Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator?
| Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368408] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 12:47  |
hertfordnc
Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Someone near me has one that runs for $400. It's a great fit for my Birch but the Onan guys over on smokstack.com cannot say enough bad things about this machine.
Has anyone here tried it as an alternative to the original Onan ?
Dave & Ellen Silva
Hertford, NC
76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
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| [GMCnet] Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368409 is a reply to message #368408] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 13:19  |
GMCWiperMan
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Dave,
I have no experience with the Onan 2800, but I would pay close attention to
those negative comments. And I'd warn anyone against the Generac 36G --
which SHOULD no longer be offered, because I had terrible luck with the one
I installed in 2007. Rick Denney, foolishly following my lead did too. I
need to figure out how to update this album with that bad report:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3781-generac-impact-36g-plus-ii-installation.html
And include in that report a link to my Troy-Bilt installation:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5330-troybilt-generator-installation.html
That one, completed over 12 years ago, has been nothing short of super! It
is a little noisier than even the original Onan 4kW, but it always starts
quickly, runs flawlessly, and makes more than adequate power available. I
could hardly be happier with it.
Ken H.
On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 1:47 PM dave silva wrote:
> Someone near me has one that runs for $400. It's a great fit for my Birch
> but the Onan guys over on smokstack.com cannot say enough bad things about
> this machine.
>
> Has anyone here tried it as an alternative to the original Onan ?
> --
> Dave & Ellen Silva
> Hertford, NC
>
> 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
>
> Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
>
> It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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GMCnet mailing list
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| Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368410 is a reply to message #368408] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 13:55 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Dave,
I have not read everything Smokstack put up about the 2800, but I did personally go three falls with one a few years back and won in the end.
Like all little engines, they don't like to be ignored. That was most of this one's problems. It wasn't right, so someone put in an new sparkplug and "rebuilt" the carburetor. Nothing got better. Someone told this fool that I had a reliable Onan. He came to me unfortunately I knew him but only as a client for a keel form and bottom job a couple of years back. So, let's get back to the Onan....
They put in a new sparkplug. They sure did, the gap was almost right, but the plug was the wrong reach.
Notice the quotes around "rebuilt"? Some had the carburetor off and open and put some new gaskets in it. This might have been better if they had cleaned any thing while it was open and used the right gasket set. With diligent cleaning, and trimming the gaskets including adding a missing hole, It had a chance.
This was not my first fight with a 2-pole Onan. I had one in the Cayo years back. When everything is right and it is maintained, it will work. What I don't know is if it will start the A/C unit you have. This one was kind of a wimp when compared the BF in my coach.
If I had to make the choice, I would repair any BF before I took on a KV. If you don't have a BF in there now, ask around and see if you can find one. The 4-pole machines are much nicer to be around.
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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| [GMCnet] Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368411 is a reply to message #368409] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 13:42 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Funny how different people have varying results with the same equipment.
My experience goes with a whole bunch of Onan powered equipment.
Generators and Welders, Garden Tractors, etc.
Also, Kohler powered equipment. The KH Onan powered, Cast Iron block
engines are far superior to the Onan BF aluminum block engines.
Same goes for the Kohler engines. Cast Iron is great, Aluminum, not
so great.
So, our 6000 watt Onan generators as fitted into the 26 foot GMC's
with the Iron block are practically indestructible. 2500 hours between
overhauls. Keep the oil filled, and changed, and fresh fuel to them, an
occasional decarboning of the heads and electrical tuneup, and they will
outlast several owners.
Same for the 4K in the 23'.
But, some of the more modern designs using Kawasaki engines, not too
reliable compared to the Onans. Your experience may vary.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 11:20 AM Ken Henderson
wrote:
> Dave,
>
> I have no experience with the Onan 2800, but I would pay close attention to
> those negative comments. And I'd warn anyone against the Generac 36G --
> which SHOULD no longer be offered, because I had terrible luck with the one
> I installed in 2007. Rick Denney, foolishly following my lead did too. I
> need to figure out how to update this album with that bad report:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3781-generac-impact-36g-plus-ii-installation.html
>
> And include in that report a link to my Troy-Bilt installation:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5330-troybilt-generator-installation.html
> That one, completed over 12 years ago, has been nothing short of super! It
> is a little noisier than even the original Onan 4kW, but it always starts
> quickly, runs flawlessly, and makes more than adequate power available. I
> could hardly be happier with it.
