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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: warbirdlvr on October 07, 2020, 06:42:59 pm

Title: Help with 7 -10 kw diesel generator
Post by: warbirdlvr on October 07, 2020, 06:42:59 pm
I am looking for a 7 to 10 kw used diesel generator to replace the propane onan I have now. Our Onan is a great unit, but as I use the house ac all the time, even down the road, the diesel unit would work best for us.

[modified topic title since a moderator pulled this out of classifieds and into a discussion board - Michelle]
Title: Re: Want to buy-- 7 -10 kw diesel generator- used
Post by: Caflashbob on October 07, 2020, 06:56:29 pm
Normally will not fit
Title: Re: Want to buy-- 7 -10 kw diesel generator- used
Post by: warbirdlvr on October 07, 2020, 09:31:20 pm
I realize I would have to modify the compartment. That's not the question. But thanks for the information......
Title: Re: Want to buy-- 7 -10 kw diesel generator- used
Post by: Olde English on October 08, 2020, 02:29:23 pm
We have the Onan propane generator and we don't have any concerns running the overhead AC driving. We ran all afternoon last month coming down from Spokane to Pasco and then the next day to baker city. We had a long day next going from Oregon to Wyoming and ran the generator and AC most of the day.
Title: Re: Want to buy-- 7 -10 kw diesel generator- used
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on October 08, 2020, 04:34:01 pm
Think he is talking about the efficiency of propane vs diesel. Propane has about 91K BTU/gal vs 135K BTU/gal for diesel. Filling the propane tank is a pain compared to just filling the diesel tank also. But propane may be less expensive per BTU so it really depends what you favor and where you live. Our area's association contracts propane for under a dollar/gal in summer, less than $2 in winter.

Pierce
Title: Re: Help with 7 -10 kw diesel generator
Post by: Olde English on October 08, 2020, 06:53:51 pm
I see what you mean Pierce, however I have to have a reason to haul that huge propane tank around haha.
Title: Re: Help with 7 -10 kw diesel generator
Post by: red tractor on October 08, 2020, 07:06:04 pm
Check with powertec they used to have a 7000 unit where the engine was laying at an angle so it was fairly short in height. I can't remember the model number but Country Coach used them around 97-99. Maybe you could find a junked coach.
Title: Re: Help with 7 -10 kw diesel generator
Post by: Caflashbob on October 08, 2020, 11:27:00 pm
Yes my comment exactly as I sold cc with the powertech

Customers did not like the internal noise so we devised a multi layer wooden box with
Sonex foam inside of it and mounted the gen on cork board I got from the Cummins dealer in Pheonix in 17th and McDowell.

all  noise gone. 

Propane is 1 gallon per hour.  58 gallon tank

Diesel is .44 gph and in my case 150 gallon useable.  300 hour plus versus 58...

Paid 1.74 a gallon with the TSD card.
Title: Re: Help with 7 -10 kw diesel generator
Post by: warbirdlvr on October 09, 2020, 01:45:49 am
Thanks again for all the input. Where we live, propane is no issue, but on the road, well, that's the reason I am considering the change.....
Title: Re: Help with 7 -10 kw diesel generator
Post by: Caflashbob on October 09, 2020, 11:08:42 am
We went skiing at Christmas 88 in a 87 300 ored.  4 day weekend.  Minus 12 to minus 32 degrees F.  Not enough propane to run that many hours.