Onan generator install ?'s

[Cryppie]

Just bought an Onan Maquis Gold 5500, and will be installing it in my new Continental Cargo AutoMaster 5'er. I plan on putting it on slides, so maintenance will be easier, but had a couple questions for those who may have done similar. The biggest problem I see is the exhaust pipe, how to make it a "quick disconnect" or possibly hooked up in a way that I can slide it out with the generator. I'm still looking for an appropriate fuel tank, somewhere in the 20-30 gal range, if anyone knows a supplier I'd appreicate a link/contact info. Any other tips for those who have added a generator to a trailer would be helpful, thanks!

 

[JFaughn]

With out seeing what might get in the way , I'ld try 2 slots 1 for the ex. and 1 for the mount in the floor so that they slide back&fourth with the genset, to keep it simple,as for parts thats a little tougher , it seems like a custom so you'll have to make parts , reason to stay simple. PS I've seen a few rv setups and seems strange you do'nt see very many that do slideout.

 

[JBlock]

Do want to be able to run in pulled out too. It seems you make ups some type of dual daiamter setup and use exhaust wrap to form a type of seal of madebe use a a three bolt set like a header cap to the or maybe a coil of flexible exhust some like a better idea. Assume you only need flexible exhaust pipe 3-4 feet of 1-1/2 pipe. I check JC whitney or Granger.

 

[DavidC]

A variety of tanks

http://westmarine.com/



Dave

 

[Matt42]

I had to do something similar to this for an Onan Marquis genset for a gravel testing trailer. We needed to be able to run it in the garage, with a flex exhaust hose going outside through a port in the garage wall. What I did was to weld up a short exhaust pipe with a 1 1/2 inch pipe thread on the end. (I used--surprise--pipe for this. ) To that, I connected a male quick disconnect pipe fitting, and the female part on the flex hose through the wall. I did this because I had lots of surplus 1 1/2 inch pipe and fittings, not because I needed that size. You could use 1 inch pipe & fittings, I think.



You can get this stuff from Grainger or a really good industrial hardware store. The male end looks sort of like an immense, hollow, zerk fitting. The female end slips over it, and uses two eccentric cam locks with overcenter levers to hold fast.



This might work for you if you use a really short exhaust pipe going through the floor. Disconnecting to slide out the genset would require crawling under, though. You could also do up an exhaust line that comes up into the genset compartment, and you could put the connection there. That might create unacceptable genset compartment heat, though.



Also, most female ends come with a rubber gasket. You would probably have to replace that with heat proof gasket material.

 

[klenger]

There is really no need to remove the generator for routine service. The oil can easily be drained from below, and all other service points are accessable from the front. My personal opinion is that you will spend much more time and money installing the generator on slides than you will ever save over the lifetime of the generator with it mounted on slides. Also keep in mind that these generators are pretty heavy, and do have a tendency to vibrate, so you need some pretty stout slides to hold it.



Enjoy the toys.

 

[Matt42]

Klenger's right. We have no difficulty getting to service ports from the regular access. Pretty simple really. One of the things I was going to ask, but forgot to do do, was what kind of slides would take the weight, vibration, and dust.

 

[Cryppie]

I've got a set of accuride slides rated at 500lbs, but may use them for something else based on feedback here. I'll be mounting it to the floor of my trailer, and it sounds like I'll be needing to get under the unit for service. I don't remember from my old RV, is there some sort of opening already in the floor to do that? Thanks for the link to West Marine, should have thought of them myself