RV generators
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 6
From: Waco, Texas
I ran a 5.5k in my 98 Bounder class A. It ran the air , both of them, without a problem even in the Arizona Summer for over 5 years. The starting of the air, as stated, is the hard part. For me, I have always changed out the start capacitors in my air. I installed the SUPCO HS6 (SPP6). It is a very easy install as a basic swap out for the existing capacitor. I know on this last RV, I could not start my air on my 3k genset, now I can even at 100+ degree heat once the start capacitor was changed. Also it seems the Onan gensets are more forgiving on loads. If you have a motor starting, it seems to handle that demand much better than even the inverter type gens. I totally agree on how easy it would make it with the genset on the rig itself. It is cumbersome to hook up the portable gennys especially if you are in a Walmart parking lot just for the overnite. Middle of Kansas, Salina, in July, Walmart or Home Depot parking lot without air and the humidity is near 100 percent, not this guy.....done that and got my t-shirt!
Probably parked right beside in that same walmart..in the same dang heat. I hooked up the generators and then cable locked them and the external fuel tank so it would run all night. What a pain.
Probably parked right beside in that same walmart..in the same dang heat. I hooked up the generators and then cable locked them and the external fuel tank so it would run all night. What a pain.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I ran a 5.5k in my 98 Bounder class A. It ran the air , both of them, without a problem even in the Arizona Summer for over 5 years. The starting of the air, as stated, is the hard part. For me, I have always changed out the start capacitors in my air. I installed the SUPCO HS6 (SPP6). It is a very easy install as a basic swap out for the existing capacitor. I know on this last RV, I could not start my air on my 3k genset, now I can even at 100+ degree heat once the start capacitor was changed. Also it seems the Onan gensets are more forgiving on loads. If you have a motor starting, it seems to handle that demand much better than even the inverter type gens. I totally agree on how easy it would make it with the genset on the rig itself. It is cumbersome to hook up the portable gennys especially if you are in a Walmart parking lot just for the overnite. Middle of Kansas, Salina, in July, Walmart or Home Depot parking lot without air and the humidity is near 100 percent, not this guy.....done that and got my t-shirt!
Probably parked right beside in that same walmart..in the same dang heat. I hooked up the generators and then cable locked them and the external fuel tank so it would run all night. What a pain.
Probably parked right beside in that same walmart..in the same dang heat. I hooked up the generators and then cable locked them and the external fuel tank so it would run all night. What a pain.
My own experience with the 5 kws is the same as yours. Never a bit of problem for three years everywhere we traveled. I also agree with your comments on the Onans and inverter versus other types.
Steve
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From: Frederick, MD
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Looks fine. Check around for prices. I can get you the dealer wholesale, if it will help, but I have to request it as it is not in my catalogs.
One final comment. If you get this darn thing, use it. There is nothing that is a greater red flag for me on a genset than seeing low hours on the hour meter. These things hate to sit, but live forever with use! When I see an ad making a big deal out how few hours there are on the generator, I cringe.
Steve
One final comment. If you get this darn thing, use it. There is nothing that is a greater red flag for me on a genset than seeing low hours on the hour meter. These things hate to sit, but live forever with use! When I see an ad making a big deal out how few hours there are on the generator, I cringe.
Steve
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From: Frederick, MD
Got the quote for $3385 not including sales tax of course. Comes with tpipe kit/remote control hourmeter and 30' wiring harness.
must not have read my request that I had the prep already. So...I think all I need is the tpipe kit. And of course LP Flex line.
must not have read my request that I had the prep already. So...I think all I need is the tpipe kit. And of course LP Flex line.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Home Base Nebraska
Scott I just found this thread, we have a 5K Gererac that we bought in 1998 that I have used in three trailers. When we bought it I had to make the decision between LP and Gas, we do a lot of boondocking in the CO mountains where we would have a hard time finding LP so I went with gas. I mounted a 14 gal marine tank that I bought at Cabala's with a marine fuel fill kit, the tank is mounted outside of the generator compartment in the basement area next to the compartment. We only have one A/C unit but we have run the A/C along with the electric water heater and microwave without any problems. This last winter when we where in the desert outside of Quartzsite we were with a couple that had a LP generator their biggest complaint was having to constantly run to town to fill LP tanks, they said they would never own another one.
Denny
Denny
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From: Frederick, MD
Yeah I don't think I want to use more of my basement for that. I think the LP for me would be the way to go. Just the misses and I going cross country and staying in Wal-Mart parking lots and then dumping every third day or so. So I think I could get along just fine on the LP.
If it were to be an extended stay at a state park that would be a tredmenous amount of propane in that case.
If it were to be an extended stay at a state park that would be a tredmenous amount of propane in that case.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Home Base Nebraska
It's all in the way you want to use it, you will really like it for overnight stops or just rest stops. Just go in the trailer and hit the button and you have instant power without dragging out potable generators and power cords.
Denny
Denny
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
Yeah I don't think I want to use more of my basement for that. I think the LP for me would be the way to go. Just the misses and I going cross country and staying in Wal-Mart parking lots and then dumping every third day or so. So I think I could get along just fine on the LP.
If it were to be an extended stay at a state park that would be a tredmenous amount of propane in that case.
If it were to be an extended stay at a state park that would be a tredmenous amount of propane in that case.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I have a separate starting battery for the generator because a lot of the time I have to use the generator to charge the batteries so I can't depend of the house batteries to start the generator.
Denny
Denny
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From: Frederick, MD
I will have to look but do you suppose that box in the background contains the hook up point for the battery power? (in the second pic).
Other than that I would have to route wires thru the hole and then on the other side is the battery terminals .
Other than that I would have to route wires thru the hole and then on the other side is the battery terminals .