Hey,
My coach generator shot craps and rebuilding it isn't an option as it is too old and parts are unavailable. My plan is to buy a 12000 watt dual fuel that has a 50 amp plug and run it directly to shore power. At $1200 dollars I could go through nearly ten of them before I match the cost of a new Onan in the coach. My question has to do with noise levels. I know that some places limit noise levels to 60db and this one runs at 72db. Being decibels are exponential, that's quite a bit louder. We'll be staying off grid most of the time and if we're in a campground we won't be using the generator.
Has anyone here run into a problem with noise levels while camping in a national park or on BLM land?
Thank you in advance!
Erik
National park, yes. BLM no. It's very common to run into other boondockers that're running contractor grade generators on BLM land. These are the facts I know about loud generators, now ask me my opinion :))
What's your opinion?
I'm genuinely interested
What went bad? generator or engine? I have rebuilt those Onan air cooled engines many times and not that difficult.
The motor still runs fine, it is the generator side that's bad. It's only putting out 67 watts. But... the motor has nearly 12000 hours on it. So it could probably use a complete overhaul.
Old generators and parts are what you say unavailable or very expensive.
Coming from the "solar crowd", I can tell you there's a general disdain for people that constantly run their generators in close proximity to fellow boondockers. Yes I know it's as much their public land as it is mine, and yes I know it used to be the norm, but my experience from multiple years of full-time boondocking with large groups tells me this is the general consensus . Truthfully it doesn't bother me much unless it's egregious. I've had some neighbors that run theirs all day long so they can power their kid's gaming console and that drives me nuts but if it's just an hour in the morning and an hour at night and you're not right on top of me, I'll choose to worry about bigger things.
I once boondocked RIGHT next to a early 2000s prevost, maybe 20 ft away, and they ran their generator non-stop for the whole evening without me even knowing it until I walked within a couple feet of their rig. I don't know how they got it that quiet but it was incredible.
Contractor grade 12000watt generators are LOUD no mater what situation they are used in. I boondock a lot, if I see an open contractor grade generator I try to get as far away as I can from it as I can. And some folks that run generators constantly drive me nuts. My personal opinion ( you asked for it) it one feels the need to run a generator 10-12 hours a day might be happier plugged in to the pole. If I was going with a portable I would go with a 7500 watt or so Honda/Yamaha enclosed inverter style generator, quieter use less fuel.
I just replaced the generator head on my 10k powertech, for 3K. And I use a 2200w Honda, for days when the solar doesn't keep up and no air needed.
Keep in mind unless you can figure out how to run it going down the road you won't be able to run roof air.
Maybe I'll rethink my strategy. I know Hondas are pretty quiet. Winter time won't be an issue being the solar will (hopefully) run everything needed. But, there's no way I want to be in the coach when it's 100 degrees without air conditioning.
Anyone have any leads on used generators ?
I know FOT has about 4-6 sitting on their lot. Not sure what the problem is with them but might give them a call and they might sell you one or two.
98% of people with solar will be running their generators when it's 100 degrees out too.
I'd snag a single Honda 3000, install a Micro Air EasyStart in one or both ACs units, and call it good.
I got 3 comments
1. You then have to deal with picking up, moving, storing, along with having to carry a gas jug. I have a 3500 Generac inverter and I am getting too old to move that generator around without help.
2. You are never going to be driving though Texas in the summer, unless in the middle of the night, and your dash air is working great.
3. Going to hurt your resale if you ever plan to sell coach someday.
All valid points. I agree that a built-in system like came from the factory is the way to go if viable for the OP
Also, for what it's worth, the only things I've ever purchased from harbor freight and been happy with are their gas engines. The predator line of generators might be the best bang for your buck if you choose to go with a standalone generator.
We bought one for a job when we needed a generator and it was quicker getting one at HF. That thing smoked from the first minute we got it. We did have power on the job and did not have any mosquitos.
