Modifying Storage Compartment for Generator - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

Modifying Storage Compartment for Generator

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

what is in your generator compartment now that is making the changeover difficult?.............is it smaller....as far as wattage or a different brand..........is the old one dead or not firing.......or does it not have any output?

when you go to move the generator to a new compartment all wiring....fuel....exhaust....mounts ......fireproofing ,insulation,and it also has to be airtight to the living areas ,plus you will need ventilation to the outside...........pretty much you will have to duplicate the old compartment without cutting corners...

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

There was no generator when I bought the RV but there had been a Generac before I bought it. The problem is that the old generator compartment is to small.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

you should be able to put a low profile onan in there

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know I could put in a Camp Power 3600 LP in there but they are very hard to find.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

there also around 2500 - 3000 dollars

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

Considering the price of generators thats not too bad. I considered a diesel but the cheapest is a 6000 watt for $7000.

I know the Camp Power generators are not made anymore and wonder if it was because of a problem with them or Onan just wanted to go in a different direction?

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Why not try a couple of Hondas, lighter; self contained; and portable. They can be paired together; a couple of 3K units and your in business. Just a thought!! Sold my Onan; may kick myself but in 7 yrs., only used it to exercise it. If I would have been Boondocking; different story.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

what year and type of coach are you putting this in..........

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

1994 Rexhall Aerbus 3300. It is a diesel pusher.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Coly,for that kind of money why not consider solar panels and a smaller 2500/3000 watt portable generator to keep things up to snuff?

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I thought about solar panels but aren't they just as expensive as a generator.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

nice thing about solar is you dont put gas in it.....it is within reason maintenance free........

I mostly boondock. I wont lie, I also have a generator onboard.......very rarely do I start it except to exercise it once a month but once a year no matter what I must change the filters, oil & plugs

my solar once a month I might go up and wipe the panels...then check the fluid levels in my batteries and make sure connections are clean. cost on average to maintain solar panels...5 bucks(paper towels, windex,Misc.)

cost of maintaining generator 100 bucks...(filters, oil, plugs)

Solar .....break a panel 180 watt 180 to 200......fixed...just about all repairs you do yourself

generator .....blow motor 600 to 900 plus labor.........blow field winding.....600 to 900 plus labor

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Even if the cost of the solar is the same as the generator, I wonder what the "weight comparison" would be between an onboard generator and the solar system?

I have no idea of the weights involved with the solar panels and other hardware would weight, but most of that would be out of the way and allow one more storage area for other things. Jo and I may be some time before we get to travel, so I've been considering solar, just because we would likely have time to pay for the system.

I'll still keep my Honda EU3000IS generator though, just in case I end up in someplace where the sunlight just isn't enough. Although, a smaller unit would work just as well for recharging the batteries should it be needed.

Terry

chip · RV-Dreams Community Member

my last m/h had diesel 7500 owan/cummings mounted underneath and not in a compartment. unit completly self contained. would something like that work for you? it had 530.4 hours on it. I salvaged it. very, very quite. would sell it for $5500. serviced every 125 to 150 hours. year is 2005. or maybe a gas one could be mounted like wise.

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the offer but first I have to find a place to install my generator.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

A little research online would probably find one that would fit in the original compartment...........then checking with a RV salvage or a dealer could get you a nice used one.

A simple call to customer service or Tech. line at Onan could give you a list and professional advice on what is available to fit

not knowing how many watts was in the original compartment . but you will have to go with diesel or lp.....and nomatter how look at it ,it will cost alot more to move it than it will to find a replacement that fits.

if not installed correctly

1)carbon monoxide has a way to enter the coach..
2) insufficient fire block gives a faster route if there is a fire
3)steel support frames will have to be made and installed in the new compartment to hold the weight and secure the new unit if not that new generator and the person driving behind you is going to have a real bad day