Onan Generator

Just thinking out loud...

I wonder if the negativity around Onan propane generators is because there are no alternatives in the marketplace? I know I get frustrated when I am in a situation and have no options. Thus even a small technical problem increases my aggravation because I know I don't have any choice other than to accept it. If you want a propane RV generator, it is pretty much Onan or nothing. That allows Onan to charge a premium for their product. That in-turn creates an expectation of exceptional performance, and when something happens (no matter how trivial) it often creates resentment from customers.

Going to gas is not an option if someone wants a "propane generator". And, as noted on this thread, gas generators are not without their issues either. But unlike propane generators, there are plenty of options in the marketplace to keep quality, service, and price all in line.

Just a bit of rambling...
-Eric

My next TC will have one and I have a Honda 2000. While the Honda is great it is not as convenient period.

Sounds to me (from reading on here and other forums) that when an Onan poops out, usually it's from poor maintenance. Most all the comments I read are about failure to start but no one ever comments about how it was mainbtained.

I have an Onan opposed twin engine in a small bobcat I own and it's extremely reliable.

If you don't take care of something mechanical and take it for granted, it will always let you down when you need it most.

Far as fuel consumption goes, cannot comment other than to say the Onana I have is pretty frugal on gasoline.

Lots of issues with reliability with my Onan Microlite propane generator.

I do run it a lot though for air conditioning. I'm off grid and full time.

Currently it won't produce AC power, but runs like a champ engine wise.

Worth the propane consumption because you won't have carburetor problems or have to deal with old/bad gasoline as almost every gasoline powered generator will eventually.

hedgehopper wrote:
A year ago when we purchased our 2005 Northern Lite with Onan generator, I was a bit apprehensive because of negative comments I had read about Onan generators. But we have been quite pleased with the (propane fueled) Onan. We love the convenience of pushing a button and having the generator come alive. And while not as quiet as we would like, it is much less noisy than we expected. When we are inside with the door closed, it is no more noisy than our furnace. And dry camping is much easier than before we had the Onan.

Thanks for that report.One hears so many negative reports,it does start to make you wonder..But it is the internet..

I have had three Onan's installed in different motorhomes and have been pleased with them..No big issue and like you said,the convenience is awesome..

As to the fuel consumption,after reading the chart provided,they are about norm..Roughly .50 gallons an hour at full load give or take..When running my 13.5 AC on my old 30ft travel trailer with my Honda 3K inverter gen set,that is about the same as I got with it..7 hours of use with a 3.4 gallon tank.

We probably have one more truck camper in our future and a small truck camper(8.9ft) with a built in Onan is probably the way we will go.I do wish more TC manufacturer's would use the 7 gallon tanks instead of the 5 gallon but as mentioned above,if taking a trailer like my ATV trailer,propane would not be an issue and there is the hitch haul for extra tanks if not.

The Onan model is the 2.5HGJBB:

https://www.norwall.com/product_pdfs/4975_hgjbb_spec_a_opm_2015.pdf

This link will supply you with capacity and consumption data that being argued above.

hedgehopper wrote:
A year ago when we purchased our 2005 Northern Lite with Onan generator, I was a bit apprehensive because of negative comments I had read about Onan generators. But we have been quite pleased with the (propane fueled) Onan. We love the convenience of pushing a button and having the generator come alive. And while not as quiet as we would like, it is much less noisy than we expected. When we are inside with the door closed, it is no more noisy than our furnace. And dry camping is much easier than before we had the Onan.

What model is the Onan? I may be looking for a small one to replace the Generac in the motorhome.

I'm on my third Onan built into RV's and the last two were in TC's powered by LPG. Both my TC's had dual 30 lb tanks, so I really do not worry about running out with the TC. When I bring my trailer along, I have an additional 100 lbs of LPG used for outside heaters, fire pit and cooking which can also be swapped into the TC if needed. We boon dock up to a week and never have worried about LPG supply due our setup.

We love our Onan as well for the same reasons, the convenience of powering our entire coach as if plugged into the power pedestal sure comes in handy as we tend to do most of our RVing off the beaten path without hookups.

To that end, we are planning to get a new rig which will not have a built in Onan, we picked up a Champion inverter generator and made sure it was a remote start model to have the same one button convenience we are accustomed to.

We have sufficient solar and 12 volt reserves on our rig, but when consumption is abnormally high or weather is not cooperating, having a generator along ensures we get to enjoy all the amenities we purchased our RV for.

+1 to what the OP said.

We had an Onan Propane generator installed when we bought the camper in 2006. We had one problem which was brought on when the propane continued to 'refine' in the fuel line, thus gumming the carburetor up with oil. I had to remove the generator and take it in for service.

As for fuel consumption.... I have never run it for such a time that I have sucked the tanks dry. Running the A/C on the generator is occasional as we are typically not in those types of situations. Much more common is DW wants to run the microwave or hairdryer when along the road somewhere, and the convenience of a built-in push-start really pays off. I imagine a gas generator would also burn through plenty of fuel if it was left on for an extended period of time cranking the A/C.

Would I take this rig out to the desert in August and run the generator 18+ hours a day to keep the A/C running? Nope. That would certainly empty the tanks on a daily basis. Would I run the generator to cool off the camper when we arrive at a hot dry-camping location after a day of driving? Sure. And I may run it an hour or two the next day when we return to the camper after a day of activities. But frankly that hasn't happened to us yet. Those times we have gone camping in hot locations we paid for hook-ups, so I just let the A/C run on the campground's power.

Not sure what the OP's purpose is for starting this thread....but I will have to say I have not experienced all the problems the negative hype told me to expect.

Thanks,
-Eric