Help with Generac Generator

Thanks guys... every hint is welcome ll

Now throw in a big dash of courage!

I am tempted to replace the Generac with the 2.5 LP Onan... any thoughts on it?

Is it as prone to corrosion as our Generacs?

Of course I got 14 years out of the Generac.... ummm! That would make me 94 or 95....

Thanks again and keep your thinking and experience coming

Chet

Dropping generator on Lance 1161 is child's play. Yes I did it couple of times. You use camper jacks to raise the camper few inches off the ground, put some pallets or boxes, or whatever under generator pan, lower camper slowly to touch the pallets, pull the control plugs, disconnect hard wire, exaust and propane line, than loosen 4 bolts that hold generator to the camper (long socket extension very handy) and then lift the camper to let the generator sit on the pallets.
I was then pulling the generator by sliding it on make-shift ramps from the palets, but now thinking - I might just back up the truck under the camper and try if I can drive the camper out.
Generator is 80-90 lb so not that hard to carry once you can grab it comfortably.

I dropped ours few years ago. Though not too difficult some time and effort needed. Fuel line -few wires to fuel solenoid, battery cables, 3 plug in harnesses, 1 hard wired flexible conduit that once front panel loosened, wires can be disconnected and flexible conduit moved to side. I had to pull tail pipe for clearance. Hardest part was balancing as I used a floor jack to drop and roll out. Second set of hand would make easy. I doubt it would make it 5 years ago easier so if needed again Id probably farm out now.
Cant say I'd recommend doing. Hardest part of growing old for me is dealing with what I cant or shouldn't do any more. Course Margaret yelling at me is almost as painful as pushing myself.

You've got a couple of years on me but if you were closer I'd think we could get it down without hurting ourselves, well other than rolling around the concrete which just isn't fun anymore.

All that said, I dont know where the 'bypass' switch is or what it does but if behind the front panel possibly might access by pulling it out a bit? Not knowing symptoms cant suggest any work arounds. Ours its the wires to fuel solenoid that constantly corrode as they are exposed and need occasional fiddling to make contact but you said once started it runs. I also have a bypass switch but its on the start circuit.

I recall you've been searching for Generac service recommendation for a year?
I have 2 of those as well and even I am good in small engine repairs - I drive with Honda 3000 on front hitch.
Problem solved permanently.

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Sleepy, you did not tell us what the problem is.. No doubt you have it all figured out what is going on, but re-read your post and then tell us what is going on.

I did drop the 4k Onan from my motorhome. The problem was a loose positive feed to the starter. I used a motorcycle jack to hold it as I removed the bolts holding it up there.

The hardest part for me was the generator output wires that fed out to a junction box and needed to be put back in. Took both of us, and some dish soap to get the wires in and out of the 1/2 inch flexible conduit.

So.. it run's fine once it is started... but what is the problem?

And nice to see a post from you Sleepy.. it's been years since I have seen one from you.

Best I can tell some of the junctions of the wiring are corroded ( or loose)

I planned on dropping the generator with my hydrolic lift jack if necessary... meaning that I can’t hire someone to do it

An advantage to replacing it with an Onan LP would be that it would be a lot quieter

Thanks for helping. And for noticing that I haven’t been posting

Sleepy

Does the onan fit into the same space? It is propane isn’t it?

Where did you get it and approximately how much

How much trouble was it to use the same wiring, support structure, etc

And will it run your air conditioner ? That’s my only absolute requirement

The area side to side where my Generac is currently mounted is 22”

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and solution.

Sleepy... Chet

Sleepy, you did not tell us what the problem is.. No doubt you have it all figured out what is going on, but re-read your post and then tell us what is going on.

I did drop the 4k Onan from my motorhome. The problem was a loose positive feed to the starter. I used a motorcycle jack to hold it as I removed the bolts holding it up there.

The hardest part for me was the generator output wires that fed out to a junction box and needed to be put back in. Took both of us, and some dish soap to get the wires in and out of the 1/2 inch flexible conduit.

So.. it run's fine once it is started... but what is the problem?

And nice to see a post from you Sleepy.. it's been years since I have seen one from you.

Good luck. Mine started running out of control. I looked all over and found someone that said he could fix it and I wasted a couple of grand before he admitted he couldn't fix it and I ended up installing a Onan 2500lp. I wish I would have done that in the first place. I don't know about yours but our 1998 Lance 945 must have been built around the generator as it was a ***** to remove.

IMO do the easy and quick things first such as cleaning and wiring.