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

Mattyd wrote:
Wondering what those of you that have had propane generators flet about yours and if you were to get a different TC, would you want the propane gene or not?

Mattyd,
An EU2000i might not start a 9000 BTU a/c unit in Eco mode and without Supco hard-start capacitor (there are a bunch of factors).. But with Eco off and the capacitor installed, it will start and run it just fine.

Personally, I'd never buy another new TC with a propane genny! My TC came with an Onan 2500, but I immediately removed it and installed a Honda (with tri-fuel kit) n the same compartment... However over the years I have discovered that by having lots of solar and battery capacity, I seldom need to run the generator at all. So, I have recently reloacted the Honda to the floor of my truck behind my seat which in turn has freed up valuable storage space and improved weight distribution.

The only items in my TC that use propane are the oven/stove and the Wave3 heater. This means that, even in near-freezing temp's, I can go weeks and weeks and weeks on my two 20lb bottles of LPG. Of course the water heater can operate on propane, but I typically opt to heat the water with the electric (12V/solar or 120V/inverter) heating elements.

Cheers,
Mark

Got both, like both, going to keep both. They both have there place.

On board is convenient; Honda is quiet.

Carry both, use both.

I have the built in Onan 2.5 Kw. in my '03 camper. Zero problems with it. It starts every time.
I like the convenience of the generator for what we use it for. We run it briefly for the microwave or toaster to fix a meal or to run the AC during a lunch stop. Really, I'd probably be just as well served with a big inverter and solar system but the camper came with a generator.
If I was going to use the generator a lot for long periods of time I would rather have a portable gasoline model. This would get it farther away from the camper and the fuel would last longer.
So, it all depends. How are you going to use your camper?

I replaced my 13.5 ac unit with a polar cub. I also installed a hard start capacitor. I have a honda 2000 generator that I installed a propane adapter on. It runs my ac unit without a problem. It fits in my Lance 1130 generator compartment. I never carry gasoline and it seems to sip the propane.

I agree, my propane generator is very convenient.

Paul

I have the best of both worlds, a tri-fuel Honda build in my Arctic Fox 1150' the convenience of a Onan , with the quietness and reliability of a Honda . Plus I can run whatever fuel is easiest to get.

arto_wa wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
A good friend of mine has had two class C's with Onan generators over the past 15 years.

The current one is brand new, and you have to crank it for over a minute to get it to fire at all, then you have to restart it 2-3 times to get it to stay running. Dealer can't find anything wrong, gave up and says it's normal. Previous one was about 50/50 whether it would run at all.

Maybe you should explain to your good friend that these need fuel to start!

If the RV's propane system has sat unused for awhile it helps lot if the propane line is purged for example by letting "gas" flow out of the stove burner until it is combustible.


Just pushing the starter button, complaining and blaming Onan is another way of purging the line, but it may take bit longer time!

:h

No I'm pretty sure he's smarter than the generators. Fridge and water heater are both lit before he leaves the house, so the propane lines are as purged as they're going to get.

The generator starts hard hot or cold, whether it's been sitting all winter or you've just gotten done cooking a smorgasbord on the stove. So, I really think there's some blame to be had for Onan in this situation.

Neglect 'em, throw 'em, kick 'em around, run 'em over with a train... Hondas just run and run. Onans are a thorn even if you do maintain them, and then it's *STILL* your fault because you clearly did something wrong. Can't tell you what, but whatever it was, you did it wrong.

pianotuna wrote:
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.

Don, in Canada, you might be right.

But in the USA I could not agree with you at all.

In fact, Propane is available in rural area as that is the primary heating fuel. You might be confusing the fact that you don't need to exchange tanks, but actually fill them up. I travel constantly and very seldom in areas of heavy population. I have never had an issue with getting propane, ever. But then again, I plan ahead to when I need it, too.

But no, propane is available in rural areas, such as Lakeview Oregon, Ritzville Washington, Lone Pine California, Kinsley Kansas. So many places to list.

b

Weak TC batteries are easily remedied with jumper cables off your truck. If you don't run isolation between your truck and camper battery, that is user problem unrelated to the generator.

I agree that setting the generator to the far rear is the worst weight distribution location, but it is the best space efficiency location if integrated into a TC. My Arctic Fox has the generator, dual batteries and dual 30 lb LPG all behind the rear axle, yet the CG is still ahead of the axle on a short bed truck. TC manufacturers have figured out how to work with these limitations.

I have one, it works great, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. My camper uses regular BBQ-sized propane tanks that can be exchanged at any Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc., and it holds two of them, so changing one out when it's empty isn't a problem.

Also, I still have the option of using a Honda generator if I want.