My selling dealer installed an Onan Gold 5500 generator in my 2018 Redwood at my request. I have a concern about the installation though after looking at other generator equipped fifth-wheels. Many have a ventilation grill in the compartment door which I assume is to feed the generator plenty of air and possibly to provide cooling of the compartment. My door is the original solid compartment door. Should I consider installing the vent in the door? Thanks!
A couple of considerations...
1) You didn't mention the model number. There are several in the 5500 series - LP and Gas. Depending on the Generator model, some need the additional ventilation and that would require cutting in vents into the side wall or front door. The disadvantage for the front door would be rain water splashing in on the generator.
2) I've read thru several of the 5500 Gold Generator installation manuals. NONE of them advise the additional need for compartment ventilation. Most manuals indicate a 1/4" wall clearance on the sides and back. 2" in the front. The main concern is to make sure the bottom intake and discharge are sufficient. There needs to be at least 12" of clearance under the bottom for sufficient flow.
BOTTOM:
OPERATING TEMPS:
Just curious...Did you consider the total wattage output of the 5500? This unit is limited if you need to run (2) air conditioners:
To be absolutely sure about whether or not you need additional ventilation, it might be worth a call or email to Onan:
1-800-286-6467
care@cummins.com
BTW....Don't attach any exhaust extenders...They will damage the generator due to back pressure.
Here are a few useful ONAN RV Manuals:
https://cumminsengines.com/brochure-download.aspx?brochureid=1524
https://cumminsengines.com/brochure-download.aspx?brochureid=1533
https://cumminsengines.com/brochure-download.aspx?brochureid=351
https://cumminsengines.com/brochure-download.aspx?brochureid=1253
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc ="s&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjQjqn98f7aAhWl64MKHa37DSEQFgh7MAc&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcumminsengines.com%2Fuploads%2Fdocs%2Ff-1362-rv-generator-load-management-basics.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3JQzkIRVOqyv_ssx8d4CtM"
I have the Onan 6500 installed with no louvers in my front compartment door with no issues. I did have a lot of heating inside the compartment, and after some research I installed a tin air scoop under the generator. If you look at the diagram that Gip posted, the cool air intake is VERY close to the hot air outlet cutouts...
I found that the cool air inlet would be picking up the hot air, which was making the generator run hot. The air scoop just pushed the hot air towards the street side of the trailer... It has made a huge difference.
My generator was factory installed. There are no louvers on either the main access door or the generator cover.
I never noticed heating issues but after reading Joe’s post I’m gonna check. The air scoop idea is pretty good.
I will get pics later today.. and when I get in the office Monday, i will get the part # from Onan for the scoop.. i think it was $30 including shipping??
Not the best pictures, but the top one is of the scoop poking from the pin box towards the rear.. you can see how it diverts the hot air away from the cool air intake
The second is from the exhaust exit rea looking towards the scoop.. there you see the basic function. It has helped greatly, before I even had hot air around the curb ( door) side where we sit... Now there is NO hot air ( except mine) there...
Looks awfully close to the ground...Have you ever crossed a speed bump and hit that?
GIP,
It is only about 4” high.... I will get a measurement tomorrow, but I bet it is at least 12” off the ground
I was just reading earlier about others that had their hydraulic jacks too close to the ground. With that, they ended up replacing them and moving them up higher after they bent the last set crossing over a speed bump. So, I thought about that when you mentioned it.
Then, after reading the Onan Installation Manuals, they had mentioned that 12" clearance was required. I think by diverting yours to the side, that would be OK since the deflector is not very long and back pressure would be ruled out.
A couple of considerations...
Just curious...Did you consider the total wattage output of the 5500? This unit is limited if you need to run (2) air conditioners:
Actually I didn't give much consideration to the wattage as this is the generator set that is listed as the generator option from Redwood. I haven't tried running the genset with both my generators but know of many people running two roof A/C units with no issues on a 5500 watt genset.
I decided to go with the 6500... After a long chat with the folks at Onan of Indiana, we decided that was best for me...
I wish I would have asked more questions regarding generator sizing. I figured if Redwood listed the 5500 as the factory option it was sufficient for the coach. My selling dealer didn't make any suggestions either. Oh well - live and learn. I'll see what happens when I run the generator.
Charts comparing the 5500W to the 6500W...