Only valid if your coach is a pusher....
I strongly considered putting our 3000 Honda UP FRONT of our Grand Villa. There's plenty of room up there for it especially if you removed all of the dash air equipment. This is of course after it had been converted to propane. Little bit of wiring to be done and some propane and exhaust plumbing also but doable Then we could have putted down the road with at least one (soft start) roof air going. Or maybe yank out the old geny and put it in the same compartment ??
I still haven't given up on the idea completely but we have been boondocking a lot less lately and I'm still tweaking our dash air. Also , anybody know where the fuse for the fan blower (dash heat/air) is Chuck.
I always love a good multi-tool. Many of the things I have bought from them ended up being multi-tools. Part tool,
part mostly paperweight.
My vote is get all the generator your budget will allow. While they have caught a pretty bad rep along with their owners for the noise, some warranted some probably not, when it comes to needing x Amt of power at a given time they are the go 2 and the more power the better.
I too pondered the same thing when my generator end quit. I just couldn't come up with a workable solution to running airs in the summer, as any portable that would do that is just too heavy to handle. S I bit the bullet and replaced the bad end on mine( with a lot of help here on the forum) to the tune of $3500.00 just for parts, but in the end everything works as it should. You might do a search for RV salvage yards, there are several, along with ebay and Craig's list. I'll bet there are a bunch of them out there just finding them.
Do you actually know not voltage regulator/ loose connections, brushes sticking?
I just saw one on Craigs list in Phoenix 6500 Onan running 180.00
Ill second that.
As my solar installer said " to much is just right " and i believe it. I am not in the camp of calculating how much power you can get by with. We seem to be power hogs, cause the DW likes to have every light in the coach on. Good to have 100% LED.
I took the coach up to Cummins repair and they told me that the rotor/ stator was bad. I suspected that was the case when I brought it to em and figured the 600 bucks initial charge would go toward the rebuild. As it turns out, they cannot get the parts and I payed them 600 bucks to tell me something I pretty much already knew. So, that was fun. I've been looking online for used, but there doesn't seem to be much out there. An RV junkyard is probably the way to go. Or maybe buy a trashed out class A, take what I need and part out the rest. But, that's another project that I don't really have time for.
I'll try FOT and see what they say, or maybe some RV repair shops closer to me.
Ive never known how these people sleep with themselves at night, How long would it take with the tools you would expect a company like Cummins to have to find such a major issue, probably before 650 should rightly be gone thru...Ive paid my share of such after being on the road 50 years but never came to get used to it much less get satisfied with it.
What about a diesel generator out of a wrecked coach? Buy the entire package including the quiet box. Converting to diesel my be a easier way to go? Any way you go is going to be painful financially.
I've been looking around at RV salvage yards and on a whim called a general salvage company. They do architectural salvage and so forth. I asked the guy about RV generators and he's like, yeah we have a bunch of em just sitting around. They scrap them for the metal value. I explained what I need and he said they have a 7000 Onan Marquis that he'd sell me for a thousand bucks! Has a hundred hours on it. Come to find out, he and his partners, just this week, discussed selling the generators instead of scrapping them as they thought it a shame to waste them like that... what a blessing!
Cool. That sounds like a win.win.
Let us know how the find works out. I'm with Dub, I don't know how some of these service folks sleep at night. But that's a whole other story.
So I had volunteered to fix my friend's 7000 Onan Marquis. Drive belt rubber dampener was broken. Put a new dampener, drive belt, belt tensioner. Pays 8 hours labor. PITA. His was propane powered. Not a great design IMO. Control computer was also $500 if needed, guess they go bad all the time. Dinosaur electronics make an aftermarket controller. 550 hrs. I didnt like the entire thing nor would I recommend purchase. IMO
If there is any way possible stay with a diesel generator.