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 1:47 PM dave silva wrote:
>
>> Someone near me has one that runs for $400. It's a great fit for my
> Birch
>> but the Onan guys over on smokstack.com cannot say enough bad things
> about
>> this machine.
>>
>> Has anyone here tried it as an alternative to the original Onan ?
>> --
>> Dave & Ellen Silva
>> Hertford, NC
>>
>> 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
>>
>> Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
>>
>> It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| [GMCnet] Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368412 is a reply to message #368409] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 13:48 |
Jerry Wheeler
Messages: 246
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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I put one in my daughter's 73 23' coach. Once installed and started, it
had a flash of fire and quit. I had to remove it and take it to an
authorized Onan dealer. Turns out, when assembled (in the USA or overseas,
I don't know which), they pinched a wire and that is what caused the
short. The dealer said too bad, since I had it for a year before
installing it and starting it; out of warranty. To do over again, I would
buy a Honda or other 2000 k generator to use.
JR Wheeler
78 Royale
Now living in Charleston Oregon
On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 11:20 AM Ken Henderson
wrote:
> Dave,
>
> I have no experience with the Onan 2800, but I would pay close attention to
> those negative comments. And I'd warn anyone against the Generac 36G --
> which SHOULD no longer be offered, because I had terrible luck with the one
> I installed in 2007. Rick Denney, foolishly following my lead did too. I
> need to figure out how to update this album with that bad report:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3781-generac-impact-36g-plus-ii-installation.html
>
> And include in that report a link to my Troy-Bilt installation:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5330-troybilt-generator-installation.html
> That one, completed over 12 years ago, has been nothing short of super! It
> is a little noisier than even the original Onan 4kW, but it always starts
> quickly, runs flawlessly, and makes more than adequate power available. I
> could hardly be happier with it.
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 1:47 PM dave silva wrote:
>
>> Someone near me has one that runs for $400. It's a great fit for my
> Birch
>> but the Onan guys over on smokstack.com cannot say enough bad things
> about
>> this machine.
>>
>> Has anyone here tried it as an alternative to the original Onan ?
>> --
>> Dave & Ellen Silva
>> Hertford, NC
>>
>> 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
>>
>> Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
>>
>> It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| [GMCnet] Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368413 is a reply to message #368411] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 14:39 |
CJV
Messages: 49
Registered: December 2021
Karma: 1
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Member |
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My experience with the big Onan parallels James Hupy's. The only trouble I ever had was it blew out a casting plug in the back. Made a hell of a mess with oil flying everywhere, but it still ran. After cleaning it and replacing the plug, was perfect.
CJ Vermeulen, Scribbler
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Hupy"
To: "gmclist"
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2022 1:42:17 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator?
Funny how different people have varying results with the same equipment.
My experience goes with a whole bunch of Onan powered equipment.
Generators and Welders, Garden Tractors, etc.
Also, Kohler powered equipment. The KH Onan powered, Cast Iron block
engines are far superior to the Onan BF aluminum block engines.
Same goes for the Kohler engines. Cast Iron is great, Aluminum, not
so great.
So, our 6000 watt Onan generators as fitted into the 26 foot GMC's
with the Iron block are practically indestructible. 2500 hours between
overhauls. Keep the oil filled, and changed, and fresh fuel to them, an
occasional decarboning of the heads and electrical tuneup, and they will
outlast several owners.
Same for the 4K in the 23'.
