Best LP generator for a slide-in cmpr

[JPM]

Hi, I have a Fleetwood Elkhorn slide in camper and was wondering whats the best generator for it, It has an inside control panel installed and an area underneath for a LP generator.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

The best LP generator for a slide-in, according to most of what I have read on other forums, is one that has been converted back to gasoline.



An LP generator is a convenience item due to plumbing in to the existing fuel. Other than that, the fuel consumption rate seems too high to be very practical.



If you just got to have one, an Onan seems to be the best choice.



I am trying to figure out how to store a Honda 2000 in my compartment along with 2-1/2 gallons of fuel.

 

[JPM]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering about consumption. Even a 3000watt unit would use too much?

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering about consumption. Even a 3000watt unit would use too much?

From the Onan's web page with specs, they show typically 20-30% more consumed than regular gasoline. At full song, they show them to be equal, which I find hard to believe.



http://www.onan.com/pdf/rv/a-1457.pdf



I have a 3,000 watt Yamaha gasoline powered that can run 10-12 hours full song on 3. 5 gallons of gasoline in 95 degree weather.

 

[azpete]

I have the Caribu model witch came with the Generac 3500. With the AC running constantly and outside temps in the 100's, a tank will run about 9 hrs. A two day weekend is ok, on long weekends I carry a third tank.



As far as the Generac, I'm not sure about the newer ones but mine has been nothing but problems. With less than 100hrs the starter went out to the tune of $600. 200 for the starter and the rest labor. With that cramped compartment I can see where it would take alot of time to remove and replace.



Also very noisy. Embarrassing to run in a camp ground. Wish a Honda would fit.

 

[SRehberg]

I have a Lance with the Onan 2500 LP generator and am quite happy with it. I don't run the generator for long periods of time however, usually for the coffee pot in the morning etc. I used one bottle of LP for a trip to Canada and back last summer. If you plan on extended periods of use, I would imagine you'll be going through the fuel of your choice as well, so why carry unnecessary containers and fuel? With a camper on the truck space to carry fuel containers is almost non-existant.



The LP works for me and I can live with the fuel it uses for the convenience and safety of properly stored tanks.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Hi, I have a Fleetwood Elkhorn slide in camper and was wondering whats the best generator for it, It has an inside control panel installed and an area underneath for a LP generator.

You need to determine which brand generator your camper is prewired to accommodate. Onan and Generac wiring and control panels are different. Generac is an inverter type system and the inverter is mounted somewhere in a ventilated inside compartment therefore the wire harness will be different.



I've owned both an Onan LP and Generac LP generators in different Lance campers. I like the Onan, but under partial loads, it is louder than the Generac since it runs at full RPM regardless of the electrical load. The Generac produces power at varying RPM depending on the load. Under a full load, the Generac is louder. The Generac is more complicated since it produces DC at varying voltages depending on electrical load which determines the engine RPM. The DC is converted to AC with the inverter and a computer controls the engine speed.



I've had to take both the Onan and Generac in for warranty repairs. The Onan is easier to find a repair center since most Cummins distributors (not dealers) will work on them.



I like the LP fuel models since there is no stale gasoline to mess up the carb and no hassle/safety issue carrying around a gasoline fuel can. I don't run my generator for days at the time. I usually run it when we stop for lunch on a hot day for the A/C and/or to run the microwave to heat something up. If we want to run the A/C all night because of the weather, we find a park with electrical hookups. The danger of CO poisoning from the generator exhaust isn't worth the risk.



Bill

 

[Tmartin000]

To answer your REAL question, the best propane generator for your camper is the Onan Microlite 2500. With two 20 lb bottles of propane, I used the heck outta mine, RVQ, hot water heater, A/C, microwave... . you name it. If you ain't boondocking for weeks, trust me YOUR FINE on that much propane. Forget the gas, hooking up cables, blah blah blah. Just get that Onan, use factory on/off switch in the camper. It is like having a class C. No issues, it will work awesome!!



Tom

 

[JPM]

Quote Bill "You need to determine which brand generator your camper is prewired to accommodate. Onan and Generac wiring and control panels are different. "



How do I do that? Is there info on the control panel?

Thanks for all the responses, I was looking on ebay and couldn't figure it all out. I have a old 300 watt Honda, gas,contractor work area type that works OK,but its noisy,heavy and will run only about 10hrs on one tank. I would like the camper cool on the road and I can't do that with this one. I thought some of these electric start enclosed LP jobs were about $3000+and that's almost what I have in the camper!

 

[Bill Stockard]

Quote Bill "You need to determine which brand generator your camper is prewired to accommodate. Onan and Generac wiring and control panels are different. "



How do I do that? Is there info on the control panel?

You might try calling Fleetwood's customer service number. You will need the year and serial number of your camper. I don't think the control panel will show which generator it will accommodate.



Check the generator compartment. If it is enclosed from the bottom without a false floor and encased with sheet metal, it may be designed for an Onan. If the compartment can be made to open from the bottom, it may be designed for a Generac. Generacs are usually completely open to the bottom and the Onans are usually enclosed in the compartment with access holes through the floor.



Bill

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Isn't there a brand name on the control panel? My 5er was pre-wired for a generator, has a Generac control panel. I ended up having a Honda installed into the 5er and the dealer was able to use the Generac control panel.

 

[Grizzly]

My Lance camper had a 3400W Generac. In all the time I had the camper, I never had one problem with it. I thought the LP setup was great, I never had to carry gasoline with me and I thought it was very economical and it never seemed too loud. I wanted the Onan when I order my Lance because I had always heard better things about Onan, but the factory said that they would only install the larger Generac since I had the large camper. Onan was only available in a 2500W. I was very happy with the Generac.

 

[Bill Stockard]

My Lance camper had a 3400W Generac. In all the time I had the camper, I never had one problem with it. I thought the LP setup was great, I never had to carry gasoline with me and I thought it was very economical and it never seemed too loud. I wanted the Onan when I order my Lance because I had always heard better things about Onan, but the factory said that they would only install the larger Generac since I had the large camper. Onan was only available in a 2500W. I was very happy with the Generac.

Yes, I've had two 3400 watt LP Generacs and one 2500 watt LP Onan in my four Lance campers over the last 20 years. My Lance with the 2500 watt Onan Microlite LP was limited to a 11,000 BTU A/C and if I ran the A/C and the microwave, it was a struggle for the Onan. The 3400 watt Generac runs a 13,500 BTU A/C and the microwave with ease. I had to replace an inverter under warranty (Lance did it at no charge for me) with this latest Generac. Other than that no problems with it. I "exercise" it monthly. It cranks for about 20 seconds and fires right up.



Bill

 

[klenger]

I've very pleased with my Onan 3600LP, but it's most likely too big to fit in a slide-in. For my purpose, LP is the way to go, but I'll look into a very nice expensive Onan Quiet Diesel if we ever upgrade to a bigger 5er.