Forum Discussion
cummins2014
Nov 04, 2020Explorer
Lantley wrote:work2much wrote:Lantley wrote:cummins2014 wrote:Lantley wrote:
I have a factory installed Onan 5500 lp and it's a fantastic option.
I agree if your camping style involves hunkering down off the grid and using the gensets all day long for days in a row, gasoline is a better option.
However if you are a convenience user and use the built in for rest area breaks, lunch stops, overnighting, leaving the dog in the camper. The built- in Onan gives us lots of options vs. a portable genset or no genset at all.
There is no planning , no hauling ,no carrying no set up, no cord pulling, no carb issues, no stale gas or ethanol talk no security issues.
Just push button convenience and you can have full electric wherever you are.
I too think its a fantastic option ,if one needs it . In my case it was a pretty much wasted 4500 dollar option, that one Honda 2000 could have served "OUR" needs , and now does with my present fifth wheel without the onboard generator. For us it was live ,and learn :(
Very few actually need an onboard genset or must have one in order to camp. However the Onboard genset expands your camping options.
You can overnight most anywhere even in extreme hot weather because you have electric for AC available. You can leave dog in RV on a hot day while you go to lunch or tour an attraction.
You can boondock or visit places and have full use of your RV without planning.
The genset gives you the option to do more. Taking advantage of these options is up to the end user. However without the genset many of these options are unavailable.
We have all those same options with our solar/lithium system. Also with a propane generator you still have carb issues, planning for the purchase of propane and planning for normal maintenance. Just pointing out that having a propane generator (and I used to) isn't trouble free, carefree nirvana. Ours quit working more than once..
I can't speak for anyone else's experiences, only my own. My Onan has been Nirvana. No carb issues in the 8 years I've owned the trailer. Just oil changes.
Are you able to run 2 A/C's all day long with your solar set up?
This thread is going in circles, been there with the Onan, yes mine would run two AC's ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, we all know that ,and I know after a couple days or so of that ,and you are going after propane, or you got a bunch of tanks, no thanks. You can push these Onan onboards all you want, there are other alternatives , been there done that with Onan , and now I don't, and haven't missed it for a second. Matter of fact now I don't have to go out ,and run it an hour a month .
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