Onan install... 5.5 or 6.5

It would help if you post the exact models...

According to my manual, the 5.5 and 6.5 have the same engine, but with different gearing. The generator runs at 3600, but the engine runs 2400 for the one and 2800 for the other IIRC.

If I were shopping fuel injection would be a bigger differentiator than 1 kW.

I would seriously consider the larger if the xtra bucks are doable. And yes, there will be times that running (2) acs is needed.:C
Xample:

2 acs= 25-30 amps
wh electric= 10 amps
micro/convection oven= 10-12 amps
ladies hair dryer= 8-10 amps

As you can see, it wouldn't take much to add up if the above xamples were to occur at the same time.

The 5.5 is rated at 45.8 amps and 2400rpm. The 6.5 is rated at 54.2 and 2880 rpm,

MrWizard,
Thanks, I knew about 3600 and 1800 generator speeds so I went and checked my manual. It is a 5.5K, not 7K and it operates at 3600RPM generator speed and 2400RPM engine speed. The 7K unit operates at 3600RPM generator speed and 2880RPM engine speed. I believe the slower engine is a huge contributing factor to reduced overall noise.

To the OP, my 5.5 K Onan runs two air conditioners just fine. One is 15K the other is 13.5.

CJ typical two pole run at 3600 and four pole run at 1800
so i'm thinking your generator head is belt drive from the motor
not directly connected, engine runs at 2400, generator head is either 1800 or 3600
Onan does have belt drive on some generators, but i thought it was only on the quiet diesel water cooled models

My 7 K onan runs at 2400 rpm and is very quiet. If either of the 2 you are considering run at something less than 3600 RPM, I'd give that one serious consideration.

MrWizard wrote:
RPM will stay the same at 3600 rpm
How many A/C units do you have, will have?
The 6500w silk give you a few more amps , if you need too run two A/C's
I would get the 6500

2 @ 15K AC's . . Not so sure we would run both all the time... My thinking is that the 6.5 may help with fuel consumption.. they are both rated the same at half load ( .8 ).. Thinking I can get more usage out of half the 6.5 load.?

Mesteve wrote:
30 or 50 amp rig?

50 amp.. Already have genny prep kit with box , transfer switch, ect...

RPM will stay the same at 3600 rpm
How many A/C units do you have, will have?
The 6500w silk give you a few more amps , if you need too run two A/C's
I would get the 6500

30 or 50 amp rig?