Replaced my Generator ... Help
The Onan finally died. (has been nothing but trouble). I replaced it with a a open frame generator from Lowes for under 500. But I think I may have a heat problem. I ran it for about 1/2 hour and ...
Forum Discussion
Wildmanbaker thank you and you are right. I forgot that even on a forum of great people, there has to be a few, well you know. So, I asked for ideas, and the one general response was 'DON'T Do IT'. Of course that made me work all the harder. I've consulted race car builders, because they use electric fuel pumps, and lawn mower and generator repairmen, a HVAC guy. So lets be honest, I don't have the money to spend $4000.00 to make it factory approved. So I had to find a way. It's been a long process but it works and it is safe.
First the compartment on my MH is surrounded on 3 sides by insulated metal with a open bottom. I removed the overhead gas tank on the generator for top clearance. Then I placed a electric fuel pump that only runs when the generator is started by wiring in a 110vac to 12dc. The problem there is never run it out of gas, lol. But since it feeds off my main tank I don't see a problem. Next was heat and how to get rid of it. The generator has a bottom exhaust fan to expel it's heat build up inside its electric generator so that's good. But, it was generating a lot of heat from just the engine running. So, i placed two vents a 12x12 and a 8x8 in the compartment door. I then mounted a fan in the bottom of the open compartment drawing air down, (and yes thru the vents) to cool the engine and compartment.
Is it a factory installed Onan, well no. May it break, My onan did so I suppose this can too. My total cost of the project is right at 525.00 so I can replace it 10 times before I come to the cost of an onan. Is it loud, Yes but not Harley loud.
This is a 1999 MH that is being used by 4 guys on the road 3-4 days a week. Mostly on shore power. But if needed we now have a emergency backup. It is not used hours at a time more like minutes going down the road to power the microwave. So with all that being said I will put together a video and show you what I did. Is it Certified Safe by UL or whatever, No but neither is life. Thanks all. If you want specific information or whatever let me know.
First the compartment on my MH is surrounded on 3 sides by insulated metal with a open bottom. I removed the overhead gas tank on the generator for top clearance. Then I placed a electric fuel pump that only runs when the generator is started by wiring in a 110vac to 12dc. The problem there is never run it out of gas, lol. But since it feeds off my main tank I don't see a problem. Next was heat and how to get rid of it. The generator has a bottom exhaust fan to expel it's heat build up inside its electric generator so that's good. But, it was generating a lot of heat from just the engine running. So, i placed two vents a 12x12 and a 8x8 in the compartment door. I then mounted a fan in the bottom of the open compartment drawing air down, (and yes thru the vents) to cool the engine and compartment.
Is it a factory installed Onan, well no. May it break, My onan did so I suppose this can too. My total cost of the project is right at 525.00 so I can replace it 10 times before I come to the cost of an onan. Is it loud, Yes but not Harley loud.
This is a 1999 MH that is being used by 4 guys on the road 3-4 days a week. Mostly on shore power. But if needed we now have a emergency backup. It is not used hours at a time more like minutes going down the road to power the microwave. So with all that being said I will put together a video and show you what I did. Is it Certified Safe by UL or whatever, No but neither is life. Thanks all. If you want specific information or whatever let me know.
