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RAAMaudio's avatar
RAAMaudio
Explorer
Nov 30, 2014

Swapping Onan 5500 to Yamaha EF3000iSEB and solar help

I have been researching this but have conflicting advice, one says no worries, the other says will not work. We are preparing for full time RVing and want to be off the grid as much as possible.

-2012 Voltage 3905, 43ft, 50 amp.
-4 good batteries already installed
-Modified to carry small car in garage so much weight taken out.
-Dual AC but only use the main one, 15000 BTU.
-We do not use the Microwave/convection, removing unit.
-Onan 5500 is to loud and uses to much fuel and is heavy.
-Yamaha is lighter, less fuel, electric start, will fit in Onan location with fuel and exhaust done correctly.
-With good solar system we would hardly run the generator, just when gets to hot.

ISSUE:
50 amp uses dual 110 inputs, can I use a single output Yamaha or will there be extensive rewiring required, etc?

If the wiring is to crazy, like a whole new power panel, transfer switch, I might not want to do this

But if I can jumper them to act like single input units and change the outside plug to 30 amp only......I can do that if needed.

I did install a hard wired 50 amp surge supressor, I could remove it and install a 30 amp one if required as well.

Onan has 100 hours on it, any idea of what it should sell for?

-----------------

I was an electrician then spent 20 years in electronics in the USN so I can wire anything, I just need some help on what the real issues are.

Thanks, have a great day:)
Rick
ram@raamaudio.com
801-452-5858
  • When it is hot enough to warrant air conditioner use, it may be cheaper and better to find an inexpensive campground or other shore power connection.

    Here is a site to help find inexpensive and sometimes free places to stay: http://freecampsites.net/

    I've added a remote control for the electric start on my Yamaha 3000 sIEB. It is so nice to be able to start and stop it from inside the RV.

    Here is why I believe you may need a "bit more power".

    In the mountains, the Yamaha 3000 by itself can sometimes overload when attempting to start my 13500 btu roof air conditioner. I mated it to a 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, and that solved the occasional over load at high altitudes. I was in Cranbrook, BC both before and after the new Magnum. The altitude at that location is 3,021 feet. Derating for the Yamaha is about 2 to 3% per 1000 feet.

    A 15000 btu air conditioner is going to be just that little bit harder to start than a 13500. Without the Magnum hybrid inverter I really doubt that there will be satisfactory results using the Yamaha 3000 iSEB.
  • RAAMaudio wrote:
    -With good solar system we would hardly run the generator, just when gets to hot.
    And when it's cloudy, or the batteries need a FULL charge, when equalizing.. etc.

    Don't put too much stock in solar, unless you're willing to severely limit your use in bad weather.
  • Hi,

    A twist lock to 30 amp connector 30 amp twist lock.




    Plug in a 30 to 50 dog bone adapter 30 amp to 50 amp dog bone adapter



    Consider a rack for the Yamaha or go for the 6300 watt Yamaha instead. Why, because running a 12000 watt 50 amp per leg (total 100 amps) service on a 23.3 amp generator is going to hard. A 15000 btu is going to REALLY push the Yamaha HARD.

    The 6300 watt is not that much more money.

    6300 watt 240 capable Yamaha

    Here is a simple flow chart.

    Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT. What ever type of controller is chosen, make sure it has adjustable set points and a temperature probe that is on the battery.

    One rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the higher the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!

    Solar Spread Sheet N8GS

    For a nice explanation of solar, try this link:

    Golden rules of solar
  • You could just use a 50A to 30A adapter and plug directly into the new gen.