Onan vs Honda? Propane vs gas? We are pre-wired so want to install a generator in the spot provided. What size would we need to operate both ac units? We do not have a residential refrigerator.
The Onan 5.5K is a drop-in as that's what RW installs. I would guess that anything else would require some form/type of mods to intall.
As for fuel, propane is the easiest since it's already onboard. If you go gas you have to fine some place to carry the gas.
See these links in the ELECTRICAL Section. There is a lot of information here:
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=704&Itemid=159
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=562&Itemid=159
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=567&Itemid=159
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=566&Itemid=159
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=565&Itemid=159
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=564&Itemid=159
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=564&Itemid=159
There is more on batteries in the same section...
It's a personal choice, but with altitude comes a reduction in performance. Choose the 6500 as a minimum. It will run 2 A/C's with power to spare. The 5500 will but with altitude, it won't. See the performance and fuel consumption charts in the links above.
My personal choice is diesel...I have a 109 gallon tank on board (the tow truck). Diesel Fuel consumption is less. Diesel is easier to come by. They do weigh more...420 lbs versus 320. You'll have to install some extra support. Watch your Pin weight on the tow vehicle. If you're close, you could go over...The 8000W is the same weight as the 6000W. Might as well get a lot of extra power and never worry about altitude.
One more thing...If you want portable units, get the Honda 3000W units with the tie. Then you have power. The bad part is that they are gas operated. Fuel consumption is not all that bad but it's still gasoline. You have to have extra fuel tanks. They gum up if you don't use them. They are quiet. (But so is the diesel). If I was interested in portable, Honda would my choice hands down.
https://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/generator-parallel-capability
Sorry...Here is another ROG link:
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=123&Itemid=159
If you have a problem with your dishwasher while running a generator, here was another article on that:
http://www.redwoodrvowners-dev.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=44&id=67&Itemid=159
When we were deciding, we had a long conversation with a rep from Onan.. he stated that the 5.5 would be suffice for our rig to run mostly everything. We opted to go with the 6.5 so we possibly would use a bit less fuel. Plus the the 6.5 has 2 of the 30 amp breakers, not 1 @ 30 amp and 1 @15 amp..
After that, I had a talk with our propane vendor for our shops, after that conversation, I had 6 of the 40# bottles sitting at my door step in 2 days free of charge..
We dry camp at the NASCAR races and in the summer those LP generators get thirsty when running both ac’s. I ship the spare bottles to our offices near the track, and get them when I am at the track. This way I am not carting a ton of LP around..
Casual use with the full convenience of house power at your fingertips - ONAN
Serious boondocker that can haul gasoline in the back of the pickup - HONDA
You will use the Onan more spontaneously because you can - not so much with dragging out the Honda and cords.
Casual use with the full convenience of house power at your fingertips - ONAN
Serious boondocker that can haul gasoline in the back of the pickup - HONDAYou will use the Onan more spontaneously because you can - not so much with dragging out the Honda and cords.
That his precisely why I have 2 of the Honda EU 2000’s and a 5 gallon extended run fuel tank sitting in my shed... It is just too EASY to push that button when I arrive.!! B) :cheer:
no dishwasher, or washer dryer or residential refer, we are more basic
There is actually an issue with the Dishwasher running on generator anyway - Ours worked for a while, then wouldn't. Not sure why. Several folks had theory's and solutions but I never got that far.
You are still stuck with at least a 3500W or 2 2000W portables to run 1 AC. The 5500 or 6500 Onan will run both ACs
Even tho they are called Onan 5.5s, there must be some difference in them because I've heard of 1 - 30 amp and 1 - 20 amp breaker, now 1 - 30 and 1 - 15 amp breakers, yet ours (Factory Installed) has 2 - 30 amp breakers.
Wonder why the different combo breakers.
I found a comparison chart for the Onan/Cummins 5.5 generators:
Chris
2012 36RL
