Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] New Onan not working right
| [GMCnet] New Onan not working right [message #319885] |
Sun, 02 July 2017 09:40  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
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Hi Carl,
I know the 20% reduction in power number is often quoted but does not hold up in my testing. Propane does have less heat content than unadulterated gasoline, but it also burns more completely partially offsetting that and who knows the power hit when running on today's gasoline. My testing in the Clasco showed that Onan could easily keep up with all the load I could throw at it - AC, electric heater and microwave all at the same time (don't know if the battery charger and water heater were also on or not) so would likely handle two AC units as well.
I don't have a dog in this fight so not trying to push propane but it sure seems to cure a lot of Onan ills for an investment of under $300. And you wind up with an Onan that starts easily, runs smoothly at all loads and will likely out live all of us and the next generation of owners to boot.
Jerry
Jerry Work
Kerby, OR
Date: Sat, 01 Jul 2017 19:55:20 -0600
From: Carl Stouffer
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right
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Mr ERFisher wrote on Sat, 01 July 2017 17:05
> Or propane
No, propane wouldn't work for me. I only have a 7.5 gallon tank (PO installed). Besides, I sometimes need to run both AC units at once and a 20%
reduction in power would prevent me from doing that.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right [message #319890 is a reply to message #319885] |
Sun, 02 July 2017 12:22  |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I ran two of my gensets on natural gas with propane backup before I retired. In that service, they derated about 15% on propane and just at 20% on local natural gas. In my circumstance, the cost of a slightly larger genset paid out very quickly in pretty much zero maintenance, double time between oil changes, and 'spark plugs as necessary'... which necessity never appeared. These were 300CID Ford industrial engines from Onan.
--johnny
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: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right [message #319893 is a reply to message #319885] |
Sun, 02 July 2017 16:20 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Jerry,
Do you think the Onan could handle the start up current of the two Onans if the water heater and/or other items were on?
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Work
Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 12:41 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right
Hi Carl,
I know the 20% reduction in power number is often quoted but does not hold up in my testing. Propane does have less heat content
than unadulterated gasoline, but it also burns more completely partially offsetting that and who knows the power hit when running on
today's gasoline. My testing in the Clasco showed that Onan could easily keep up with all the load I could throw at it - AC,
electric heater and microwave all at the same time (don't know if the battery charger and water heater were also on or not) so would
likely handle two AC units as well.
I don't have a dog in this fight so not trying to push propane but it sure seems to cure a lot of Onan ills for an investment of
under $300. And you wind up with an Onan that starts easily, runs smoothly at all loads and will likely out live all of us and the
next generation of owners to boot.
Jerry
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right [message #319899 is a reply to message #319893] |
Sun, 02 July 2017 19:14 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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USAussie wrote on Sun, 02 July 2017 17:20Jerry,
Do you think the Onan could handle the start up current of the two Onans if the water heater and/or other items were on?
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
Rob,
Is this a typo?
The answer I would give is "Probably".
This would be my carefully considered opinion as a lifelong "engine guy".
The NH engine is nearly 60cuin. running at 3600 it should be good for 24+ HP (~18kW) At half the speed, it will still produce near the same torque so, let's guess 9kW. Take a 20% hit on that and we are still at 7.2kW.
So, yes, I think he is OK - Unless he conscripts 4 friends so that they can turn on both A/C units, the microwave, the water heater and the PD9260 all at the exact same moment. 
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right [message #319900 is a reply to message #319899] |
Sun, 02 July 2017 21:04 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Matt,
Yes, I meant A/C units.
I disagree with this statement:
Unless he conscripts 4 friends so that they can turn on both A/C units, the microwave, the water heater and the PD9260 all at the
exact same moment. ;)
Here's why:
1) Once you turn the A/C units on the compressors will cycle on their own to meet the temperature set.
2) Power to the element in the water is controlled by a thermal switch.
3) The amperage draw on PD 9260 is affected by the level of charge of the batteries and the DC items on.
I have two Brisk Air (supposedly low amperage draw) units on Double Trouble and when I'm running them both I can hear the Onan
strain under the load when both compressors come on.
I guess someone that has an Onan that runs on LPG to run a test.
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Matt Colie
Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 10:14 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right
Rob,
Is this a typo?
The answer I would give is "Probably".
This would be my carefully considered opinion as a lifelong "engine guy".
The NH engine is nearly 60cuin. running at 3600 it should be good for 24+ HP (~18kW) At half the speed, it will still produce near
the same torque so, let's guess 9kW. Take a 20% hit on that and we are still at 7.2kW.
So, yes, I think he is OK - Unless he conscripts 4 friends so that they can turn on both A/C units, the microwave, the water heater
and the PD9260 all at the exact same moment. ;)
Matt
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right [message #319904 is a reply to message #319885] |
Mon, 03 July 2017 07:41 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I realize the genset would run cleaner, but I don't use it enough to justify the PIA of converting it... and I don't carry that much propane anyway. Which propane is used for cooking and if it's cold heating. The summer show I used to dry camp runs four days, full tanks of gas keep the Onan going. I doubt the propane tank would. However, I got tired of roasting on the asphalt (Greenville, SC) and this year I'm booked into the local state park campground.If you have a big propane tank and use the genset a lot, it might be worth your whileto convert it.
--johnny
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: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right [message #319907 is a reply to message #319904] |
Mon, 03 July 2017 08:44 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Johnny,
Quite often the statement "Because I can" is noted as justification to modifying something on a GMC, on one of the car shows I watch
here heard a great comeback; "that doesn't mean you should." ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Johnny Bridges via Gmclist
Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 10:41 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Cc: Johnny Bridges
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New Onan not working right
I realize the genset would run cleaner, but I don't use it enough to justify the PIA of converting it... and I don't carry that much
propane anyway.
Which propane is used for cooking and if it's cold heating. The summer show I used to dry camp runs four days, full tanks of gas
keep the Onan going.
I doubt the propane tank would. However, I got tired of roasting on the asphalt (Greenville, SC) and this year I'm booked into the
local state park campground. If you have a big propane tank and use the genset a lot, it might be worth your while to convert it.
--johnny
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GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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