Generator or No Generator?

[mtlakejim]

GMAC, If your going to go permanent mount then Onan is about the only option. They more or less own the market. Not because they are any good, just not a big enough market for permanent mount gens to service RVs for someone else to go after them. Since there is no real competition Onan doesn't have any real reason to improve much (like fuel injection for instance) or improve their service (which for the most part really stinks and sadly you need a lot of since they are both difficult to service and not very reliable). To be honest if I had to have a permanent mount that I planned to use often, I would go with a well secured Honda before an Onan or maybe something powered by a Kubota diesel (if I had the room for it).


It is a real shame that someone doesn't get into the permanent mount generator marketplace to compete with Onan. I would really like to see a good competitor come out with a more reliable version that did not cost both your arms and your first born!

[Phil P]

The option and now that Cummings / Onan has purchased all of the independent dealers and are the only source for repairs the Generac unit is the way to go.

Generac guarantees any qualified engine / generator tech can work on their unit.

The last experience I had with Cummings / Onan was on a 500KW unit and was all bad. They charged $2,000 to send a tech out to tell us that it was an engine controller and he wasn’t qualified to work on that. Then when we called to see about getting it repaired they couldn’t tell us what the previous tech had done and wanted $10,000 to send 2 techs out to tell us what it would cost to repair the unit.

The outfit I part time for has changed their 500KW out for a Generac 600KW unit and I find that my laptop will run all diagnostic on the unit.

Phil P

[Phil P]

X2 for AZ Traveler

WE need the weight because of my wife hobby we carry a large scale steam locomotive in the basement.

We boon dock once a year for a week the pair of Honda EU200i inverters works very well.

Then on top of that after the hurricane when the power is restored we have 2 generators to run the electric chain saws to cleanup. They do well on the back of a golf cart.

Phil P

[mlh]

Think what Phil says about Onan high priced no good service can’t happen to you think again. The man who fixes generators for all the RV dealers here tells me about our local Onan dealers service. For instance they replaced the generator in a Diesel pusher when all it was a fuel pump. He can tell these stories all day.
Lynwood

[traveldawg]

This kinda turned into a bash Onan thread. All I wanted was some feedback on regrets from anyone who wished they had an onboard generator and if they had one how much they used it.

[PNW Fireguy]

Originally Posted by traveldawg

This kinda turned into a bash Onan thread. All I wanted was some feedback on regrets from anyone who wished they had an onboard generator and if they had one how much they used it.

Have one and have never regretted it. I have never had any problems with it either. If we change coaches I will have another.

[mtlakejim]

Sorry, I thought knowing WHY we don't like onboard generators would be useful information and relative to the discussion....

[coachgrowl]

I had an onan 3500 in our previous coach 10 years and no problems. It was however a propane generator. Would have one now except for the weight issue. I have a honda 2000 and it is great. Cheap too.

[Phil P]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

GMAC, If your going to go permanent mount then Onan is about the only option.

Hi

This is the reason for the post about Cummings / Onan.

This is incorrect and the option is as high a quality as the Onan and much more user friendly.

Phil P

[mlh]

Originally Posted by coachgrowl

I had an onan 3500 in our previous coach 10 years and no problems. It was however a propane generator. Would have one now except for the weight issue. I have a honda 2000 and it is great. Cheap too.

My Onan repair co. tells me the older generators were much better than the new ones. We may put an older one in my MH. All I know is mine went out with 36 hours on it. They have a set of brushes that excites to armature to tell it how many amps to produce for the load that’s on it and one of those brushes was too short to make contact.
Lynwood

[mtlakejim]

PhilP, I stand corrected. But I honestly didn't know that Generac made a permanent mount gen. Is it fuel injected? How does it compare cost wise to Onan and stand alones?

[Phil P]

Hi

You may be able to find specs on the Generac web site.

I think they call it the Guardian and you may find it to be mixed in with the home stand by gen sets but I am assured by our local Generac home stand by dealer City Electric in Sebring Florida that they do make them for RV service.

Phil P

[mlh]

I checked the Generac web site and could not find anything about an permanent RV generator. They have a 2000 watt portable and the Gardian is a stand by home unit.
Lynwood

[Phil P]

Originally Posted by mlh

I checked the Generac web site and could not find anything about an permanent RV generator. They have a 2000 watt portable and the Gardian is a stand by home unit.
Lynwood

Hi Lynwood

This is as close as I can get on short oreder.

Phil P

[Phil P]

Hi

Let’s see if this is easier to read the print

[mlh]

Wonderful thanks.
Lynwood

[mlh]

Phil do they still make that unit. I can’t find it on their web site. The unit you show is a used one. I’d love to replace my junk Onan. The next time it gives me trouble I’m going to mount my Honda on the back of my MH and bury the Onan without a proper funeral.
Lynwood

[Phil P]

Lynwood

Because I am not interested in an onboard gen set I haven’t researched it. I was told by the dealer in Sebring Florida that they build them and that’s about the extent of my knowledge. I didn’t find them on Generac web site either.

I have found a dealer in Main that advertises them.

Here is a link to the dealer.

http://www.centralmainediesel.com/or...4.asp?page=40G

Here is a link to a you tube video of one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLYwnfyzKVU

Phil P

[mlh]

Thanks Phil. I’ll never have my POJ Onan fixed again.
Lynwood

[mtlakejim]

hmmmm well that looks like a lot better built unit than the onan for sure! I wonder if it is fuel injected?