Onan generator questions

[p-Bar]

Hi all,

I have a 32' 2002 Cameo classic . The front is prewired for a Onan generator (has the two plugs and power hard wire and control panel inside. What model unit should I buy that will plug in and should I look for a propane unit or just go the gas route? comments appreciated.

 

[goodguys75]

I think most trailers run gas... .

 

[HBarlow]

NuWa, manufacturer of HitchHiker fivers until they ended production recently, apparently believed strongly that LP powered generators were much safer than gasoline.

When I was studying fifthwheel trailer options in late '06 or early '07 I called NuWa and discussed a gasoline generator rather than LP. They weren't interested but understandably remained cautious in their answers.

I ordered the new '07 I eventually bought with a 5500 watt/5. 5 kw Onan. It is an excellent product, very easy to operate by opening an inside cabinet door and pressing the start button. It creates a low rumble that can be heard in the trailer but is not objectionable and does not disturb sleep. If used to power both front and rear 15k btu ac units on a very hot humid day it does consume some lp but for less strenuous power demands it is much less thirsty. It seems a fair price to pay.

Installation of a gasoline genset usually also requires a source of gasoline in sufficient quantity to do what my lp set does - run two big ac units plus other electrical loads. Gasoline in larger quantities is probably harder to provide storage space for. Added fire and spill hazards as well as another space and weight consideration is required. Issues like proximity of the gasoline tank's vent stack to the outside door of the furnace and refrigerator become an issue.

Most choices require trade-offs. I've been well pleased with my Onan lp genset.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

LP is cheaper than gasoline. I have had two motorhomes with the gas gensets and they will eat up fuel that could have been used truckin' down the highway. The gensets didn't get "that" much use. Then I had one propane unit and it used a little more fuel than the gas but its operation costs were offset by the cost of the fuel. LP runs a lot cleaner, too. If you are adding a gasoline genset, you most likely will be connecting to the motorhome's fuel system. The factory generally connects the genjset to the fuel tank so it will not empty the tank; I believe it will draw down to ~1/4 tank. If you tee into the main fuel line you may empty your gas tank. Place my vote for LP.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Hi all,
I have a 32' 2002 Cameo classic . The front is prewired for a Onan generator (has the two plugs and power hard wire and control panel inside. What model unit should I buy that will plug in and should I look for a propane unit or just go the gas route? comments appreciated.

Your Onwer's Manual or the trailer specification sheet should show which Onan generator was designed for your trailer with the generator prep package. My guess is that it would be set up for either a 3. kw LP Onan or a 5. 5LP Onan depending on the number of air conditioners. If one A/C unit, it most likely would be the 3. 6kw or if two A/Cs it would be the 5. 5kw. If your trailer has the full factory generator prep, it should have the generator compartment lined with metal and a LP fuel line should be stubbed out near or in the compartment along with the wiring you mentioned.

When installing the generator, you will have to determine the proper exhaust system for the generator to pipe the dangerous carbon monoxide gas away from the sleeping area. Since your trailer manufacturer is no longer in business, you will have to find the correct exhaust system package from Onan and/or it may also require some custom work to place the exhaust outlet in the right place.

I've owned four different RVs that either had the generator prep done at the factory or came equipped from the factory with an on board generator. They all had metal lined compartments, LP gas line stubbed out in the compartment, and the wiring for the generator output and the remote control system already in place. An automatic transfer switch was also installed in the RVs.

Bill

 

[p-Bar]

Thanks Bill I will look through the paperwork and se what I can find . It also has the transfer switch but didn't see a gas stub out will look tomorrow for that. This unit is new to me so still learning about it.

 

[Wingate]

Definitely LP...

 

[JJPage]

my choice would be lp, unless i owned a toy hauler(which i do), then you already have a 30+ gallon fuel tank, in this case it's a toss up...
still i would choose lp, does not turn sour as fast as(demo gas) oxygenated petroleum liquid.

 

[Shadrach]

I cast my vote on the LP side also.
PROS:
You already have it on board - I recommend that you carry a spare bottle.
Gas stinks
Propane burns cleaner
Propane doesn't go stale like gas does and gum up you carb

CONS:
the original price of the genset is more
if you camp in weather below freezing you might have some problems

Last summer when I was boarding the ferry going to Vancouver Island they asked me if I had and extra fuel in my box. I said yes I have 75 gal of diesel, 2 30# bottles of propane, a 5 gal jerry can of gas and a portable genset ( that I borrowed ) full of gas . They weren't impressed Shad

 

[Grizzly]

I have a 5. 5LP Onan genset in my Arctic Fox 5th wheel. It's been absolutely great. We don't use it for continuous hours to run the AC because we go camping in the high country where you need the furnace and not the AC, but it will handle anything we through at it. Prior to the 5th wheel we had a large Lance truck camper with an onboard 3. 4LP Generac genset. It had difficulty handling the microwave, coffee pot and my wife's hair dryer at the same time, which is the reason we opted for the larger genset.

My vote is for LP. It's cheaper to operate. It's far more convenient and safer.

george

 

[jhenderson]

I would agree that LP is the way to go, but I question the assertion that it's cheaper. Where I live LP is about $6. 50 per gallon. Add to that the fuel burn on an LP engine is generally higher and I don't see the savings. The plusses still outweigh the minuses. Cleaner, already have onboard storage, LP keeps for years. I have a Winco home unit that runs on LP and I would never go back to gas.

 

[Grizzly]

I would agree that LP is the way to go, but I question the assertion that it's cheaper. Where I live LP is about $6. 50 per gallon. Add to that the fuel burn on an LP engine is generally higher and I don't see the savings. The plusses still outweigh the minuses. Cleaner, already have onboard storage, LP keeps for years. I have a Winco home unit that runs on LP and I would never go back to gas.

The last time I purchased LP in Albuquerque it was a little over $2. 00 per gal. That's Ortega's Propane on North 2nd Street.