Generators

[MrSalt]

I have a propane 6kw onan generator - probably at least 20 years old. I know it fired up fine 2 years ago. I pulled it out of a '67 Chevy stepvan I bought at the time. Nice and heavy...

My question is this - I was thinking of installing it into one of my tow vehicles (2001 gmc savannah boxtruck 16'). The truck is my working studio when I'm on the road, and would of course allow for longer times spent in the boonies... Do these things -Onan- have a pretty good lifespan, or should I save myself a lot of pain, and just get a quiet, new Honda? I realize that there's particulars not being said, but any general thoughts/opinions/"don't be a fool"s would be appreciated.

Thanx
Matthew

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by 87MH

.............
Any more problems with this one and serious thought will be given to PeterH's suggestion to use it as a boat anchor (if I had a boat). Besides, a Honda water cooled would save 100 lbs compared to the present Onan.

Dennis, after you get all fixed up and shiny and before you reinstall it, rig it up for a good hard test run under different loads. But be aware that they tend to run beautifully once they are removed.
Whilst you enjoy the perfect performance, you could read this:
Installing a Honda 4010/6010

[74Argosy24MH]

Originally Posted by Matthew&Gigi

I have a propane 6kw onan generator

My question is this - I was thinking of installing it into one of my tow vehicles (2001 gmc savannah boxtruck 16'). The truck is my working studio when I'm on the road, and would of course allow for longer times spent in the boonies... Do these things -Onan- have a pretty good lifespan,

Onan engines are very good, propane powered engines run very clean. There isn't as much wear (or maintenance) as with a gas engine. On the downside they run off the same fuel supply as the refrigerator, furnace, etc. and the supply is usually more limited. Propane is more expensive than gas so they cost more to run. Both (especially the air cooled Onan) require a huge amount of air for cooling. If you mount it inside you will need to cut a large hole in the floor and make a heat/sound proof compartment.

Dennis- (before sending the Onan to a watery grave) Onans run at 1800 rpm vs. the Hondas at 3600. Both very good engines but the half speed has to be worth a lot in engine life.

John

[Paul Mayeux]

While the topic of generators is being kicked around, I'm trying to figure out the economy setting on my Honda 3000. When it is on, the idle drops down, however, when a load is connected, the engine speed doesn't seem to come up to same rpm as when the econo switch is off. It sounds like it is under a greater load than if the switch were normal position. I took it to the Honda dealer and they checked it and said it was ok. Is it? Thanks.

[74Argosy24MH]

How much load? Have you checked voltage to see if it is still at 120v? If it is try a larger load and see if the speed comes up.

John

[Paul Mayeux]

Originally Posted by 74Argosy24MH

How much load? Have you checked voltage to see if it is still at 120v? If it is try a larger load and see if the speed comes up.

John

I'll have to check the voltage. The first time I noticed it was when I used the coffee maker (which I think is 1200 or 1300 watts). I've run the a/c with it and it has no problem starting on the regular setting but on econo the compressor will struggle to start. I'll check the voltage output of the generator. I did check the a/c to see how many amps it draws prior to running it on the generator and it was 10.5 @ 121 volts connected to the shore power.