So would you go with a built in propane generator today?

Two of the flaws with the built-in generator that I don't recall being mentioned are the lack of manual starting capability and adding weight in the wrong place. You have been camping in very cold weather and ran the heater all night to stay warm and keep the pipes and tanks from freezing in your four season camper. The generator won't start because the batteries are too low from that thirsty heater fan motor. You now have to start the truck engine to recharge the camper batteries, assuming you have a battery isolator. Not a problem with the blue or red portable units. Adding 125lbs on the rear of the camper where most built-in generators are located also does not make sense. I added a front hitch, modified a hitch carrier and securely carry my Blue 2000 on the front of the truck where I have extra weight carrying capacity. A cord custom made for this purpose quickly provides power to the camper to run the 9200 AC unit. If I need power for a project away from my camper, or need to have my generator serviced, much more convenient to own a portable unit overall IMHO.

Hi jimh524,

In rural areas places to refill propane are a bit rare. Gasoline, on the other hand, is easily available in all but the tiny villages.

jimh425 wrote:
I'm not really understanding why it's hard to get propane either.

Bare in mind that propane conversions of gasoline engines are loosing big on efficiency.
Propane has over 90% of gasoline BTU, yet the converted engines seem to use double amount of propane than original gasoline.
Than filling up propane takes long time after finding the station that will do it.
My Honda 3000EU did sit for over 2 years and started on 2nd pull on old gasoline. But I always run carburetor dry at the end of the season.
2.2 gallons of gasoline powered continuously my 15k AC for over 12 hr with way less noise that Build-in Generac.
That said, for times when I don't need AC, I am using $80 generator I bought at Harbor Freight.
2-cycle, but with small engine no noticeable smoke or noise and that thing will power my coffee-maker, my microwave oven and charge the batteries. Just not all at the same time.

I'm not really understanding why it's hard to get propane either. You do have to know the types of places that sell propane including truck stops and rv parks, for instance. My tanks last a really long time, but I don't run my generator for long periods of time.

I can't say why some people have issues with the Onan, but I don't. All I can tell you that other than replacing the oil with a very good synthetic, I've done nothing to mine and I've had my TC 9 1/2 years. I don't think I even have 100 hrs on it. I use my Onan for two primary things, 1. Top off the batteries, 2. Run the major electric appliances like Microwave and Keurig single cup coffee maker when I'm not using the inverter.

As far as using the AC on a smaller generator goes .... here are some ideas

1. do make sure you set the fridge to propane only
2. unplug your battery charger.
3. if you have an option on your AC use the low setting at least at start.

I was thinking about getting a small gasoline generator to charge my batteries, but it seems for most of my camping it's not needed since I added LED lights.

I opted for an onboard Onan 2.5K on my Arctic Fox. I used it for about 4 hours to charge batteries and run the water heater when boondocking. I did not start out with two full propane tanks. I went thru one partial 30lb tank of propane in seven days,that included heat and the fridge. While moving from one location to another, I stopped and had the tank refilled with no problems. Even small town gas stations have propane.


Yes it is a bit noisy compared to a Honda and 50' of extension cord.

I have both. An Onan 2500 in the TC and a Honda 2000 I use with the TT. My Onan in this TC is quiet, probably about the same as the Honda. The one in my previous TC was much louder.

The Honda runs the ducted Dometic A/C in my 28' TT without an issue and of course the Onan in the TC also runs its a/c.

Convenience-wise the fact that I can push a button in the TC to fire up the genny is very nice, but I agree with the comments about it consuming lots of propane (about .6 gal/hr.) That means that just keeping the batteries charged while winter camping with the heater also running will run you out of propane quickly. If I make any winter trips with the TC I'll probably take the Honda along and use it on the TC.

We have found that all generators are more reliable if started and run loaded at least monthly. Our built in Onan has been fine, convenient and trouble free since 2005. We have both a Honda gasoline powered and the built in propane Onan. If I had to choose one it would be the built in propane.

A propane generator is convenient, when built in by the manufacturer. For that reason many will find this a needed option.

In my experience, it is one option I would not have gotten at the time I purchased my Lance Camper. It is grossly overpriced, noisy and unreliable (Mine was repaired 14 times, under warranty, and then replaced. Replacement was repaired twice, under warranty too. All issues were caused due to known manufacturing defects.

I replaced it with a Honda (It too was repaired due to a known manufacturing defect, under warranty) and would get another Honda before a factory installed Propane generator.

For me, a generator rated to operate my highest Amp appliance (A/C) is important tool in my tool belt and would not be without it. But, my solar is such it can run my A/C easily for hours. So having the right tool for the right job is important, as is redundancy/backup.

b

It appears to me, the issue of the generators is primarily due to the wrong A/C installed on the TC. From what I have read, most TC manufactures install A/Cs that are way to big on the TCs. A 7000 10000 BTU A/C is more than enough for the TCs. Bigger than that, and they loose a lot of efficiency. There have been many threads/discussions on this. It is my understanding you can have soft start kits installed on the oversize A/C, but my preference is the proper sized A/C.

I think a 2000 watt generator will efficiently run any of the 7000 10000 BTU A/Cs. My point here is I would insist the manufacture install the correct A/C, regardless of my generator choice.

For generator choice, I think it depends a lot on use of the generator, how much you are willing to spend, and your mechanical ability. If you are a do it yourself person, I would not want a builtin generator. Just about any town will have a repair shop for the Honda, labor or parts. Is this true with a built in? If you want to use propane instead of gasoline, there are conversion kit that allow ether fuel.

Definitely an advantage to a built in, but for me the disadvantages fare outweigh the advantages. My Honda 2000 runs my 9200 BTU A/C (in ECO mode) with no problem. I can get about 8-hours on one tank (1-gallon) of gas. With my extender setup, I can connect a 5-gallon can. I have a mount for my Honda and extra fuel. I do have to pull a rope. This has worked well for me since 2005.

You can see the Honda 2000 below the red Boat fuel tank.

After having ours for a year now, I would say yes. The sticker shock of the built in option would make me consider other possibilities especially since we have a Yamaha 3000 with boost. When we found our camper it was factory installed and now we find it very convenient.
Also with 2 large propane tanks, consumption isn't a measurable factor so far with just microwave and needs of my wife.