12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Topic: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset (Read 2184 times) previous topic - next topic

12/18 Onan hybrid genset

July 13, 2014, 08:39:31 pm

I have really enjoyed this unit as it has always done as advertised . Well , no more . It self distrusted big time . The magnets on the rotor let go and wiped out what was left of it and did a number on the stator . The Cummins shop in Richmond pulled the genset and ordered the replacement parts . When the dust settles I'm looking at $6,000.00 plus . Expect to have all done about Tuesday 14th . Seems like this crap hits the fan when you need it least . Oh well it is what it is , and life goes on .

about 8 months out of warranty . Brad Metzger

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #1 – July 13, 2014, 09:02:02 pm

Brad,

What is the KW and model? Any comments from Cummins? I think Cummins owns Onan now. That IS expensive. Think I would catch a bunch of squirrels and put them on a wheel at that price.

Pierce

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #2 – July 13, 2014, 09:05:28 pm

It is a 12 kw and up to 18 kw as needed , hybrid . Brad Metzger

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #3 – July 13, 2014, 09:59:35 pm

When I was at Country Coach in '08 I saw the first unit they had installed in a coach. Engine speed varies with generator load making it quieter and uses less fuel when power demand is low. I know I liked the sound of a slower turning engine. If I remember right, the engine turns a 3 phase generator that feeds an inverter(located elsewhere on the coach). Since the inverter creates the 60 hertz, engine can turn at whatever is needed for power. I think the hybrid part is it will temporarily pull from battery bank under very high loads to give you the 18 kw. Must have some very sophisticated controls to manage it all. The newest stuff is often the least reliable unfortunately. Hopefully the new parts are improved versions.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #4 – July 13, 2014, 11:44:40 pm

Why would you need 12,000 watts, that's 100amps?, most houses don't even have that.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #5 – July 14, 2014, 01:05:46 am

Sorry it happened. I wonder what the cost of a plain 12.5 kW would be.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #6 – July 14, 2014, 05:28:31 am

Can't change to another gen set because of what's involved . The 12/18 uses 2 liquid cooled inverters , that run the lines thru the gen set cooling system . This 12/18 is a complete system ,complicated and involved . The tech at Cummins Atlantic , when I ask that very question, said "it would be very involved and very expensive " (labor is a killer here) so what's left is the $6,000 + cost . I spoke to James T. at FOT about it , and he fired off an E-mail to Cummins in protest asking for assistance on my behalf . All this because bad glue failed to hold the magnets in place . Yes , it's a 3 phase system , which is another reason to fix it instead of replace it .

Brad Metzger

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #7 – July 14, 2014, 06:55:28 am

Interesting, I asked a tech over at Roanoke about it when I was looking at coaches a couple years ago and he said they work but have issues. It will be interesting how your situation turns out.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #8 – July 14, 2014, 09:12:20 am

With a 45 foot Phenix, a 100Amp gen set is pretty much required. It gives the same power as when plugged in to 50A service (two 50A legs). While mine is not the Hybrid version, I have needed the 50A per leg from the 12.5 Gen Set. With four roof A/C units and Battery charger etc. it can add up. I know there has been several occasions where I loaded up my Gen Set and tripped the breaker.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #9 – July 14, 2014, 09:42:14 am

Interesting... I'm looking at a used Onan 6.5kw generator for sale for $350 about 30 miles away from me. It's gasoline and I'm not all that sure how the conversion goes but it's in a lot better condition than the one in my RV.

$350 for 6.5kw

$6000+ just to repair a 12kw.

