lot cheaper than a full blown Generac set up.