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No idea on that Jim. The advantages to EFI I'm thinking are lower maintenance and no gummed carb. (Yes, I keep it stabilized but it happens eventually...) Also, easier starting and better running while in motion. The EVAP can stall in motion due to fuel sloshing in a hot carb fuel bowl and vaporizing.
These carbs are almost bulletproof if you know how to care for them.
There's a screw right under the altitude mixture control that is actually a float bowl drain.
If you're going to be leaving the genny unused for more than a couple of weeks, turn this screw out a turn or so and the fuel will come out of the nipple below it.
I just use a spray-can lid to catch the fuel..
I've done all that Randy but on my last rig, after 3 years, the carb started to gum anyways... and they are't serviceable. A can of sea foam in the tank cleaned it out though. Plus, as I said, they stall in motion. So far, not worth the upgrade expense but it's always in the back of my mind in case I run out of mods someday...LOL
This reminds me that it's time for the annual genset maintenance. I have a box of supplies that were delivered a couple weeks ago. Filters, filter wrench, spark plug and manuals. Now I need to get some oil. This will be my first time to do any maintenance on any genset.
Trivia from the Onan owner's manual:
Power decreases 3.5% for each 1,000 feet above an altitude of 500 feet. (I'm at a 21% power loss just sitting here at home.)
Power decreases in extreme temperatures by 1% for each 10°F (5.5°C) above 77°F (25°C).
Installed used Onan 5500 Generator this weekend. I had Gen prep, so with the help from some folks on Heartland Owners Club including Dwane (porthole) was able to get her running. Purring like a kitten and running 2 AC's. Paid $2,500 for this gen with 38 hours on her versus I was quoted $6,000 to have a new one installed. For any fence sitters, if you can find a good quality newer genny, do it yourself.
I have a cherry 4k Onan I am selling. Asking $1200.
How much fuel do the 5500's use? I have a 20 gallon tank on my TH, I've been contemplating the Genset purchase, to give us A/C when we're in hot weather and we need to stop for the night in an area without hookups. I feel like there are enough road side rv parks with at least electric hookups that I can't justify the Generator purchase until we decide to do some boondocking in the midwest.
The 5500's are very efficient. I'm usually more concerned with using some up during the season so I can add fresh fuel as opposed to not having enough.
The 5500's are very efficient. I'm usually more concerned with using some up during the season so I can add fresh fuel as opposed to not having enough.
I think I had read somewhere that running both A/C's (15k and 13.5k) will use a 20 gallon tank in about 8 hours? Does that sound correct?
Not in my experience. I believe the full load consumption is .9 gallons an hour and even with two AC's running, you're not pulling full load. Plus, they cycle on and off from time to time.
Not in my experience. I believe the full load consumption is .9 gallons an hour and even with two AC's running, you're not pulling full load. Plus, they cycle on and off from time to time.
When I had My Raptor with the 5.5KW Gas generator......gasoline consumption was never a problem. Just like Rodney says.......
Just run it and forget it........Enjoy.
The Onan manual provides the fuel consumption expectations based on full, partial and no load.
It took me almost a year to get rid of the 1/3 tank of fuel (30 gallon tank) that the prior owner left in there. I was only running the generator for less than an hour each month. The problem was that I wasn't running much of a load on it.
Last edited by HRTKD; Jul 5, 2017 at 01:32 PM.
Reason: additional useless information, just in case anyone cares
We manage to burn ours out on long runs where we do the Walmart thing overnight en route and on the way home. Especially if it's hot and we fire two of our ac's to get the temp under control...
Running the generator while driving had not occurred to me. That would certainly have helped keep my refrigerator running. Strong cross winds must have kept it from staying running.
Running the generator while driving had not occurred to me. That would certainly have helped keep my refrigerator running. Strong cross winds must have kept it from staying running.
the owners manual cautions ppl from doing that. Especially having your gen running while the pig tail is connected to the truck.
I have a Onan 5500.... not a huge fan. The thing has been nothing but trouble. Currently my gen sits won't start. Im thinking this is a problem with the floats or needle in the carb. It doesn't sound like its not getting fuel. I haven't had a chance to tare into it yet. Im not sure how much I'll be able to accomplished these carbs are CARB compliant which means their sealed and prevent you from tampering with them. Good ol CA... Anyone with any experience with these machines feel free to chime in.
There is no danger whatsoever running the genset going down the road with the 7 way connected to the truck. Lot of people do it all the time including myself. I'm sure the warning in the Onan manual is put there by a lawyer scared of a 1 in a million chain of events.
