onan gen vs portable gen?

[Fla904]

So I have had nothing but annoyances with my on board onan microlite 4k gen.. I have dumped money into maintaining it and keeping up with its issues, it now needs a new carb apparently even tho I think the mechanic is trying to get my money.. So anyway im looking into a dual 4k portable generator on amazon for 298.99 (cheaper than the A-hole mechanics labor to install the 300.00 carb).. My plan is to get a cargo hitch and lock it onto the back of it and just plug in when needed. Anyone here use a portable gen? what are your thoughts on me switching it up to a portable gen rather than fixing my onan?

[Grit_dog]

westend wrote:
Do these Onan gensets have a good fuel filter? Is the tank steel or plastic?

I don't have a dog in this fight but am always curious about small engines. From postings on this Forum I know the replacement of the carb is the typical fix for fuel related problems and some folks seem to have a rash of them. I've had my hands on more than a few fuel systems and constant fuel related problems typically is related to tanks or the quality of the fuel.

Also, I seem to recall that the OP had a failed furnace so was thinking about running the genset while underway, powering electric heaters. I don't know if that became SOP but is a sure fire way to stir up any residue in the tank and consequent carb problems.

The bit about the lying A-hole mechanic is just the reason I ended my career as a wrench turner. I wasn't too happy crawling around under someone's rig just to be treated like a thief when the work was completed. My suggestion would be to buy $5K worth of tools, tune your memory to remember more parts than a Doctor, douse yourself in petroleum, and perform some of this work. BTW, be prepared to be treated like a thief because your customer doesn't understand how things work.

True story, but like any industry there are plenty of shady rip off wrench turners.
Like the "best trans shop in town" that wanted $2300 labor just for starters to replace a clutch in my truck. Because "they tear down the trans to make sure there are no other problems". Funny, took me 8 hrs to do the first one about 6 years ago with a trans jack in my garage and a decent honest shop charged me like $600 labor and about another $150 for machining and new pilot bearing.
$300 labor to put a new carb on a gen set is hiway robbery unless you have to disassemble the camper for 2 hours to get to it.

[Charles2222]

Amen to you west end!!!!

[DrewE]

westend wrote:
Do these Onan gensets have a good fuel filter? Is the tank steel or plastic?

The Onan's do not have a fuel tank as part of the generator, but are plumbed to an external tank. On a motorhome, this is generally the main tank for the engine and everything, and of course is metal. On a trailer, it's a dedicated tank of whatever sort the builder uses (assuming it's not a propane fueled generator).

[westend]

Do these Onan gensets have a good fuel filter? Is the tank steel or plastic?

I don't have a dog in this fight but am always curious about small engines. From postings on this Forum I know the replacement of the carb is the typical fix for fuel related problems and some folks seem to have a rash of them. I've had my hands on more than a few fuel systems and constant fuel related problems typically is related to tanks or the quality of the fuel.

Also, I seem to recall that the OP had a failed furnace so was thinking about running the genset while underway, powering electric heaters. I don't know if that became SOP but is a sure fire way to stir up any residue in the tank and consequent carb problems.

The bit about the lying A-hole mechanic is just the reason I ended my career as a wrench turner. I wasn't too happy crawling around under someone's rig just to be treated like a thief when the work was completed. My suggestion would be to buy $5K worth of tools, tune your memory to remember more parts than a Doctor, douse yourself in petroleum, and perform some of this work. BTW, be prepared to be treated like a thief because your customer doesn't understand how things work.

[Strabo]

gbopp wrote:

Fla904 wrote:
(cheaper than the A-hole mechanics labor to install the 300.00 carb)..

If that's how you feel, maybe you need a new mechanic?
I have a 20 year old ONAN and it works great.

Yes, the generator you're describing will be loud. Consider spending more and getting an Inverter Generator. They're quieter than an open frame model.

Ours is 12 years, runs like a Timex.

[Fla904]

Bought a 4000watt portable gen, cargo hitch, tarp and locks for 480.00 on Amazon. The mechanic told me 300.00 for the carb and 300 labor so I figure I made the right choice. The gen has almost a 5 star rating on Amazon as well, plus if I ever need it for anything other than the RV I can. The onan is just far to unreliable to keep dumping money into, thanks for the suggestions.

[bfast54]

Something like that is an EASY FIX, rebuild carb, or Buy new off internet.

