Generator Question

[KeatonAZ]

I recently picked up a 21ft class C RV that was missing the generator. I have looked for RV generators and they seem to be very over priced. why can i take a normal 4500w inverter generator, removed the tank and wire it up as well as make different brackets to hang it. The one I'm looking at has remote start that i can wire into the panel in the cabin. not sure why this wont work. removing the tank will allow me to shorten the Z height so it should tuck up nice and neat.

[code2e]

The biggest problems for you to solve will be cooling air for the portable genny and exhaust piping to the outside of the coach.

Connecting fuel and controls will be the easy part. Mounting a portable inside your generator cabinet in a way that allows adequate cooling air in and out will be a challenge. Overheating needs to be avoided.

Coming up with an exhaust system will likely require some fabrication, pipe bending and welding skills. Need to be certain that exhaust gasses flow away from the coach and not accumulate under it and possibly get inside coach.

Certainly, the portable will be louder than an RV genny. Part of their expense is due to all these factors being addressed in manufacture.

[KeatonAZ]

Originally Posted by code2e

The biggest problems for you to solve will be cooling air for the portable genny and exhaust piping to the outside of the coach.

Connecting fuel and controls will be the easy part. Mounting a portable inside your generator cabinet in a way that allows adequate cooling air in and out will be a challenge. Overheating needs to be avoided.

Coming up with an exhaust system will likely require some fabrication, pipe bending and welding skills. Need to be certain that exhaust gasses flow away from the coach and not accumulate under it and possibly get inside coach.

Certainly, the portable will be louder than an RV genny. Part of their expense is due to all these factors being addressed in manufacture.

i feel the exhaust would be easy, just route it out with flex pipe. if it is to loud then to a car muffler. for cooling i was thinking of adding a electric fan and tie it to the 12v on the generator so when the genny is on the fan is on forcing air.


I'm on the fence of adding a dual fuel generator and tapping it off the propane tank since it is huge.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by code2e

The biggest problems for you to solve will be cooling air for the portable genny and exhaust piping to the outside of the coach.

Concur !

That is a lot of power ! More than 1 AC ? Personally, I would go with 2 - 2000W units running in parallel. Leave them outside.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by KeatonAZ

i feel the exhaust would be easy, just route it out with flex pipe. if it is to loud then to a car muffler. for cooling i was thinking of adding a electric fan and tie it to the 12v on the generator so when the genny is on the fan is on forcing air.

Car mufflers really do not quiet down generator engines ! I would wrap whatever extended exhaust you install with exhaust pipe wrap to contain the heat.

It is never a good idea to use the 12DC outlet on any portable generator for anything ! Those 12 volts are designed to supply the field/rotor. Stealing too much, will affect the output !

[KeatonAZ]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

Concur !

That is a lot of power ! More than 1 AC ? Personally, I would go with 2 - 2000W units running in parallel. Leave them outside.

i have a external portable generator it is a wen 2000w inverter generator. I only have 1 newer dometic AC unit


https://wenproducts.com/products/wen...nerator-56200i

[Soppy]

Most portable generators are not designed to run in an enclosed space of any kind. Although it can be connected and work, it probably won't be safe or legal. Contact the generator manufacturer to see if they approve of the installation in a closed space.

[sibe]

I did a quick wsearch on facebook marketplace in your area at least 4 from 800-1500.. some real low hour clean units..

I would grab one Onan 4000 and be happy... fitting a portable going to be more than that by the time you are done and it will be so so ...

[code2e]

Originally Posted by KeatonAZ

i feel the exhaust would be easy, just route it out with flex pipe. if it is to loud then to a car muffler. for cooling i was thinking of adding a electric fan and tie it to the 12v on the generator so when the genny is on the fan is on forcing air.


I'm on the fence of adding a dual fuel generator and tapping it off the propane tank since it is huge.

Maybe you have noticed portable generators vibrate a lot. Attaching flex pipe to a generator and routing it out to the exterior would not last long. The genny would rattle the flex joints loose in short order. Leaks everywhere.

As for noise, portable gennys make lots of mechanical noise, not just exhaust noise. Is why Onan encloses their RV gennys in noise deadening material. A car muffler won't help much.

I'd shop for a used Onan MicroQuiet. See them come up often.

[1stimerveer]

I ended up with an Onan 4500i. I found it was the right choice for me.
The reasons:

It can run all night on a tankful running the AC etc.

I can locate the genny to minimize the noise and insure exhaust gas is no where near the TT, making it safer to use.

Easily carried on a front hitch mounted cargo carrier and doesn't have to be unloaded to operate. I comes with wheels and is easily loaded onto the carrier using a 1/2 inch plywood ramp.

It can deliver all the power I need and because it is usually run at part load, it's quieter than smaller generators running at full load.

Remote start allows start/stop from inside the TT.

Easy maintenance with easy access to the whole unit.

For what its worth, other campers we know us Harbor Freight 3500 watt inverters, with great success. The only drawbacks are fuel tank size and limited run time and no remote start.

I tried running 2 2000 watt champions in parallel but found that they were a pain to set up, fueling two tanks was a pain coupled with the limited run time due to smaller fuel tanks.

When necessary replacement is simple and cost effective, without dangerous jury-rigging.

that's my $.02 for what its worth.

Safe travels and all the best.

[1stimerveer]

I forgot to ask if the original generator was mounted outside of the RV or inside a compartment....

[KeatonAZ]

Originally Posted by 1stimerveer

I forgot to ask if the original generator was mounted outside of the RV or inside a compartment....

it was mounted under the RV behind the drivers door. mostly open, just has a exterior door for looks with expanded metal covering a vent hole the length of the door

[sibe]

I have seen some creative mounting of portables on MH and TT, some with side compartments and others with lower areas that are open under and even a couple in the rear just on a hitch carrier which is popular,, put fuel cans with it on hitch.. I have done than many times when needed.

the onan 4500 or westinghouse model ( I have one),, I have too many gennys for my event scoring hobby.. like 7 different...
This 4500 model has been awesome.. actually I have it on my house deck for second year now as a back up.. brush the snow off it fires,, remote is nice.. I have it set to run my house,, no well pump but I can get 110 everywhere else, even 2 window AC in summer fridge etc,,

Again I have a class C with i finiky onboard,, I have working decent now.. carb and todays fuel is 98%.. issue even running it every 3-5 weeks for a few hours,,
BUT with my access to all those gennys, I stick with keeping the onan up.. I rather not cart stuff and fuel somewhere ...

[THenne1713]

Just the other day, saw two Onans salvaged from wrecks being sold for $300+/each; that wud be MY direction?