Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-04-2014, 06:34 AM   #1
Almost There
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Year: 97
Coachwork: Me!
Chassis: BB
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44
Generator questions

All, I want a diesel generator so I can tie it into the bus fuel system. However I might need to end up with a gas until I can afford a nice diesel. As far as gas, what's a good choice? I've been looking at Honda's, for a 4500 on cl with low hrs for about $1000, are these good for this application? Or should I hold our for a low hr onan rv model? Bus will run a single ac while needed on the road, planning on a 50 amp setup. The electrical system is so far non existent so no issues there lol. Planning on a elect 120v water heater, house style 120v fridge, gas range, normal rv appliances.

Ponyracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2014, 07:22 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
somewhereinusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
Re: Generator questions

Quote:
Or should I hold our for a low hr onan rv model?
I've had two Onan quiet diesels. Both had the generator rotor fail Both threw a chunk off of one of the magnets. Second
had less than 500 hours. It costs more to repair them than they are worth at that point.

I had a Yamaha inverter gas job that I hauled on my semi. To make a long story short, it got an internal gas leak that caught on
fire. Nearly burned the truck.
somewhereinusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2014, 08:20 AM   #3
Almost There
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Year: 97
Coachwork: Me!
Chassis: BB
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44
Re: Generator questions

:O

Well that doesn't sound promising. I really want to just pony up the $ for a diesel one initially but being in Alaska makes that much more $$. Did find a "whacker" light cart without the lights for $1800. Looks to have a 3 cyl diesel that's fairly compact. Also found a 10K Kubota powered gen but IT"S HUGE. I dunno if I could package a 1000 lb beast.
Ponyracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2014, 11:11 AM   #4
r_w
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 163
Re: Generator questions

diesel gennies also have a unique set of cold weather problems. Fuel gels really fast in tiny lines...

There is no great answer. How much power do you need? Will you need 240 or only 120? How many AC's do you want to run? Does it need to be quiet enough to run in a camp or parking lot or are you boondocking and only you can hear it?

I have lived "off-grid" with a contractor genny (back when gas was considerably cheaper). It got parked as far from the house as I could run an affordable cable and hay bales got stacked on 3 sides to make a sound barrier. You could still hear it for miles. There are ways to quiet the exhaust, but they will never be library quiet.

Since then I bought a Honda inverter generator. That thing whispers, not extra sound proofing needed. It doesn't really have the power for more than one thing at a time, though. I plan to use it in the bus, and add a propane kit if it works well enough power-wise as a long term solution.

Right now I am researching grid tie and shore power inverters that will link with weak shore power or gennies to give a motor start boost and basic UPS to the bus. They have them for yachts, but they are yacht priced. But that would let me run more AC than my genny (or weak shore power) can start.
r_w is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2014, 01:13 PM   #5
Almost There
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Year: 97
Coachwork: Me!
Chassis: BB
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44
Re: Generator questions

I'm planning on chasing the nice weather and will be on shore power or boondocking most of the time. Mainly want the diesel so I only need 2 fuels, diesel and propane. Could run a gas job on propane but I dunno, I'd rather not. I know I'd always run out of gas and not be able to cook dinner lol.

I'm looking at 1 or 2 roof a/c's, or possibly a single 120v split unit. Not looking for 240v, going to do a small 120v water heater, house fridge, gas stove, no huge power draws except microwave and ac. Planning on solar and a battery bank to keep other things going, lights, fans etc. I'm trying to stay temperate, so I'm going to avoid the hot and cold weather. Plus will be doing ALOT of insulation.

I found an older homelight 3500 on cl for $150, works good. Also picked up a Nice TORO 4000 that looks like a ex 4500 Honda. Has the full sound enclosure etc. Guy was using it for a backup at his cabin, it was running and quit. Turns out it has no spark. But for $100 I figured it was worth the risk!
Ponyracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2014, 12:13 PM   #6
Skoolie
 
Locutus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 227
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Super Coach II, 36 Ft. RE
Engine: Cat 3208T, MT643
Re: Generator questions

If you're just looking for a temporary solution until you can afford a new one, Craigslist is your friend. I picked up a Powermate 5000 watt gasoline genny with a Subaru engine for $35. Runs fine.
__________________
Locutus
(Latin) loquor loqui locutus dep. [to speak (in conversation); to tell , say, declare, talk of].

Children drink kOOlaid, adults drink T.E.A.


Gallery: https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/v/Skooli ... +Coach+II/
Locutus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2014, 01:50 PM   #7
Almost There
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Year: 97
Coachwork: Me!
Chassis: BB
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44
Re: Generator questions

Ya I grabbed a couple cheap gas jobs off cl until I can come up with a diesel.
Ponyracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2014, 03:21 PM   #8
r_w
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 163
Re: Generator questions

You are chasing the sun, but...Anyone have hints for keeping diesel gennies happy in the winter? I have not so fond memories of small diesels and cold weather back on the farm.

I have thought about setting up my fuel tank for veggie, but not run veggie--just to add the heat loop to help prevent gelling. If I do set up a dual tank system, the big tank will be set up that way so it can stay straight #2. I think you could also scavenge genny heat for cabin heat and/or domestic hot water. Standard double wall flat plate or similar could handle it. But that is getting complicated.
r_w is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2014, 04:09 PM   #9
Bus Geek
 
lornaschinske's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 3,588
Year: 1986
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: 40 ft All American FE
Engine: 8.2LTA Fuel Pincher DD V8
Rated Cap: 89
Re: Generator questions

We need to drain our diesel fuel tank for the bus. When we refill it, we will add Stabil to the fuel. When we were looking at the prices and how much would treat the tank, I believe I saw stuff for winter storage at Wal-Mart.
__________________
This post is my opinion. It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Fulltime since 2006
The goal of life is living in agreement with nature. Zeno (335BC-264BC)
https://lorndavi.wordpress.com/blog/
https://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0340a6ff.jpg
lornaschinske is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2014, 05:39 PM   #10
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 147
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TE2000 FE
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: Generator questions

Glow plugs, intake air heaters, fuel heaters just to name a few. Diesels are hard to start in cold weather but not impossible.

Chuck
cschlessman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2014, 06:52 AM   #11
Almost There
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 87
Year: 97
Coachwork: Me!
Chassis: BB
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44
Re: Generator questions

Depends on your situation and how "moody" the engine is. I've had some that don't mind the cold but some HATE it. If I was dealing with that I'd work on some sort of enclosure that could be heated. They also sell fuel heaters to prevent gelling.
Ponyracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Anyone need a generator? opus Electrical, Charging and Solar 9 04-10-2012 09:54 AM
generator pete36330 Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 1 11-15-2009 11:33 PM
New member with some generator questions gotmuddy Electrical, Charging and Solar 2 04-15-2009 06:37 AM
Generator install questions! Excalibrate Conversion General Discussions 6 04-25-2007 10:18 PM
MI-T-M generator bdavis441 Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 0 11-06-2005 10:12 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.