Generator
Just purchased a used fully self-contained van or class B camper, not sure what to call it. Anyway, it has a little 2.8 generator that sits underneath the chassis just behind the rear axle, in the mi...
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You have pretty much gotten the word on the under chassis Onan 2800 microlite. Major service involves taking the generator down and there are Onan service centers all over - there is a list on the Onan-Cummin's website. Regular maintenance can be done with the generator in place but you have to crawl under and access it. Changing or adding oil involves pumping oil up from the oil bottle and then down into the fill hole. There is a hand pump sold for boat motors that attaches to a standard oil bottle that makes this easier to do (find it in a marine store or Walmart in Sporting Goods marine section). Onan suggests exercising the generator every month for two hours under at least half load - 1400 watts. This is very important and will save more serious costly maintenance later.
It is made to run with up to 15 ethanol gasoline but it can still get gummed up. Add some ethanol treatment to your gas tank and when you exercise the generator you will be putting the treatment through at the same time. I do this when I winterize and then through the winter when I exercise the genny, I run the treatment in with the gas.
If you don't want to change the oil yourself, any RV shop will do it for you. Some have asked their mechanic to do it - but you will likely have to explain and show them where it is. It takes only one quart of oil. The type varies and there is a chart in the Onan 2800 manual.
It is made to run with up to 15 ethanol gasoline but it can still get gummed up. Add some ethanol treatment to your gas tank and when you exercise the generator you will be putting the treatment through at the same time. I do this when I winterize and then through the winter when I exercise the genny, I run the treatment in with the gas.
If you don't want to change the oil yourself, any RV shop will do it for you. Some have asked their mechanic to do it - but you will likely have to explain and show them where it is. It takes only one quart of oil. The type varies and there is a chart in the Onan 2800 manual.
