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Old 05-27-2021, 04:20 PM   #1
Camp CA
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Contemplating a Generator

2020 Montana 3780RL with solar flex and considering a Onan 5500 LP generator so we can camp with our friends who want to exclusively boondock at Harvest Hosts and state campground (where I can fit a 41 ft fifth wheel in). Dealer just quoted me an acceptable price. Any pros and cons and suggestions would be appreciated.
 
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Old 05-27-2021, 06:32 PM   #2
hemiallen
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If you are able, I would opt for a Honda 2000I generator for recharging the batteries vs a propane hog Onan. And go Lithium on the batteries.

Curious what acceptable price is on the onan, list is $5700 on a new rig.

Allen
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Old 05-27-2021, 07:10 PM   #3
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Allen.........you make a very good recommendation and very good value for money!! I had one, used once (very noisy and had the inconvenience and safety risk of carrying gasoline) and re-building the carburetor for $300 after sitting idle.
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Old 05-27-2021, 07:13 PM   #4
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I carry a Honda 3000. It is very quite and I can run one AC unit with it. We use it as we travel and stop to rest. Works great for us.
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Old 05-27-2021, 07:27 PM   #5
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Harbor Freight has a 9500 watt inverter generator for $1800 and a 3500 watt inverter for I think $850. I have a 3000 watt Honda. It’s a great generator but for $2100 I would buy something else. Onan has a 4500 watt for a little over a thousand.
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Old 05-27-2021, 07:40 PM   #6
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Yea, hauling gas and the non-use of a generator is a pain, I google calender reminder myself to run mine once a month for an hour, to reduce problems.

Maybe borrow one, share if your friend uses one, etc. I would consider a Lithium battery or 2 if your 2020 has the Li charger, and possibly sell them once your trips are over if you are doing a summer trip dry camping. If you are used to camping with hookups you will be dissapointed dry camping with wet cell batteries, from my mostly dry camping with 4- 6v's and a generator to recharge mostly every day to keep the wet cells above 12.2v static unloaded.

Good luck, neighbor

Allen
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Old 05-27-2021, 07:42 PM   #7
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Last thing I wanted to do was drag around, fuel, lock and load one or 2 generators. I went with the onboard, "hidden installation" Onan and I don't have to carry generators or gasoline.
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Old 05-27-2021, 08:06 PM   #8
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The first question I would ask myself is just how much am I going to be using this generator. If it is only a few times when I go with friends and not much more I would go with a Honda 2000 or maybe two of them paired up with a separate fuel tank. One thing you have to consider is that Onan is a propane hog. It will go through a 30# tank in no time at all. If you are going to be in hot weather camping and using both A/Cs, it might be worth checking into adding Smart Starts to each of your A/C. An A/C with a Smart Start can run off a Honda 2000 with no problem. The 2000 is light enough to handle with no problem and two work ideal for us IF and when we boondock.
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Old 05-27-2021, 08:19 PM   #9
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IF it were me, I would go with either one or two of the Honda 2000's and connect them with a separate joint fuel tank. You can run for a long time on the five gallon shared tank and the tanks on the gennies themselves. The Onan is a propane hog and you will go through a 30# tank with no problem in one day. This means carrying an extra or extra tanks if you are in the boonies for any amount of time. If you run your A/Cs you can always put Smart Starts on them for easier start and running on even the 2000's. Yes you have to carry gas but a couple five gallon jugs of gasoline is cheaper than the propane you would have to carry. This is just my opinion and it is up to you on what you want to purchase.
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Old 05-27-2021, 08:56 PM   #10
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Like others have said there are a few things to consider. How much will you boondock? Do you want to carry gas? What about a dual fuel generator? I have a Harbor Freight Predator 3500 watt generator and it is as quiet as my Honda 2000. I also have an Easy start on my A/C. If you use the 2000 watt generator for a 15K AC you have to shut off all other draws such as converter/charger, refir, ... My 3500 will run my air and converter and refir. If you go the gas generator I would recommend that you treat all fuel with Stabil or something similar.
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Old 05-27-2021, 09:05 PM   #11
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One other point, boondocking for a few days at a time where propane will run out fast, vs a gasoline powered generator for recharging batteries and maybe running the tv ( I usually recharge the batteries in the evening and watch a movie, it drowns out even the quiet honda :- ) ) but I do this in the fall, for a week and a half, but do go to town a few times. I usually don't need more than 5 gallons of gas, but would use up plenty of Propane with the heater's needs and a generator to recharge batteries, guaranteed.

