Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Will Any Onan Do?
| Will Any Onan Do? [message #194960] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 16:01  |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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While I like my Kohler in terms of it's build quality, I'm ready to move to a more reliable unit or one that is easier to service when necessary. Are all Onans capable of being mounted to the slide-in/slide-out drawer arrangement (is this common with SOB installations?) or is it a function of the exhaust pipe design that allows it to be mounted on the outside of the frame rail and the genset can slide out unobstructed?
In other words, to get a drawer type installation, do I need an Onan or a new design exhaust system for my current unit. I think my Kohler could be made more reliable, but the extreme hassle of removing the exhaust system every time I want to work on it is too much for even a stubborn guy like me.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Will Any Onan Do? [message #194961 is a reply to message #194960] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 16:14  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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The only Onan that will fit easily is a Power Drawer. Onan folded the intake and exhaust system to fit within the generator box. There is one example of an Onan Emerald installed, you will have to search photo site for that one.
Since you did not indicate a 23' or 26", I assumed a 26'. However, the 23' compartment is smaller than the 26' compartment, so you have even more restrictions. Both Ken Henderson and Rick Denney installed a Generac (inverter style) in their 23' compartments, but Generac quit making that model (nothing but trouble). Ken has installed a common style generator, by disassembling it and redesigning the installation. As I understand it, Rick's Generac is now working, but PITA rules.
Someone had installed a very ugly single cylinder, air cooled Chinese generator in my coach. It did not run and did not look like a very good installation (no exhaust system, just a short pipe) and I almost paid someone to take it off my hands.
The exhaust system on the power drawer allows the slide to work. I've been installing a Honda ev6010, and the exhaust system is on the "wrong" side of the frame. To remove the Honda, the exhaust must be removed first. Thank goodness, the Honda only weighs about 210 pounds.
Good luck on your quest. I wish there was a better answer. You could always re-build an Onan 6kw power drawer and install that, in place of the Kohler.
If just replacing the exhaust system is your problem, perhaps a small engine shop could fabricate you one. Easier than chasing a new system and it's attendant installation.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Will Any Onan Do? [message #194963 is a reply to message #194960] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 16:41 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Redesigning the system is also a problem because the Kohler is large compared to the Onan and takes up a large portion of the APU bay and all of the height. The flatter profile of the Onan is what makes it work.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Will Any Onan Do? [message #194982 is a reply to message #194961] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 18:16 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| tphipps wrote on Sun, 06 January 2013 14:14 |
... I've been installing a Honda ev6010, and the exhaust system is on the "wrong" side of the frame. To remove the Honda, the exhaust must be removed first. Thank goodness, the Honda only weighs about 210 pounds. ...
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The good thing about the Honda ev6010/4010 is that they are serviced from one side and SHOULDN'T need to be removed for most maintenance. I understand this is fairly common with most of the "more modern" gensets. The bad thing about the Honda is that they stopped making RV generators of any type a few years ago. (Something about California EPA or something...) Anyway, it was a good product and can be found listed on the Internet from time to time.
Good thing that you do not have a 23 foot coach as there isn't any "real RV generators" being made (currently) that will fit in the space without major modifications. For a 23, it seems the best replacement for a 4k Onan power drawer is a 4k Onan power drawer!
Even with a 26 foot coach, it is hard to beat the 6K Onan power drawer... it is just old tech and weighs a bit more. (Something like just over 400 lbs.)
I seem to remember that there is someone down in the Arizona (Tuscon?) area that can and will rebuild old generators.
If you need something new... and if you do not need to USE the generator while MOVING, some of the line of Honda portable generators (like the eu3000) look like they would fit in an empty Onan hole for travel. I suspect it would be POSSIBLE to modify for RV use... but a pain! (plus they are not cheap.)
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Will Any Onan Do? [message #194986 is a reply to message #194960] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 18:38 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Randy, If you can find a Honda EV 6000, Buy it. I wish I had waited until one came along. I like my Onan, but it has been iffy lately. Just needs some constant TLC, is old tech, and loud.
I got my Onan from Gerry in Tucson. Was dumb luck that he had one. They are not the easiest to find. I paid less than a new one, but I think a bit more than I would have liked for something so old... It was "Refurbished".
I think the Generac 55G (Propane) fits, I looked at those too. Would need some engineering to fit it. Would NOT work with the slides though.
I did see a coach with an emerald, and it was loud, mostly because of the cooling fan.
If I only had/needed One AC Unit, I'd get a honda 3000i or two 2000i's portable types, they are quiet and supposed to be able to start and run a single AC unit., though not cheap.
