Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Life expectancy of Onan generator?
| Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307792] |
Sun, 25 September 2016 16:50  |
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GMC Jimmy
Messages: 199
Registered: September 2016
Location: Niagara, Ontario
Karma: 2
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Hello All, the motorhome I am considering for purchase has the 6000 W Onan generator Circa 1975.
The unit appears to have 1401 hours on it, if this unit has been properly maintained, given its 41 years old, what type of life expectancy should or could I hope for?
It is working, starts fine from outside, however, the choke is acting up so it only starts from inside when the choke isn't required, I assume due to outside temperature?
Your opinions are appreciated,
Regards,
Mike
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| Re: [GMCnet] Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307796 is a reply to message #307792] |
Sun, 25 September 2016 17:13  |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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The NH Onan engine has an expected overhaul interval of 2500 hours at 75%
load. Longer if the load is less, shorter if the load is greater. If your
Onan has been maintained by factory specs, it is about 1/2 worn out. If it
hasn't had it's oil and filters changed in 10 years, and scheduled
de-carbon and tune ups, then who knows?
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Sep 25, 2016 2:51 PM, "Mike" wrote:
> Hello All, the motorhome I am considering for purchase has the 6000 W Onan
> generator Circa 1975.
>
> The unit appears to have 1401 hours on it, if this unit has been properly
> maintained, given its 41 years old, what type of life expectancy should or
> could I hope for?
>
> It is working, starts fine from outside, however, the choke is acting up
> so it only starts from inside when the choke isn't required, I assume due to
> outside temperature?
>
> Your opinions are appreciated,
> Regards,
> Mike
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307800 is a reply to message #307792] |
Sun, 25 September 2016 17:30 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Yes that sounds about right. The Kawasaki VTwin in my John Deere runs at twice the RPM and has 1000 hours on it with no signs of wear or oil consumption. At 1800 the Onan loafs compared to in it's original lawn tractor duty where it runs much faster. If spark and mixture is correct and you change oil and filters 2500H should be attainable. If not running right then the oil fouls much sooner and should be changed more often.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307802 is a reply to message #307792] |
Sun, 25 September 2016 17:47 |
Kosier
Messages: 834
Registered: February 2008
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Mike,
Try adding a GOOD ground wire first. My choke didn't work for years. I
bought a replacement. When I took the old one off, I decided to
check it for continuity. To my amazement, it worked fine. So I put it back
on with a good ground. Works fine.
Gary Kosier
77PB w/500Cad
Newark, Ohio
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Mike"
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2016 5:50 PM
To:
Subject: [GMCnet] Life expectancy of Onan generator?
> Hello All, the motorhome I am considering for purchase has the 6000 W Onan
> generator Circa 1975.
>
> The unit appears to have 1401 hours on it, if this unit has been properly
> maintained, given its 41 years old, what type of life expectancy should or
> could I hope for?
>
> It is working, starts fine from outside, however, the choke is acting up
> so it only starts from inside when the choke isn't required, I assume due
> to
> outside temperature?
>
> Your opinions are appreciated,
> Regards,
> Mike
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307803 is a reply to message #307802] |
Sun, 25 September 2016 18:11 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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I was once told by the owner of my local Onan service outlet that, due to the 1800 RPM running speed of these Onans, that "they are a 5,000 hour machine". Mine had over 2600 hrs on the clock when I got the coach and the clock wasn't working. I have since replaced the clock and have put several hundred more hours on it, and although it is kind of noisy and uses oil, it has been very dependable and runs the roof air and water heater, at the same time, without a problem.
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: Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307813 is a reply to message #307792] |
Sun, 25 September 2016 19:39 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Our fleet leader (7KW, different manifolds on the industrial machines) was over 5K hours, still no oil consumption. We had Onan run through it once a year (cos we could afford it) and that was about it. They usually changed the spark plugs, points, oil, and filter and about every second trip they'd pull the cylinder heads off and decarbonize. Those things are rocks.
--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: Sun, 25 September 2016 19:40] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307821 is a reply to message #307803] |
Sun, 25 September 2016 21:26 |
Jim Miller
Messages: 501
Registered: March 2008
Karma: 10
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On Sep 25, 2016, at 7:11 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
> I was once told by the owner of my local Onan service outlet that, due to the 1800 RPM running speed of these Onans, that "they are a 5,000 hour
> machine”.
I have a couple friends in the engine design business and their opinion was that it would easily be an 8000 hour time-before-overhaul machine if properly maintained. The 1800 rpm design has a lot to do with this.
Based on my experience with engine design as well as SHK experience working on a bunch of them in the GMC community - the problem is not the engine’s moving parts - rather it is the support systems: ignition (points,coil), control board, fuel system (choke, carb, fuel pump) and alternator section that are the items that will need attention - not the engine itself. All of these are known quantities that are easily maintained.
