non-Honda generators
As we all know Honda and Yamaha are very proud of their generators and they are very good products. However for as often as most of us use them for camping only I've been looking for alternatives, any...
Forum Discussion
pnichols wrote: "Huuuuh?? I must be not understanding something in this statememt.
The Onan 4000 in our Class C will run the microwave and the A/C at the same time - no problem. Our Class C is a 30 amp RV and the Onan 4000 installed in it will run everything in it that 30 amp hookups will run. That's why the Onan 4000 33.3 amp generator was installed in it by Winnebago.
Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca 324V Spirit"
Phil: Well forget what you read, you have everything correct, but . . . .
You have to remember that your Onan 4000 watt genny (like mine) came standard with a 9.5 hp, 304 cc (18.5 cubic inch) engine. That's good especially when you need peak start up power for A/C's and other locked rotor amp (lra) applications. Onan provides a 3 hp reserve over its competition at sea level. The Champion comes with a 6.5 hp (196 cc) engine and it uses every bit of the available hp when asked to produce peak loads. Hence the noise and the questionable starting capability. When you go up in elevation/temperature the standard lapse rate is about 3% loss in power for every 1000 ft rise in elevation. Similar for temperature. Standard air pressure is 29.92 in Hg (14.7 psi)and 59 degrees F at sea level. Do the math. Higher altitudes and hot temperatures are certain death for gennys that are "maxed out" at sea level. They just can't produce the needed power to reliably start locked rotor applications. It is that simple. (unless you want to turbo charge it or install a NOx system on it, then, . . . . you'll be fine)
Chum lee
P.S.: A few other things: I just read the published Champion specification that their 3500/4000(peak) watt genny consumes 1.5 gallons of fuel per hour at max power whereas your/my Onan uses only .75 gallons per hour to reliably produce 4000 watts continuous up to about 7000 feet MSL. Then consider the fact that we have the internal remote electric start (the Champion is external hand recoil) option and our fuel supply is connected to the main coach fuel tank which is in my case 75 gallons. (usable up to about 25 gallons remaining) To each your own!
The Onan 4000 in our Class C will run the microwave and the A/C at the same time - no problem. Our Class C is a 30 amp RV and the Onan 4000 installed in it will run everything in it that 30 amp hookups will run. That's why the Onan 4000 33.3 amp generator was installed in it by Winnebago.
Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca 324V Spirit"
Phil: Well forget what you read, you have everything correct, but . . . .
You have to remember that your Onan 4000 watt genny (like mine) came standard with a 9.5 hp, 304 cc (18.5 cubic inch) engine. That's good especially when you need peak start up power for A/C's and other locked rotor amp (lra) applications. Onan provides a 3 hp reserve over its competition at sea level. The Champion comes with a 6.5 hp (196 cc) engine and it uses every bit of the available hp when asked to produce peak loads. Hence the noise and the questionable starting capability. When you go up in elevation/temperature the standard lapse rate is about 3% loss in power for every 1000 ft rise in elevation. Similar for temperature. Standard air pressure is 29.92 in Hg (14.7 psi)and 59 degrees F at sea level. Do the math. Higher altitudes and hot temperatures are certain death for gennys that are "maxed out" at sea level. They just can't produce the needed power to reliably start locked rotor applications. It is that simple. (unless you want to turbo charge it or install a NOx system on it, then, . . . . you'll be fine)
Chum lee
P.S.: A few other things: I just read the published Champion specification that their 3500/4000(peak) watt genny consumes 1.5 gallons of fuel per hour at max power whereas your/my Onan uses only .75 gallons per hour to reliably produce 4000 watts continuous up to about 7000 feet MSL. Then consider the fact that we have the internal remote electric start (the Champion is external hand recoil) option and our fuel supply is connected to the main coach fuel tank which is in my case 75 gallons. (usable up to about 25 gallons remaining) To each your own!