My bad thought we where talking about a gas generator
I agree with everybody, get a built in diesel if possible. A 12,000-watt contractor style generator will drive everyone away from you. 72 decibels are LOUD, and at full throttle, it's probably even much higher.
If you end up having to go with a free-standing generator and can get by with 9000 watts, the Duromax 9000 IH is something to consider. It is an Inverter style generator and is Dual Fuel. (Gas and LPG). I got this one a few months ago and have it set up for emergency backup power for the house. It is relatively quiet (runs at 68 decibels) and the good news, it on sale this month everywhere for $1999. But it would be a real pain to haul around and set up to use. It's heavy and bulky, 250 pounds. Being on wheels, it's great for home backup use, but can't imagine it being very fun with the RV.
I hope the salvage yard deal works out for you; it will definitely be the best route.
I don't know which Onan engine you have but I have seen Onans run over 50,000 hours. They may smoke some and drip a little oil but They are still running. I would not have a problem putting another generator head on that engine if it was not exhibiting problems.
Central Georgia Generator in Milledgeville, GA sells good genny heads at reasonable prices. I have bought 3 from them to replace the heads on 3 generators in 3 different coaches. The most expensive was about $1300 for a 12K head. I imagine prices have increased some but should still be a decent deal. Good people and know what they are doing. I have no interest in the company, just passing along some info.
TOM
They don't have any diesel gens. They are either gas or LP. The one I'm looking at is LP. dsd has thrown in some doubt about the Marquis, but it seems they have plenty to choose from. I may pick up something different. I already ordered the 12000 watt Duro Max dual fuel, guess I'll keep it around for emergencies. Worst case, I could hook it up to the house propane which is only used for cooking, so it's still 80% full and will be for a long while.
I wondered about just replacing the generator portion, the motor still runs fine, no smoke or anything. Looks like original plugs and wires even...
I'll give them a call and see what I can do!
Our '95 U240 had a Marquis 6500. It was a horizontal unit, not vertical with belt like DSD posted above. The rotor and stator windings ended up getting wrecked on it due to the dumb placement behind the front tire. If running while going down the road, it sucked up whatever was kicked up by the tire like sand or water. It's been a couple of years, but I was able to find a NOS stator and also had the rotor rewound by Eurton electric in California. It had very low hours so was definitely worth it.
I cut a truck mudflap to slip in under the slide frame to keep it covered while going down the road when not needed.
It too was a horizontal. Just had on its side to change belt, dampener, and tensioner. Have to split the housing in half after you remove. I admit im biased against that Onan. That particular generator only had 550 hours and just seemed real light duty. It also needed additional rotor shaft replacement due to wear. Was loose on the bearing that was not failed. I would be seeking a complete unit from a destroyed coach. Big ,Big job.. wish I could supply an easy solution. Replacing the head would be an easier resolution. Im sure there are different onan models that would be more robust.
Scott
I called Central Georgia Generator and they are awesome! 1399 plus shipping on a new generator portion that mates to my motor. That seems like the way to go.
I just meant horizontal as in generator bolted directly to engine, no belt. Rotor and crankshaft in line and sitting horizontally.
Not too bad and no modifications needed.
I agree. If I was doing I absolutely would do service and replace the dampener, belt and tensioner. The dampener is a rubber product and is a time limited item like tires are. Tensioner just because to are there and a new factory belt. Let us know if you are doing yourself or having it done. It's a big job. The Monaco coach I did the one in was a pain to remove and having a forklift was a big plus. You have to remove the flywheel to access the dampener. Make sure the wires to the generator head are protected were they go thru the case half's. I can promise you dont want to do it twice. Seems like I recall the upper head bearing is exposed. I probably would glue a cover over it to prevent moisture and dirt from collecting.
Scott
Uninjected, I too talked to Ga generator great folks good prices. However look closely at the measurements of their unit to make sure it will fit in Your space. The 11k single bearing is just shy of 16" long. It was too big for mine. Thats the reason I had to use a marathon pancake head.