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Old 05-03-2018, 12:34 PM   #1
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THOR #11130
Generator and Fuel Management...

I'm one of these "always keep everything full" kind of guys. We're heading to the Southern Nationals for the 3 day weekend which is self-contained MH's only with no hook ups. Temps will be in the 80's day and 60's night. I'm not worried about water supply and holding tanks but I have this issue with running the onboard generator too much. It runs off the rear 40 gallon tank. With the previous TT I always carried the Champion 3100 and the two Honda 2000's with the parallel kit and extended run fuel tank when dry camping such as the Atlanta Motor Speedway where we kept it for 10 days. When I told the Queen last night what I was doing she looked at me like I was totally nuts. "So, you're telling me you just bought your dream MH but don't want to use it?? I thought you said this is what it's for!". Anybody else here have a similar disorder?? What is the actual fuel consumption of these QD 6000's? Onan says .3 to .5 GPH on idle to half power and .8 at full throttle. The portables will run 4-6 hours on a half gallon. Is she right??? Am I really nuts???

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Old 05-03-2018, 12:49 PM   #2
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she's right, of course...

but, yes, realistically, you have an onboard generator for it's usage so that you don't HAVE to have other generators, of course. the 1/2 gal per hour is probably correct. If you are running it almost 24hrs a day, that's still only 12 gals x 3 days = 36 gallons, but it's doubtful you'll actually use that much since it probably won't run much overnight.

Bring more fuel, not more generators. : ) keep 'her' happy : )
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Old 05-03-2018, 12:54 PM   #3
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If your asking for my two cents, here it is......

In order to keep peace int the household I would try the using the one in the motor home on the first trip. You know the consumption of the portables. Compare the difference and then make a decision for the next outing.
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Old 05-03-2018, 01:05 PM   #4
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This is what I need to hear!! Thanks!! I have a rear carrier and several 5 gallon military green jugs with this cool little fuel pump from Northern Tool that runs on 2 D cells. I was thinking taking extra fuel and just let her rip. It wouldn't be used at night nor during the day while we are at the event. I also have this mindset of "1 is none, 2 is one". Maybe I'll just stow one of the Honda's in a basement locker just as a back-up. she'll never know it's there but I'd be a hero if I needed it. It's a brand new MH and a bit nervous of trusting everything will work fine from the onset. I think I'm nuts.
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Old 05-03-2018, 01:25 PM   #5
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No matter what you end up doing: it's still better than paying for Hotel Rooms!
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:00 PM   #6
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I don't think you are nuts- from this forum it seems brand new ones never work right; however the generator seems to be the least of peoples concerns. From my time on the forum it seems the biggest "major" issue are slide problems. The only time you really need to run the generator is for the AC and cooking; don't run it when there isn't a load on it.
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:23 PM   #7
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And, A/C is something I can't live without. I'm carrying my Champion 3100 (back up) as it will run one 13.5 A/C with no problem. I have the (me preferred) gas range and oven but do most cooking outdoors. For the few times we need to run microwave for a few minutes the portable will work fine. Gonna take the good advice here and just run the big unit with no worries. I did hear a noise in the furnace fan last night. Not sure what it is but I always carry a portable electric heater as well...just in case there's an issue with furnace and it gets a little chilly at night. What's nuts is how we love this drama so much while always planning for a little failure along the way.
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:28 PM   #8
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I bracket race so we are stand alone for up to 5 days at a time. To keep hours off inside onan, I use a champion 3500 mounted on open racecar trailer. Depending on outside conditions, it runs 12 to 14 hours on 3.5 gal of gas. Noise not an issue. When we dry camp anywhere else, I bolt it to hitch basket so I can keep internal fuel/generator in reserve. I know I am only 30 amp service for Vegas but other guys do same for 50 amp RVs. Much better to put tons of hours on $300 or $500 extrenal generator than $3,500 to $6,500 internal generator.
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:37 PM   #9
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You guys sound as if some solar panels might help with managing your power requirements...
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:44 PM   #10
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Mine is 50A and so was the previous Open Range TT. A series of adapters worked fine. I bought the 50A dog-bone so I don't have to drag out the anaconda. Other than needing A/C for an extended period, I can't see running the 6000W unit for a TV, microwave (for a minute or two) or any other small appliance. I will run it lots this weekend just to check everything out. You should drag your "drag" to Atlanta Dragway this weekend.
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:45 PM   #11
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Solar would be option except for a/c, microwave and kettle for instant coffee. Summer days at track, outside temps can reach 100. There is usually no shade either. I have even considered adding 2nd a/c as inside temps can climb. I would then have option of using inside onan for coach and outside gen for 2nd a/c. As I get older, the heat really kills energy and reaction times.
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:47 PM   #12
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Bob...that's exactly what I'm looking into right now. The only solar experience I have is a Casio calculator I've had since 1976. And...it still works along with the cheap little plastic sleeve it came with. Oh, and the magnifying glass I set the house on fire with when I was a kid. I realized at a young age, the power of the sun.
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:50 PM   #13
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A lot of people have added a 2nd A/C to their Vegas and power it the same exact way. Seems they have an issue staying cool in the summer, especially up front...where you are most of the time. And, "reaction time"...that's where it all starts and ends.
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Old 05-03-2018, 02:51 PM   #14
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On any Class A a good outside windshield cover (Sunguard, or Magneshade) can really help to keep the interior temps down.
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Old 05-03-2018, 03:29 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
On any Class A a good outside windshield cover (Sunguard, or Magneshade) can really help to keep the interior temps down.
Agree Jamie, My Magneshade acquisition was worth every cent.
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Old 05-03-2018, 03:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
Bob...that's exactly what I'm looking into right now. The only solar experience I have is a Casio calculator I've had since 1976. And...it still works along with the cheap little plastic sleeve it came with. Oh, and the magnifying glass I set the house on fire with when I was a kid. I realized at a young age, the power of the sun.
We must be "Twin Sons: From Different Mothers"!
I had scorch marks all over my window sills...
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Old 05-03-2018, 07:08 PM   #17
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Use the onboard generator. We have found the actual consumption of our onboard Onan 4000 to be around one gallon per hour of usage (powering A/C, etc.) Just plan accordingly. Bringing along the extra fuel cans isn't an issue. Generators are meant to be run to prevent fuel issues down the road.
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Old 05-03-2018, 07:12 PM   #18
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You may want to get one of those devices that extend the exhaust up the side and above the RV. That will keep exhaust away from the neighbors.
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Old 05-03-2018, 07:33 PM   #19
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Does someone need to check on Gritz? Where did that come from?
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Old 05-03-2018, 07:44 PM   #20
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I don't know... I hope that it wasn't me!
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