WadenCeeJay
Spring, Texas
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Joined: 01/31/2008
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I'm tired of this generac generator. I've spent a lot trying to get it repaired. I'm done with it. I have an opportunity to buy a good running Onan generator to swap out. Any thoughts on how difficult that would be? Is it something people do often?
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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It really should not be to difficult. Not as difficult as changing out a engine or anything.
There should be a wiring harness that goes to the remote start stop switch, with about 5-8 wires in it, and a couple of heavy gauge wires to the battery, and the fuel line.
I saw them install a generator in a RV at Fleetwood, they basically used a floor jack and bolted it into place. Your old generator will have bolt holes over here, while the Onan will need them over there. Check the dept and height, width and you should be fine if the replacement is a little smaller.
I have been wanting to replace my Onan with a water cooled Honda generator, they are known to be extremely quiet. I only wish they ran at 1,800 RPM, it would be much quieter than 3,600 RPM engine.
Fred.
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deltamaster
Middletown, New york
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Joined: 04/23/2004
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IMO Onan is a good choice. I have first hand experience with the dependability and durability of the Onan gennys.
During Hurricane Irene I used one to power the basics in two houses as well as the well water pump.
Now this was no ordinary Onan.
I FOUND it in my grandfather's carport. There was no telling how long it had been there. It was covered with dirt, dust, crud and crap. Who knows when he got it. Five years ago... ten years ago? No telling!
He did not even remember it was there!
It was a little beat up and the fuel pump was inop. Looked like it had been removed from an RV more than ten years ago.
Well... we tinkered with it a little, changed the oil, replaced the circuit breaker, filed the points, put a gas tank above it for gravity feed on the fuel and it fired right up. Ran rough for about an hour or so, mellowed out and then worked reliably for six days.
Not often do engines like that fire right up after sitting for so long without being used... just collecting dust!
I also used the Onan in my RV to power the neighbor's houses (shuttling up and down the road to keep freezers frozen and basements pumped out) as well. Both gennys ran non-stop about 12 hours per day for six days without a lick of trouble (short of needing to refuel)!
 I ride it like I stole it! 
.......and I just may have.......
I'm on "CB-13", are you?
2004 Fun Mover -- 2002 Sportster -- 1997 Road King
All being pushed down the road by a 1997 "Ram Tough" Dodge Dakota
TSgt(Ret.) USAF
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goodcruisin
Greenwood, IN
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Joined: 04/17/2007
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I got sick of repairing my Kohler. I bought an Onan 6500 LP at Visone RV in southern KY. It only had 275 hours on it and I paid $2800. A new one from my local Onan dealer was $4900. The swap was pretty easy. I had to re-route the propane hose and electrical. The only thing is I can't start/stop the gen from inside and my inside time meter doesn't work. I could wire it up but I don't have the schematic for the MH. Besides, I rarely ever started the gen from inside anyway so it's not worth my time.
John (USN Ret) & Debbie
Tux (APBT/Dalmation)
'96 Monaco Windsor 36' DP 8.3 Cummins
Ready Brake & Demco Excali-bar
'02 F250 V10 w/ Banks Power Pack
'03 Ford Explorer
'04 Volvo S80 AWD
'05 Acura TL
240" Dragster 540 BBC
26' trailer
14' Boat w/9.9 Merc
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Joined: 07/03/2005
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Golden,
Just a fWIW from a former Honda EV 4010 water cooled generator owner. They are NOT quiet. I did extensive sound control modifications around it to try to quiet it down with no more than limited improvement. First it turns 3700 rpm not 3600 like they advertise. The big noise producers is something you would not think about but is VERY annoying. It is the high pitched whine from the cooling fans. There is one on the radiator, one in the generator and another that cools the exhaust system. They all exit out of the bottom of the generator compartment. The access door to the generator compartment has a large section open with just a screen to let in cooling air and let out noise. The muffler is not particularly effective and I added a take off stock motorcycle muffler to the end that helped some. If you want quiet I would suggest you research some of the Onan Quiet series. Our coach has a Onan QD 7500 and after I added quite a bit of additional sound deadening material around the outside of the case it is not too bad. I hate noisy generators especially my own. The only power generator we have that I am totally satisfied with noise wise is the 800w of Kyocera solar panels on the roof. Only problem with them is here in NW Washington the sun doesn't shine all the time so the output is not very consistant (-: We use the Honda EU 1000i in the sound deadening box I built back when we had the 4010 to charge batteries when solar is not enough. We go to non- serviced sites in State Parks 99% of the time.
Jim
2005 Coachman Sportscoach Elite 402 40'
350hp Cat C-7 w/MP-8
7500w Onan quiet diesel generator
6-Kyocera 130w solar panels SB3024i MPPT controller
Pressure Pro TPMS
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
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RUNDLC
Elk Grove, California
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Joined: 12/22/2008
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I have often thought of this mod too. I have a 4 cyl onan/kubota diesel genny and man that thing is pretty loud. I would love to see what the difference in cost would be if I sold mine and picked up a 10KW onan quiet diesel unit.
My existing genny has a radiator in the front of it. All of the quiet ones seem not to have one. Those babies are not cheap though. Maybe I check prices to see what I can sell mine for.
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Hurricane Owner
Riverside
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Joined: 01/06/2008
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Hey,
I just upgraded my 4k microquiet to a 5K. Big differance in sound. The 4K ran at 3600 rpm, the 5K at 1800. Its so much better now. I cant tell its running when Im driving. I could always hear the 4K. Mounting took some work, had to drill holes, make new mounts, route the exhaust. All the wires, and fuel line just plugged right in.
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WadenCeeJay
Spring, Texas
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Joined: 01/31/2008
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I found a good running Onan 6.5k on a frame that came out of an older motorhome
(which is good because that's what I have) and I'm thinking the swap will be fairly
straight forward. I think that $500 and my old generator in swap is a tempting enough
deal to make it happen. I may take some photos and do a little write up on it.
Thanks for the feedback. I believe I'm going to make this happen.
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