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Old 05-27-2021, 10:18 PM   #12
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Lots of good points. Where and when you boondock is critical. Arizona in August, Rocky Mountains in the winter would be extreme’s. You have solar and the capability to use lithium batteries. Generators usually aren’t allowed at night, so AC at night unless you have a huge battery bank even with soft start. If you are in areas that cool down nice at night, fans and windows will be great. Having lithium batteries would allow your solar to be much more efficient at recharging, including generator charging. You may also consider a form of DC to DC charging. We have a BIM setup. When we harvest host, between BIM and solar, we usually arrive at 100% charge. We also have (2) Honda 2000’s with a 6 gallon tank between them. I can run one or both depending on need. Also, running ethanol free gas allows me to keep the Honda’s in top condition without running every month. Lots of options, choose what is right for you. Best of luck.
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Old 05-28-2021, 06:47 AM   #13
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When we purchased our current Montana, I looked, studied, and considered generators for over 2 years before settling on the ones I now have. I considered the 5500 model and ruled it out because of reports of extremely high propane usage, like stated above, going through a 30# tank in one day. Too steep for me there.

Gasoline built in models require a fuel tank. And actually, there is absolutely no good place to install a fuel tank. It has to be vented, it has to be safe, it has to be out of the way.

The next "rule out" item was portability. Attached permanently to the Montana meant it was limited where I could use the generator. And at over $4000, if I were going to get a generator, I'd at least like to be able to use it to power the house when electricity goes out.

That left me with studying out portable. A long, long, long story made short, we settled for the Cummings Onan P4500i model and got 2 of them. Together with the 50 amp connecting cord and adapter needed for the RV 50 amp plug ran me about $2500. But it was worth it.

They are portable, can use them anywhere and for anything. They can be run separate for a full 30 amp service or together for a full 50 amp service. Together they comfortably run absolutely everything in my Montana just like plugged into shore power. They are very fuel efficient, very quiet, work very well and I've not had any failures at all since I purchased them.

I do turn the gas off when I shut them down and let them run until the carburetor is dry. They hold about 3.5 gallons of gas and will run for 14-16 hours under a normal load.

For us, the high volume of propane the propane models use was our first major concern. Second was portability when we really looked at the price. Getting two units means we can also leave one at home, split them up for different functions at the same time, or pair them together when needed.





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Old 05-31-2021, 01:28 PM   #14
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I have an onboard 5500 Onan Lp Genny. love it. got it factory installed when we ordered our 3120. I guess it depends on how you use it. as far as going through 30 lb cylinders, I would agree it will use more but it really isn't that bad. Besides I like that I don't have to load, unload a generator or 2 all the time, and doesn't take up room in truck or 5th wheel. Also I can control through my in command system on board or via my cell phone.
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Old 05-31-2021, 01:38 PM   #15
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Appreciate the feedback from the forum!!
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Old 05-31-2021, 08:06 PM   #16
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I have a built in 5500 Onan and a 2000 inverter type generator. Depending on what, where and when I am doing my camping tells me what I will need. Having that built in unit that you can start at a rest area or overlook and run the AC or Microwave etc is really convenient. Starting the built in unit is nice on a hundred degree day as I pull over and start the Onan 5500 and both AC’s and when I get to my destination my Montana is already cooled down.
Up in the mountains and just needing to use the microwave and or watch TV with the Satellite or heat up the water in the WH my little 2000 inverter unit works great and it is quieter. Still needs it’s own gas can and storage area. Eventually I will replace the 30 lb propane tanks with 40 lb tanks. My dually is no where near GVWR so no problems with weight and my 3160 has over 3k tere weight so it won’t overload the trailer either.
Get what works for your needs, lots of good suggestions have been offered. We got our Onan installed at the factory and got a great deal through our dealer. Considerably less than what was quoted as list price. The toy haulers have an advantage with their built in fueling stations so they can use a gas generator with no worry of stale fuel.
Happy and safe roads to you.

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Old 06-01-2021, 07:35 AM   #17
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I have two Honda 2000s and a six gallon extended run fuel tank. The Hondas have fuel pumps where some other brands do not. Without the fuel pumps, the auxilary tank would need to be elevated above the generators and ravity fed. Something to think about.
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Old 06-01-2021, 08:11 AM   #18
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Well I have to vote for the Onan and Propane. Does it use a lot of propane, Yes. BUT, we were in Texas this last winter during the "The Big Freeze" and it saved our A**. Propane was available to buy and gas was NOT. Gas stations had no power, so no gas at pumps.
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Old 06-02-2021, 01:06 PM   #19
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I've owned the onan 5500 built-in and a pair of honda 2k's. With infrequent use they will both have an issue with starting and idling.

The onan is nice because you hit a button and that's it, no refueling, unloading, loading, etc. But the onan is noisy and pretty much single use (the rv). The honda's are slick but kind of a pain in regards to keeping them fueled and secured (they need to sit someplace).

No perfect answer
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Old 06-02-2021, 01:17 PM   #20
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We're from the pro Onan 5500 minority. Had ours installed in our 2005 2955RL when we bought it new. Very pleased with it and never had a problem with it now on our 16th season. Maybe a little thirsty true, but as we don't use it extensively the onboard setup sure outweighs the negatives of the alternatives.
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