Craig

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #10 – July 14, 2014, 10:47:04 am

Brad, Sorry to hear about your Generator failure. It amazes me that a genny that new would fail. The one in the 95 I just sold was 19 years old with 1350 hours and other then a fuel line had only maintenance done. I bet that attaching the word HYBRID to it had a lot to do with the cost of repair. Good luck with it.
Gary B

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #11 – July 14, 2014, 12:28:51 pm

I would think the manufacturer should seriously consider a "goodwill" gesture and cover all or part of the repair, given how close to the warranty period this occurred. Good that Foretravel is stepping in to advocate on your behalf, as they should get some attention as a volume customer.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #12 – July 16, 2014, 05:33:08 pm

Ok , here is how it cooked out . total bill $4801.00 . Yes there was some good will and the branch mgr. is pushing Cummins / Onan for more . Total hours on unit is 2767 . The tech stated flat out "most RV owners do not run their gen set at least once a month with a heavy load on it for 20 min ". He told me to run it more and load it down to make it work . He said they will run better and last longer if you do . Before we left there , we turned every item in the coach that used electricity . It showed 38 amps on one led and 41 on the other . The tech said that it is not a full load as it can handle more than 60 amps on each leg . The gen set has 3 radiators all inside the quiet box . One for the diesel engine , one for the inverters and one for the engine oil cooler . Boy was I over whelmed with facts about this thing .I come away from there now knowing I don't know much at all about it . Seems mine is an early model as some had issues but later units are fine .

now

Brad Metzger

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #13 – July 16, 2014, 05:52:47 pm

Brad, Based on the run hours seems you use your Gen a fair amount already. You have 2700+ on a 2010 my '07 only has about 1200 hours. How much do they run us to run these things?

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #14 – July 16, 2014, 06:19:51 pm

we all run the genets way to little - they were made to run a LOT of hours - with proper care - unlike some gasoline and propane RV models - these are really industrial genets -

Never understood why people don't run more and be comfortable - some object to the noise - but even that is retty unobtrusive -

I often run mine 3 days 7/24 when at a NASCAR event or OSHKOSH airshow, etc. Â change oil and filters, routine service per mfg and no issues with either my 8KW in 270 or 10KW in current U-320

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #15 – July 16, 2014, 06:56:27 pm

I am glad you are fixed up though. I know you want to go west.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #16 – July 16, 2014, 07:34:36 pm

With reasonable care & feeding, your little hummer should go for way over 15,000 hours, why my opinion, If I can wear it out, I have had a grand time and been comfy.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #17 – July 16, 2014, 09:23:55 pm

The tech at Cummins ,Richmond ,Va. , said most all front mounted gen sets suck up huge amounts of air from the bottom that goes around the engine then cools the generator . His caution was when on a dusty road , turn it off . I ask why , he said dust being stirred up has some fairly large particles that could get between the rotor and the stator . Here is where the very close tolerance is between them . He said a grain of sand could start a problem . I have been down a fair amount of dusty roads all right . This has been a learning experience for me . Brad Metzger

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #18 – July 17, 2014, 08:33:16 am

Interesting but I would think with the radiator and unit in front of the wheels, not much dust would hit it till you stopped.

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #19 – July 17, 2014, 08:48:17 am

That is my think also . Seems to me that the front tires would be what kicks up the dust and like you said the gen set is way ahead of the tires . My guess about the tech is just the dust bit would be his message . I spend very little time going down dusty roads in reverse

and very little time on any dusty roads period . When we got home Phyllis did laundry both washer and dryer at the same time ,used the dish washer , electric stove both burners on high , hot water heater, coffee pot , all 4 roof airs on max cold and every thing else electric and did all this for 4 straight hours . The gen set did not blink .

Chomping at the bit to go . Brad Metzger

Re: 12/18 Onan hybrid genset

Reply #20 – July 17, 2014, 06:56:04 pm

My genset was Kaput when I got it, Stuffed bearing in the gen side housing, Replaced that and the propane motor is running fine,
The electrical side is still not working, I pulled it out of the Coach and am running solar instead,

My mate is a Onan Diesel mechanic, He gave me a price to fix it, Similar price to yours, But no thanks,

I can buy a brand new 12 KVA diesel generator for just on a Grand here delivered, It comes with 3 Phase, 240 Volt and 12 volt outlets on it,
So repairing my old one is not viable, Considering a brand new one is lot cheaper, I just dont know if it will fit in the Locker, It might be a bit tall for it,
But thats for another day,

Glad your up and running again,

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