Too bad there isn't a little Turbine APU type system that is available.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Will Any Onan Do? [message #194991 is a reply to message #194961] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 18:57 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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The benefit of the Generac 3.6KW is it's compact. Vertical shaft, so it's square, and lightweight so you can get it in and out of the 23' generator bay. They made two multisped sets on the same design. The first - which I have - is a multiple winding nightmare which kind of works when the electronics are working. Unfortunately, to make the idea reliable - and you'll never get it to produce excatly 60Hz which they tell you - would probably triple the cost of the set. So they regrouped and re-released the model as an inverter genset, with its attendant troubles. I've welded the starter bracket on mine where it failed, and simply removed the choke actuator and oil pressure safety, neither of which worked particularly well. This means I hafta crank it from the bay because it has to be manually choked to run. Not to me an onerous problem, but it might well be to others... but the choke system can be made to work if you keep after it. Both
Tractor Supply and Howards' have contracotr sets I've seen which I'm confident I can fit when the Generac dies beyond resurrection. I think Ken H put one in which has an electric self - commencer. I don't mind yanking the rope, but most of the engines have a place for a starter, and a kit to put one for a hundred or so. My desire is something which turns slower than 3600 RPM, which means the Junkerac or the Kohler in my SOB if it will fit - which I don't think it will- or one of the Onan 2 cylinder toys.
Johnny
76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Thomas Phipps <tph1pp5@yahoo.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Sunday, January 6, 2013 5:14 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Will Any Onan Do?
The only Onan that will fit easily is a Power Drawer. Onan folded the intake and exhaust system to fit within the generator box. There is one example of an Onan Emerald installed, you will have to search photo site for that one.
Since you did not indicate a 23' or 26", I assumed a 26'. However, the 23' compartment is smaller than the 26' compartment, so you have even more restrictions. Both Ken Henderson and Rick Denney installed a Generac (inverter style) in their 23' compartments, but Generac quit making that model (nothing but trouble). Ken has installed a common style generator, by disassembling it and redesigning the installation. As I understand it, Rick's Generac is now working, but PITA rules.
Someone had installed a very ugly single cylinder, air cooled Chinese generator in my coach. It did not run and did not look like a very good installation (no exhaust system, just a short pipe) and I almost paid someone to take it off my hands.
The exhaust system on the power drawer allows the slide to work. I've been installing a Honda ev6010, and the exhaust system is on the "wrong" side of the frame. To remove the Honda, the exhaust must be removed first. Thank goodness, the Honda only weighs about 210 pounds.
Good luck on your quest. I wish there was a better answer. You could always re-build an Onan 6kw power drawer and install that, in place of the Kohler.
If just replacing the exhaust system is your problem, perhaps a small engine shop could fabricate you one. Easier than chasing a new system and it's attendant installation.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion, under forever re-construction
Vicksburg, MS. 3.7 miles from I-20
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Will Any Onan Do? [message #195012 is a reply to message #194960] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 21:57 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Gerry did a major service on my Kohler and it has worked pretty well, but the power drawer would be much better from a cooling and servicing standpoint.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Will Any Onan Do? [message #195018 is a reply to message #194961] |
Sun, 06 January 2013 22:33 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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| tphipps wrote on Sun, 06 January 2013 15:14 |
There is one example of an Onan Emerald installed, you will have to search photo site for that one.
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My coach had a 6500 watt Onan Emerald Plus installed when I bought it. It fits just fine in the generator compartment and according to the PO will slide out just fine with a little help from a floor jack (it only had 50 hours on it when I bought it so I haven't had a reason to pull it). He also installed NACA a ducts in the generator compartment door for cooling. They've worked well in heat up to 110 and above.
You can see a photo of the generator installation at: http://www.habcycles.com/gmcmh.htm
The generator installation photo is the last one on the page and there are several others showing the NACA ducts.
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] Will Any Onan Do? [message #195031 is a reply to message #195004] |
Mon, 07 January 2013 07:03 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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My Generac install includes an 8 inch electric fan like is used on car radiators mounted on the bay door blowing inward. Plenty of cooling air. It' run by a relay connected to the 'run' light. For a contractor style unit, I'd simply connect the fan relay to the genset output, or better yet try to find a 110 volt fan that would fit.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: A. <markbb1@netzero.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Sunday, January 6, 2013 9:43 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Will Any Onan Do?
Johnny Bridges wrote on Sun, 06 January 2013 18:57
> ...Both Tractor Supply and Howards' have contracotr sets I've seen which I'm confident I can fit when the Generac dies beyond resurrection. ...
Squeezing it into the compartment is one thing, but how do you get the correct airflow around one that is made to sit at least 3 feet from everything?
--
'73 23' Sequoia
UA (Upper Alabama)
"Time is money. If you use YOUR time, you get to keep YOUR money."
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Will Any Onan Do? [message #195070 is a reply to message #194960] |
Mon, 07 January 2013 14:09 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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My coach has an Onan Microlite 2800 installed by a PO. It has enough power at 2800 watts to run my single AC and, once the ac is on, I can also run my microwave. This unit is available with a front bottom exhaust and external muffler so should adapt quite nicely to the drawer.
Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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