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Cheeeep generator [message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 17:17

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

The local Harbor Freight has its grand opening tomorrow. 7KW (8750 peak they say) generator set with electric self-commencer. I took a tape and measured, out of the frame, it measures 14" high by 16" deep by 26 inches long, which will (barely) fit in a 23' generator bay. I shall double - measure one tomorrow and if my measurements are correct, it will replace the Junkerac 3600 I have now. HF calls it a 'predator'. I expect the post dator is a bit more expensive. Anyhow, anybody else want one? $600 plus tax n tip in the box. You'd have a frame and tank to sell, it would want a low pressure (clickety click) fuel pump.

--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

[Updated on: Tue, 21 July 2015 17:19]

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282717 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 17:52

kerry pinkerton

Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al

Karma: 15

Senior Member

How will you do the 220/110 split Johnny?

Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282718 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 17:54

Chris Tyler

Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Johnny Bridges wrote on Tue, 21 July 2015 17:17

The local Harbor Freight has its grand opening tomorrow. 7KW (8750 peak they say) generator set with electric self-commencer. I took a tape and measured, out of the frame, it measures 14" high by 16" deep by 26 inches long, which will (barely) fit in a 23' generator bay. I shall double - measure one tomorrow and if my measurements are correct, it will replace the Junkerac 3600 I have now. HF calls it a 'predator'. I expect the post dator is a bit more expensive. Anyhow, anybody else want one? $600 plus tax n tip in the box. You'd have a frame and tank to sell, it would want a low pressure (clickety click) fuel pump.

--johnny

I would spend the money on making an onan reliable, or a little more and getting a honda.

Those gensets work to an extent, but as with any cheep chinese device with both electrical and moving parts,m the reliability is suspect
Also, they are noisy.

76 Glenbrook

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282719 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 17:54

Chris Tyler

Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Johnny Bridges wrote on Tue, 21 July 2015 17:17

The local Harbor Freight has its grand opening tomorrow. 7KW (8750 peak they say) generator set with electric self-commencer. I took a tape and measured, out of the frame, it measures 14" high by 16" deep by 26 inches long, which will (barely) fit in a 23' generator bay. I shall double - measure one tomorrow and if my measurements are correct, it will replace the Junkerac 3600 I have now. HF calls it a 'predator'. I expect the post dator is a bit more expensive. Anyhow, anybody else want one? $600 plus tax n tip in the box. You'd have a frame and tank to sell, it would want a low pressure (clickety click) fuel pump.

--johnny

I would spend the money on making an onan reliable, or a little more and getting a honda.

Those gensets work to an extent, but as with any cheep chinese device with both electrical and moving parts,m the reliability is suspect
Also, they are noisy.

76 Glenbrook

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rcjordan [message #282720 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 18:27

rcjordan

Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...

Karma: 1

Senior Member

>honda

We haven't really nailed down a honda gen that fits the 23 compartment. JimB has put an Ev4010 in one recently, but it's rotated 90 degrees and requires adding 4 inches to the bay's depth.

SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282722 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 18:31

bpimm

Messages: 211
Registered: June 2013
Location: Washougal Washington

Karma: 2

Senior Member

I have one of those for backup at home. It says 76 dB. that rating is for your neighbor that is a mile away, the only time mine is that quiet is when it's not running...

It makes my Onan sound quiet.

Brian & RaeDean 1973 26' #383 Washougal WA

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282726 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 19:28

lqqkatjon

Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN

Karma: 5

Senior Member

That sounds like a loud generator.

I just paid $300 for a dometic lw3000. It is about the same noise as my onan, i was a bit disappointed. But i can put it a distance away from coach when i run it. But still annoying to neighbors i am sure. I cant hardly hear it inside my coach with a/c running

If i had a 23 footer, i would install a atwood 13.5 a/c. And run a yamaha or honda 2000 watt generator.

Might cost you $1600.

Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282729 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 19:53

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

First off, I don't have an Onan in this coach. P.O. put the Generac in it. Second, I can buy three of these for one Honda. One Honda will not outlast three of these. One of these will likely outlast my lifetime, given the use it will see.
Third, the major use is to run the house airconditioner on the road because the dash system isn't up to cooling the coach in the Southeastern summers. It isn't noisier than the noise of the coach at 60 per. Fourth, the second half of the 240 will feed another breaker box, used as two 120s. I propose to add another roof A/C, and do away with the 'choice' switch needed for the 30 amp setup. I will have hot water >and< airconditioning together. I'll have to fit a 50 amp shore cable and extension.
Uh, Chris, you're duping messages Smile

Smile

--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

[Updated on: Tue, 21 July 2015 19:59]

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282735 is a reply to message #282729]

Tue, 21 July 2015 21:20

Carl S.

Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.

Karma: 13

Senior Member

If it will fit and you can isolate the noise, and muffle it down to a dull roar, go for it. Those cheap construction generators are NOT quiet. That will be your main issue.

