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Considering a Generator

LuckyDog23

Well-known member
Yes, a 310RL will have a transfer switch and remote panel if ordered with gen prep. It will also have the sheet metal enclosure required to isolate the genset from the rest of the compartment. This may impact your space (height), as the enclosure doesn't go all the way to the top of the compartment.
Hi Mike — hadn’t considered that until last night when I happened upon a video of the new 2024 model of the 310 and they showed the compartment opened with the enclosure clearly visible. I sure wish Alliance was more forthcoming with specs. We have a Winnebago Class A and the parts book for it has very specific sizes for everything, dimensions etc. plus a full wiring diagram.

So gen prep will def impact our decision making. Glad you confirmed what I suspected.
 

LuckyDog23

Well-known member
Here’s an insane system. No generator at all!
We won’t be tearing our AC units off the roof or putting in a mini split but this guy’s design is awesome. I’m wanting merely to leverage the cost savings on the Onan generator into splurge on solar. I did see a video of a guy who put a Predator in a Moreryde sliding tray in his Cougar right next to the wet bay. Seems like a bad choice of location. He also rigged up an exhaust pipe that looks pretty sketchy. After looking at your setup and his and pricing solar components and GC batts, we probably will keep the Predator at home for its intended purpose which is house backup to save our bacon (and 300 lbs of grass fed and finished beef ). Every time there’s a bit of wind or tiny grass fire, our utility turns off our power.

So the current plan for future 310 is definitely pullout tray, plus a small manageable light generator that one person can lift into the back of our truck. I saw a couple that can be used in this manner and will power the fridge and some LEDs as needed.
 

RichieW13

Active member
Here’s an insane system. No generator at all!
We won’t be tearing our AC units off the roof or putting in a mini split but this guy’s design is awesome. I’m wanting merely to leverage the cost savings on the Onan generator into splurge on solar. I did see a video of a guy who put a Predator in a Moreryde sliding tray in his Cougar right next to the wet bay. Seems like a bad choice of location. He also rigged up an exhaust pipe that looks pretty sketchy. After looking at your setup and his and pricing solar components and GC batts, we probably will keep the Predator at home for its intended purpose which is house backup to save our bacon (and 300 lbs of grass fed and finished beef ). Every time there’s a bit of wind or tiny grass fire, our utility turns off our power.

So the current plan for future 310 is definitely pullout tray, plus a small manageable light generator that one person can lift into the back of our truck. I saw a couple that can be used in this manner and will power the fridge and some LEDs as needed.

They have six 270Ah Battle Born batteries. I think those bad boys retail for about $2,500. So they have about $15,000 invested in just the batteries for that rig!
 

LuckyDog23

Well-known member
A bit of follow up on the not-Onan generators. We were at an even where Camping World had some RVs in the parking lot on display and one had the newer Next-Gen smaller unit installed and running. It was very quiet - Honda quiet. It’s lighter by about 100 lbs according to the rep which sounds significant if accurate. It has the advantage of having a pull cord in case the battery is dead. Here’s a link to the manufacturer site.

We will get one of these when we order our trailer. Circumstances have us postponing it to late fall or even next year. I need shoulder surgery, we are trying to sell our house and I’m really slowed down due to a tear I sustained pulling myself up into our F250. And our house we are moving to is delayed by a broken foot (it’s family). It’s been one of those years.
 

Gord&Cindy

Well-known member
A bit of follow up on the not-Onan generators. We were at an even where Camping World had some RVs in the parking lot on display and one had the newer Next-Gen smaller unit installed and running. It was very quiet - Honda quiet. It’s lighter by about 100 lbs according to the rep which sounds significant if accurate. It has the advantage of having a pull cord in case the battery is dead. Here’s a link to the manufacturer site.

We will get one of these when we order our trailer. Circumstances have us postponing it to late fall or even next year. I need shoulder surgery, we are trying to sell our house and I’m really slowed down due to a tear I sustained pulling myself up into our F250. And our house we are moving to is delayed by a broken foot (it’s family). It’s been one of those years.
Thanks for the info. It's always good to have alternatives. I suspect we won't be getting a generator until next year now and I would be very interested in your experience with this generator should you decide to get one.
 

JHC

Well-known member
I haven't called NPS yet but does anyone know if the have a generator, 5500W, that runs off of propane? I would like to avoid the Onan's as they are heavy by at least 100 lbs..
 

7ACMike

Well-known member
Yes, I have a Champion 5500 that is propane, electric start. Works great and don't worry about carburetor and gas issues.
 

JHC

Well-known member
Mike,

I assume this is a portable unit that you store in the generator compartment?
 

7ACMike

Well-known member
It's too heavy to carry with me unless in truck. Takes 2 good men to load it. 5500 watts is going to be big. I carry a small 2000 in the camper. And it will run 1 AC with the soft start conversion.
 

