generator question

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jerseypete

generator question

Post by jerseypete »

I have a 4k Generak that makes a lot of noise and vibrates, and I would like to replace it. Ron, who sold me the coach mentioned in one of his posts to get an Onan. Im looking for help about a generator, which kind, installation, cost, etc.
Should I take it to Camping world, to the factory?
No rush, the Generak runs ok.
I am going to the factory in April
John, my check is also in the mail for a new membership.
jobrien

Post by jobrien »

Pete;

I've had Onan's in all my past motorhomes. The Born Free luxury motorcoach came with the Generac. I find it noisier than the Onan's. When I was at the factory I asked in service about it and they said it was normal.

I don't know if it sounds noisier because my other motorhomes all had basements.

When I was buying mine, there was some question as to whether an Onan would fit into the same space.

I received your check for 2 years of dues and a badge.

Mel will be proud of you :lol:

John
jerseypete

generators

Post by jerseypete »

Are there any other choices? What about a Honda 3000? Too expensive/ Too small?
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bcope01
Posts: 1290
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 6:55 pm

Post by bcope01 »

I have the 4kw Generac in my 2004 BFT and it doesn't make a lot of noise or vibrate excessively. I wonder why yours does? All generators make some noise and vibrate a little, even Onans.

A new Onan genset outputting 4kw is gonna cost about $3k. Add in the cost of removing the Generac and installing the Onan and the total cost might approach $4k.

If the Generac is still serviceable and the electrical output is adequate, why replace it? You might want to also see what your usage is. If you wind up not using a generator often, you might decide that it is not worth replacing a working unit for negligible (or no) improvement in noise or vibration.

Bill
Barb & Bill
2004 Born Free 22' Built for Two (Sold)
no longer towing a 2008 Smart ForTwo

Escondido, CA
lassen
Posts: 120
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:56 am

Post by lassen »

Bill.....Good post, my thoughts exactly. My first Born Free had the Onan and this one has the Generac. The Onan might be the one I'd prefer but not for a $4000.00 change-out. The noise and vibration level is not that much different to warrant that much of an expenditure. I'll just keep the Generac for no more than we are using it.

Happy Travels.....Jack
Jack & Jan
2005 24RB
jobrien

Post by jobrien »

Pete;

I also agree that if it is working properly, you probably should not replace it. Try it out for a season or two and see how much you use it. You will get used to the noise level and it may not sound as loud. Also, as you camp you will have the chance to hear other generators and you can compare them to yours.

I bought a digital voltmeter/analyzer (Good Governor) for about $100 at CW. I keep it plugged into an outlet and keep an eye on the voltage whether on shore power or gen.

Having that in will tell you whether your gen is putting out proper volts, spiking, etc.

John
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Mel Wilbur
Posts: 617
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:39 pm

Post by Mel Wilbur »

Pete, how many hours are on your generator? The more you run them the better they run keeping in mind to put a good load on it when running. You can do that by turning on your air conditioner/heat strip or any other electrical item that requires a good amount of power. Our 2002 generator has approximatily 600 hours and runs better every day, its the use it or lose it type of thing.

As for a voltage tester you can get one for about $15.00 at camping world or probably at any good hardware store like home depot. These simply plug into any electric outlet.
Mel & Connie
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Dallas Baillio
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Post by Dallas Baillio »

Someone mentioned in an earlier post that mounting brackets could be worn which would cause more vibration. Is there a cushioning portion of the mounting bracket that could be damaged, or due to age split, cracked etc.?
Dallas Baillio
2001 26RSB
Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club Member
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whemme
Posts: 2110
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:05 pm

Generator Noise

Post by whemme »

I have a 4000 watt Onan generator in my 2002 Born Free 26' RSB coach that started to make what I would describe as a metallic pounding noise that was being transmitted to the structure of the coach body. That sound was not noticeable when outside the coach, only when inside it.

Finally, one day with the generator off, I went outside and opened the door to the generator compartment and shook the generator back and forth on its mounts and discovered that the generator was contacting the lower metal base structure in which the generator is mounted but is supposed to be isolated from it with 3 rubber shock mounts. This particular Onan has one shock mount supporting the front engine end of the generator and two shock mounts supporting the rear generator end. The front shock mount had started to collapse causing the metal to mental contact pounding noise that I was hearing.

On the way home from the National Rally in Nashville, TN, I stopped at the Cummins/Onan dealer in Rockford, IL and they, not having replacement shock mounts in stock, installed a shim under my front shock mount as a temporary fix. I now have an appointment with the Des Moines ,IA Cummins/Onan dealer to have all three shock mounts replaced in February.

By the way, this noise was especially pronounced whenever the generator was being shut down because it really shakes a lot as it spools down.
Bill Hemme - Spencer, Iowa
E-mail: whemme@earthlink.net
2002 Born Free (Ford E-450 V10) 26' RSB
2016 VW Golf GTI - toad
jerseypete

satisfaction

Post by jerseypete »

Ah, just what I wanted, The voice of experience and common sense. Thanks John, Mel, Dallas, Bill. Just what I was hoping for. I will make an appointment at Camping World in either Lakewood or Brdigeport and get the genny checked out. Also, the winegard manual dish wobbles way too much. I called them and was told it is fixable, but I could not follow what the tech told me. He said Camping world should be able to fix it, they are an authorized dealer. Anyone have experience with either place? John?
jobrien

Post by jobrien »

Pete;

I have never had any service work done at CW. I've heard both good and bad about them, and it could depend on which tech/installer you get.

I have a friend who used to do the Thousand Trails membership sales there, and he had some horror stories. If they give you an appointment time, that only means that is the time you are supposed to be there, not the time they anyone will start to work on your repair.

I've had good luck with Driftwood RV in Egg Harbor (bought my Allegro there), and Cartec in Bordentown. Never been there, but someone else had recommended Bornmann RV in Glassboro.

Hope that helps.

John
jerseypete

service

Post by jerseypete »

Hey John, tx for the heads up, however, I have made an appt. with CW in Bridgeton, on, 1 23, after talking with them.
"OK, Pete, we'll start you out at 8:30 with our genny specialist, then we have a guy who does all our Satellite work, and also we will do a 45 points inspection, (my request). We should have you in and out in two to three hours".

If it doesn't work out, I will fall back on Driftwood in EH.
jobrien

Post by jobrien »

I would be interested in how your CW experience turns out.
jerseypete

follow up

Post by jerseypete »

Yes, of course I will post my impressions of the service, and what happens, so others can benefit, (or not), from it.
John, when you mentioned Driftwood RV in Egg H., I was tempted to switch from CW, but decided to stay with them to check out their level of service at Bridgeton, but also because they are an authorized Winegard and KD center, and have so many resources available for the RVer
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karls
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Post by karls »

Hi Bill,

My generator exhibits the same pounding you described in your post. It rattles for about five minutes when cold and then gradually the metal to metal knocking stops. When shut down it sounds like a piano rolling down some stairs.

I looked under the unit but couldn't figure out how to replace the shock mounts or shim them. Any ideas?

Thanks for your always helpful posts.

Karl Striedieck
98 24RB
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