During the Prepare for Movement drill, how long should the generator run at no-load to cool the engines?

During the Prepare for Movement drill, how long should the generator run at no-load to cool the engines?

• A. 2 minutes
• B. 10 minutes
• C. 15 minutes
• D. 5 minutes

Answer: (D)

During the Prepare for Movement drill, you run the generator at no-load for five minutes to let the engines cool before moving. Running at no-load means the engine is turning, but the generator isn’t producing electrical power, so there’s less heat generated. The cooling system (fans and radiators) stays active, pulling heat away as the temperatures fall to a safe level. Five minutes is long enough to reduce engine heat without wasting time; shorter periods may not cool enough, while longer ones would delay movement and waste fuel.

During the Prepare for Movement drill, you run the generator at no-load for five minutes to let the engines cool before moving. Running at no-load means the engine is turning, but the generator isn’t producing electrical power, so there’s less heat generated. The cooling system (fans and radiators) stays active, pulling heat away as the temperatures fall to a safe level. Five minutes is long enough to reduce engine heat without wasting time; shorter periods may not cool enough, while longer ones would delay movement and waste fuel.