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Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator [message #62777 is a reply to message #62622]

Mon, 02 November 2009 10:03

cboutellzs3

Messages: 6
Registered: February 2008

Karma: 0

Junior Member

I'm a little late reading emails, but here's my 2 cents worth. I've used my Onan as long term backup twice. One time was for 4 days and I was feeding lights in our house and two neighbors as well as our fridge. Worked beautifully. I also ran the generator for 24 hours powering a bunch of ham radios for an emergency test. Worked beautifully. My gen has worked well ever since I bought the coach in 1982 or 83. I replaced the circuit board and had the new one conformal coated to eliminate potential moisture problems in or about 2001. The starter failed recently, but I think long periods of only starting every other month or two probable hastened it's demise.

I read a lot of complaints about the Onan, but I believed if they are maintained properly they will be reliable.I've recently sold our GMC to focus on a 5th wheel for long term traveling, but I still like to keep up with the GMC issues.

chuck boutell
----- Original Message -----
From: "rhusak" <rhusak@compuserve.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 9:04:22 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator

Hi All..
Some of you may know.. Here in the mountains outside Denver we had almost 40 inches of snow at my altitude this week..
We had a power outage that only lasted for about 2 hours (Thank God) but last winter we were out for 4 days once.. That gets to be more than just a nuisance. Would the 6KW Onan on my coach be a suitable standby generator? The house is wired with a transfer switch to control which circuits are energized.. Like Furnace, Well Pump Reefer, some lights etc.
If the group feels that this may be practical I would spend the time and effort to be sure the 6KW was up to snuff and Reliable..
What do you think?
Ron
--
76 Eleganza II
Conifer, CO
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Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator [message #64987 is a reply to message #62713]

Thu, 19 November 2009 21:29

UziYaH

Messages: 282
Registered: July 2007
Location: 10-O-C

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Can someone elucidate on this a bit more? Simply stated, how can I use the Onan on my coach to power my home lights? Heat not needed as we have LP backup. Lights, refridge and breathing machine important.

I know I would need to 'throw' the main switch to keep from electrocuting someone working on the lines. Double male ended extension cord seems the only answer, but not very smart. Please keep it simple as I'm a simple minded, uneducated and academically challenged old man. Thanks.

Howard Nylander
Royale Class of ‘78’, ‘Rocinante’
Afton, Tn.

http://tinyurl.com/cvrn2u

--- On Sun, 11/1/09, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 5:03 PM

Ron,

Your outside "plug" should indeed be a plug -- NOT a socket. That's the
point of plugs vs sockets -- sockets are HOT, plugs are not.

Ken H.

rhusak wrote:
> Hi All..
> Well thanks for all the input!
> But my Electrically challenged head has some questions.. On lister says don't use a double male ended cord! Isn't that what would be required if these out door plugs were used?
> When the electrician installed the transfer switch when we built the house we selected to circuits we wanted.. So we limited the load that way.. I am not sure about the well pump.. It may be 240.. I will have to look..
> Ron
>

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Howard Nylander
Royale Class of "78" "Rocinate"
E-10-o-C

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Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator [message #64991 is a reply to message #64987]

Thu, 19 November 2009 21:40

GMCWiperMan

Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Howard,

At your professed level of proficiency, you either need to hire an
electrician to do the house wiring properly or take the cheap & easy way:
Run an extension cord from an outlet on the GMC to the house and plug the
essential items into that cord. It's unfortunate that you have a Royale --
GMC-fitted coaches have a 40A outlet that you could plug a BIG extension
cord into rather than the meager 15A cord you can run from the Royale. It
would, however, be a very simple, inexpensive, job to add a 30A outlet to
the Royale. It's something we could do for just a few dollars at a
Dixielanders rally. Lazy Days won't allow us to do it there in Jan, but if
we wind up somewhere afterward, we could do it in an hour or two. Or at
Bean Station in Apr.

Ken H.

On Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 10:29 PM, Howard Nylander <uziyah@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Can someone elucidate on this a bit more? Simply stated, how can I use the
> Onan on my coach to power my home lights? Heat not needed as we have LP
> backup. Lights, refridge and breathing machine important.
>
> I know I would need to 'throw' the main switch to keep from electrocuting
> someone working on the lines. Double male ended extension cord seems the
> only answer, but not very smart. Please keep it simple as I'm a simple
> minded, uneducated and academically challenged old man. Thanks.
>
> Howard Nylander
> Royale Class of �78�, �Rocinante�
> Afton, Tn.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/cvrn2u
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 5:03 PM
>
>
> Ron,
>
> Your outside "plug" should indeed be a plug -- NOT a socket. That's the
> point of plugs vs sockets -- sockets are HOT, plugs are not.
>
> Ken H.
>
> rhusak wrote:
> > Hi All..
> > Well thanks for all the input!
> > But my Electrically challenged head has some questions.. On lister says
> don't use a double male ended cord! Isn't that what would be required if
> these out door plugs were used?
> > When the electrician installed the transfer switch when we built the
> house we selected to circuits we wanted.. So we limited the load that way..
> I am not sure about the well pump.. It may be 240.. I will have to look..
> > Ron
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven
www.gmcwipersetc.com
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Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator [message #64996 is a reply to message #62630]

Thu, 19 November 2009 22:07

UziYaH

Messages: 282
Registered: July 2007
Location: 10-O-C

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Ah so, ...think I found what I need. Thanks.
�
Howard

--- On Sat, 10/31/09, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009, 10:23 PM

Absolutely.� We've had to use the GMC's generator several times after
hurricanes and other power outages.� Works fine.� And after giving up on
the 4kW in the GMC, my son mounted it on a trailer for use at his home.�
He's had to use it a couple of times and had less trouble than I ever
did with it in the GMC.

Just be sure you don't do something dumb to hook it up, like a
Male-to-Male extension cord.� If yours is a GMC-fitted coach, just wire
(or plug) a regular 50A cord into the external circuit of your transfer
switch and plug the male end of that into the GMC's generator socket.

Ken H.

rhusak wrote:
> Hi All..
>� Some of you may know.. Here in the mountains outside Denver we had almost 40 inches of snow at my altitude this week..
>� We had a power outage that only lasted for about 2 hours (Thank God) but last winter we were out for 4 days once.. That gets to be more than just a nuisance. Would the 6KW Onan on my coach be a suitable standby generator? The house is wired with a transfer switch to control which circuits are energized.. Like Furnace, Well Pump Reefer, some lights etc.
>� If the group feels that this may be practical I would spend the time and effort to be sure the 6KW was up to snuff and Reliable..
>� What do you think?
>� Ron
>��

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Howard Nylander
Royale Class of "78" "Rocinate"
E-10-o-C

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Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator [message #65023 is a reply to message #64991]

Fri, 20 November 2009 09:55

UziYaH

Messages: 282
Registered: July 2007
Location: 10-O-C

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Hey Ken, ...thanks for the great information. Hadn't thought of the outlet being only 15A.

Have saved your other information and pictures to file. Not likely to see you at Lazy Days due to medical restrictions. Bean Station sounds good. Will see if I can find the 30A outlet we need, ...weather proof I would assume.

Thanks again,

Howard

--- On Thu, 11/19/09, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 10:40 PM

Howard,

At your professed level of proficiency, you either need to hire an
electrician to do the house wiring properly or take the cheap & easy way:
Run an extension cord from an outlet on the GMC to the house and plug the
essential items into that cord. It's unfortunate that you have a Royale --
GMC-fitted coaches have a 40A outlet that you could plug a BIG extension
cord into rather than the meager 15A cord you can run from the Royale. It
would, however, be a very simple, inexpensive, job to add a 30A outlet to
the Royale. It's something we could do for just a few dollars at a
Dixielanders rally. Lazy Days won't allow us to do it there in Jan, but if
we wind up somewhere afterward, we could do it in an hour or two. Or at
Bean Station in Apr.

Ken H.

On Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 10:29 PM, Howard Nylander <uziyah@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Can someone elucidate on this a bit more? Simply stated, how can I use the
> Onan on my coach to power my home lights? Heat not needed as we have LP
> backup. Lights, refridge and breathing machine important.
>
> I know I would need to 'throw' the main switch to keep from electrocuting
> someone working on the lines. Double male ended extension cord seems the
> only answer, but not very smart. Please keep it simple as I'm a simple
> minded, uneducated and academically challenged old man. Thanks.
>
> Howard Nylander
> Royale Class of ‘78’, ‘Rocinante’
> Afton, Tn.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/cvrn2u
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Ken Henderson <ken0henderson@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 5:03 PM
>
>
> Ron,
>
> Your outside "plug" should indeed be a plug -- NOT a socket. That's the
> point of plugs vs sockets -- sockets are HOT, plugs are not.
>
> Ken H.
>
> rhusak wrote:
> > Hi All..
> > Well thanks for all the input!
> > But my Electrically challenged head has some questions.. On lister says
> don't use a double male ended cord! Isn't that what would be required if
> these out door plugs were used?
> > When the electrician installed the transfer switch when we built the
> house we selected to circuits we wanted.. So we limited the load that way..
> I am not sure about the well pump.. It may be 240.. I will have to look..
> > Ron
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven
www.gmcwipersetc.com
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Howard Nylander
Royale Class of "78" "Rocinate"
E-10-o-C

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Re: Onan as an Auxiliary Generator [message #65030 is a reply to message #62622]

Fri, 20 November 2009 10:41

Rusty

Messages: 197
Registered: October 2005
Location: Philadelphia Pa

Karma: 0

Senior Member

In my opinion, off the shelf new backup generators from Home Depot or Lowes, are very reasonably priced compared to new or even used RV generators. They all have 220/110 options, too. My plan is to buy one of those this year for home backup.

My old troll had nothing but problems the 3 years I hung in there with it. I actually did use it several times, during power outages, for backup at the house. I finally ditched it last year and put into the coach a very low hour Microlite 2.8kv which handles my single a/c . Its been great, silent, reliable, starts right up every time, light enough to just take 4 bolts out to remove it from the gen compartment. It just sits in there, no slide rack. Only weighs 80 pounds or so.

Rusty
75 Glenbrook
Philadelphia Pa

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Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator [message #65051 is a reply to message #65030]

Fri, 20 November 2009 12:18

UziYaH

Messages: 282
Registered: July 2007
Location: 10-O-C

Karma: 0

Senior Member

...and then there is the option of simply snuggling up in a nice warm coach when the lights go out.

Our Onan is well maintained, runs like new, have new furnace with full load of LP and gas. I'm ready. Sounds like fun.

Will look to bettering my situation next Spring at the Dixielander's Bean Station Rally, if the Good Lord is willin' and the creek (Middle Creek) don't rise.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Howard Nylander
Royale Class of ‘78’, ‘Rocinante’
Afton, Tn.

http://tinyurl.com/cvrn2u

--- On Fri, 11/20/09, Rusty <gmc@bauerlein.com> wrote:

From: Rusty <gmc@bauerlein.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Onan as an Auxiliary Generator
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Friday, November 20, 2009, 11:41 AM

In my opinion, off the shelf new backup generators from Home Depot or Lowes, are very reasonably priced compared to new or even used RV generators. They all have 220/110 options, too. My plan is to buy one of those this year for home backup.

My old troll had nothing but problems the 3 years I hung in there with it. I actually did use it several times, during power outages, for backup at the house. I finally ditched it last year and put into the coach a very low hour Microlite 2.8kv which handles my single a/c . Its been great, silent, reliable, starts right up every time, light enough to just take 4 bolts out to remove it from the gen compartment. It just sits in there, no slide rack. Only weighs 80 pounds or so.
--
Rusty
75 Glenbrook
Philadelphia Pa
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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_______________________________________________
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http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Howard Nylander
Royale Class of "78" "Rocinate"
E-10-o-C

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