Generator

I'm in the process of adding a onan gen to the front compartment on my FW, it was not 'gen ready'.

I found an Onan 7kw gen (120v only, GAS) that needed repair (a pulley and a belt)
got the compartment floor cutout template
had the enclosure made

need to get the propane conversion kit for the generator (santa let me down this year!)
and an Automatic transfer switch. Then run some wire from the front compartment to mid rig where the shore power enters the rig.

Onan makes a wireless controller, EC-30W, the receiver just plugs into the genset. Then you can program it to turn on at a particular temp, avoid campground blackout times, ...

I'll still have over $1000 by the time I'm done.

propane kit = 250
EC-30W = 550
ATS = 220
enclosure = 150
wire = 100
gen + repair = 250

I have tested the gen (on GAS), running all the systems at once, both A/C units, microwave, coffee maker, and a hand held hair dryer. and it does great.

edit: propane conversion so I don't have to carry additional fuel source, and is less low use maintenance than gas (which will gum up)

Colo Native wrote:
It is necessary to have a generator in a 5th wheel, I know some have them some don't. We are looking to go to a 5th from our class a and we really don't use ours a lot now.

If you don't use your gen a lot now - you probably don't need one.

You can order a 5th "generator ready" - but without the gen.

Then *if* you decide you need/want a gen, add it later (which will most likely be at a better price).

OR -
as others have indicated, carry a portable gen in the back of your pickup.

.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
that will be nice! We stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs a lot. Half park is 30 other is 50A. We like the 30 A side much better so now we can cool when others are sweating and dry clothes to boot. I am getting more excited about this new toy!

Another benefit is pre-set your ACs and then about 30 minutes out from the campsite, fire the generator and pre-cool the house! Remote start is even better!

Mile High wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do any of you with bigger 5500/6500 gen sets carry an extra propane bottle?

My rig has two 40s. I don't really have a good place carry another, but never really had a need to. I use the generator for roadside stuff, cleaning the coach, occasional backup, but never long run boondocking. The little EUV gensets are better for that.

This is all new to me. I have two 40# also. The 6500 should open up other camping possibilities.

One thing I thought of not all parks have 50A but I will have 240V for the dryer. So if we need to dry a load then on goes the gen.

That would make short work of it. Also nice when you have 30A campground only and you want to cool the rig down with both ACs for a while, then drop back to one AC on the 30A.

that will be nice! We stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs a lot. Half park is 30 other is 50A. We like the 30 A side much better so now we can cool when others are sweating and dry clothes to boot. I am getting more excited about this new toy!

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do any of you with bigger 5500/6500 gen sets carry an extra propane bottle?

My rig has two 40s. I don't really have a good place carry another, but never really had a need to. I use the generator for roadside stuff, cleaning the coach, occasional backup, but never long run boondocking. The little EUV gensets are better for that.

This is all new to me. I have two 40# also. The 6500 should open up other camping possibilities.

One thing I thought of not all parks have 50A but I will have 240V for the dryer. So if we need to dry a load then on goes the gen.

That would make short work of it. Also nice when you have 30A campground only and you want to cool the rig down with both ACs for a while, then drop back to one AC on the 30A.

It may be possible to convert the drier to 120 volt. Granted it will take longer to do a load--but if you can use shore power rather than a generator it would be nice.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
One thing I thought of not all parks have 50A but I will have 240V for the dryer. So if we need to dry a load then on goes the gen.

Mile High wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do any of you with bigger 5500/6500 gen sets carry an extra propane bottle?

My rig has two 40s. I don't really have a good place carry another, but never really had a need to. I use the generator for roadside stuff, cleaning the coach, occasional backup, but never long run boondocking. The little EUV gensets are better for that.

This is all new to me. I have two 40# also. The 6500 should open up other camping possibilities.

One thing I thought of not all parks have 50A but I will have 240V for the dryer. So if we need to dry a load then on goes the gen.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do any of you with bigger 5500/6500 gen sets carry an extra propane bottle?

My rig has two 40s. I don't really have a good place carry another, but never really had a need to. I use the generator for roadside stuff, cleaning the coach, occasional backup, but never long run boondocking. The little EUV gensets are better for that.

Thanks.

Never had a REAL GEN before!

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do any of you with bigger 5500/6500 gen sets carry an extra propane bottle?

If we are going somewhere without electricity, and I know I will be running my air, I make sure both my on board bottles are full and I bring a 3rd bottle. On a 3 day weekend at Moab, I have to use the 3rd bottle.