Used Onan Quiet Diesel Issues?

luvrbus · February 10, 2015, 06:02:00 PM

Kubota engines don't have compression when turning by hand they need 250 rpm to even test the little jokers that is why they have glow plugs

Fredward · February 18, 2015, 11:35:35 AM

Just a little update for you guys interested. Gumpy and I tested the generator by bringing a battery, fuel and resistive loads. While it sat on a pallet at the junkyard, we put it through its paces. And it seems to work fine. I gave them $2,000.00 for it and took it home. I removed the cabinet and am replacing all the hoses and that throttle control stator and the coolant overflow bottle. Hoses just because I can, the other two pieces because they were broken in the crash. We'll clean it up and paint it before installing.

I ran it quite a bit over the weekend with varying loads. Seems like we may have lucked out on this deal. Also, it included an EC-30 Remote control included in the package so I think I'm getting additional functionality from the EC-30 that I hadn't even anticipated.

Thanks for all the input.

Oonrahnjay · February 18, 2015, 12:50:26 PM

You sure got a good price. Is it turns out to be a wonderful piece of equipment, you killed it. Even if it isn't *completely* wonderful, the balance is in your favor. Good job.

OneLapper · February 18, 2015, 01:25:56 PM

At that price you can afford to another grand into it and still feel like you got a good deal!

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · February 18, 2015, 03:19:47 PM

Fred,

For what it's worth, please replace the drive belt on the water pump... It will be a PITA later if

you have it installed.. An Onan belt will only fit it. It's about 45 bucks but it's metric size and hard

to find on the road. It happened to me and I replaced it with one from napa and it wouldn't work

so I had to do the job twice. Just about the whole enclosure needs to be removed to replace.

Good Luck
Nick-

Fredward · February 18, 2015, 07:25:30 PM

Nick that's one of the parts that I'm replacing. As you said it is buried up against the side of the cabinet. I can see everything currently with the cabinet removed. I'm hoping to put it all back together, hide it in the bay and only do oil changes. The local Cummins dealer had that one in stock. They had to order all the hoses and the electric stator throttle control.

I learned from my cousin the diesel engine designer that three cylinder and six cylinder in-line engines are the smoothest running because the crank journals are 60 degrees from each other. Not sure what that means but I guess its smoother than a four cylinder or a V style engine.
Fred

RJ · February 19, 2015, 01:04:29 AM

Quote from: Fredward on February 18, 2015, 07:25:30 PM
I learned from my cousin the diesel engine designer that three cylinder and six cylinder in-line engines are the smoothest running because the crank journals are 60 degrees from each other. Not sure what that means but I guess its smoother than a four cylinder or a V style engine.

Fred -

That means that every 120^os of crankshaft rotation produces a power pulse on the three cylinder models, and every 60^os on a six cylinder. On 4s and V8s, it's either 90^o or 45^o power pulse points, which sets up balance harmonics. Think of a round clock. On a three, you'll get power pulses at four, eight and twelve. On a four, your power pulses will be at three, six, nine and twelve. See how they're firing opposite each other on the four? That's where the harmonic vibration comes into play.

Looks like you got a good deal, that's for sure!

Quote from: OneLapper on February 09, 2015, 04:46:31 PM
The only problem with a Onan QD I've personally seen was one with a few hundred hours on it shutting off on overheat protection. The owner was cursing it up and down, mumbling all sorts of things.

Mark -

Hmmmm. . . That sounds familiar!

FWIW & HTH. . .

luvrbus · February 19, 2015, 04:33:12 AM

Most 3 cylinders engines fire 1-2-3 in simple terms

Utahclaimjumper · February 19, 2015, 06:30:00 AM

Be advised,, these generators are VERY SENSITIVE about being shut down while under load,, always remove as many loads as possible BEFORE shutting down,,a $1400. bill you won't soon forget.....Don't ask how I know..>>>Dan

Fredward · February 19, 2015, 08:19:11 PM

Dan,
Thanks for the warning. I have heard that elsewhere as well. I'm a major fan of removing load and letting any piece of machinery cool down for a few minutes before shut down. So I plan to treat this machine the same way!
Fred

Utahclaimjumper · February 20, 2015, 11:13:00 AM

It is also a learning curve for the wife & kids that may not understand.>>>Dan

wg4t50 · February 21, 2015, 09:13:11 PM

On the Onan/Cummins Gensets, if you have one and need the parts manual or service manual, no problem, just provide the model, spec including the letter and serial number, can email info. Wrong / missing info = 0 results.
Have been an Onan dealer for 40+ yrs, love most models, not all and yes the magnets on some inverter models have been known to be an issue, my brother has the 12-18 kw model, and yes it also had to have repairs due to the magnets.
Were able to get some consideration on warranty, was out of warranty, but got about half covered, parts only, no labor warranty.
No noise from the variable speed genset, it is 35' from bedroom and very smooth & quiet.
Dave M

bobofthenorth · February 22, 2015, 06:50:55 AM

I've posted this before but it bears repeating. SmokStak.com is an incredible resource for old Onans. Here's a link to the Onan generator forum.

Fredward · February 23, 2015, 02:08:44 PM

Hey Dave,
Thanks for the reply. It is amazing how nice and quiet they run. I have the cabinet off right now replacing anything that looks suspect. I discovered that the DC filter circuit board where the battery connections come through the case is broken. Rather the positive connection came loose from the circuit board. Do you know if I need to replace that item (300-4884) or will I get noise back somewhere through the 12 volt systems if I just run without it? I don't want to spend money needlessly but this is the time to replace it if it has a benefit.

Also do you have any experience with units that have the EC30 AGS that you could share? I've never had anything that fancy, but can envision using that functionality for maintaining house battery voltage when dry camping.
Fred

luvrbus · February 23, 2015, 02:35:11 PM

I have the wireless version of the command EC 30 I like the AC start up when the set temperature is exceeded what I don't like is when you disconnect from shore power and the generator starts lol
I haven't figured that one out yet then the auto start doesn't work while driving It's a neat gizmo Fred once you figure it out I have most of it figured out like the quite time that took me awhile