Which compartment is preferable for generator install?

[Mex-Busnut]

Dear friends:

The front bagage compartment has the expanded mesh on it already and a lot of room for this, plus a huge hole in the floor. This is where the OTR A/C unit was. Maybe I would add some 12-volt car radiator fans to cool this better?

The rear compartment is where the OTR A/C compressor used to exist. It is also shared by the 6V92TA's radiator. Maybe the air sucked through the radiator would help cool the genny better? Maybe this option would add unwanted heat to the engine's radiator?

Either option would surely require sound/heat/fire-proofing the compartment.

What do you guys and gals think would be the better option?

Thanks in advance and be blessed!

[bevans6]

unless you get a generator that's designed to be permanently installed in an RV, you really should not run the generator in the compartment.  You should carry it there and put it on the ground beside you when you run it.  Even my Yamaha 3000 watt inverter generator, which is quiet as the dickens and very low vibration, gets slid out when i run it for more than 10 minutes or so.  I carry mine in the front AC compartment, the one with the mesh and the big hole in the floor.

Brian

[Len Silva]

All things considered, I would prefer the generator up front in case you need to run it while sleeping.  Keep the sound and vibration as far away from the bedroom as possible.

[prevosman]

I would hope the basis for the consideration of placement starts with the recognition that it has to be placed so that it does not cause any axle to exceed its limits.

There are some converters that locate the generator and house batteries in the front, or near the front and the end result is the steer axle is greatly in excess of its rating.

[Len Silva]

Unfortunately, you are right.  I contend that if an 800 pound generator is going to overload the front axle, then you were in deep trouble before you even started.

I first got interested in buses back in the eighties because all the factory motor homes were over loaded before they left the plant.

Now it seems that all the granite and gold bus conversions are the same way.  I was looking at an RV buying guide a few years ago and the 45' Blue Bird actually had less carrying capacity than a 25' Winnie.

[robertglines1]

time out : history ck here:::: Steve is on budget. trying to do safe  with what is available to him in Mexico. Select best ventelated compartment. First question to Steve is what gen set did you end up with??  Bob

[Busted Knuckle]

I agree with Bob on this!
But I'd probably lean toward the front compartment (orig. OTR A/C compartment) for the ease of ventilation.

Once installed I'd do like Cody did and hang a cheap box fan on the mesh door blowing out that is plugged directly into the generator and runs anytime the genny does. Blowing fumes and some heat out of the compartment.

Steve need mo info on the type of genny before we can help muchon the radiator/fans.
  BK 

[Bob Belter]

Ahoy, All,

I agree that the front is the best place for the generator,keeping an eye on frot axle loads.  Put the batteries as far back as possible .

My genset is in the right rear corner, and is about as quiet as any that will see, and even so, it is too noisy.

Enjoy   /s/   bob

[robertglines1]

 when buses were originally designed 250#per person was the figure used for each passanger for person and luggage. food for thought.  the ultimate end you should weight your bus and adjust axle weight on scale. Unless we get real outrageous we should not exceed the weight of a fully loaded bus. since we remove the seats and luggage racks also. A 750# gen set only = 3 people and luggage.   Bob  PS  average of small and large

[luvrbus]

I have always been told that the front bay and the rear bay will carry more weight than the middle bay on all buses true or false ? anybody know for sure,Greyhound and Trailways the rear bay was for heavy freight I have noticed that years back and was told the same by x drivers

good luck

[wal1809]

I say if you have the holes cut up front then to do it there.  I do not believe the 12 volt radiator fans will do you a bit of good so far as exhausting the heated air from the bay.  If it is sitting still then it will but so far as driving, not a chance.  Trust me I just went through this with the remote generator radiator.  The vortex created by the bus as it moves down the road is of much greater force than I had anticipated.  When sitting still the gen was fine, when moving I doubt there was any air whatsoever moving through the radiator.  When moving, my generator over heated so fast the guage could not read the climbing temp that fast.

If you are concerned about exhausting hot air and you on a budget, you can find a good used squirrel cage blower at any a/c place.  I just bought mine for $25.  Grainger had a comparible one for $250.  That thing is jammin the air through that radiator.  My radiator has never run under 195.  Now it struggles to get above 172 in 102 degree nasty nasty humid weather.

If you are going to use the 12 volt fan and your ever coming through Houston hollar at me I have a brand new one.

[Mex-Busnut]

Thanks to all of you for your kind remarks.

 

1. The front compartment is my choice, which used to house the huge main OTR A/C unit, which weighs FAR more (maybe 350 pounds) than my generator. (Genny weighs 211 pounds dry, or 96 kilograms.) This compartment is already walled off from the others, from factory, in sheetmetal, which I plan to cover with plywood and then fiberglass insulation.

2. The Honda EB6500 was the only genny I could find within budget and wattage that had electric start, as well as legal paperwork, so that is what I have for now. I am planning on installing an automotive-type exhaust/muffler system and taking the exhaut all the way to the back, if needs be. I really want to be able to start it from inside when needed.

3. I only have 2 baggage compartments on each side.

4. The second-hand tool shop where I bought the genny gave me a 3,000 watt Powerwattz inverter in the deal, and threw in a free roof-top RV AC unit which works great, but is missing its protective cover. I am considering running the Whirlpool fridge (8 foot capacity, 6 amps) off this inverter, and leave the genny mostly for A/C use.

5. Probably put in the house batteries in the rear compartment (just to the right of the rear axle), where the OTR A/C compressor used to live.

6. I am considering maybe a fuel tank off a car so I can get at least 24 hours off the gasoline.

So keep those great ideas coming! You all make me evaluate each step and option, and I appreciate that!

Be blessed!

[bevans6]

Don't worry about running the exhaust to the rear, think about a removable or permanent rooftop system instead.  http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/gen-turi-generator-exhaust-system/14041  Easy to duplicate, gets the fumes and some of the noise up high where it bothers no one, exactly what you need.  for running down the road, a side exhaust is fine.

[wal1809]

I don't understand folks and the gen noise.  I like it and sleep like a baby near a generator.  Probably comes from childhood and all the gens we used on the Salt Grass Trail ride, Hunting and boats that ran generators for lights.  It puts me and keeps me asleep.

[luvrbus]

Steve, better check with Honda I don't think you can use a exhaust pipe of any length on a GX series engine

good luck