| Author | Message | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 209 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.190.202.184 Rating: N/A |
Ok we never had a gen set and now have to start making some decisions. So instead of asking what we should get, what do you now have in your bus, fuel type, size and what you like or dont like about it.Thanks and every one have a Happy New Year. Dave and Dori Evans | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 107 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221 Rating: N/A |
15 KW Diesel Powertech. So far I think it's great but I just bought the coach | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 110 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 70.10.39.66 Rating: N/A |
I decided that a well balanced energy system suited my needs best. I have a 24 volt inverter crosstied to the bus system, so when I stop anywhere I arrive with fully charged house batteries. I use LP for cooking and heating, I can use electric or LP for hot water. I do not need a large genset so went with a Honda EV6010 gas genset. This works well for me. | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 280 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.59.75.212 Rating: N/A |
1 Kubota Powered 10kw Diesel.......nice 2 Kohler 12kw Diesels.............nice a bit big for my needs but came with the buses 1 propane powered....I have no experience with yet. best one on the market if I was shopping a replacement would be one of the Onan Quiet Diesels ( commercial ones)....very very quiet and sip fuel, they put one in my old 04 when the redid the house side | ||
| basil horangic (Basil)
Registered Member Username: Basil Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 24.62.146.212 Rating: N/A |
I bought a Honda EU6500is inverter generator as a temporary solution since I figured I could resell it easily. Very impressive machine. It easily started and ran two 15kbtu roof airs, and I suspect it could do three or four since it seemed to react quickly and easily to the current surge. Quiet. You know it is running, but not intrusive even fully loaded. Only problem is it requires stops at the gas pump. For $3000 I was very satisfied. (Message edited by basil on January 01, 2008) | ||
| Dave Brawdy (Dbrawdy)
Registered Member Username: Dbrawdy Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 67.142.130.28 Rating: N/A |
I have a 15 kW Kubota powered Diesel on a slide-out. It works great and I am very happy with it. I have been to Wrico in Oregon and was very impressed with their operation, knowledge and quality. I buy and install gensets, both Diesel and Propane, for broadcast stations and have been burned too many times by Generac, so I would advise against them. For units under 100 kW sitting on a mountain top I prefer Propane only because a large quantity of diesel sitting for years can go bad and most stations don't do the PM they should. But in a bus I will take Diesel every time, as long as you maintain it. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 563 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.80 Rating: N/A |
In both our commercially built motorhomes, we had Onan 6.5kw gas gensets. We ran the genset to power 2 Coleman AC units on each of the rigs, along with the usual fridge, microwave and odd appliances. The Onan gensets are said to be the most reliable, and I can honestly attest to that. Points and plugs changed, and the oil/ air filters, were all that was ever needed after many, many hours of operation. For the bus, I bought a used Honda EV6010 water cooled, 6KW gas (or propane) powered generator. I haven't hooked it up yet, but running it "free-standing" to power various tools proved it to be flawless, and much quieter than any air-cooled genset I've ever seen. I would highly recommend this model, or any Honda or Yamaha water-cooled unit over an Onan! It's amazing how quiet these things can be! For our "class-B" van camper, I bought a Honda 2kw Inverter-type genset. It powers the 8kbtu rooftop AC just fine, along with the small microwave. For an air-cooled unit, it's amazingly quiet! It sounds like a sewing machine, even if running at full power. I'd steer clear of the air-cooled, non-inverter models if you're looking for comfort regarding noise... But they are -very- cost effective... The inverter models run slower, and are much quieter than the high rev conventional types of either air or liquid cooled variety. The liquid cooled models are quiet, and can provide more power for less initial cash outlay, than the inverter types, but are more expensive (initially) than the conventional air-cooled models.... And the air-cooled models can only be judged for reliability (they're all noisy). For that type? The Onan is reliable.... (just a personal opinion, of cuz) (WMMV) | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 191 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Our coach came with the Honda 4KW watercooled gasoline. It should take care of all our needs as far as I can see. Joe. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 166 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.229.170 Rating: N/A |
" Onan 6.5kwgas gensets. We ran the genset to power 2 Coleman AC unitson each of the rigs, along with the usual fridge, microwave andodd appliances. The Onan gensets are said to be thmost reliable, and I can honestly attest to that. Points and plugs changed, and the oil/ air filters, were all that was ever needed after many, many hours of operation." This Gent had a similar choice to mine , only I hate to use a noisemaker , so chose the same unit in propane , to run Basement air. Propane is the BEST ! for folks like my self who may not use the unit from season to season. Since the fuel evaporates from the carb , with no residue , when the need for air cond is over , a simple spray of fogging oil as the unit runs down will keep it fine for another year. Small crap, microwave ect run from an inverter. FF | ||
