Looking at Generators - RV-Dreams Community Forum

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

Looking at Generators

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

"Our Montana has an Onan GenSet installed"

This statement would indicate that you have a generator already.

What are you trying to accomplish?

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ah, Fred, see that shows how little I know about generators. We are "generator prepped" and there is an Onana GenSet control panel installed in a cabinet. We just need a generator . . . ?? "Onan GenSet" is what is says on the control panel. Or do we have a generator and I just don't have a clue?? Doubtful, as I have not seen anything that looks like a generator lurking in the basement or elsewhere . . .

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hard to tell without seeing, but I would think that if you have a Onan controller installed, you have a Onan generator installed. Why would they install a specific controller without the generator? Unless you bought this used, and it was removed?? :(

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Look around the outside of your rig and see if you spot an exhaust pipe...

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think that most fifth wheels would have the generator installed in the front compartment. Our Mobile Suites is "generator prepped" and what they did was "wire for" and "box in" the front compartment for a generator, but just didn't put in a generator. Ours is equipped with the "transfer switch" and all. (My understanding is that the transfer switch is also acting as something of a surge protector.)

A Mobile Suites that is not generator prepped does not have a box for the front compartment, but that door would just be a third door into the basement. So, if you have a boxed in front compartment without anything in it, other than personal stuff, I would guess that you would need to get the generator.

We elected to be generator prepped (just in case) but elected to not get the Onan generator. To have added that generator would have cost us another $5000-$6000 through the manufacturer. What we have is a Honda EU3000IS generator that is capable of running one air conditioner and some other electrical items. To run two air conditioners plus other stuff, you would need the Onan.

The Honda 3000's and 2000's are capable of having two units slaved together to provide more power. If we wanted to run both air conditioners and extra stuff, we could have a second EU3000IS slaved together to accomplish the same as an Onan. However, the Hondas have to be sitting outside.

Keep in mind that in addition to the cost of the generator(s), stationary or portable, do your homework also on the weight of the units. If necessary, I can put our Honda in the back of the pickup and not add weight to the fifth wheel. The Honda 3000 weighs about 150 pounds. It is capable of pull start or electric start. Honda makes a 3000 "Handi" that weighs less and costs less, but it is pull start only.

Terry

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

in our Montana's they put the generators in the front compartment under the bedroom overhang. Sounds like your's is prepped and ready for an on board generator and one can be added pretty easily by any dealer. I have never heard of Keystone adding a fuel tank to a non-toyhauler model so you are limited to a propane fueled model. The other option you would have is to buy one of the portable models. These have their own fuel tanks and can run for a few hours (bigger tank = more run time) during use. Most will reccomend at least a 3000 watt inverter model to run your a/c although Yamaha makes a 2400 watt model that they say can also run the a/c on our units.

I am also looking at gen sets and wish my 5er was prepped like yours. I would go for the on board lp unit if it was. Real easy just to push the button on the wall to start it up and use it vs dragging a portable out and setting it up then worry about it getting stolen

-- Edited by Phil Bob on Tuesday 5th of July 2011 07:31:32 PM

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, Terry and Phil.

Yes, we have the control panel and the front storage compartment, so that is where the generator would need to go if its to be an onboard type. Actually, I would prefer the onboard for a variety of reasons.

There is an RV dealer that is an Onan certified dealer/service center not terribly far from here, so I probably will be giving them a call to do further investigation, get prices, etc. Then Dave and I will need to discuss price, do we want an onboard versus a portable (i.e. Honda) type, etc.

As we are going to be stationary for a while, the area is prone to outages during storms/winter and our location is near the bottom of the priority list during outages (albeit still an "emergency"), we probably should be on the safe side and get a gen of some sort.

Cheers for the help!

Betty