Lantley

Well-known member
I had a 5500 built in LP Onan in my last 5th wheel. It worked well. There is no substitute for push button convenience. Just press a button and I had electric anytime, anywhere. Nothing to set up, hook up or carry. I was not concerned about the weight because it was built in. I did not have to carry it.
I now have a Wen 3600 IX dual fuel portable. I carry it basically for emergency use only. It certainly is not a capable or robust as my prior Onan.
But it can provide power in a pinch. Be it stranded along the roadside or during a campground power failure, I always have a source of electric if I need it.
The downside of any portable is they require set up . They are not push button convenient.
I have the attachment to run my 3600 Wen from the RV lp quick connect but I still have to get it out and hook it up and deal with any security issues depending on where I am at.
Nevertheless the Wen gives me peace of mind that I have electric at all times if I need it.
I also have a Predator 5000 dual fuel unit that is reserved for home use as a back up generator. It is also set up to plug into the RV LP if needed.
However the Predator 5000 while more powerful, is Heavier and not as easy to manhandle in and out of the RV storage compartment.
But If I know I'm boondocking or camping somewhere without electric I have the option to bring the Predator along.
Portables are nice and can get the job done but the really are not in the same league as a built in unit.
I will add while not as efficient or powerful I highly recommend a LP unit for RV use vs. gasoline. Dealing with gas cans just makes carrying a genset more cumbersome. Gas cans present another challenge/hassle and are always a potential hazard.
If you plan or need to use a Genset regularly get a built in. But if you are just an occasional genset user portables are a much less convenient viable option.
Lastly another option to consider in Today's solar, Lithium battery world. Investing in a heavy duty, air conditioning capable solar package maybe even a better idea than a built in Onan generator.
 

Electrified

Member
I had a 5500 built in LP Onan in my last 5th wheel. It worked well. There is no substitute for push button convenience. Just press a button and I had electric anytime, anywhere. Nothing to set up, hook up or carry. I was not concerned about the weight because it was built in. I did not have to carry it.
I now have a Wen 3600 IX dual fuel portable. I carry it basically for emergency use only. It certainly is not a capable or robust as my prior Onan.
But it can provide power in a pinch. Be it stranded along the roadside or during a campground power failure, I always have a source of electric if I need it.
The downside of any portable is they require set up . They are not push button convenient.
I have the attachment to run my 3600 Wen from the RV lp quick connect but I still have to get it out and hook it up and deal with any security issues depending on where I am at.
Nevertheless the Wen gives me peace of mind that I have electric at all times if I need it.
I also have a Predator 5000 dual fuel unit that is reserved for home use as a back up generator. It is also set up to plug into the RV LP if needed.
However the Predator 5000 while more powerful, is Heavier and not as easy to manhandle in and out of the RV storage compartment.
But If I know I'm boondocking or camping somewhere without electric I have the option to bring the Predator along.
Portables are nice and can get the job done but the really are not in the same league as a built in unit.
I will add while not as efficient or powerful I highly recommend a LP unit for RV use vs. gasoline. Dealing with gas cans just makes carrying a genset more cumbersome. Gas cans present another challenge/hassle and are always a potential hazard.
If you plan or need to use a Genset regularly get a built in. But if you are just an occasional genset user portables are a much less convenient viable option.
Lastly another option to consider in Today's solar, Lithium battery world. Investing in a heavy duty, air conditioning capable solar package maybe even a better idea than a built in Onan generator.
I agree with you except I didn't want a genny using the available fuel that is also used for heating, cooking, washing clothes, and bathing. We originally wanted a toy hauler to solve this issue but never could find a TH floorplan we could live with. We did order our 370FB prepped but intend to use portable for awhile and see how that works out.
 

Lantley

Well-known member
Portables will give you the ability to try it out. Without making the sizable financial commitment of a built in.
A toy hauler or motorized RV has the advantage of having a built in fuel tank as an alternative source to power your genset.
However a typical 5th wheel only has LP available. You could upgrade your 30# lp tanks to 40# lp tanks to carry additional fuel or plan to carry
additional lp tanks.
I guess carrying additional Lp or gas can both be hazardous. However LP won't spill and is a bit easier to transport.
LP is also clean burning and avoids the notorious carb and stale gas issues that plague gas generators.
I wasn't such a big fan of Lp gensets until I owned one. Now I think lp is the way to go for RV use because there is lp already on board. You don't have to introduce and transport an additional fuel source.
But I agree trying it out gives you the ability to be flexible and figure out what works for you.
 

Midnight Rider

Well-known member
This is the 2nd coach we have had with an Onan 5500. The last was gas powered, in a toy hauler with a 40 gallon fuel cell. No worries about running out there! This is the same genset set up for propane. Overall, I think it's pretty quiet. Onan does a good job keeping the noise level low on their Quiet series RV gensets. I could sleep with it running, I believe. We only ran it for about 1.5 hours, but it barely moved the gauge needle on my GasStop. I don't have a good answer for propane use.

I plan to buy a Camco exhaust kit that will route the exhause above the roofline when stationary, so that will help reduce the noise at ground level, as well as move the exhaust away.
Make sure you don’t put the exaust up on the roof for that AC to grab and end up gassing yourself! I knew a couple of cowboys that died that way!
 
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