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282744 is a reply to message #282716]

Tue, 21 July 2015 22:14

lqqkatjon

Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN

Karma: 5

Senior Member

I am just saying, that Dometic lw3000plus I just bought, I feel is too loud to run around neighbors. It is almost the same level of noise as my 6000 watt onan. The onan with the lower rpm, makes it tough to compare, but I think they are really close.

The harbor freight generator that you are talking about, 76 DB is loud, and 10 hours to eat through 6.5 gallons of fuel, seems pretty harsh.

Just a quick comparison, the dometic 3000 watt I just bought runs 10 hours on 1.8 gallons of gas. a Honda 3000 I was dragging with on occasion(needed a trailer to haul it), will run 20 hours on 3.4 gallons of fuel(1/4 rated, but still 7.1 hours full loaded down),

I am thinking with my coach and my A/C I have now, of actually putting the microwave to an inverter to run off the batteries, and going to a 20 amp cord. I think 20 amps will run my A/C, water heater, and Progressive Dynamic charger with no problems. so in order to not have to shut the A/C off everytime I would run the microwave, I could run it off batteries, and they would charge up before I need to nuke something again.

Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

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Re: [GMCnet] Cheeeep generator [message #282748 is a reply to message #282735]

Tue, 21 July 2015 22:22

Jim Miller

Messages: 501
Registered: March 2008

Karma: 10

Senior Member

> On Jul 21, 2015, at 10:20 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
>
> If it will fit and you can isolate the noise, and muffle it down to a dull roar, go for it. Those cheap construction generators are NOT quiet. That
> will be your main issue.

Not to mention that each and every one of the proposed solutions - Generac, Honda, Horrible Freight - is a 3600 RPM machine which is far louder than the 1800RPM Onan. GM’s engineers knew that an 1800 RPM unit was far quieter than than a 3600 RPM machine and they accepted the larger size and heavier weight of the slower machine in order to increase creature comfort.

--Jim "saving the lives of Onans...one unit at a time" Miller
1977 Eleganza II
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282777 is a reply to message #282716]

Wed, 22 July 2015 08:06

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

Again, I don't have an Onan. If I did, this discussion would be academic. I was gonna swap for one but the potential swap needed beaucoup money spent on it to get it running and see if it still made power.

Comparing the Dometic fuel burn to the Predator fuel burn is the same as comparing my ratrod toad fuel burn to the Kia Mousetoad fuel burn.

In point of fact, I have an 1800 RPM genset - Kohler 4500 'thumper' out of an SOB. If it fit, I would of used it. It won't fit.

Unfortunately, even Onan has abandoned 1800 rpm small gensets. The last one I fitted to a remote van was one of the belt drive ohv v-twin engined ones. It runs 2400 rpm.

--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: Cheeeep generator [message #282801 is a reply to message #282716]

Wed, 22 July 2015 11:14

habbyguy

Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ

Karma: 3

Senior Member

You might want to check the used market as well. I'm not sure about what will fit in a 23' coach's generator compartment, but my PO installed a (very nice, quiet, reliable, efficient) Onan Emerald Plus 6500 unit in my 26' coach, and it works like a charm. Better yet, you can find low-hour examples out there for about what the HF Predator goes for. Apparently there are a lot of used generators on the market since they tend to outlast the SOBs they were mounted in. Just a thought...

Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282808 is a reply to message #282716]

Wed, 22 July 2015 12:04

Chris Tyler

Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Uh, Chris, you're duping messages Smile

I saw that... dont see how to delete an entire post though.

In fairness Im on Narctotics right now after surgery so Im probably missing something right in front of me.

76 Glenbrook

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282817 is a reply to message #282716]

Wed, 22 July 2015 12:57

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

You >know< that GMCer's share don't you?
Hope you heal well and quickly.
I went ahead and picked up the genset, since it was Grand Opening Day, I got them to back up 5%. (Hey, military, elderly, Grand Opening, what can you do for me on this?) So, the fab adventure begins sooner or later. At its end, I will have for sale a Generac 3.6KW variable speed RV genset, which I will be pleased to demonstrate running and holding load. Warranty expires when your money hits my hand. The Generac fits a 23' easily with room to spare.

--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] Cheeeep generator [message #282835 is a reply to message #282817]

Wed, 22 July 2015 14:19

Jim at the Co-op

Messages: 291
Registered: May 2014
Location: Orlando Florida

Karma: 2

Senior Member

Gotta tell ya guys, I've blown a pile of time and $ trying to get an
inverter style portable generator to fit ou7 needs... to date the closest
was the Dometic 3000 watt but then it would heat up and shut down. Blew
air on it then the float would stick open from the fuel pressure of a
1-3psi pump. One thing after another finally I just threw in the towel for
now. The water cooled Hondas are just so dang reliable even used I feel
they are a better bet.

A 4000 watt, Honda EV-4010 will fit on slides in sideways.... I have one in
my wifes coach... put it in @ 10 years ago... works like a dream still.
The EV-6010 fits really nice in a 26' on or not o a slide.