| Rob Norgren (Robsedona)
Registered Member Username: Robsedona Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 75.208.21.38 Rating: N/A |
I have a 8kw 1987 Wrico Diesel On a swing out After 20 years of use it still runs great! Love it Love it | ||
| Bill 340 (Bill_340)
Registered Member Username: Bill_340 Post Number: 51 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.220.240.242 Rating: N/A |
Dave IF you use a gasoline genset, Put a 12 volt inline pump on your tow vehicle so you can refill your genset tank, whenever you want without running to the gas station with a can. or trying to get your coach up to the GAS pumps. we had gasoline in our eagle , in our prevost till last year. now diesel, and it is also the best, You will also make lots of friends when you have a in line oump on your car, as you are your own tanker, cant tell you how many folks we have helped along the road that were out of gas,, you just attach a hose extension and flip the switch, pump till they have enough to get going, the satisfaction of helping is worth it, and occasionally the TIPS are fantastic, Bill | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 42 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.197.246.104 Rating: N/A |
Nice idea Bill. We just bought a 5.5 KW genset for our bus. It already has a 14 gallon tank built along side the generator, but I hadn't thought about using the towed for a gas pump. Gotta love these forums! | ||
| John Zabrocki (John_z)
Registered Member Username: John_z Post Number: 61 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 64.61.224.188 Rating: N/A |
My bus came with an older CK Onan 5K 2-cyl gas generator in it. I had it tuned up last summer by a guy that works on the generators etc on the ore boats on Lake Superior, and he said they are GREAT! Very dependable with no electronics to screw up. He said it can provide far more than 5k too although i have not tested that. If i were shopping for new, my choice would probably be something quieter. Burning gas is not a negative for me as the bus has a 30 gallon tank for it. You need to exercise a generator for about 2 hours at 50% load each month, so for me it works out fine. 5k is fine for me, but i would buy a 6.5 if shopping for new. My use is mostly OTR heat/air, and air while stopped w/o power available. Lights, tv, stereo etc run off inverter. I run the genset each morning for 1 - 1 1/2 hours to make breakfast (waffles are the default bus breakfast), heat hot water and give the batteries a charge. If you can pick up an older CK Onan for a decent price, i would go for it. Especially a marine unit with the water jacket, they are quieter! | ||
| Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa)
Registered Member Username: Kristinsgrandpa Post Number: 359 Registered: 2-2003 Posted From: 64.24.214.132 Rating: N/A |
Figure out your load to size your genset. Some people need a lot less power and can live cheaper than me. Mine is a diesel Thermo King (Isuzu C-201, Onan generator head) in a 15 KW. When shopping, remember that Onan parts are proprietary (made by, sold by Onan only) and when they quit making a model they quit making repair parts for it. I don't need 15 KW, but I wanted the Isuzu C-201 and the price was great. Ed | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 64 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 64.12.117.73 Rating: N/A |
got a gad onan 7 kw markee, love it very quiet and smotth | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 795 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
12kw Power Tech diesel w/ Trace 2500w inverter, 12 kw Kohler diesel w/ 1000w inverter. One thing to consider is that you can run untaxed diesel fuel in your generator if you have a separate tank for it which would offset the additional cost of the fuel. Of course, diesel gensets are more money, but the difference isn't as much as it used to be now that many more companies produce them. Also consider how much you REALLY are going to need the generator. We're still talking some relatively big bucks for one. Even though diesels are noisier, some fore thought in installation can make one pretty darn quiet. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1143 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.123.189 Rating: N/A |
Yamaha 3K inverter gasoline model. Portable and electric start. Haul it out of the bay and position downwind, or use it as a card table, or put it out of the way, or proudly out front, or leave it in the bay with the business end pointed out the door. It has the plug options to get all of the available power out of a single circuit. Feeds a Trace 4024, and will run two roof airs. Auto throttle and Trace don't get along when loads lighten, so I leave it humming. Deadly quiet, and sips fuel. I have come to really hate noise, and you can have a conversation over the top of this thing. In my dreams, a modest sized brand name diesel engine (Kuboto, Isuzu, etc) either as a generator or to spin a big Delco, boxed up so that you can't tell it is running, scavanging the heat to supplement the Webasto.... happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 798 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
Some noise is desirable to drown out mother when she's in one of those moods.  Also a little noise or hum is nice to block out outside noise, such as in a truck stop or rest area, etc. As long as it doesn't drown out the noise your air conditioners make. | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Registered Member Username: Prevost82 Post Number: 358 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.181.210.47 Rating: N/A |
I have a 8 kW Kubota powered Diesel on a slide-out. | ||
| Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 121 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 216.163.57.205 Rating: N/A |
