memilanuk
Dry side of the Cascades
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Joined: 07/16/2013
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Recently sold the TT and picked up a TC. Already had a nice Honda EU2200 for the TT, didn't really 'need' a camper with an onboard generator but it came with one (Onan 2500 LP).
It seems to run fine... low hours (just about due for it's first 20 hr oil change)... noticeably louder than the Honda, plus the vibration...
On the one hand, it *is* awful nice to be able to just fire up the generator with the push of a button, when needed. No setting up the gen set, running out the shore power cable to it, making sure it's secured when we're not around, no worrying about it getting stolen...
But on the other hand, we don't (currently) use a ton of AC power while camping. The majority - other than the air conditioner - could easily be handled by adding solar, upgrading the batteries, and an inverter/charger, all of which are already on the 'to-do' list. If it's just for the times/trips where we're planning on being some place warm-ish and anticipate needing A/C... then setting up the generator and shore power cable, and giving it a quick pull to start... isn't a huge deal
Honestly, what I'd *like* to have is one of the new Onan 2500/2800 inverter generators - almost as quiet as the Honda, way less vibration than the OEM version, and all the pros of an onboard gen set. I'm guessing those might be a bit spendier than I'm willing to go for, though ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
If I *were* to pull the Onan 2500 LP gen set out... is there any kind of used market for these things? Better to leave the 'generator pre-wire' in place, or yank it at the same time?
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bgum
South Louisiana
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Joined: 02/22/2006
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If you sold both the Honda and Onan could you justify a new Onan 2500/2800 genny?
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deltabravo
Spokane, WA
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Joined: 09/08/2003
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memilanuk wrote:If I *were* to pull the Onan 2500 LP gen set out... is there any kind of used market for these things?
Yes! I just sold my 2500 LP generator for $2600. Someone from the wet side of the Cascades bought it. I'm on the dry side.
memilanuk wrote: Better to leave the 'generator pre-wire' in place, or yank it at the same time?
There's no need to remove the wiring. There's actually no easy way to remove it from my Arctic Fox, which is probably the same in your camper.
memilanuk wrote:Honestly, what I'd *like* to have is one of the new Onan 2500/2800 inverter generators - almost as quiet as the Honda, way less vibration than the OEM version, and all the pros of an onboard gen set. I'm guessing those might be a bit spendier than I'm willing to go for, though
I bought one and will be installing it next week. It's taken forever to get it though. The generator should produce far less vibration because it's mounted to the base pan on vibration dampeners, plus it runs at a slower RPM. It's variable speed too.
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator
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Kayteg1
California > Nevada
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Joined: 06/18/2015
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There is good reason why factory generators have always low hr on them.
THEY SUCK.
Not only the fuel, but reliability is very poor.
Onan should be a bit better than Generac I used to have and who left me without AC in 125F heat, but having Honda 3000, I made front mount, removed Generac and lived happily after.
The inverter Generac, back in 2001 was $4500 option.
How much it is today?
* This post was
edited 06/26/21 07:04am by Kayteg1 *
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Sagebrush
Jacksonville AL
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Joined: 02/05/2003
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The low noise inverter type portables don't use little lawn mower engines, at least the ones I have don't. Can't even hear my Honda Eu3000 running when the little Generac with the Briggs & Stratton power is on too. But I wouldn't remove it personally, just use it till it breaks bad enough to justify something better to replace it. Unless you have money that needs spending...
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deltabravo
Spokane, WA
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I found a metal supply store that was open today, so I went there and bought some plate aluminum stock and fabbed up some mounting brackets. It's a HUGE PITA to make it work because I didn't want to drill into the base pan of the generator liek Northwood did when they mounted the old skool genny, rather than use the threaded inserts and bolts to mount it.
I should have it installed and running tomorrow, unless I can't tolerate the 110 heat outside
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Kayteg1
California > Nevada
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You've got 110F in Spokane??
I moved to Las Vegas 4 years ago, but took me 2 years to learn how to work in 110F.
First you need to make a shade. There is no way without it.
Than put your swimwear on and work for 20 minutes, or till you start dripping the sweat.
Then dive in the pool for 10 laps and dry off over good and cold beer.
Than you are ready for another 20 minutes of work.
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rjstractor
Maple Valley, WA
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Kayteg1 wrote:You've got 110F in Spokane??
I moved to Las Vegas 4 years ago, but took me 2 years to learn how to work in 110F.
First you need to make a shade. There is no way without it.
Than put your swimwear on and work for 20 minutes, or till you start dripping the sweat.
Then dive in the pool for 10 laps and dry off over good and cold beer.
Than you are ready for another 20 minutes of work.
I live on the "wet" side of the state where it should be raining and 65 today. My forecast high is 109 today and 111 tomorrow!
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Joined: 05/06/2013
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^Truth!
Us web foot wetsiders and everyone else is getting hammered with this heat.
On the up side, for the first time in quite a few years, we have a camper with AC.
Since we haven’t got to camp in it anyways, it’s now our live in for the duration of this heat spell.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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memilanuk
Dry side of the Cascades
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Joined: 07/16/2013
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Well... nuts. I was adding a pigtail for my portable solar panels, since campers don't seem to come with 'solar on the side' ports like trailers. In the process of trying to get the leads back in place on the load side of the Victron shunt... the lug popped off one of the 4 AWG cables for the generator starter ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/frown.gif "frown")
Finished the rest of the job, taped up the starter leads until I get a crimper and lugs capable of doing that size of wire (planned on getting them, just not right *now*).
95F @ 10 o'clock... I'm done working outside unless something else really needs doin'. Ended up right on the verge between heat exhaustion and heat stroke a number of years back... kinda put the kibosh on my tolerance for heat in general.
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