—Jim
Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH
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Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza II
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH
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| Re: Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307910 is a reply to message #307792] |
Tue, 27 September 2016 15:27 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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The best thing I ever did to mine was to put the Bovee electronic ignition, it's a totally different animal. Smoother, quieter, easier starting, almost sounds like a Honda when it runs, worth every cent. You can get from our friendly ornamental distributor, Applied GMC.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307919 is a reply to message #307918] |
Tue, 27 September 2016 19:57 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
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I guess that might not be a good description I've never heard one one of the EV4010 run. Is that the water cooled one that is used in the GMC if you can get one? I'm used to the little Hondas you can carry with one hand and the type used on construction sites which are very quiet and smooth. Just know it's a totally different machine now.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: [GMCnet] Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307921 is a reply to message #307918] |
Tue, 27 September 2016 20:23 |
Jim Miller
Messages: 501
Registered: March 2008
Karma: 10
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On Sep 27, 2016, at 8:47 PM, Chris wrote:
>
> Sounds like what Honda? My EV4010 is a screamer. Miss my Onan.
> Onan: "Doooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
> Honda “Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"
That is a fantastic 1800 vs 3600 RPM comparison Chris.
The rotational speed difference and its consequences for noise and engine longevity are two of the most important reasons that I think the Onan is worth maintaining. The simplicity of the engine and the generator design are the other factors that are equally important IMO.
Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH
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Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza II
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH
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| Re: Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307938 is a reply to message #307792] |
Wed, 28 September 2016 09:39 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Don't get me wrong, I'm fairly happy with the honda. It is only 2 pole so weighs 216 lbs vs over 400 for the Onan. I was shocked that it was so loud being water cooled and all. It has two fans, One on the radiator and one on the end of the engine like a lawnmower engine. That fan blows air through a heat shield which encloses the exhaust to cool it. Kinda cool. Probably a safety feature. I built the door on the compartment to honda's specs which draws the air across the carb and fuel pump to cool them.
The lower weight helps since I have it in the same place the GMC had it, behind the rear axles. BUT. You have to run the honda at least every 3-4 weeks or the carb clogs up from the crappy fuel. The Carb is the only thing you CANNOT work on without pulling the genset out. Had I known this, I would have designed a sealed door on the top of the compartment when I fabbed it. May still do that If I pull it again for any reason.
I have a calendar reminder to check the battery level and run the genny every 3 weeks... Probably not a bad idea for any Genset.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307954 is a reply to message #307938] |
Wed, 28 September 2016 13:35 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Since were a Onan dealer, they teach us to run the generator for 20 min.
every other month.
On Wed, Sep 28, 2016 at 7:39 AM, Chris wrote:
> Don't get me wrong, I'm fairly happy with the honda. It is only 2 pole so
> weighs 216 lbs vs over 400 for the Onan. I was shocked that it was so loud
> being water cooled and all. It has two fans, One on the radiator and one
> on the end of the engine like a lawnmower engine. That fan blows air through
> a heat shield which encloses the exhaust to cool it. Kinda cool. Probably
> a safety feature. I built the door on the compartment to honda's specs which
> draws the air across the carb and fuel pump to cool them.
>
> The lower weight helps since I have it in the same place the GMC had it,
> behind the rear axles. BUT. You have to run the honda at least every 3-4
> weeks or the carb clogs up from the crappy fuel. The Carb is the only
> thing you CANNOT work on without pulling the genset out. Had I known this,
> I
> would have designed a sealed door on the top of the compartment when I
> fabbed it. May still do that If I pull it again for any reason.
>
> I have a calendar reminder to check the battery level and run the genny
> every 3 weeks... Probably not a bad idea for any Genset.
> --
> -Chr$: 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"
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Life expectancy of Onan generator? [message #307978 is a reply to message #307792] |
Wed, 28 September 2016 19:16 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I run mine every couple of weeks loaded for a minimum half hour. On our big sets, half an hour loaded a week. Clessie would of been proud. They need to get up to operating temperature for a while. It also helps to turn the fuel every couple of years.
One of the problems FEMA has is their gensets. They want a week of operation, which means several thousand gallons of diesel in a tank. Even with reasonable set testing, they never turn the fuel. Consequently, they either have to have the fuel refiltered (they don't) or end up with sets which won't run in an emergency (which happens to them regularly). Delta committed the same effup at Hartsfield the other week, which cost them some several millions in missed flights and unmeasured loss of loyalty. They cranked and ran the set regularly, but never tested the dwitchgear. It didn't when the chips were down.
What this leads up to is, the only true test of your coach genset is to fire it up, and then turn on all the electrics you use and run them for a stretch of time. hgalf an hour or an hour will do - the set will reach operating temp and run there a while. If you have to use alcohol laced gasoline in your Onan, I'd suggest a shutoff valve in the fuel line. After use or when you're going to park the coach for the winter, turn the fuel off and let the set run dry.
--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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