Onan 4000 swap
How difficult is to take a generator from one motorhome and install it in another? (both have the same generator) Doable in a few hours?
Forum Discussion
It's not difficult in the conceptual sense. It is somewhat laborious. Certainly with a little experience in hooking up and unhooking, and appropriate tools, it could be done in a few hours...but if you haven't dropped a generator before, it might take somewhat longer.
Unless they've changed things on your particular revision of the 4KY compared to mine (I assume this is a 4KY), it's necessary to remove the starter solenoid, voltage regulator/control modules, and switch panel on the generator to detach the gas line and the AC power output connections. Once those are all detached, it's fairly straightforward in concept to use e.g. an automotive floor jack to support the generator when removing the bolts from whatever sort of mount/subframe is used in the installation, and then drop it down in a controlled manner. Installation is, of course, more or less just reversing the process. (There are also connections to any remote start panel etc. and for chassis grounding; those are readily accessible.)
Do measure carefully to make sure you have enough clearance underneath the skirting of the two generator bays to clear the generator when it's on whatever jack or dolly or whatever you're moving it on. If not, you will need to put the vehicles up on jack stands or ramps or something before starting out.
I think the label on my generator listed it as somewhere around 175 pounds. It's enough that a jack or whatever is very nearly needed to safely manipulate it, particularly in the close quarters of a typical generator bay.
Unless they've changed things on your particular revision of the 4KY compared to mine (I assume this is a 4KY), it's necessary to remove the starter solenoid, voltage regulator/control modules, and switch panel on the generator to detach the gas line and the AC power output connections. Once those are all detached, it's fairly straightforward in concept to use e.g. an automotive floor jack to support the generator when removing the bolts from whatever sort of mount/subframe is used in the installation, and then drop it down in a controlled manner. Installation is, of course, more or less just reversing the process. (There are also connections to any remote start panel etc. and for chassis grounding; those are readily accessible.)
Do measure carefully to make sure you have enough clearance underneath the skirting of the two generator bays to clear the generator when it's on whatever jack or dolly or whatever you're moving it on. If not, you will need to put the vehicles up on jack stands or ramps or something before starting out.
I think the label on my generator listed it as somewhere around 175 pounds. It's enough that a jack or whatever is very nearly needed to safely manipulate it, particularly in the close quarters of a typical generator bay.
