Kill-a-Watt & 1986 Onan 4.0 BFA
Good afternoon, So the other day I plugged the KAW into a Rat Shack MSW inverter and got something like 135 volts. Of course my cheap meters were reading between 90 and 100, so I thought it should...
Forum Discussion
Hi PT,
The “nearly 4000 watts” that I expressed was based on an estimate; Coleman A/C plus 1500W electric heater. The KAW is merely plugged in to a separate outlet reading the voltage, frequency and power factor; no current or wattage.
Hi KJINTF,
Well that’s a generous offer. I might have to take you up on that.
Interesting to hear your recollection on the O-Scope. I was under the impression that the wave was not so smooth. I’ll have to read up on that.
Also, I don’t believe she has an oil filter. I just do yearly oil changes in Fall, regardless of use. I might put 2 or 3 dozen hours a year on her. Some of that for exercise; much for the A/C while driving down the highway on hot summer days (the chassis A/C needs a recharge, but I prefer not to add any more heat to an already maxed out cooling system anyway.)
Good morning, weighty,
Thanks for sharing that. I’ll keep the KAW away from that inverter going forward.
Good morning, Matt,
Good to know all that. Thanks!
Hi j-d,
Yes, I am also not aware of any electronics on her.
And yeah, my father has been clamoring for one as a backup home genny. They seem to garner much respect for their longevity and value. The original owner of mine kept impeccable records and changed the oil WAY more often than I would. I covet the modern, quiet, diesel and LP units, but the old girl does run well. Plus my old RV has almost no parasitic draw and 3 group 27s, so I almost never need to run the Onan at a quiet campsite anyway. Just did a 3 day Memorial weekend dry camp and the bank read just under 12.5V when we were packing up Monday morning.
Most of the Onan’s use is highway A/C and occasional campground A/C when needed. Otherwise the alternator does most of the charging on the way home. The Onan gets way more use from exercising her in storage than she does charging batteries. Oh… and for the occasional hair drying session when I take Mrs. P to some gala affair in another town.
The “nearly 4000 watts” that I expressed was based on an estimate; Coleman A/C plus 1500W electric heater. The KAW is merely plugged in to a separate outlet reading the voltage, frequency and power factor; no current or wattage.
Hi KJINTF,
Well that’s a generous offer. I might have to take you up on that.
Interesting to hear your recollection on the O-Scope. I was under the impression that the wave was not so smooth. I’ll have to read up on that.
Also, I don’t believe she has an oil filter. I just do yearly oil changes in Fall, regardless of use. I might put 2 or 3 dozen hours a year on her. Some of that for exercise; much for the A/C while driving down the highway on hot summer days (the chassis A/C needs a recharge, but I prefer not to add any more heat to an already maxed out cooling system anyway.)
Good morning, weighty,
Thanks for sharing that. I’ll keep the KAW away from that inverter going forward.
Good morning, Matt,
Good to know all that. Thanks!
Hi j-d,
Yes, I am also not aware of any electronics on her.
And yeah, my father has been clamoring for one as a backup home genny. They seem to garner much respect for their longevity and value. The original owner of mine kept impeccable records and changed the oil WAY more often than I would. I covet the modern, quiet, diesel and LP units, but the old girl does run well. Plus my old RV has almost no parasitic draw and 3 group 27s, so I almost never need to run the Onan at a quiet campsite anyway. Just did a 3 day Memorial weekend dry camp and the bank read just under 12.5V when we were packing up Monday morning.
Most of the Onan’s use is highway A/C and occasional campground A/C when needed. Otherwise the alternator does most of the charging on the way home. The Onan gets way more use from exercising her in storage than she does charging batteries. Oh… and for the occasional hair drying session when I take Mrs. P to some gala affair in another town.
