Lets Talk Generators!

[BlackJohn]

CB, you will have to make sure the engine and the head are going to turn in the same direction of travel. Both should be marked with an arrow.
Always a catch it seems,


John

[EastCoastCB]

I'll see what direction it turns and i'll go take a look at the head today or tomorrow.

[Booyah45828]

Bummer on the onan unit. I missed out on several onan/yamaha/kubota units before I relented and built mine. People were spending close to a grand for units that didn't run or make electric

I'm sure others have answered some of these, sorry if it's been covered already.

With enough money and skill, anything is possible.

Those yanmar air cooled engines are pretty loud. But you could get it to work.

If you have the l48n version, it won't have enough hp to make 5500 watts, it's rated at only 3100 watt continuous.

I'd have to look at the shafts to know if they'll work. The head itself should bolt to the case if the engine has an sae pattern, they typically do. The issue you'll likely have is that the engine with a pulley on it is likely a straight shaft, and you'll need a tapered shaft to mount the generator head.

You can get a belt drive genny head and run it that way too. That might be a better option if you're short on space and it lines up better for you. The genny I built is belt driven.

Harbor freight has generator heads, no idea on quality. My unit is a Sincro, and it's worked well for me. I can get you an email for their retailer here in the states.

You can run a larger gen head on a smaller engine, but you'll have to watch your loads, otherwise you'll pull the rpm down, dropping the AC hertz, which can ruin things quickly. A simple way of doing that would be installing a 20 amp fuse or breaker on the output, that should keep your watts below your 3100 max.

[EastCoastCB]

think I'm going to look elsewhere. The noise and lower hp are the main issues. I don't want to tear apart that mower for less than 4000w.

So I think I'm still going to look for a small rv unit for now. I want remote start and at least 4000w.

[BlackJohn]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

think I'm going to look elsewhere. The noise and lower hp are the main issues. I don't want to tear apart that mower for less than 4000w.

So I think I'm still going to look for a small rv unit for now. I want remote start and at least 4000w.

Good plan, hope you find a quality unit, 4kw should be plenty for all you do and ever need.


John

[TJones]

Keep an eye on Ebay, Craigslist and FB marketplace. Last year I found a brand new old stock powertech 3000 watt for $2000. New it sold for $6k. Powertech makes some nice generators with Kubota engines.

Ted

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by TJones

Keep an eye on Ebay, Craigslist and FB marketplace. Last year I found a brand new old stock powertech 3000 watt for $2000. New it sold for $6k. Powertech makes some nice generators with Kubota engines.

Ted

are they still in business?
I knew the owners and did some plasma cutting for them. Heard the old man gave the company to his son who ran it into the ground real quickly.
I'd grab a good deal on one of the rv sized units for sure.

[Ronnie]

I am happy with my Onan 4000. Found it on craigslist for $500.

01Marc had one for sale around $500. Just verify the transmission first......

[EastCoastCB]

I'll find one local or something, but good to know you like em. That makes me wana get one.

[WIbluebird]

I am a big fan of the Harbor Freight inverter generators. They use very little fuel and are very quiet. They just released their new version which has remote start and a fuel gauge. The warranty is also very good, if you break it its no questions asked, new one right off the shelf in the stores.



I have 150 hours on my 3500w. It runs everything I throw at it (have yet to test with 2 13k btu roof ACs but it handled a 15k btu on my old truck camper just fine!).



You also have the option of buying a paralell kit and a 2nd generator later if you need a 50 amp supply.

[matthews2001]

why do you keep it up with marc?

Guy was very helpful to me last winter during my build. He made a mistake, let it be.

As an older guy with little forum in general experience I find the BS on this one bothersome to the point of reading it less.

Re generators: My bus came with an onan diesel 10kw that I pulled and sold. Too loud plus I would never 10kw. Modern inverter generators are quiet and cheap enough to be disposable! I got the Westinghouse 4500 (Note: It did fail on our way to alaska! And alaska has NO service centers for them)

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by matthews2001

why do you keep it up with marc?

Guy was very helpful to me last winter during my build. He made a mistake, let it be.

As an older guy with little forum in general experience I find the BS on this one bothersome to the point of reading it less.

Re generators: My bus came with an onan diesel 10kw that I pulled and sold. Too loud plus I would never 10kw. Modern inverter generators are quiet and cheap enough to be disposable! I got the Westinghouse 4500 (Note: It did fail on our way to alaska! And alaska has NO service centers for them)

was no mistake. He'd even given advice on exactly how to tell the difference between a 545 and 2000 before that. Then let folks come all the way to GA from OR under the premise that it was a 2000.

[Booyah45828]

You don't lecture people online and portray yourself as an expert, and then advertise and title jump a bus as having a 2000 when it has an at545.

That was a big character issue in my eyes.

And character issues aren't an "honest" mistake in my books. That's all I'm going to say about that.

[EastCoastCB]

back to the topic- I've found a nice, clean 2015 Onan QG4000 locally. guy's interested in trades so I'll see if I have anything he likes. 33.3 amps would be perfect. I also plan to have a shore power hookup, but the generator is a must for proceeding with the project. I need to get one then figure out how/where to mount it. Currently I think the plan is to mount it behind the drivers side rear wheels.

[Ronnie]

That is where mine is mounted. With the a/c on I do not hear the generator. So I am pleased with my Onan.

[EastCoastCB]

What else do I need to look for to mount/install an onan rv unit, Ronnie?

[JackE]

I have an Onan 6500 watt out of the donor motor home. I pulled all the wiring from the back where it was mounted, clear up to the dash, including the start/stop button and hour meter. I am mounting it behind the driver side front tire. I was surprised to find it is a completely isolated unit. It gets all its power from the + battery connection at the generator. One thing to make sure you get if possible is the cradle it is mounted to. They make them to be able to run while driving so the isolation pads are built into the cradle. The only other thing I would suggest is using an automatic transfer switch. That will make for a nice hassle free switch from shore power to genny power.

[Native]

Additionally, with the remote start and the transfer swith, you could keep the generator off while driving and turn it on while driving as needed.

[Ronnie]

Yup just set the cruise control and run back to the kitchen to start the generator while driving.... Sam I hope you know I am saying this in good humor.

I like to be able to hear mine start, so I do not do it while driving, but with it on the dash you could do that.

One other thing that has not been mentioned is they do not recharge the battery (starting) normally. I do think it is an option for some. For me the solar panels keep the battery charged as I am using the house batteries to start the generator

[Native]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

Yup just set the cruise control and run back to the kitchen to start the generator while driving.... Sam I hope you know I am saying this in good humor.

That's cool ... I missed the smiley.