Do it yourself, save Hundreds!!

[Matt_Colie]

Fla904 wrote:
I wish, unfortunately my options are a local rv mechanic or camping world which I wouldn't even take a sh*t in let alone give money to. The local rv mechanic knows he's the only one and has a bad attitude and is over priced. Idk where these mechanics get some of these prices from 110.00 a hour to be a mechanic??? GTFO. Really pisses me off.. I recently had some work done for 3k and labor was 2200 of it!!!!!! Half the time they're dishonest as well, it's frustrating. If I only I was mechanically inclined lol

Gee Fla,

You seem to be literate. Get (as in find and download) the service manual and then buy some tools and read the instructions. If you need help, find a friend that seems to have wrenches to his advantage and ask him for help and let him guide you. All the older Onans are simple and the newer are only a little less so.

But, if you are literate and have an IQ over 80, you are probably ahead of the people you have been paying.

By the by, Onan does not have a rebuild kit for carburetors because they would have to certify them with the EPA, but all the small engine parts companies have the kits. Some are as much as 20$us.

Matt

[Fla904]

gbopp wrote:

Fla904 wrote:
(cheaper than the A-hole mechanics labor to install the 300.00 carb)..

If that's how you feel, maybe you need a new mechanic?
I have a 20 year old ONAN and it works great.

Yes, the generator you're describing will be loud. Consider spending more and getting an Inverter Generator. They're quieter than an open frame model.

I wish, unfortunately my options are a local rv mechanic or camping world which I wouldn't even take a sh*t in let alone give money to. The local rv mechanic knows he's the only one and has a bad attitude and is over priced. Idk where these mechanics get some of these prices from 110.00 a hour to be a mechanic??? GTFO. Really pisses me off.. I recently had some work done for 3k and labor was 2200 of it!!!!!! Half the time they're dishonest as well, it's frustrating. If I only I was mechanically inclined lol

[Fla904]

KD4UPL wrote:
I wonder, do you regularly run your Onan as the manual calls for? I think it specifies to run it under 1/2 load for 2 hours once a month. This will go a long way toward making it reliable. It helps get the moisture out of the windings and the engine. It also helps fresh gas stay in the carb.
Any $300 generator will be extremely loud and probably rather cheaply made. If you're tired of repairing a generator a cheap one from Amazon doesn't sound like a step in the right direction.
A good portable will run you close to $800 for a 2,000 watt. If you want 2 of them for 4,000 watts or just a 3,000 or 4,000 watt generator than a portable will cost you close to $2,000. Any thing less will be loud, burn lots of fuel, and turn your camping neighbors into enemies.

Of course I do. IF IT WOULD RUN THAT LONG.. And the button to start it from the inside does not work so I have to go out side to start it every time. It's just a pain in the ass and it's extremely unreliable. Obviously if I'm at a campground I will be plugged in and not running my generator. It will mainly only be used at walmart while inbetween campgrounds to run the microwave and TV.

[bikendan]

KD4UPL wrote:
A good portable will run you close to $800 for a 2,000 watt. If you want 2 of them for 4,000 watts or just a 3,000 or 4,000 watt generator than a portable will cost you close to $2,000. Any thing less will be loud, burn lots of fuel, and turn your camping neighbors into enemies.

not true anymore. there a number of good and cheaper non-H&Y inverter generators out there now, Champion's 2000w and 3100w units.
a pair of their 2000w units, with parallel kit, can be purchase for under $1000.

[KD4UPL]

I wonder, do you regularly run your Onan as the manual calls for? I think it specifies to run it under 1/2 load for 2 hours once a month. This will go a long way toward making it reliable. It helps get the moisture out of the windings and the engine. It also helps fresh gas stay in the carb.
Any $300 generator will be extremely loud and probably rather cheaply made. If you're tired of repairing a generator a cheap one from Amazon doesn't sound like a step in the right direction.
A good portable will run you close to $800 for a 2,000 watt. If you want 2 of them for 4,000 watts or just a 3,000 or 4,000 watt generator than a portable will cost you close to $2,000. Any thing less will be loud, burn lots of fuel, and turn your camping neighbors into enemies.

[scrubjaysnest]

Or better yet go solar and not have any noisy ginny to disturb people.

[valhalla360]

A portable generator is certainly an option. We've done something similar.

A $300 4000w generator is going to be like living with a lawnmower.