genset question

[firedreamer]

Well we sold our yacht so now its on to the homework of buying the 5th wheel. One of the many things I am trying to decide up front is that I have a 2000wt Honda gen and so I am wondering what you all think about the idea of getting a 2nd 2000wt honda to couple together, giving me 4000wt vers having the dealer install the 5k propane gen. those Honda's are so fuel efficient and reliable and already having one helps on the budget for now. Could upgrade to the propane one if it winds up a better idea tho.
I have no idea of the fuel burn with the propane models, most if not all of our boondocking would be in out and alone areas so not to concerned about noise from either setup.

[johnboytoo]

there was just discussion about this on another large rv website I visit and the burn rate for propane was too high for many that commented...

You don't have a location, so assuming where you will be going is not 107 heat index, then the honda's will probably do it for you...

one great thing though about having a built in genny that can be fired up before you get to your site to setup... is that the inside temps will be more comfortable...

Don't know how I delt with the 38gk taking hours to cool down !

I can remember unhooking the redwood, plugging in, turning on the ac's as cold as we could, leave for three hours and come back hoping it had cooled down a bit

[spindrift]

I think you need to weigh the short-term vs. long-term benefits of each option. Budget issue is not something to be taken lightly. On the other hand, the convenience of an onboard genny is the shiznitz. We boondock often so I went with a gasoline fired, Onan unit.

[coloradolivin]

I will share this. I have 2 Yamaha 2000's connected together to run the minimum. I also have the Progressive EMS. Progressive absolutely hates us to run the small gennys even if they are inverters. So that said. I would go and spend the bucks and get an ONAN onboard and as JohnnyBoy said, helps to get the big girl cooled down.

[mhs4771]

The Onan 5500 will burn through 1.1 gallon of propane per hour under a heavy load. So running both ACs full blast, you can go through a 40#/10 Gal Propane tank in approx 8 hrs.
We had the Dual Hondas with an extended run tank, but the pain getting them out, hooked up, and secured to be able to run one AC. Then had to let them cool so they could be stored away. Now just push the button and we have power.

[ted 95]

One problem is Redwood only does propane prep. I have had many discussions with Onan of Elkhart and their solid suggestion is
1- Diesel
2- Gas
3 - Propane
problems are
Diesel is really expensive to install.
Propane sucks fuel like crazy and is really hard starting in cold weather.
Gas you must use a EFI (fuel injection) or the carbs clog up and cost $350 each time and can not be cleaned.
Gas and propane are about the same to install.
For me The over all best is the 7000 Gas EFI. It will run for 10 hours on 5 gal of fuel. It only weighs 125 lbs more than the 5500 with the same foot print and will run the whole unit . I'm having one installed in July at elkhart Onan.

[spindrift]

Originally Posted by ted 95

One problem is Redwood only does propane prep. I have had many discussions with Onan of Elkhart and their solid suggestion is
1- Diesel
2- Gas
3 - Propane
problems are
Diesel is really expensive to install.
Propane sucks fuel like crazy and is really hard starting in cold weather.
Gas you must use a EFI (fuel injection) or the carbs clog up and cost $350 each time and can not be cleaned.
Gas and propane are about the same to install.
For me The over all best is the 7000 Gas EFI. It will run for 10 hours on 5 gal of fuel. It only weighs 125 lbs more than the 5500 with the same foot print and will run the whole unit . I'm having one installed in July at elkhart Onan.

I have never had an issue with my gasoline Onan 5500. Regardless of whether or not you select the EFI, fuel management is absolutely essential. I always treat my fuel and if it doesn't get used, it gets tossed.

[Ford truck guy]

I wrestled with this very dame issue... ended up having am Onan 6.5 LP installed while out in Elkhart a few weeks ago...

I have not run with it yet , but when we dry camp , its always at the NSACAR tracks.. Like stated , I also have the twin Honda's and the 5 gallon extended run tank that works great , its just a pain setting it all up while traveling...

[firedreamer]

am tending to lean towards the gas onan, is a 5.5 big enough to run both ACs and say
1- tv and the residential refer all at the same time or is the 7000 genny better suited fo that much power need ?

[ted 95]

From what I was told by Onan I feel better with the 7k. Same foot print and that way it does not run as hard when full load.

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by ted 95

From what I was told by Onan I feel better with the 7k. Same foot print and that way it does not run as hard when full load.

That is exactly why I went with the 6.5.. when I called the tech at Onan , he said it would work less hard to run the 2 AC's . . .

[Rosey]

My 5.5 Factory Installed Onan Propane runs both of my AC's (& everything else) just fine.

[mhs4771]

We're very happy with our 5.5K Propane Onan, but if I were looking and didn't want a Propane Genny, I'd we leaning towards Diesel. Don't really need to be carrying three types of fuel, plus not sure I want to carry Gasoline around in the belly.

[formulabill]

With the gas or diesel gen sets where do you put your fuel tank? My other fifth wheels had a place to put a 25 gal fuel tank but no such place on a Redwood, hence I have the 5.5 and it does great. Like Michelle and Ann said they do consume a lot of propane . I use mine to cool the unit before stopping and setting up. I really bought it more for an emergency since I prefer full hook ups over dry camping.

[mhs4771]

In reality the Propane useage isn't much different than the Gas version. 1.1 Gal Propane per hour under full load vs .9 Gal Gasoline per hour under full load.
And while you still need to exersize the Propane Genny it's not as big a deal as with Gas.

[spindrift]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but it really depends on the reason(s) you need a generator. If you're doing a lot of boondocking, for extended periods of time, you're also using that finite supply of LPG for other uses. The total of those different kinds of loads can suck down those two LPG tanks fairly quickly. In my experience, it's much easier to find a gasoline retailer than a propane retailer. Your experience may vary....

[Shane Wood]

I have the 6.5 Onan LP and it works great I have 40lb bottles and carry 2 30 lb spares. They last long enough that it is not usually hard to find a place to fill. I prefer that to carrying gas cans which I did for years