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Floridastorm · 06-18-2022, 09:53 PM

Finally, after what seems like ages, I bought a 2008 Four Winds Chateau 22 feet Class C motorhome in excellent shape from a very senior citizen couple. The only problem is that it does not have an on board generator. All of the wiring and facilities are there. In a way that's fairly good as I'll have a new one installed and hopefully no problems for months if not years.

Would greatly appreciate if you folks could point me in the right direction? What is the best way to facilitate a new Generator? I'm thinking that I need a 4K unit to allow for maximum benefit. What are the different brands and quality thereof? Should I buy one on line and then hire a generator mechanic to install it or should I have a maintenance place do the entire job? I saw a new type of generator, https://www.wayinterglobal.com/colle...ower-generator. Does anyone know anything about them?

Before I start calling around I would like to know what I am talking about in some respects. That is why I reach out here.

Thanks Again
Old Guy Dave

n2zon · 06-19-2022, 06:49 AM

I'd try to find out what the manufacturer installed then and try to find one of those. This sidesteps all the research you'd otherwise have to do for the volume and clearance requirements of the enclosure and such, and you might even find one and all its mounting hardware in an RV salvage yard.

Soppy · 06-19-2022, 07:14 AM

Try to find one from a salvage yard from the same model as your motorhome. You will need mounts exhaust and possibly a transfer switch. Talk to the salvage yard people and explain to them what you are doing so they can include everything needed including the hardware , If you have to pay someone to do it , it makes more sense to get the generator that was made for the vehicle

Argosy · 06-19-2022, 07:27 AM

I wouldn't consider anything but Onan for a generator. They're probably one of the oldest suppliers in the RV industry. There are very few parts that aren't available even for older generators. A brand new manufacturer might not be around in a year, and it could be a rebranded Chinese model that never had parts support.

DavidEM · 06-19-2022, 10:57 AM

All new MHs come with generators manufactured by Onan whether they are propane, gasoline or diesel powered. So as indicated above, use an Onan.

Your Chateau is gasoline powered, right? So use a gasoline generator. Onan makes a 4kw gas powered generator, but you might want to consider the new GG 2800i which is an inverter generator like the well known Honda. It is much, much quieter at low loads than the gas version.

The only problem may be the power rating. Onan says that it can start a 13,500 btu/hr A/C unit, so if you have one of these or smaller on your Chateau that is what I would recommend. Norwal.com is a US dstributer for Onan so check the specs and price of the 2800i.

Installation consists of mechanically mounting it on an outside wall, presumably where the factory mounts them. Then you need to hook up fuel and starting connections. The power output can go through a transfer switch or just use a plug in outlet to switch from shore to generator power. A good independent RV shop or mobile mechanic is what I would look for to do this work. I bet it won't be cheap, perhaps $2,000 for installation on top of about $3,000 for the generator.

David

Floridastorm · 06-23-2022, 05:36 PM

Thank you to all.

Decided I'm going to go with a mobile mechanic and a 4K Onan Gas Generator. He says that he can construct a tray for it. No, it's not cheap. In the area of $6,000 for everything. However, I did get a very good deal on this motorhome which is in showroom condition. Rather not have a lower powered generator that will have trouble starting the 13,500 AC especially when other electrical appliances may be needed at the same time.