Help with selection of diesel or LP replacement generator

[b_cummings]

My Cummins Onan QD 3200 Diesel RV Generator self-destructed after less than 500 hours. Cummins' quote for parts alone is over $12K, twice the new price. Given my complete dissatisfaction with Cummins service over the several years I've had this generator, I'm not looking to replace it with another one.

I need help selecting a 3000+ watt replacement generator for my 24' Diesel Sprinter Motorhome. Seems like there's little available in diesel gensets other than Onan, and I don't have $3000+ to spend anyway.

I'm thinking I could install a reasonably priced LP generator with remote start in the same location on my rig, and I'm hoping that you might have suggestions for brand and model, as well as any other factors I should take into consideration.

Thanks for your help,
Brian Cummings

24' 2009 Fleetwood Icon
Sprinter chassis motorhome

[oldmattb]

Is the existing propane tank of enough capacity for your needs? We had a propane generator on a 26-foot Safari, and during the summer, we refilled every 2-3 days. It got to be a real pain, and pretty-much prevented us from dray camping for any extended period.

I think I would install a gasoline generator and refill it from a can before I would go back to propane. That would likely give you many possibilities, and would be very cheap. If one dies, you chuck it in a dumpster (not literally) and buy another.

Matt B

[Doggy Daddy]

Thor makes the Sprinter RV. Have you asked Thor or a dealer what choices/options of generators are they offering with orders of Sprinters.?

[slowmachine]

Originally Posted by Doggy Daddy

Thor makes the Sprinter RV. Have you asked Thor or a dealer what choices/options of generators are they offering with orders of Sprinters.?

I think we are talking about a Fleetwood RV on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis, not Thor/Keystone/Sprinter. In that line of logic, though, maybe Fleetwood could help.

[slowmachine]

Dissatisfaction with your current generator aside, the primary consideration on the Sprinter chassis seems like it must be fuel density. Diesel is unbeatable in terms of power generated per weight and/or volume of fuel. However painful it may be, Onan is pretty well alone in this market. Very many of them run for thousands and thousands of hours with nothing more scheduled maintenance. You don't have to buy parts from Cummins-Onan. eBay is a good place to start. You may even find a running generator for a decent price.

[b_cummings]

Thanks for the responses everyone! To address your comments or questions...

The fuel consumption of LP vs diesel is only slightly higher. We have a 20 or 24 gallon LP tank (can't remember which) which is ample for the amount of time we will run our generator.

No, I haven't checked with Fleetwood to purchase a generator. I wouldn't imagine that would be the most economical way to go, but I will check nevertheless.

And regardless of how dissatisfied I am with Onan service (at more than one location over the several years I've had this), an Onan LP generator with at least 3000 watts power is still over $3000 discounted. And our current diesel model... frankly it's beyond repair.

I know that LP generators are sold for as little as $300-$400. (I'm hoping to find a solution for under $1500.) Home Depot has a 4000 watt model for $329. But it doesn't have remote start, and it's built into a basic frame with wheels. I have no idea how difficult it would be to get this model installed in our RV and have remote start added. I also have questions about it's noise level and reliability.


I'm hoping someone here has had experience adding a reasonably priced LP generator with remote start to their rig, and was satisfied with their choice.

Thanks again,
Brian

[slowmachine]

I doubt that buying a generator through Fleetwood will be inexpensive, though they may be convinced to do something for you given the low hours and amount of trouble you have had. They may be able to recommend a suitable replacement and some guidance on integrating it into your chassis. Do they offer a propane generator as an alternative to diesel, maybe in another market? What size tank do they use? How and where is it mounted? In all likelihood they will be utterly clueless, but on the slim chance that you can convince them to help you, I would make the call.

FWIW, I purchase both propane and #2 heating oil (off-highway diesel) at my residence. The cost per BTU of propane is absurdly higher than diesel.

[pasdad1]

Try looking at RV salvage yards.....many good working generators are available cheap.

Here is just one example

http://generators.visonerv.com/cgi-b...orsforsale.pl?



Here is a 3600 watt LP generator for $1750 ready to ship !

[b_cummings]

Thanks for the links to the used Onans. Unfortunately, even if they are a good buy, it's still above my budget. I did however look at Craigslist and found a variety of LP generators designed for use on the ground. These are the typical steel tube frame and wheels design. I wonder if people have had luck installing these into a motorhome? Sure would save a LOT of money if practical.

Anyone?
Thanks,
Brian

[terry735001]

i am sorry to say but 500hrs sounds really good to me most every day gen sets only last 200 hrs at most

i would give this place a call

Loetscher Auto Parts

4306 Florida 574
Plant City, FL 33563

loetscherauto.com
(813) 752-3770

they really do have good prices and is where i go all the time and they well ship to you but walking up face to face may get it for under 400$ or less guessing

keep in mind moving over to LP all so makes you unsafe to drive on some roads and places and may no longer be under DOT guidelines

[mchero]

Originally Posted by b_cummings

Thanks for the links to the used Onans. Unfortunately, even if they are a good buy, it's still above my budget. I did however look at Craigslist and found a variety of LP generators designed for use on the ground. These are the typical steel tube frame and wheels design. I wonder if people have had luck installing these into a motorhome? Sure would save a LOT of money if practical.

Anyone?
Thanks,
Brian

Might want to wait till you can up your budget.

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by terry735001

i am sorry to say but 500hrs sounds really good to me most every day gen sets only last 200 hrs at most

i would give this place a call

Loetscher Auto Parts

4306 Florida 574
Plant City, FL 33563

loetscherauto.com
(813) 752-3770

they really do have good prices and is where i go all the time and they well ship to you but walking up face to face may get it for under 400$ or less guessing

keep in mind moving over to LP all so makes you unsafe to drive on some roads and places and may no longer be under DOT guidelines

Say what... ??? 500 hours and kaput??? Something not right with the OPs QD dying at that point or any other Onan that I'm aware of. They - especially the diesels should run for thousands of hours with proper maintenance.

OP- I'm with the others - stick with diesel on diesel. Sure you could carry gasoline jerry cans or get by on propane. BTW - what happened to the original Unit. Just gave up the ghost?

[dvmweb]

Yes, to OP, so on a 5 or 6 year old rig and only 500 hrs, hmmmm?

What was specifically the matter with your Onan and maybe a brief history if you have time? We'd like to learn from this too.

And, just wondering, if you install a generator that is not designed for the road and rv, will the road jostling affect it?


2013 FleetWood Expedition 38B

[dons2346]

Sounds like the OP's generator is/was one of those where the magnets were glued on. By not exercising the generator on a regular basis to keep things dried out, the magnet glue absorbed some moisture and it finally self destructed.

Get a second opinion on repair and check with some salvage yards plus call the source listed in another post