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Old 07-19-2021, 04:19 PM   #1
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Generators

Looking at changing out my Onan 4000watt generator with another option. Has anyone done this yet?

Thanks.

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Old 07-19-2021, 04:32 PM   #2
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Not enough information.
Another option could be 2 alternators and a big inverter or it could be a honda 2000w or massive solar.
These and 50 other changes have been done.
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Old 07-19-2021, 09:33 PM   #3
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What's wrong with the Onan?
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Old 07-19-2021, 09:46 PM   #4
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Generally speaking, you're better off keeping and maintaining the Onan. It's integrated electrically and fuel, and also designed to work, and exhaust from, the partially enclosed space it lives in. Most replacements would have independent gravity-feed fuel tanks which would be a hassle to fill and may not work properly when going down the road, aren't designed to operate in a partially-enclosed space and could overheat, and would have to have something interesting done to route the exhaust properly. You could replace the Onan with another Onan, or with another generator designed for RV use, but what's the point?
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Old 07-19-2021, 09:49 PM   #5
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I agree: Onan has been doing this for years; they've got it all figured out...
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Old 07-19-2021, 10:08 PM   #6
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Not for the most modern motor homes in my opinion.
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Old 07-19-2021, 10:28 PM   #7
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There are thousands of Onans with thousands of hours on them still doing their job
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Old 07-19-2021, 11:58 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
I agree: Onan has been doing this for years; they've got it all figured out...
Two problems with any carbureted engine:

1. Ethanol in the gasoline absorbs moisture and reacts with the ethanol to form varnish which can plug up tiny passages. Either it won't start at all or it will start and run rough. Only solution is to rebuild or replace the carburetor.

2. The carburetor bowl dries out over time (leaving the ethanol based varnish behind) so it takes a long time to prime it to get the bowl full so it will start.

EFI solves both of these. Inverter type generator lets the engine run slower at partial power which is quieter and saves fuel.

David
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Old 07-20-2021, 01:10 AM   #9
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So every couple of weeks: you start the generator, and let it run...
Problem solved!
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Old 07-20-2021, 01:24 AM   #10
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I never had any issues with any of the Onan gas generators I owned. During the camping season I would start them once a month and let them run under a load for 20-30 minutes. Before putting them up for the winter I would disconnect the fuel line to the carb and had a 1 quart bottle I would hook up to the carb and run non ethanol fuel with sea foam mixed in and run till the bottle was empty, if I had some extra race fuel left over I would run that through it.
Now that I have a diesel generator I don't have the gas problem anymore, but I still start the generator and run it for a bit during camping season.
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Old 07-20-2021, 01:41 AM   #11
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I've had 2 Onans: a 4K gas model, and a 3.2K diesel.
They both have (so far) given nothing but great service.
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Old 07-20-2021, 02:15 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad View Post
What's wrong with the Onan?
I can't tell you how much this thread's question hurts me RV Blasphemy is what it is. Ripping out the Onan generator is akin to ripping out someone's heart. My Onan 5500 and EC-30 AGS continues to be my favorite toy on the RV. The thrill of sitting down under the awning drinking a beer just waiting for the inside temperature to rise above 78 degrees just to listen to the Onan Auto Start and runs for about 30 minutes before shutting itself back down... akuna matata
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Old 07-20-2021, 02:20 AM   #13
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I've had 2 Onans: a 4K gas model, and a 3.2K diesel.
They both have (so far) given nothing but great service.
This is why the Site Administrators should allow OP's to edit there original posted question. I am sure OP may have meant to say he is thinking about changing out his RV to put a new one around his magnificent Onan 4000
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Old 07-20-2021, 04:11 AM   #14
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Cummins Onan currently makes a quiet gas 2800i (inverter generator set) for RVs and MCs. Also, there is the QG 5500efi and the QG 7000efi commercial (240/120 volt). This is really handy if you have a 50 amp coach when compared to the 5500 which has two 120 volt windings of 26 amps and 20 amps. All three of the are listed as RV gensets. There is a QG 4200i in test, but I have not heard if it EFI or not. All meet National Park sound level requirements of less than 60 db @ 50 ft
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Old 07-20-2021, 11:00 AM   #15
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Not enough information.
Another option could be 2 alternators and a big inverter or it could be a honda 2000w or massive solar.
These and 50 other changes have been done.
Go here, post #7:
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f8/power-27476.html
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Old 07-20-2021, 12:24 PM   #16
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Well the OP has gone awol. We may never know what his problems were.
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Old 07-20-2021, 12:26 PM   #17
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And, once again, the OP did not mention year and model. This always bugs me as I don’t know if it’s a Teardrop or a Prevost.
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Old 07-20-2021, 01:00 PM   #18
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Well the OP has gone awol. We may never know what his problems were.
I would love to see OP chronicle his story walking us through his journey to the end of his new system. He could start with his pains of today and his goals of tomorrow. It could end with his total investment in time and money and honest assessment of whether objective was achieved?
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Old 07-20-2021, 06:38 PM   #19
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And, once again, the OP did not mention year and model. This always bugs me as I don’t know if it’s a Teardrop or a Prevost.

In other thread he mentions 2015 ACE 29.2.

Other than being up to 6 or 7 years old, I’m not sure that helps much though.

From my perspective, as motorhomes become more advanced electrically, the use of generators becomes less of an ideal solution. The only “efficient” need I still see for a generator is to power air conditioner(s) for extended periods, which is common for boondocking in hot weather. Pretty much every other need can be accomplished in more efficient and pleasant ways.

I would not replace an operational generator, and if it was completely shot, would probably replace with another (but more modern). For brand new motorhomes though, it’s becoming harder for me to justify a generator other than it being the cheapest solution when needing lots of power off the grid.
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Old 07-20-2021, 06:44 PM   #20
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One nice advantage of having a generator in your RV? You can always use it to help power your house in a pinch...
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