Generator enclosure.

[432bartman]

That would be a great idea......I've been looking at some generators like you mentioned and especially ones that can run on gas or propane. As for size wise of a generator, what's a good power rating to go with that could run everything?

[Last2Die]

My 2HF 3500 ran everything. I never tried the washer and dryer as I don’t think it would run everything to include them. Other than that those 2 ran everything fine.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

what's a good power rating to go with that could run everything?

My old (2005/06 model) 5500W Onan will run two ACs, the microwave, converter, RV Refer and some low current devices (TV, phone chargers,etc) at the same time. If I were to buy one today, it'd be the 6500W like Tony purchased. With the 6500, you could safely run three ACs at once (not started at the same time).

[jetskier]

Here's a few pics of my installation. It's a tight fit and a challenge to get through the front compartment. You will likely tear the seal (ask me how I know)

[Last2Die]

If you have more pictures I would love to see them !! Waiting on the other parts. I’m haven’t seen my parts yet so I’m curious how the stand gets secured in, does the stand make the genset sit below the hole or above ..? In what order did you install ..? Obviously the stand and genset but the shroud before the genset goes in or after. What did you run for exhaust..? Oh, and the glass line... how did you run it. I know I don’t need to run it out the side since everything is internal but I plan too

Sorry a lot of questions.

Tony
Abaldi74@gmail.com

[Last2Die]

I was actually thinking about removing the door... eliminate that all together. ...

[jetskier]

I ordered mine with the gen prep knowing I was going to transfer it from my old trailer. It appears the sheet metal box is fastened to the generator platform with #12 or #14 self tapping screws.

Hooking up the gas line and conduit wasn't fun. The clearance is tight. Don't bolt down the generator to the frame until you have the utility connections made. I remember lifting it up about 1.5" to have some hand room.


The orange romex has 5 conductors in it (10/4). Two hots, two neutrals and a ground. The Onan gensets are not 240V units. Each of the two 30A breakers are on the same phase. That requires two separate neutrals.

[Last2Die]

I noticed the 2 neutrals get wired together to the single neutral in the ATS. The green is the ground and 2 hots. The picture of the gas line helps. I’ll move the bracket forward attach the T and do the exact same set up. Is the line 1/2 gas line..? I was also thinking about installing a gas shut off valve. Once I get it installed I’ll tackle the exhaust. I didn’t realize it sat so high so a out of the box onan exhaust won’t work the drop is not long enough.

Thank you for sending the picture really helps. Any other advise ..?

[Last2Die]

How does the stand attach to the floor..?

[jetskier]

The Gas hose is 3/8" LP. I had it made at a local LP company. You could probably run 1/2". Since 1/2" gas pipe services the whole trailer, it'd probably overkill. The tee is 1/2" MPT. It came plugged from the factory as part of the prep. I just removed the plug, installed the 1/2" street ell and the flare fitting and connected the hose.


I'm not sure I want to share this because I'm sure I'll get some flack from the electrical code police. Initially, I ran the two generator hots separately to each side of the transfer switch like you would normally do. After much thought and frustration, I ended up tying the hots together in the junction box so the full output of the generator is available to both sides of the main panel circuits. It stays under the 45A rated output. On the rare occasion it's exceeded, the voltage drops enough for the EMS to disconnect the power and I shut things off accordingly. I do wish Onan had a single breaker option rated for the output of the unit. I have my rear AC and 3rd (mid) AC on one side and the front AC, converter and refer on the other. It just simplified the load balancing so I can choose to run any combination of two ACs (front, mid or rear) or the microwave at the same time.

[Last2Die]

Initially my thought was to run 1/2 so I’ll just stick to that plan. I’m going to run the 2 hots separately, running them separately will be close to the output of my 2HF plus an extra 500 watts. Do you remember how the stand gets secured to the steel floor..? I’m assuming once I see it, it will make sense.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Do you remember how the stand gets secured to the steel floor..? I’m assuming once I see it, it will make sense.

It appears to be shot into the metal pan of the compartment. You can see the death daggers sticking through the pan in the pic with my exhaust. I'd say bolting would be fine. I attached a pic of the tabs on the top side.

[Last2Die]

Gotcha !! Thank you again !!

[jetskier]

Don't forget to buy 15 tubes of black caulking like the factory does to seal every joint.

[jetskier]

After the previous post, I just did a little searching. Blue Sea Systems makes a 50A breaker in the exact form factor that my Onan uses. I bought it and I'll replace the two individual 30A with this single 50A and block off the empty slot. This will make me feel better about the circuit protection at the generator. The wiring diagrams show the common hot before the breakers so I'll just tie the two output wires together.

[Last2Die]

This genset will get up to 54.6 amps.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

This genset will get up to 54.6 amps.

I know. I'm jealous. I got mine in 2006 installed at the factory for $3000 in my old Wildcat (total genset option package). If I were to buy one today, I'd get the 6500W. However, I couldn't justify parting with it since the new ones run over $5k. When I removed it, it only had 150 hours on it. We barely used it. The 5500 still outputs 45.8A, so the 50A breaker should be perfect.

[Last2Die]

Yeah this one was 5500 from tweety’s. Our plan is to take it from unit to unit !! That’s why we got the bigger one.

[Last2Die]

Does anyone have any idea the exhaust drop once installed ? I found an exhaust kit with a 9” drop. Seems once I get the stand that distance seems right but I’m not sure.

I did plumb the gas lines all ready. I have a stainless steel line coming tomorrow. Getting closer !!

[jetskier]

I was rummaging through my attic recently and found this leftover fire and sound insulation. I previously used it to separate the firebox in my zero clearance wood burning fireplace from the air circulation fans (plastic squirrel cages) . They'd get so hot from the radiant heat that they melted and distort. Anyhow, I thought this would be great way to use it up so I placed it around the sheet metal box that encloses the generator. I did a test run and it quieted up the noise in the bedroom substantially. It should also eliminate the heat soak in the summer time through the floor. The front battery compartment was extremely hot after it ran for hours in 100°F+ heat. I can't imagine that being good for the battery life. I also leave the front gen compartment door pinned open to let the heat out (the generator shroud stays on per Onan for optimal cooling/circulation from below).