I have a used 4cyl. Kohler 7.5kw gas model. It is water cooled. I have not installed it yet, but I have run it on a welder and it does marvelously. Super smooth. You could put a dime on a spark plug and it would sit there. I'll put it in a bay and build a box for it with lots of ventilation. | ||
| Paso One (Paso_1)
Registered Member Username: Paso_1 Post Number: 108 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 142.165.246.239 Rating: N/A |
I have an 6.5 onan and like it. | ||
| Douglas Wotring (Tekebird)
Registered Member Username: Tekebird Post Number: 281 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.59.75.212 Rating: N/A |
glen, that is the APU I had in the 04. It is finiky as far as cooling air mine was an RV engineered model and drwe the cooling air from the back over the Generator and powerplant and then through the Radiator..... be very cognicent of Air Volume as well as any backfeeding of warm air.....or you will overheat it | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 210 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.190.202.184 Rating: N/A |
Nice replies everyone. We now have two coaches (we are BUS NUTs!)The 3703 is going to eventually be our travel bus on the road 6 months. We have a large propane tank on board and leaning towards a propane gen as it will be used driving down te road running the a/c units and overniting in truck stops and such. The "new" older bus is a 47 Silversides that was converted by a nice bunch of guys in NC near Ashville. BUT... it is a all electric convs. somthing i have no experience with. It has a large basement air/heat pump set up and 2 burner electric stove top and all interior lites are 110. Would like to get a nice quiet gen set for this bus as it will be used as a band bus and people mover to music festivals. I was only thinking diesel for this as there is an air cooled LOUD gen set in place with its own fuel tank but the Honda/Yamaha units with an invertor sound interesting. I have no idea what will be needed to power the basement A/C it has a 5500 gennie unit now. Any links or info on the invertor units would be appreciated as well as how they work or how you use them. Powertech is 20 miles from my folks house and we will stop in with the bus when we head to Fla next week or so. The gen place in Charlotte answered all my emails so we might swing by if we have time. Dick Wright at Wrico has always been great to bus people but i hate that he is on the west coast. Any one have pros or cons with this or these biznessis? Thanks again that was a great response and of course leave it to Bill to have some more great info! (Thanks to Bill at the first Busssin rally we stay warm driving now! Bill we are going back in time and gonna freeze on the way south!Thanks again.Dave | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 100 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 70.110.13.133 Rating: N/A |
I have a 6.5 Onan that came with the bus. It was installed in 1979 and I got it with only 20hrs on it. I replaced the fuel pump with one from NAPA and so far I have no complaints other than parts can be expensive if you were to need them. (Message edited by barn_owl on January 02, 2008) | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 169 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.229.213 Rating: N/A |
leaning towards a propane gen as it will be used driving down te road running the a/c units and overniting in truck stops and such. Good use as the exhaust from the propane will not kill you as the exhaust from gas or diesel will. There is no way to understand the strange air movement dynamics of the noisemaker exhaust as the bus operates , so better safe than sorry. FF | ||
| Rob Norgren (Robsedona)
Registered Member Username: Robsedona Post Number: 30 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 75.210.163.47 Rating: N/A |
Dick Wright at Wrico is great and My unit kabota married to a 8kw is still running great after 1000s of hrs. Dick will send you what you need right away and run through and troubleshooting on the phone and time you need it! They do stand behind there work! | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 108 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.60 Rating: N/A |
Fred, What do you mean by the exhaust from propane won't kill you like gas or diesel???? CO is a byproduct of combustion no matter what the fuel and burning propane will certainly kill you just as well. Best safe bet is to install a good CO detector on board with any of them. | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 193 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
The last propane powered vehicle I had would activate the C.O. detector as readily as any gasoline vehicle. Common sense and caution should be used no matter which set up is considered. Joe. | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 206 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
I have a 6.5 Onan gas powered genset. It uses about 1 gal per hour of use. It runs great now that I have reworked the choke and fuel lines to the tank. I wish it had its own charging system for the battery. (I have a floating battery charger hooked up to the 115vac to keep it charged) I'd like to get an inverter in the future. And I'd like to run the exhaust all the way out the back of the bus like the air conditioning engine originally had. | ||
| Bill 340 (Bill_340)
Registered Member Username: Bill_340 Post Number: 52 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.221.207.146 Rating: N/A |
well Dave I knew you were comming, it is supposed to be 28 degrees tonite, In lakeland fl YOUR FAULT Bill | ||
| James Stacy (Jimstacy)
Registered Member Username: Jimstacy Post Number: 122 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 76.248.111.177 Rating: N/A |
