onan repair bill question

Kayteg1 wrote:
most camper will want to see the rest of this beautiful continent and then they will need a trailer for build-in generator fuel. ;)

Of course, if I'm hanging out inside my TC with the AC on, I'm not seeing the beauty or experiencing the area. ;)

jimh425 wrote:
I'd have no regular reason to be where I'd need to run my AC 24 hours a day and not have hookups. .

So you never go to lower 1/2 of the country? Or you travel in winter months only?
But regardless where and when you camp most of the time, most camper will want to see the rest of this beautiful continent and then they will need a trailer for build-in generator fuel. ;)
Like I mention above, I hope somebody will do something with this demand.
For a generation US builders could not make good cars, but they managed to catch with the rest of the World in last years.
17 years ago I drove Ford Focus with excelent 1.6l diesel but that was in Europe and why those engines can't make to US soil seem to be political issue.
Small RV are not big market, but my perception is that it is growing as I see less and less 40' motorhomes on the roads.
Meaning with growing demand either Onan will learn how to make good generators, or Honda will step into build-ins.

Kayteg1 wrote:
I had 4 kW Generac that would burn 1 gallon/hr.

However, this thread is about Onans 2500s. Most people and the specs say it's .3 -.4 per hour.

Either way, it depends on how you use your generator. I'd have no regular reason to be where I'd need to run my AC 24 hours a day and not have hookups. I probably wouldn't be in a TC if that was the case since I don't enjoy long hours in my TC. The convenience of a builtin for the few minute a time usage that is normal for me far exceeds the propane usage.

When build-in generator offers extra convenience, they suck lot of fuel.
I had 4 kW Generac that would burn 1 gallon/hr.
On the same 1 gallon my 3 kW Honda would run for 6 hr handling the same load.
Since where I camp, I use AC 24 hr a day, staying without hook up with build-in would made me running for fuel almost every day.
So is convenience of interior generator switch worth the inconvenience of constantly buying fuel?
I hope the day when Honda will start making small build-ins will come, what will make everybody happy.
Maybe not the $150/hr service people ;)

gitpicker2009 wrote:
Update: The total bill is about 1600 bucks, with them claiming it needs a new Rotor. This after only about 108 hours of use. No way around it. Yes, I can buy a Honda for a grand, but I'd still owe them the 600 bucks for the diagnostics etc, and then I'd have a non working 2500 watt generator to take to the dump. I even spoke with the Cummins corporate and the local Cummins/Onan factory rep. No help. Next time I'm going to order the camper without the generator and just go Honda or something right from the start. Really a shame.

Picker, no offense but I would buy the Honda anyway. It's the same money, your getting something brand new and the Honda warranty for a long time. Who knows what else this shop is going to find wrong with it and what if it doesn't work when they fix it. I'm sure someone who has a Honda will chine in to what additional parts you need. This doesn't sound rite to me! JM2C, Good luck!!!
Joe

gitpicker2009 wrote:
Update: The total bill is about 1600 bucks, with them claiming it needs a new Rotor. This after only about 108 hours of use. No way around it. Yes, I can buy a Honda for a grand, but I'd still owe them the 600 bucks for the diagnostics etc, and then I'd have a non working 2500 watt generator to take to the dump. I even spoke with the Cummins corporate and the local Cummins/Onan factory rep. No help. Next time I'm going to order the camper without the generator and just go Honda or something right from the start. Really a shame.

Well, you'd still be even money and have a brand new reliable generator that was more versatile if you just get a Honda. Plus someone will probably buy the Onan for a few bucks. And what is a rotor? Never heard a part called that on a small engine. Be sure you're not getting hosed by the repair shop.

At least you got it fixed. Fwiw, mine is original, and I've had it 12 years.

Update: The total bill is about 1600 bucks, with them claiming it needs a new Rotor. This after only about 108 hours of use. No way around it. Yes, I can buy a Honda for a grand, but I'd still owe them the 600 bucks for the diagnostics etc, and then I'd have a non working 2500 watt generator to take to the dump. I even spoke with the Cummins corporate and the local Cummins/Onan factory rep. No help. Next time I'm going to order the camper without the generator and just go Honda or something right from the start. Really a shame.

From what I heard the inverter Generac that I have in my TC was $4500 option.
Lot of money for a piece of junk.

Too late for our rigs but the TC manufacturers should design an expenxive item like a generater to! be easier to remove for service