But, some of the more modern designs using Kawasaki engines, not too
reliable compared to the Onans. Your experience may vary.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 11:20 AM Ken Henderson
wrote:
> Dave,
>
> I have no experience with the Onan 2800, but I would pay close attention to
> those negative comments. And I'd warn anyone against the Generac 36G --
> which SHOULD no longer be offered, because I had terrible luck with the one
> I installed in 2007. Rick Denney, foolishly following my lead did too. I
> need to figure out how to update this album with that bad report:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3781-generac-impact-36g-plus-ii-installation.html
>
> And include in that report a link to my Troy-Bilt installation:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5330-troybilt-generator-installation.html
> That one, completed over 12 years ago, has been nothing short of super! It
> is a little noisier than even the original Onan 4kW, but it always starts
> quickly, runs flawlessly, and makes more than adequate power available. I
> could hardly be happier with it.
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 1:47 PM dave silva wrote:
>
>> Someone near me has one that runs for $400. It's a great fit for my
> Birch
>> but the Onan guys over on smokstack.com cannot say enough bad things
> about
>> this machine.
>>
>> Has anyone here tried it as an alternative to the original Onan ?
>> --
>> Dave & Ellen Silva
>> Hertford, NC
>>
>> 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
>>
>> Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
>>
>> It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368415 is a reply to message #368408] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 17:06 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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The fact is that the iron boxer Onan engine when used in a 4 pole generator runs at 1800, which is only 50% of it’s designed 3600 RPM from it’s garden tractor roots, means they can run a looooong time. Their Achilles heal(s) are living in a dirty location behind tire kick up, having long periods of non use in outdoor weather conditions, PO unknown mods, and the fact that Onan painted all the looms green making visual color tracing impossible. After cleaning up all the PO wiring and going to marine wire, mine has been 100% reliable with a touch of the switch, no primer add on or anything.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368418 is a reply to message #368408] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 18:56 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I am getting way more familiar with the onan 2800 microlite then I ever wanted to.
I have a terrible history with generators in my gmc motorhome. Partiality because i am too cheap, and i also have just bad luck!!!!
My onan field coil died. Then I went and tried a used honda ev6010. At that same time I picked up a used onan 2800.
I installed the ev6010 and could not make that work-(long story but decided after 3 expensive starters i pulled it and sold it!)
Thinking I would be happy with the onan. I cant get it to work. I have continued problems and keep dumping parts and money. I get it running nice but it quits when i finally need it. Carb, new board and voltage regulator. Put a new rotor in it. I probably have a grand of parts into it now. (I paid $50 for it originally).
This spring I plan on taking this thing out(again). And I am going to remove the fuel pump and relocate the fuel pump
To under the frame right at the gas tank. Only thing I can figure is it vapor locks??? If that does not work i am out of things to try.
I know people that are using these microlite in a gmc. But for some reason I cant get mine to work when I need it(90+ degree days).
.
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: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368422 is a reply to message #368418] |
Mon, 10 January 2022 21:54 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
I'm guessing the fuel pump relocation will do the trick, not just as a cure for the vapor lock, but also to keep the pump cooler. That has proven to be a problem on my Power Drawer, an overheated fuel pump. Last time it happened, I opened the generator door and it cleared up almost immediately.
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: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368425 is a reply to message #368422] |
Tue, 11 January 2022 07:01 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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My IR temp gun tells me it does not seem that crazy hot. I installed a bilge fan last item(did not require pulling the generator).
But that pump still has to suck gas a small distance and also is sucking gas upward, so gravity is not helping.
You cant get at the carb really easily to check fuel accurately. Also it uses a metal fuel filter located inside the compartment close to manifold. So from what i have read, getting that moved should help too.
Will be interesting to see. This has been a multi year headache. I think i have it fixed and then it proves me wrong. Hard to really troubleshoot when it is not always 90+ out.
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: Any fans of the Onan Microlite 2800 generator? [message #368469 is a reply to message #368408] |
Sun, 16 January 2022 07:58 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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short answer NO.
Longer answer put one in a remoter van and it failed regularly. Last time I took it to the local Onan shop, the tech pointed to one corner where there were a pile of them. We had them mount a Marquis inside the van and built a vent and box and had no further problems.
--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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