How loud is your onan microlight 2800 in your B?

Money, not enough demand to make it cost effective. In the whole scheme of things Class B's are a pretty small market.

I guess the real question is why doesn't onan make an inverter type built in generator? Then the rpm wouldn't have to blast at 3600 all the time. Its 2016. The technology has been around for a long time, probably 15 years. Its time the built in generators gained these features.

I guess it's a tradeoff between noise and convenience. The ONAN mounts hidden under the van, is hooked to the van fuel tank, and starts with the push of a button. The HONDA has to be mounted out back or on the ground, and is quieter.

When someone makes a quiet 2800 that mounts underneath and starts with a button, there will be a long line at their door!

I have always wondered why some B company doesn't offer something like this as an option.

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu3000is

Compare that price listed to this: Roadtrek shows the cost of the optional generator to be $4,693. I assume that is still the Onan 2800 and they offer the "under the hood" model for $3900+.

Obviously, the Honda would require some alteration as to fuel supply. Personally, I would just as soon pour in a little gas to the Honda than pay the difference. Of course, the quoted price on the Honda is out of the box and the Roadtrek quote is installed. Still??

The difference in the db output of the two units is more than significant. Some trailer folks are building platforms on the rear bumper and securing these Hondas on the rear. Many of us can come up with a lot of creativity for the difference in price, reliability and sound. If I were buying a used B without a generator, I darn sure would not hesitate to rig up something with one of these Hondas. Other manufacturers make similar inverter units at even cheaper prices.

Home Skillet wrote:
ONAN does a crappy job on noise isolation.
How can a Honda EU generator be so quiet, but not an ONAN?

The Onan in your Class B must run at 3600 rpm to generate 60 cycle AC current. The governor will maintain that rpm through the useful current range. On the other hand, the Honda and other inverter generators generate DC current which is inverted to AC electronically. Hence, the Honda only runs as fast as necessary to generate the power needed. It's speed as well as excellent quieting make it a quieter system.

I got a onan resonator today, definitely knocks the "pop" out of the exhaust. Think I'll make up some vibration dampening gaskets for the mount to the frame. It is mounted with the onan under mount kit and located behind the rear axle.

gbopp wrote:
How do you have it mounted now? Is it on rubber bushings?

I'll have to take a look at the install. I believe it was done the same way as a Travato

ONAN does a crappy job on noise isolation.
How can a Honda EU generator be so quiet, but not an ONAN?

We had a PW with generator area already prepped. Had the unit you mentioned installed, new, before taking delivery. Generator noise was a normal amount.

Is the area where it is installed well insulatedone for noise?

It is going to be LOUD! That is the nature of the beast. Not much you can do that will have a dramatic impact.