Lets Talk Generators!

[JackE]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

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.

Mine will not charge the batteries. I am putting an inverter/charger in to run the fridge. When it is getting electricity from genny or shore, it will bypass the inverter to run the fridge on AC, and charge the house batteries. The genset also has a fuel pump that is energized while it is running, so I plan to run a wire off that to the dash with the rest of the wires to power a light to let me know it is running. Since it will be mounted right behind me, I expect I will be able to hear it running, but the light will let me know for sure.

[ol trunt]

I have a handful of 1/8' LED guide lights covering things like the genny, battery to battery charger, toad brakes, air compressor, inverter, and converter. I'd really prefer gauges but I don't want to mess up the original dash any more than I already have. The trick to the use of the guide lights is trying to remember what each one means!?!
Jack
.

[EastCoastCB]

Gonna try to sell a few things out of the garage to get some money together. If anyone has a smaller sized rv genset they wana sell hit me up. Would like a 4000w 30 amp unit but I could go up or down a bit in size.

[Kubla]

Go buy the predator 3500 unit form harbor freight for 700 bucks or so, quiet inverter generator that is getting good reviews, and a new carb for it is onkky 12 dollars when you let it sit almost a year with ethanol gas in it

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Kubla

Go buy the predator 3500 unit form harbor freight for 700 bucks or so, quiet inverter generator that is getting good reviews, and a new carb for it is onkky 12 dollars when you let it sit almost a year with ethanol gas in it

I don't have enough faith in HF to drop that kinda money there.
I love their cheap throwaway stuff though.

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I don't have enough faith in HF to drop that kinda money there.
I love their cheap throwaway stuff though.

nah, the generator is one of the few expensive products they got right. I have a lot of faith in mine and the warranty on them is very good. It's like 40% the cost of an equivalent Honda.

[Booyah45828]

Well, when this thread started, I was watching an item lot on govdeals, and now that I've won it, I can finally say it. I just bought an Aura Gen vehicle generator.

The AuraGen generates AC power which is supplied to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The ECU converts this to a DC voltage first, then inverts this, then filters the power to achieve 120/240 volt single phase output.

It's supposed to be mounted in place of the alternator on the vehicle engine. My plan, though, is to make an inverter diesel generator by coupling this with my spare yanmar engine. It has a lot of different functions and features on it, like throttle control, and auto start.

I'm thinking I could use this with a battery bank then, and it utilize the battery power for low watt usage, and have the engine autostart during medium watt usage, and then high idle during high watt usage.

Like everything else I do, this won't be done in a week , but I'm hoping this lives up to the expectations I have for it.

[EastCoastCB]

Ah when I first started reading your reply I thought you'd bought the diesel Onan unit I'd been outbid on up in OH.

[Booyah45828]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Ah when I first started reading your reply I thought you'd bought the diesel Onan unit I'd been outbid on up in OH.

If you're talking this guy here

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...14&acctid=6979

Nope, but I was an early bidder on it. It didn't have a working hour meter, so there was no indication for wear, that's what caused me to chicken out.

[Kubla]

I would have liked that onan diesel generator, but I already own a 3500 predator and a 3000 honda

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

If you're talking this guy here

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...14&acctid=6979

Nope, but I was an early bidder on it. It didn't have a working hour meter, so there was no indication for wear, that's what caused me to chicken out.

yeah. I bid up to 700 something.

these go for $3000 in working order. I wish I'd went a bit higher but I'd probably not have paid what it went for.

[Booyah45828]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

yeah. I bid up to 700 something.

these go for $3000 in working order. I wish I'd went a bit higher but I'd probably not have paid what it went for.

That's where I'm at on them too. If I can't verify operation, it's hard for me to spend 1000 bucks on something that could conceivably be nothing more then a paper weight. I stumbled across a powertech 20kw unit a few months ago, and was outbid on that too. Maybe I'm too tight on these things, but then again, I don't need it personally, so I'd likely try and flip it.

[Ronnie]

some things to think about as far as using a portable generator. They are not meant to be in a compartment when running because of lack of cooling air, and also the gas tank being part of it in a hot compartment is kind of pushing ones luck I think.

A built in RV genset is set up better with cooling ducts for being in a compartment, and also normally draws fuel from either the main fuel tank or an aux. tank mounted away from the generator.

Just something to think about if you want to use while driving.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

some things to think about as far as using a portable generator. They are not meant to be in a compartment when running because of lack of cooling air, and also the gas tank being part of it in a hot compartment is kind of pushing ones luck I think.

A built in RV genset is set up better with cooling ducts for being in a compartment, and also normally draws fuel from either the main fuel tank or an aux. tank mounted away from the generator.

Just something to think about if you want to use while driving.

Those are some of the big reasons I'm looking for an rv unit.
THe portables are good and I'd love to own one. But I want a designated genny for the bus. Seems like it would be much harder for someone to steal.

[randydupree]

I have a couple of generators for sale.
The fist one is an Onan 8kw water cooled with a Kubota 3 cylinder diesel,1700 hours,runs great,makes good power.
It came out of a wrecked Wanderlodge i parted out.


The next one is 10KW Powertech diesel in a quiet box,water cooled,low hours,came out of a wrecked Wanderlodge,a 2004 model.
RV generators are not cheap for diesel etc.


$2000 for the onan
$4000 for the Powertech.


352 538 3435

[EastCoastCB]

You in FL?
I can't afford those at the moment and they're both a bit bigger than I really *need*. If you want a couple mopeds for the smaller one hit me up lol.

[randydupree]

I'm near Tallahassee Fl.
8KW was going to be a little small in my world!
It will run 2 roof airs.
Whats a moped?

[JackE]

Must be some monster A/C units! Mine is a 6.5 and it ran 2 A/C's, fridge, and microwave, plus whatever else. Why do you need bigger than 8?

[randydupree]

My wanderlodge has a 17.5kw.
You never have enough power,go big or go home!
I have 3 15,000 heat pumps.
Real deal,in extreme hot weather you need plenty of power.
Plus you get a diesel that will run forever,Kubota.

[JackE]

Originally Posted by randydupree

My wanderlodge has a 17.5kw.
You never have enough power,go big or go home!
I have 3 15,000 heat pumps.
Real deal,in extreme hot weather you need plenty of power.
Plus you get a diesel that will run forever,Kubota.

Nice! If budget wasn't a problem I would absolutely run your 17.5 diesel. Maybe someday. For now, it'll be cheaper to chase the mild climate!