We had a 6.5 Onan NH, old style, gasoline powered gen set fed by the 4104 front gasoline tank, 25 plus gallons. The old unit ran great but i didn't run it enough. Major problem with stale fuel; every time I needed the AC the carb was gummed up and wouldn't run. I know, if I'd run the thing many hours a month, it would have been better, but I didn't need that. I looked on eplace and found an Onan Quiet Diesel new in the crate for $4200. Water cooled diesel, 8KW, inverter type, computer controlled. Best money I ever spent. No more stale fuel or limited supply. Installed in a quiet compartment with a roof exhaust, it makes you a good neighbor. BTW the "inverter" units have a heavy current 12V alternator which drives a sine wave inverter rather than an AC generator that must be run at 1800 or 3600 rpm to maintain 60 cycles regardless of load. The computer slows the generator down under light loads, reducing noise and fuel cost. Propane runs cleaner than gasoline but it uses a LOT of fuel. You need a BIG tank. One fuel for both gen set and drive engine is definately the best setup. Lots of fuel when you need it and no stale fuel problems. We grow so soon old and so late smart. Jim Stacy | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 2030 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.80.226 Rating: N/A |
I was certainly glad my unit was diesel fueled a few years ago. We had a major ice storm and the power was off for several days (like Christy in OK this year). I had the genset rigged to back feed the shore power cable and the genset run for several days while the utility power was off. I was the only house in the neighborhood with heat and lights during the outage. Richard EDIT: 10 kw Wrico and never a minute of trouble. (Message edited by DrivingMissLazy on January 04, 2008) | ||
| John Lacey (Junkman42)
Registered Member Username: Junkman42 Post Number: 29 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 204.49.140.172 Rating: N/A |
I have a 10kw powertech. My unit is noisy, but is dead reliable. Powertech really underates their product. Easily runs My total electric home during power outages. This unit uses a kubota 4 cylinder diesel that always starts. John | ||
| Chris Peters (Chris_85_rts)
Registered Member Username: Chris_85_rts Post Number: 52 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 66.194.150.45 Rating: N/A |
8kw Powertech with the Cat engine. It was noisey at first, then I discovered the internal cage fan was rubbing the firewall separating the engine from the radiator. I moved the firewall away 1/4" by loosening some screws and it is much quieter. You can easily have a discussion right next to it and it way quieter than contractor models 50 yards away. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 229 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.55.251 Rating: N/A |
I have 15kw with a Isuzi diesel with turbo very quite | ||
| Brian Elfert (Belfert)
Registered Member Username: Belfert Post Number: 69 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 209.98.146.235 Rating: N/A |
Like Chris I have the 8KW Powertech with the Cat engine. Not as quiet as I expected, but not terrible either. My bus has bunks over the generator and it doesn't keep anyone up at night. The noise doesn't seem to bother anyone outdoors after the first few minutes. Besides, the jerks with the construction generators drown out my generator anyhow. (I go to large boondocking events with lots of RVs and tents with a lot having generators) | ||
| James Smith (Tomcat)
Registered Member Username: Tomcat Post Number: 66 Registered: 8-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Onan 5500w Marquis Gold. From the factory set up for LP. I press the button, it starts. I also have an 86 gallon, frame mounted LP tank. Jay 87 SaftLiner | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 192 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 75.197.111.243 Rating: N/A |
Hi, 12.5 KW Onan "HDCAB" Diesel Super quiet for such a large unit... Good Luck Nick- | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 729 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 70.220.198.204 Rating: N/A |
12.5kw diesel kubota from Wrico International Mine has about 3500 hrs and still looks and runs like new even though this is the 2nd coach it was in and 2nd owner! Very very quiet for it's size and will be even more quieter now that I acquired some really neat sound deadening foam sheets! I don't think I have ever heard this generator grunt one time and it's run everything (full electric coach) at once!! Ace | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 200 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.233.230 Rating: |
David, if you do the Charlotte gig, feel free to park, stop by for a visit. I'm just South of I-485 near Matthews, NC. Got lots of room, and power. Got water too, but it may be too cold to throw a hose down! You could fill tanks. Easy in and out for buses. Regarding your genset question...I've got one of the oddest generators...so far. Got a EDL6500 Yamaha. Probably not the ideal item, due to the amount of work required to remove it from the quiet box and install the components in a bus. It's a Kubota powered water cooled unit. Uses almost no fuel. It's been used for 6 years with no issues at all. It will fit into small places. Has a 120V radiator fan that can be remoted easily. Mine resides in the condensor compartment of an MC9. Call me at 704 650 0235 if you want a break when headed back north. I'm about 30 minutes from Carowinds at the I-77 NC/SC state line. All easy drive. I believe that if I was in Florida, I'd stay for a while. However, it's 70* here...but it won't last long. Last week it was 14 at night and 38 during the day...bummer~! Cheerio, JR (Message edited by njt5047 on January 06, 2008) | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 218 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 72.89.79.235  Rating: N/A |
Went with Dick @ Wrico. will let youknow how it works out. | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 219 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 72.89.79.235 Rating: N/A |
Went with Dick @ Wrico. will let youknow how it works out. |
