Generator Exaust

[wannabegone]

With the Texas heat we are using our on board generator more than I thought we would to run the a/c. The exhaust comes directly out of the back of our Lance 1181, right beside the entry door. I've already decided to install a 90* pipe and direct the exhaust out the curb side of the camper. I have been looking for an extension set up to run the exhaust up. I can fabricate a 90* and pipe to clear the roof, not sure about the brackets since i really don't want to put holes in the side of the camper.
I do keep coming across this Gen-Turi system. Has anyone used this setup? If so were you or are you happy with it? Does it do what it says? I have found the Camco kit for as low as $119 but not sure it is worth it.

[wa8yxm]

Major advantages of the Genuine-article

Well designed, Does not melt Does not get hot save for the metal part unless exposed to sunlight (I mean I once stood there for well over a minute with my hand wrapped around the slightly warm pipe demonstrating that fact) LIGHT WEIGHT, PVC is several times heavier, and that is a major factor.

Segmented for easy storage in the included bag.

[bshpilot]

don't waste your time w/ PVC.....PVC will melt - i tried to DIY my own GenTuri and couldn't do it, every bit of PVC i tried melted, no matter how large the air gap.

Electrical conduit (bent pipe) with a union works for the exhaust tip connection but again a PVC stack will melt.

Heres pictures of my failed attempt (i tried several different adjustments) and it would never sustain the heat produced from the exhaust of our Diesel fired Onan QD10(kw)

119 bucks for a GenTuri is money well spent! Amazon - GenTuri

[Sam_Spade]

Secure those S rings to the bunge cords somehow.
They are easy to lose.

[wannabegone]

Received the Gen-Turi a couple of days ago. Installed the pipe adapter last night, ran it a few minutes before I headed to work. Noise wise I couldn't tell that much difference, but I didn't expect to so no big deal. It was nice to not be sucking in the propane fumes while beside the camper. The big test will be our next trip. I'll update more after that. Again thanks for all the input and comments

[tenbear]

beemerphile1 wrote:

wannabegone wrote:
Thanks for all the input, I've been weighing installing solid pipe all the way up, much hotter I know, making my own....

Do not simply extend the exhaust pipe any distance, it will cause a lot of back pressure. The Gen-turi and home made replicas do not cause back pressure.

It could also be dangerous. Anyone, including little kids, who touch the hot pipe could be burned.

[beemerphile1]

wannabegone wrote:
Thanks for all the input, I've been weighing installing solid pipe all the way up, much hotter I know, making my own....

Do not simply extend the exhaust pipe any distance, it will cause a lot of back pressure. The Gen-turi and home made replicas do not cause back pressure.

[Sam_Spade]

stro1965 wrote:
Is there any cause for concern with a Genturi dumping the exhaust up next to an air conditioner?

NO.

[Sam_Spade]

Ivylog wrote:
If it's an inefficient design, how can it cool the air so much that there will be a reverse air flow???

The thin wall aluminum is very efficient at heat transfer.
As the exhaust goes up the pipe, it cools off more the farther it goes.

To keep a good upward air flow, the inside air must be "hot" in comparison to the pipe and the outside air. If the air flow inside the pipe cools off too much, because too much cold air is added at the bottom or because the walls are not insulated well enough, the air flow slows to a stop, or tries to, near the top of the stack.

That can result in exhaust "leakage" out of the gap at the bottom.
A little side wind makes it more likely.

[Ivylog]

Your AC does not bring in fresh air on a RV, so NO. Leaving a vent open, yes.

[wannabegone]

I pulled the trigger and have the Camco 44461 on the way, $119+ tax from Homedepot.com. I've spent the last week kicking around if I wanted to put one together or by one and today I decided buying the kit was a better choice for me right now with all I have going on. I appreciate all the input and will follow up as soon as I have a chance to try it out.

[stro1965]

Is there any cause for concern with a Genturi dumping the exhaust up next to an air conditioner?

[Ivylog]

If it's an inefficient design, how can it cool the air so much that there will be a reverse air flow???Granted I did not say where I had the 120 degrees in my first post. It was half way up the 10' gutter... 5 ' on a 65 degree day. Pretty sure in the next 5' it will not cool below 65 degrees. I think hot air, of which there is a lot, still rises. :W Sorry, I'm a slow learner. :B

[Sam_Spade]

Ivylog wrote:
I can take my elbow off as soon as I shut the generator off... actually before. Want to try that with that smooth flowing heavy metal elbow that may not mix the cooling air as well?

Listen, I know that you think you have done something great here......and you have, kind of, but you also have missed a couple of important points.

The extra air being drawn in from the bottom is NOT for the purpose of cooling, it is for the purpose of keeping the air flowing.....all the way to the top of the stack.

For that to happen consistently, there must not be TOO MUCH cooling along the way. The walls of the pipe need to remain at least warm in comparison to the outside air. Your thin-walled aluminum pipe won't accomplish that; it might even result in reverse flow at night when the outside air is relatively cold and the top of the pipe cools too much.

I have no intention of continuing to beat you up over this......unless you feel it necessary to keep defending your inefficient design.

[Ivylog]

Sam Spade wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
The gap on a factory Gen-Turi is about the same 1.5"... maybe their "engineering" is good enough for most??? :W

The home-built in the pictures has the exhaust gasses jumping a horizontal gap; the Gen-Turi has them smoothly flowing in a vertical direction. There is a BIG difference in how efficiently it operates.

Yep, and there is a big difference in the price. I can take my elbow off as soon as I shut the generator off... actually before. Want to try that with that smooth flowing heavy metal elbow that may not mix the cooling air as well? You will not get burned if you bump into mine.
On a serious note, I do wonder how much a factory Gen-T weighs? I'll bet it's more than mine.