| Author | Message | ||
| Mark & Michele Blake (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 94 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.213.16.189 Rating: N/A |
I am about to buy our first generator for our 4106. It is a 6500 Onan Generator and it last ran a year ago. It appears to be in ok condition but since I am not experience buying these I am hoping someone would provide some advise. I will be going to look at it this evening. The seller could not tell if it is gas, diesel or propane. He is asking $150.    | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 555 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
that's damn sure a good price..looks like gasoline to me (Message edited by bob greenwood on January 15, 2007) | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 72 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Its a gasser with a missing airfilter. It is the right size (KW), and the price is right. | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
Registered Member Username: Drdave Post Number: 728 Registered: 5-2005 Posted From: 67.78.176.54 Rating: N/A |
It may not be all that good. It is very old and might not be something that you would want to mess with, Probably would need a lot of work to ( resurrect) clean it up and keep it running if it isn't already worn out. Nice boat anchor, But that's my view. There are later models out there in much better shape if you do some looking and asking. | ||
| Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member Username: Paso_1 Post Number: 82 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 142.165.246.239 Rating: N/A |
Mark snap it up quick your not even paying for the exhaust manifold. I've got the same thing works great. If it turns out to be no good I'll buy it from you for parts.  | ||
| Mark & Michele Blake (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 95 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 24.30.58.200 Rating: N/A |
We got the generator home. Ended up costing $140. I'll need a manual and some tips on getting it running. | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.62.105.169 Rating: N/A |
Hey Mark and Michele, I got the same thing for 250.00 and I thought I got an ok deal they are rebuildable and I got a manual online. Iwill try to get you the site. I will be glad to share any infoI can get with you | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 558 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: |
lawnmower shops need the business now....not too many lawns to mow | ||
| Mark & Michele Blake (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 96 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 24.30.58.200 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Douglas! I think I found a manual online. Here is the link for anyone that might be interested: http://asavage.dyndns.org/Onan/display1.php?Path=900-0337&db=Onan&table=900_0337&Page=019 More pics: http://www.geocities.com/tekalb404/index.html (Message edited by busnut_pd4106 on January 16, 2007) | ||
| James Stacy (Jimstacy)
Registered Member Username: Jimstacy Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 71.150.85.228 Rating: N/A |
Looks like the NH series I had. This unit is probably more than 25 years old. It has points, carburator, and mechanical governor. Setting frequency is touchy. Biggest problem is getting it fresh fuel. Unless you use it a lot more than most of us you wiil have old gas in the tank and varnish in the carb. Most gen sets do not get run nearly as much or as often as they should. Just like your Detroit give it clean air and clean fuel and it will last a long time. I changed to a diesel unit just because of the fresh fuel problem. My fault, not Onan's. Did you actually power anything with it? The generator portion is much more expensive to fix than the engine. Take care of the exhaust manifold, Onan thinks they are very valuable. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 4.235.201.234 Rating: N/A |
I changed to a diesel unit just because of the fresh fuel problem. My fault, Actually the Gasahol problem comes from congress , who hardly cares if fuel lasts 30 days before absorbing too much water to actually use. The State gov LOVE the crap , as 10% alcohol reduces mileage by the same 10% , so each car pays 10% mote in gas tax , with out having the paper trail of actually VOTING for yet another tax extortion increase. FF | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 64 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
How much you run the generator is dependent on how you use the vehicle. My bus gets used for band gigs, and because of that it sets outside a bar/club/party center where there is no place to hook up the external power supply. It runs our rooftop air conditioning so we generally run our generator between 5-20 hours a week. We even run it while on the road and the band can plug in the small practice amps/keyboard and practice a few songs on the way. Of course having a gas generator means you have to pull up to two pumps or find one that has both deisel and gas. (it doesn't seem to be a problem around here to find gas and deisel at the same pump island) . (Message edited by zimtok on January 17, 2007) | ||
| bernie newcomb (Newk)
Registered Member Username: Newk Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 Rating: N/A |
i have a NH model, that is a 1977, it works great, just keep the oil and filter changed and use fresh gas or use a gas additive.when you get the shop manual get the parts book to go with it. mine is in our 4104. good luck newk | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 156 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.34 Rating: N/A |
Mark - The only other negative comment you haven't read yet, is mine! Soooooo... without further adooo: Be wary of the thousands of generators (and other electronic ancillary equipment), that are the remains of the past few hurricane seasons. Unsuspecting buyers have bought the POS's, and try to resell the things to regain their losses.... Why doesn't the guy know more about the genset? (to me, that alone raises a red flag) If the thing's been underwater, it's going to be a near worthless mess. Be cautious, unless you've got 150 bucks to toss away. Whoops.... I shoulda' read the whole thread before I typed! Lotsa' luck with your purchase!! (Message edited by john_mc9 on January 18, 2007) | ||
| Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member Username: Paso_1 Post Number: 83 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 142.165.246.239 Rating: N/A |
Hey John Mark still has me to buy it from him for Parts I'd pay what he paid just for the spare parts. I think he got a good buy for $140.00 Don't you think. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 157 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.34 Rating: N/A |
I hope so, Paso! Some of the gensets I've seen for sale down here were in pretty bad shape. From what I've heard from a couple RV dealers, in most cases the saltwater invades the crankcases and cylinders, making the engine useless even for a rebuild... And the generator head is usually so corroded, it takes more to rebuild it, than to replace it.. Saltwater is hell. I hope Mark does well with his! (I opted to buy my genset from a fellow busnut from Daytona) (thanks Pete!) | ||
| Mark & Michele Blake (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 97 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.213.16.189 Rating: N/A |
We've received a few very good advices from this and the other board, and also via email on what to do as far as starting the Onan. We are much more comfortable moving forward now. Based on what we've learned from the seller the generator was his grandfather's. His granfather recently passed away and his entire estate in Acworth GA (house, boat, trailer etc) is up for sale. It appears to us that the seller had no idea what he was selling and just wanted the generator out of the barn. We never once thought of this as a waste or a bad deal. I've been reading this board long enough and trust most of the opinions and advise posted here. Thanks again for all the feedback! | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 564 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
Mark.. This is fun isn't it..there will always be positive & negative responces.& there will be good deals & deals you should not have done,It looks like it was covered with a tarp or something,not really dusty,...hook a battery to it & squirt an ounce of gas in the carb. & see what happens. if you can't get it to run,take it to a lawnmower shop & see what kind of success they have. are you the one that bought your bus about a year ago & one of your windows blew out on the trip home,hard to keep everybody straight. | ||
| James Smith (Tomcat)
Registered Member Username: Tomcat Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2005 Posted From: 63.247.201.234 Rating: N/A |
Looks like you made a good score Mark. Let me know when you find the starter on that unit...LOL Jay 87 SaftLiner | ||
| Mark & Michele Blake (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 98 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.217.56.123 Rating: N/A |
We are enjoying every moment of this bus conversion experience, it is more fun than you think! We've learned so much about gen-sits and more just from reading the threads here. We'll have additional help with us this weekend, so most likely we'll attempt to start it. We found a Onan dealer (Cummins Power South) in Atlanta, GA about 30 miles from us. If all fails we'll take it to them and maybe get a written quote to rebuild it. Here is the model number: ONAN MODEL 6.5nh-CR/120 12D Yes Bob that was I. (Message edited by busnut_pd4106 on January 18, 2007) | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 567 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
I really would not suggest onan...they WILL nail you ... | ||
| Mark & Michele Blake (Busnut_pd4106)
Registered Member Username: Busnut_pd4106 Post Number: 99 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.217.56.123 Rating: N/A |
lol@WILL nail you - Thanks BOB and you are right we just got off the phone with a parts manager. The diagnostic cost alone is $109. A fellow busnut has since referred us to a very knowledgeable gentleman at Forsyth Small Engines in Cumming, GA. Not an Onan dealer and some distance from us, but he is experience with Onan generators, familiar with this model and willing to look at it for us. | ||
| Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member Username: Paso_1 Post Number: 84 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 142.165.246.239 Rating: N/A |
Bob They don't use nails they use the other type of fastener. Rhymes with you. (has more letters) yea mark I'd be careful at the Cummins dealer. | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.62.105.169 Rating: N/A |
Hey Mark and Machele, Someone on the board converted his to propane which is what I intend to do.Hope whoever it was is listening. | ||
| John Zabrocki (John_z)
Registered Member Username: John_z Post Number: 29 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 64.61.224.219 Rating: N/A |
I went to the local Onan dealer (Cummins) up here to get a retaining clip for one of the brushes on my genset. A little piece of tin about the size of a postage stamp, with a couple small ell bends to it. $11.42 was the price he quoted me. And then with a smile, he asked me if i wanted to order a few spares! I better take care of my Onan, as i doubt i would be able to afford to do much fixing on it. | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 137 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.125.9.251 Rating: N/A |
Ive been checking on propane gen sets lately and found this web site www.propane-generators.com. They sell conversion kits for gas to propane. | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 571 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
the neat thing about propane is it never gets old,leave it in the tank for years if you want to,it's still propane, try that with gas. |
