Community Forums

Iwillbeit · 02-04-2015, 09:18 PM

Quick question. How many hours do you have on your diesel generator. I am trying to get an idea of the service life I can expect out of my Onan 8kw. All replies appreciated.

Randy W

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Z06 · 02-04-2015, 10:45 PM

Our 7500 Onan has over 2700 hours. Still starts and runs perfectly.

SteveLevin · 02-04-2015, 11:20 PM

If you change the oil and maintain filters and fluid, I'd be shocked if you ever wore it out. Figure it is good for 10,000+ hours...

Steve

AFChap · 02-05-2015, 07:37 AM

Mine has 1,200 or so. I service it once a year and use it regularly.

brunsje · 02-05-2015, 09:59 AM

The biggest problem folks have is not running the generator enough.

It requires 2 hours at >50% load every month.

In summer run your AC's and HW Heater

In winter, use space heaters and anything else you can figure out.

I have heard the Onan Diesels last over 10,000 hours!!

JohnnyB

PDR John · 02-05-2015, 10:14 AM

Onan says the service life is around 20,000 hours. The most likely needed part then will be brushes on the head.

99% of RV will never come close to wearing it out.

Ray,IN · 02-05-2015, 02:52 PM

My Onan has over 1,800 hrs on the clock. Runs great! Exactly like your diesel drive engine, keep fuel filters changed, keep oil N filter changed per schedule. Then operate the genset monthly as stated in owners manual.

Mr_D · 02-05-2015, 02:58 PM

There was a post somewhere of an Onan with 25,000 hours on it with no major problems.
Usual problem is not running them enough. We're in the process of buying a 2009 CC Magna, the gen has 371 hrs on it which might be OK.

dons2346 · 02-05-2015, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

There was a post somewhere of an Onan with 25,000 hours on it with no major problems.
Usual problem is not running them enough. We're in the process of buying a 2009 CC Magna, the gen has 371 hrs on it which might be OK.

Read the same article about the 25K hours, nothing but oil and filter changes.

The newer Onans have the magnets glued on so it is very important to run the genny often to dry things out. Seems if you don't run it, the glue absorbs moisture and then the genny comes apart

hypoxia · 02-06-2015, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

The newer Onans have the magnets glued on so it is very important to run the genny often to dry things out. Seems if you don't run it, the glue absorbs moisture and then the genny comes apart

30 years ago I had that happen to the Generac generator in my motorhome. I glued the magnet in backwards & it took a while to figure out why it didn't work.

Czar Of Poop · 02-06-2015, 07:34 AM

1650 hrs on a 10,000 Quite Onan. Just had it serviced by RV Mobile Lube. Oil/Filter/Air Filter/Fuel Filter/Belt. The Whole Meal Deal! Puts out 13.5 and will run everything.

tom77hmstd · 02-06-2015, 03:52 PM

Ours had 167 hours when we got it now at 2750 oil change at 100- 150 hours. Sometimes turn it on Friday when we leave and it runs tiil Sunday when we return. Onans are GOOD.