running Onan and compartment doors

[Ford truck guy]

As you all may or may not know, last year I purchased my first Onan and LOVE IT !
The question I have is do you all leave the compartment door OPEN or CLOSED while it is running ?

I was leaving it closed until my September trip to the races, when I walked around almost every camper with the onboard had the compartment door OPEN ???
so . .what do you all do ?

Joe

[johnboytoo]

Sorta defeats the purpose of a quiet genny doesn't it

The compartment is designed for a generator...

[xtasee]

I have been told that the cooling (air) is an issue. The airflow is designed for use with the cabinet door closed. I have heard some people open it for better cooling and that totally defeats the purpose.

[RCAircraft]

Originally Posted by Ford truck guy

As you all may or may not know, last year I purchased my first Onan and LOVE IT !
The question I have is do you all leave the compartment door OPEN or CLOSED while it is running ?

I was leaving it closed until my September trip to the races, when I walked around almost every camper with the onboard had the compartment door OPEN ???
so . .what do you all do ?

Joe

We leave the gen (Onan 6.5 KW) door closed when running the gen. No issues after four years.

[atom ant]

It doesn't matter if the door is open or closed. If you open the front of the generator, you definitely interrupt the airflow and it will overheat, but the cabinet door doesn't do anything really.

One word of caution, as I learned from mine - make sure the exhaust ports are covered in foil tape per the onan install manual. If not the heat that comes out through those can actually melt the cabinet door. I had to have mine replaced on the Montana because I neglected to cover those ports. This below is not my generator but shows the ports:



This is what it did to my door:

[Ford truck guy]

Brad ,

So If I have that open hole, I need to close it with foil rape ? I will check when I get home, but do not remember seeing one ?

[spindrift]

If you need quiet, keep the coach's front door closed. Otherwise, I leave it open. Radiant heat is radiant heat. If I can dissipate any amount of heat, I'm going to do it...just makes me feel better inside. However, I've run it for long periods of time with the door closed without any ill effects. Of course, always, always keep the generator cover closed but you already know that.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Ford truck guy

Brad ,

So If I have that open hole, I need to close it with foil rape ? I will check when I get home, but do not remember seeing one ?

Ya, there is one on the right side too. Those are optional ports to run the exhaust pipe out in different configurations if it doesn't go straight out the bottom. Onan install just uses aluminum tape like what you use on ducts.

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Ya, there is one on the right side too. Those are optional ports to run the exhaust pipe out in different configurations if it doesn't go straight out the bottom. Onan install just uses aluminum tape like what you use on ducts.

Ok Brad, just got home from the office and looked.. sure enough, on the lower front i have what's looks to be the same type of port... but cannot tell if it goes all the way into the generator, or if it is just the outer casing ?

[atom ant]

Hi Joe, it goes into the cavity Below the generator unless they taped it on the inside. You should be able to see light through it by looking up into the bottom of the gen.

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Hi Joe, it goes into the cavity Below the generator unless they taped it on the inside. You should be able to see light through it by looking up into the bottom of the gen.

Thanks Brad... Sounds like I just added something to the top of my to-do list, although I believe it is fine.
The first trip that I used the Onan was in Cape Cod. We used it for 3 days and had the door closed the entire time.

I did not burn the door in any way, but will check it out when it is warmer.

[piper guy]

I'm thinking you're fine Joe. Among other things, the people that did the install, it definitely wasn't their first time around. As close as that opening is to the side, if it got really hot the rubber would be toast literally.

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by piper guy

I'm thinking you're fine Joe. Among other things, the people that did the install, it definitely wasn't their first time around. As close as that opening is to the side, if it got really hot the rubber would be toast literally.

I agree Vaughan . . I only have less than an inch from the front of the genny to the lip in the compartment . .

[atom ant]

I can only tell you what happen to mine - do with the info what you wish.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by piper guy

I'm thinking you're fine Joe. Among other things, the people that did the install, it definitely wasn't their first time around. As close as that opening is to the side, if it got really hot the rubber would be toast literally.

Oh by all means - we all have confidence in our installers NOT! Next time your around one of these generators running in the heat Vaughan, stick your hand in front of that port and feel the heat. I'm sure if it was your own generator, you would tape it, because there is no reason not to. That heat doesn't belong in the upper cabinet. It cost me a door.

[piper guy]

Brad, my apologies, didn't mean for you to think I was second guessing anything you said. I was only looking at Joe's picture and how close his cover is to the rubber molding and weatherstripping and thinking that if his was open, it would have melted the rubber by now since it can get hot enough to melt a door. Sheesh .......

And fwiw, I have been around them when it's a hot day and they're running.

[Ford truck guy]

I have a roll of that tape at home already... it has been added to my to-do list for the spring, or first warm day.
I do think it's ok, but do agree with Brad, for the short time it will take to do it, it is a no brainer for me.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by piper guy

Brad, my apologies, didn't mean for you to think I was second guessing anything you said. I was only looking at Joe's picture and how close his cover is to the rubber molding and weatherstripping and thinking that if his was open, it would have melted the rubber by now since it can get hot enough to melt a door. Sheesh .......

And fwiw, I have been around them when it's a hot day and they're running.

that rubber has a much higher heat tolerance than the expanded foam core door.

[Char & Steve]

Darn...... I was almost ready to go get the popcorn and beer but looks like all is good again here.

All the years with the MH and never thought of opening the door and all was good and it was as tight as the RW would be if I had one. I haven't needed it in two years so guess I won't bother now.

Steve

[Shane Wood]

Originally Posted by Char & Steve

Darn...... I was almost ready to go get the popcorn and beer but looks like all is good again here.

All the years with the MH and never thought of opening the door and all was good and it was as tight as the RW would be if I had one. I haven't needed it in two years so guess I won't bother now.

Steve

Sounds good how do you keep Chars makeup chilled going down the road