Self Install of an Onan LP 5500

[Ford truck guy]

I am in the beginning stages of thinking about purchasing an Onan 5500 genny , has anyone did the complete install themselves ?

Does anyone know of any GOOD DEALS on the genny itself ? I am seeing them listed as low as $3900.00 with free shipping..

Last question , what else besides the exhaust pipe and LP hook up is needed to buy ?

Joe

[dieseldave]

I installed mine and it was pretty simple since the Redwood came with the gen prep.

I paid about $3900 for mine about a year and a half ago. That included free shipping.

You will also need to purchase the cables that connect the gen to the battery.


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[piper guy]

Joe ~ I think I would seriously consider doing the gas version like spindrift did. Lot more runtime and easier to refill fuel tank. If I add a genset to mine I'm going to put in a separate Garden Tractor sized battery dedicated to the genset. That way if the house batteries are run down too far I always would have power to start the genny and recharge the main batteries.


There is enough room to put in a shelf above the genset to hold the fuel tank and a battery box.

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by piper guy

Joe ~ I think I would seriously consider doing the gas version like spindrift did. Lot more runtime and easier to refill fuel tank. If I add a genset to mine I'm going to put in a separate Garden Tractor sized battery dedicated to the genset. That way if the house batteries are run down too far I always would have power to start the genny and recharge the main batteries.


There is enough room to put in a shelf above the genset to hold the fuel tank and a battery box.

I tossed and turned over the question , gas-LP . . I am just not sure that the gas fumes play well with all the electric hook ups in there. Just 1 spark is all it takes ... I already have the 5 gallon marine tank , just don't know............

[rob_fla]

The biggest advantage of the LP Generator is the Generators fuel system will not get gummed up if not used for extended periods and LP Fuel does not get old sitting in the tanks for extended periods like gasoline will.

[atom ant]

I installed mine. Piece of cake.

It is heavy - 298 lbs. I bought a hydraulic lift platform from Harbor Freight to do it, then sold it for the same price the week later - go figure.

I had an LP shop make up my connection hose - it was $29 I think. I put a Tee under the regulator.

The exhaust is a bear to find - as it is 1" and most shops don't have equipment that small. One shop wanted to increase to 1-1/2". If you can get the full kit from Redwood, that would be the best. I never did and just used my old pipe.

Love my LP - clean and no gum - however I did tried to run it the other day for exercise and it was 6 degrees - and would not start. Will try again this weekend.

[Shane Wood]

I installed my own 6500w LP. Norwalk had the best price at the time. Purchase the exhaust pipe through them as well. 100.00 for high pressure flex gas line made. 12 ft of #2 gauge wire. Had help lifting it in to the compartment

[travelin' texans]

So far haven't needed/wanted a generator, but if I did I wouldn't put a gasoline under the bedroom, l.p. fumes are heavier than air but gas fumes will lighter & you'd smell gasoline in the bedroom unless the fuel tank was enclosed & vented outside. I'd have to go with the fuel already onboard, propane. That's why on Toy haulers the gen set is enclosed up front but the fuel tank is in back under the garage area, vapors.

[spindrift]

Gasoline fumes are heavier than air.

[atom ant]

And heavier than propane -

Vapor Density Propane = 1.6
Vapor Density Gasoline = 4.4

[mhs4771]

If we planned on running our genny for extended periods, I would op for a Diesel genny, hate the thoughts of having to carry another fuel supply. At present our genny is for limited use.

[travelin' texans]

I stand corrected! I still would not use gasoline unless there was a more suitable location for the fuel tank than above the gen enclosure. That's my story & sticking to it!

[spindrift]

Which is why it's sooooo critical to operate a bilge exhaust if your "ship" happens to be powered by a gas engine.