Onboard LP gas generator?

mlts22 wrote:
I appreciate the opinions. I have a Yamaha 3000 iSE (not the SEB model as mentioned above with the 3500 watts for 10 seconds), which should be good enough to take the locked rotor amps of a 13500 BTU A/C. It is a relative porker, and would end up on a hitch mounted cargo rack with a ramp on it if I took it along.

The nice thing (to me that is) about an inboard generator is that you hit the switch, then you fire up the A/C. Done. Another nice thing is that if it is maintained, it doesn't have the issues of varnish like a gasoline genset does. Plus, depending on how the propane is stored, I can either carry additional bottles and switch them out, or add an Extend-A-Stay kit for additional run time. One can get a remote for the 3000 watt Yamahas, but in some areas of the country, it is nice to have an inbuilt, as it means one less thing a skulker can make off with while you are gone. (Not to say that the Onans are not theft-proof, but they are a lot harder to disconnect, unbolt, and rip out.) On shorter trips, I wouldn't have to worry about the space needed for the Yamaha generator, so no hitch mounted cargo rack needed.

I was right in the middle of typing a response about the generator on the other thread you have going when I saw this. From what you typed above, it sounds like you know the basics already. I had the Onan removed from my camper because I already had the Honda. We use our camper on the beach and as you know AC is essential in the summer. When I did the math on propane consumption, I found that it would cost me about $ 20-25 per night for 12 hours AC use with the Onan. The Honda uses about 2 gallons of unleaded for 12 hours so the cost is fairly significant over the whole summer. I do however regret losing the pushbutton convenience of the built-in. If money is no option, I would keep the built-in gennie and know that you can always bring the Yamaha as needed/wanted. Good luck