Portable Generator

Even if the engine seized, that is a cheaper repair than $4000 and buying a new one.

I'd get a second opinion.

Portables are not designed to be inside an enclosed compartment
They need airflow, so as to Not over heat
There are some with wireless remote start
If you want portable, consider a rear rack storage mount of some kind
Some like Honda have vacuum operated fuel pumps, But depending distant from main vehicle fuel tank, they may not be able to move gas that far

wa8yxm wrote:
As others have said the Honda EU series (I'd go with at least a 3,000) can suck gas out of an external tank.. SHOULD be able to adapt it to suck gasoline out of the RV's tank via the geneator port just like the Onan but if you do be sure to put in a shut off valve.

ONe of the more unique things about the Honda Generators (At least the EU series) is that they have a genuine fuel pump. and thus can "Suck" gas.

I would use a motor boat fuel hose (With primer pump) so you can loosen the cap and fill the on-board tank by hand pumping.

X-2, I've seen this done when I was dry camping in Quartzsites, AZ. years ago

A guy on E-Bay has a modified Honda EU series fuel tank cap that is tapped for 1/8" pipe thread where the shut off valve used to be to make your own remote fuel tank system. I have one for my EU1000i in the box. I first bought one of the fancy CNC machined aluminum ones from Wise sales but the threads would not mesh properly.

jauguston: do you have any specifics as to why it is a bad idea? It seems to me if it was exhausted as the original generator, then there would be no difference. Thanks for any input. Brian

Brian48 wrote:
jauguston: do you have any specifics as to why it is a bad idea? It seems to me if it was exhausted as the original generator, then there would be no difference. Thanks for any input. Brian

It would be fine if there was adequate ventilation and the exhaust was piped out.

The problem is cooling air. Another issue "MAY BE" head room in the gen compartment. The portable,depending on what you choose may be too tall to fit. You need to get the hot air that comes out of the end of the generator (Honda) out of the compartment. It will loop around and go right back into the inlet air opening and overheat it if you don't deal with the exhaust and hot air. Do that then all you have to do is figure out how to get fuel into the generator tank. FYI Honda is the only one with a fuel pump. It can surely be done but it will take some engineering.

I have a Honda EU 1000i in a sound deadening box that carry with us in the back of the toad to charge batteries when the solar won't keep up when we boondock. It is almost silent. It weights about 60# and I just set it behind the coach and plug it into the shore power. I have a 3 gallon tank hooked to it and it will last many days when the weather is rotten. It has over 1600 hours on it and all I have done to it is oil changes.

Who gave you the estimate? I would get a 2nd opinion from a Cummings/Onan dealer.

Cummings.. arg.

Here is what happened. I was traveling from Michigan (where I live) to North Carolina to visit family. Onan Emerald Plus 5000 worked just fine for 7 hours. . .stopped to get dinner and it would not start. It chugged violently and backfired and then started and ran for the rest of the trip (another 6 hours). I tried many different things (from suggestions on another forum. . .thanks to everyone who tried). I changed the spark plugs, oil, and air filter. I took off the air intake and held the choke open hoping it would clear out. I tried starting fluid. Finally out of pure frustration, I took it to Camping world and they said it needed a new carburetor ($800). I wanted a second opinion, so I took it to nearby Cummins Atlantic and had a certified Onan repair person look at it. That is the place that said I needed over $4000 worth of repairs (Carburetor, Fuel Filter and line, electric rotor and stator, voltage regulator and all gaskets)??? I figured they would know exactly what they were doing???? I don't know why they didn't just try to sell me a new generator. . .one of the new self-contained 5500's is about $3700??

So. . .that is why I asked the question, because I don't have the money for a new one or to make those repairs (which would be stupid, in my opinion). Thanks to everyone for responding!