Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: Getting rid of the onboard generator
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 > Getting rid of the onboard generator

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wallynm

Los Alamos NM

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Posted: 10/29/09 07:54pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

solar

might want to read this thread.

karead wrote:

We are considering removing and selling our 5kw Kohler built in generator. We simply don't use it enough and find ourselves having to start it once a month or so just for the sake of running it. Can't stand generator noise, and won't miss not having it.

We do a lot of dry camping and I'm thinking I will just use that compartment for a better battery setup, and maybe I'll add another solar panel or two.

Anybody done this?



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gordonls

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Posted: 10/29/09 07:55pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If your coach is a DP the lack of the weight of the generator on the front axle will effect the handling. If it is a gas rig it might effect your weight balance from side to side.


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Cloud Dancer

San Antonio and Livingston TX USA

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Posted: 10/29/09 08:01pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

For your sake, I hope you know what you're doing. Good Luck


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moparmaga2

Texas

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Posted: 10/29/09 08:52pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I think that we need to consider where the OP lives when giving recommendations.

It says in his profile that he lives in Canada, so maybe he camps at Canadian beaches?

I am not too sure what you would use a generator for in Canada unless you are staying for a LONG time. An inverter would do fine for short blasts of microwave . No need for AC 99.99999 of the time.

For us Southerners, there is no way that you can get by having any sizable motorhome without AC. I guess you could make it without one in the south, but you would be sweating in the 106 degree temps in the day and would leave a sweat puddle in the bed at night.


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BobR

Aurora, Illinois

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Posted: 10/29/09 08:58pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Drink enough beer and the generator noise won't bother you! Joking aside, you will harm your resale by the cost of a new generator and installation as well as never recouping the cost of a new storage battery system. Drink beer and save money.

* This post was edited 10/29/09 09:06pm by BobR *

skrams

Burlington, Ontario

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Posted: 10/29/09 09:08pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

moparmaga2 wrote:

I think that we need to consider where the OP lives when giving recommendations.

It says in his profile that he lives in Canada, so maybe he camps at Canadian beaches?

I am not too sure what you would use a generator for in Canada unless you are staying for a LONG time. An inverter would do fine for short blasts of microwave . No need for AC 99.99999 of the time.


Up here in the "Great White North" we do actually get some pretty hot and humid weather from June to September. Where I live in Ontario we are on the same latitude and Northern California and are further south than about a third of the USA. This past summer was not so good weatherwise, but it does get into the 90's with high humidity in a typical summer. Maybe not as hot as in Texas but A/C is, in my opinion, necessary.


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semiretiredDIY

WA state

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Posted: 10/29/09 09:10pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Why not, if your not using it, get rid of it! If I were looking at a used MH without a generator, wouldn't stop me from buying it, no problem installing one. How much does it weigh? 200lb? Why carry around that much wt. your not using.

grldst

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Posted: 10/29/09 09:19pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Don't know of anyone who removed one, but I have a sister and BIL that bought a Class C brand new and the generator was an option, and a quite pricey option. So they elected not to have one. THey RV'ed for years with this unit and said they never missed it. When they decided to quit RV,ing, he listed his RV for sale and it sold for the price he asked within a week.

Sell the generator....the money should go a good ways in the purchase of additional solar power. Happy RVing.

toolman1

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Posted: 10/29/09 09:36pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have a 34' MH and a 7K genny, not to mention 370W of solar. Our primary camping style is boondocking, always w/ friends. Should an opportunity present itself, where someone's genny quits, I could always run an extension cord over to them and provide any power they might need. Also, living here in SoCal, if a sizeable earthquake were to knock out the power for any significant amount of time, I have constructed a jumper to the house circuit breaker panel, that will allow me to run selected appliances i.e. refer. and some lighting. (And YES, I know to throw the main power circuit breaker, so as not to send power upstream).

Although having solar and an available genny, I wouldn't ever consider removing and selling that genny. It's too valuable as a power source, and I have NO interest in hair dryers/blenders/TV's/or elec. perc coffee makers. After all, I'm camping. Just want to retain all options available to me. So what, if the genny weigh's around 200 lb's. If I were to ditch it, and yet carry 1 additional male passenger onboard, what would I have gained?


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AZPops

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Posted: 10/29/09 09:49pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Sorry, I can’t answer your question, but I say do what is best for your application.

However, in lieu of selling the genset. I’d keep it, in case you do sell the rig or if you find that you would like to re-install it again (for what ever the reason).

Because the price of a new one is very high. So, it may be cheaper to keep it on hand.

Good luck with what ever you decide…

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