On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 1:57 PM, Johnny Bridges wrote:

> You >know< that GMCer's share don't you?
> Hope you heal well and quickly.
> I went ahead and picked up the genset, since it was Grand Opening Day, I
> got them to back up 5%. (Hey, military, elderly, Grand Opening, what can
> you
> do for me on this?) So, the fab adventure begins sooner or later. At its
> end, I will have for sale a Generac 3.6KW variable speed RV genset, which I
> will be pleased to demonstrate running and holding load. Warranty expires
> when your money hits my hand. The Generac fits a 23' easily with room to
> spare.
>
> --johnny
>
> --
> '76 23' transmode Norris upfit
> Braselton, Ga.
>
> "Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my
> dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
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Re: [GMCnet] Cheeeep generator [message #282862 is a reply to message #282835]

Wed, 22 July 2015 17:16

Ken Henderson

Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA

Karma: 9

Senior Member

Jim,

If you've got one more Dometic test run in you, I suggest you use a
crankcase pulsation driven fuel pump similar to this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MIKUNI-FUEL-GAS-PUMP-491922-691034-692313-808492-808656-BRIGGS-STRATTON-/121437514737?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1 c463d6bf1

or

http://goo.gl/uQeCNW

That's what I wound up using for my TroyBilt and it works perfectly. Just
put in a hose from the filler neck of the B&S engine to the pump for the
operating pulsations. I calculated that the gravity feed of the original
assembly only provided Gotta tell ya guys, I've blown a pile of time and $ trying to get an[/color]
> inverter style portable generator to fit ou7 needs... to date the closest
> was the Dometic 3000 watt but then it would heat up and shut down. Blew
> air on it then the float would stick open from the fuel pressure of a
> 1-3psi pump. One thing after another finally I just threw in the towel for
> now. The water cooled Hondas are just so dang reliable even used I feel
> they are a better bet.
>
> A 4000 watt, Honda EV-4010 will fit on slides in sideways.... I have one in
> my wifes coach... put it in @ 10 years ago... works like a dream still.
> The EV-6010 fits really nice in a 26' on or not o a slide.
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach

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Re: Cheeeep generator [message #282874 is a reply to message #282716]

Wed, 22 July 2015 19:22

jhbridges

Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga

Karma: -74

Senior Member

OK, once again with feeling:

The Generac RV set I have is >NOT< an inverter genset. It is >not< a volts per hertz genset. It is a multi-winding variable speed generator which produces up to 3600Watts at 120 Volts at a frequency varying between 55 and 65 Hertz. Like the inverter sets, it varies engine speed to match the load. Like the constant speed sets, it can and does use the inertia of the spinning engine and alternator to carry short overloads like a compressor in an A/C unit cycling on. It's a compact vertical shaft unit with the engine on bottom, alternator on top. It's quite lightweight, I have no trouble horsing it out of the generator bay on my coach... an exercise I have done more than I wish to do. Since it's a multi winding set, it uses a permanent magnet rotor rather than a field coil. It will not run an electric clock or a pabst motor turntable or tape machine accurately.

I realize this sounds like a marvelous idea for an RV set - the best characteristics of both worlds. However, as often happens, Generac built it to a price point... or put another way, at the going rate for 3.6KW rv sets, they didn't make any money off it. Whatever the reason, they discontinued it after a year of production and replaced it with an inverter set. The inverter set looks like it, and I suspect it's much the same, they simply rectify the windings and run an outboard inverter with the resulting DC. The rectifier and inverter are in my estimation substantially less expensive to produce than the control circuitry in this one, as well as being much simpler and not needing anywhere as close precision of components and setup.

Somebody out West (Miguel, maybe?) fitted several of these to GMCs with some measure of success. If anybody wants a detailed explanation of how it operates, speak up, otherwise just figure 'fairly well'. I'm tired of swapping between hot water for my bath and airconditioning to sleep. Want a piece of technology for your coach? Let's negotiate.

--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: Cheeeep generator [message #282876 is a reply to message #282716]

Wed, 22 July 2015 19:31

Chr$

Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

Karma: 1

Senior Member

If it were me, I would spend the money on two Honda EU2000i's or the equivalent Yamaha units and parallel them. They are not electric start, but not a big deal, and you can store them and even run them in that compartment if you vent it properly.

I have a 90 hour old 4010 that works great, but it is 3600 rpm, and not exactly as quiet as I had hoped. The water cooling does very little if any, to quiet the racket, and it is a high pitch over the thumper tune of the Onan/Kholer sets. It does have an exhaust shroud and cooling fan that makes the exhaust cooler on exit, and it's automotive muffler seems to help a bit.

Funny thing, the worst part about it is the click-click-click the damn hour meter makes every 10th of a minute and I put the thing by the bed! Took getting used to for nap time. Gonna swap out an electronic one. Rolling Eyes

Rolling Eyes

-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: Cheeeep generator [message #282877 is a reply to message #282874]

Wed, 22 July 2015 19:32

A Hamilto

Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011

Karma: 39

Senior Member

Johnny Bridges wrote on Wed, 22 July 2015 19:22

...I'm tired of swapping between hot water for my bath and airconditioning to sleep. ...

Maybe a lower wattage element in your water heater?

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