Everything works on Shore Power, Nothing on Generator

bounder39zman wrote:
You probably have an answer from your repair shop by now, but I will weigh in anyway.....free advice. Being a Guardian will change symptoms/causes as it is diagnosed. Guardians will actually continue to run when they are not producing power, where Onan will shut down if no ac power being generated. Voltage regulator most common problem on these sets, but need to check rotor field brushes as high resistance here will cause short regulator life.

It sounds like you have some experience with Generac, but before going any further, I can't even get mine out of the coach, so if you think you can help me with this dilemma, please post on my new thread...5.5 Generac Generator Removal...and thanks in advance.

Tinstar wrote:

lacofdfireman wrote:
Almost positive I'll end up with the newer one. Just because I'll most likely keep this RV for along time so I'm thinking the newer generator in the long run will be better. But plan on looking at both tonight and picking 1 of them up. On my way to Vegas now. Supposedly the newer ones are quieter also.

Did you get the newer one? I noticed that listing has been removed.

We first went and looked at the Onan 5500 Marquis Gold for $1000. It was in a trailer park in Las Vegas that they were living in. The trailer was a Toyhauler and the generator was still installed in the toy hauler. Took us awhile to get it to start but it wouldn't keep running and we never could hear the fuel pump working. We got it to start by pouring fuel in the carb.
Next we went to look at the 2013 Onan 5500 and that was actually at an RV Dealership. One of the Techs in the Mechanic area was selling it. He had it all hooked up and fired right up and he had his volt meter there showing us it was producing the right amount of power. It was a no brainer. I left with that Onan for $1800. It was a great deal.

There is a 2015 with what the owner claims to have less than 5hrs one for sell in San Diego and that guys said he would sell it for $1500. Just to far for me. He sent me photo's and videos of it running but something just didn't seem right. To good to be true. But if someone needs one they might check craigslist and get that one for a steal..

lacofdfireman wrote:
Almost positive I'll end up with the newer one. Just because I'll most likely keep this RV for along time so I'm thinking the newer generator in the long run will be better. But plan on looking at both tonight and picking 1 of them up. On my way to Vegas now. Supposedly the newer ones are quieter also.

Did you get the newer one? I noticed that listing has been removed.

both 5500 generators should be same...5.5HGJAB Onan. Hours run and how they were maintained more important than actual age. If they have less than 2000 hours and run well, then either one probably good deal for $.
I would want to see/hear them run and verify voltage output prior to purchasing. Is your Guardian a QP55G ? if so the Onan will fit in same space. I have done this swap numerous times. Takes a little skill to adapt the remote control wiring harness to new set, plus wiring and fuel lines on opposite ends of Generac and Onan

Almost positive I'll end up with the newer one. Just because I'll most likely keep this RV for along time so I'm thinking the newer generator in the long run will be better. But plan on looking at both tonight and picking 1 of them up. On my way to Vegas now. Supposedly the newer ones are quieter also.

lacofdfireman wrote:
Went over and had a chat with the service guy talking about my Generator. I think we both agreed that the Generac RV Guardian is really not worth the cost for me to fix. He said by the time we are all said and done it would be about $1000 to fix and then he said he couldn't guarantee how long it would keep going. It's already about 2500hrs which isn't to many but it's getting up there. He also said Genrac is out of the RV business so getting parts down the road will be tougher and tougher..

What's your opinions on these 2 generators used that I am looking at?

This one the guy said he would sell for $1800
Onan 5500. Said it was out of his 2012 Motorhome

This on the guy said was out of his 09 Toyhauler He said he would take $1000
Onan 5500 Marquis Gold

Which do you think would be a better deal?

That aside, will they in fact fit. With my 5.5 Generac, there's nothing else that can go in there. Getting ready to pull it now for attempting to repair it myself. It starts and runs good, but has no AC output. Can't even troubleshoot it properly while it's still installed and besides it having an oil leak, as well.
I could get a cheapo Champion model in there, but with no air clearance around it, fuel delivery problems...etc. If the repair doesn't go well, I might even consider mounting a Champion on a hitch haul at the rear of the coach, but then will encounter problems with trying to extend the hitch for the toad and maintaining it's 5K lb rating. All that with manual starting and being out in the weather when underway or dry camping.

Big Katuna wrote:
The RVQG for $1000.. Steal.

Better than the newer one for $800 more? I think that's the problem I'm having is the other one is only $800 more and probably 6 years newer. The one for $1000 is an 07 according to the VIN number. The Onan Vin number is the 2 numbers following the first Letter. The first letters indicate the month it was made.. A- being January and L- being December...

The RVQG for $1000.. Steal.

Went over and had a chat with the service guy talking about my Generator. I think we both agreed that the Generac RV Guardian is really not worth the cost for me to fix. He said by the time we are all said and done it would be about $1000 to fix and then he said he couldn't guarantee how long it would keep going. It's already about 2500hrs which isn't to many but it's getting up there. He also said Genrac is out of the RV business so getting parts down the road will be tougher and tougher..

What's your opinions on these 2 generators used that I am looking at?

This one the guy said he would sell for $1800
Onan 5500. Said it was out of his 2012 Motorhome

This on the guy said was out of his 09 Toyhauler He said he would take $1000
Onan 5500 Marquis Gold

Which do you think would be a better deal?

bounder39zman wrote:
You probably have an answer from your repair shop by now, but I will weigh in anyway.....free advice. Being a Guardian will change symptoms/causes as it is diagnosed. Guardians will actually continue to run when they are not producing power, where Onan will shut down if no ac power being generated. Voltage regulator most common problem on these sets, but need to check rotor field brushes as high resistance here will cause short regulator life.

My new Onan ran and then stopped producing electricity but did not shutdown. It as a wire that had a shield slip and when we bounced it shorted. Tough to find and easy to fix but it required removing the generator from the coach and taking it apart as wiring was in the middle.