Replacement Generator Needed

[dmason]

I have a friend who owns a 1990 Toyota Dolphin and is need of replaceing his Onan 2800 KW generator. Current generator fits in a 16x16x26 (HxDxL) space. Only one he can find (don't know source) is $2200 plus shipping. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

[Jimmyzw22]

Keep your eyes on Craigslist.org

I see generators for sale on that website all the time, ebay is another consideration but shipping would be heavy. Be diligent and look at craigslist everyday.

[Mike Canter]

A newer Onan 2800 MicroLite is 24X16.4X12.3 weighs 113 lbs can be gasoline or LP. According to Onan it can power one AC unit with 300-600 watts left over

Onan MicroLite Generators on Sale

[ischua]

Does it need to be a Onan 2800 KW OEM generator ? or just something that fits?

[dmason]

Ischua,
Probably would take either an OEM replacement or just something that fits the space. His current one is working, but on its last leg. He'd like to replace the current one before it dies. Thanks.

[jcthorne]

Define 'on its last legs'

I have never seen an RV owner actually 'wear out' an Onan generator. On my last rig when I sold it, the RV was 21 yrs old and the gen set had 2800 hrs on it and still ran great. A bit cranky to start sometimes but I was never the best with carburetors. These gen sets are usually good for nearly 5000 hrs before major overhaul and even then, cheaper to repair than replace.

What is wrong with the generator he has?

[Mike Canter]

I would ask the same question on how you know it is on its last leg? It would be cheaper to take it in to a certified Onan repair facility and have it rebuilt.

[dmason]

jcthorne and Mike Canter,
Truth of the matter is my friend doesn't use his RV to camp, but had it refitted and runs a dog grooming business out of it, i.e., pulls up in your driveway, starts generator and starts grooming dogs/cats. Generator powers AC, heater, electrical outlets, water heater, lights, etc. At our house (4 dogs) he spends 5 hours in grooming mode. We're one of several customers. His business runs six days a week for most of the year. "On last legs" was the terminology he used in describing his generator.

[Mike Canter]

When I was in the Navy we used Onan generators to power a mobile command center that we moved all over the world from Thule, Greenland to places I can't admit to. We ran them 24/7. We never had to replace one but had to rebuild them just because we had so many hours on them and always had to be ready. They always came back from rebuild as good as new and kept on going. Onan never let us down.