Gensets

Paul S · January 30, 2020, 01:55:34 PM

What are you running? I'm getting tired of issues with the 40 year old 12.5 Kohler and am thinking of upgrade to a new Onan. One place has a sale on the 7.5kw diesel unit, trying to decide between 7.5kw and 10kw which is about $1k more.

Utahclaimjumper · January 30, 2020, 02:00:56 PM

A 7.5 will run everything you would normally run at one time,,, If it is an Onan "quiet diesel",, you will love it.. Mine has 2800 reliable hours on it trouble free..>>>Dan

Paul S · January 30, 2020, 02:07:48 PM

Yeah, it's the QD, on sale until tomorrow for $9,335.00

luvrbus · January 30, 2020, 03:58:29 PM

What type Ac units here in the AZ heat a 7.5 struggles with 2 roof tops in Aug and 3 is out of the question for a 7.5

TomC · January 30, 2020, 05:35:15 PM

I have a 10kw Powertech wired straight 120v. Have about 1,800 hours, no problems.

chessie4905 · January 30, 2020, 05:42:05 PM

I would go with a 10kw. You get into a high altitude situation and 7.5 won't cut it. Some margin is beneficial with almost no fuel use penalty.

Paul S · January 31, 2020, 05:45:10 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on January 30, 2020, 05:42:05 PM
I would go with a 10kw. You get into a high altitude situation and 7.5 won't cut it. Some margin is beneficial with almost no fuel use penalty.

I was thinking that too - the 10k is only a few dollars more in comparison for the juice you get.

luvrbus · January 31, 2020, 06:07:48 AM

Quote from: Paul S on January 31, 2020, 05:45:10 AM
I was thinking that too - the 10k is only a few dollars more in comparison for the juice you get.

Like was said generators out put drops like a rock with heat and altitude

DoubleEagle · January 31, 2020, 07:40:53 AM

Even out East, two A/C's doesn't cut it when it is hot and humid. Most people need three to five roof A/C's, or some combination of roof and basement types. If you do not have coach air for going down the road, you are not going to be happy with two. Chances are your coach needed the 12.5 for a good reason.

chessie4905 · January 31, 2020, 08:08:22 AM

Back then, that Kohler was about the only one available. Many were installed and pretty reliable. We had 2500 hours on the one in our 4104. It was a little over kill for ours with 2 13,500 ac's, but always handled them.

freds · January 31, 2020, 09:29:01 AM

Quote from: Paul S on January 30, 2020, 01:55:34 PM
What are you running? I'm getting tired of issues with the 40 year old 12.5 Kohler and am thinking of upgrade to a new Onan. One place has a sale on the 7.5kw diesel unit, trying to decide between 7.5kw and 10kw which is about $1k more.

The 12.5 Kohler has a Perkins motor and there are overhaul kits out there that are fairly cheap.

richard5933 · January 31, 2020, 12:15:44 PM

What are your plans for the Kohler/Perkins?
I might be interested.

Jim Blackwood · January 31, 2020, 08:14:48 PM

A better question might be to ask where he is located.

Jim

richard5933 · February 01, 2020, 03:59:58 AM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on January 31, 2020, 08:14:48 PM
A better question might be to ask where he is located.

Jim

He's just a pallet away...

Paul S · February 01, 2020, 06:56:20 AM

The generator runs fine, when it runs - I have spare set of brushes for it as well. Keeping it running lately has been a challenge. Pretty sure the voltage regulator is toast as under heavy loads at times the HZ will go off the scale and then it shuts down. It also seems to need some control panel work. I use this bus for animal rescue and just need something reliable all the time. I don't have working OVTR AC at the moment so it may be used for that in the interim.

Not sure what I'll do with the Kohler, might make a good backup generator for the house or otherwise with some TLC, I just need something that will work all the time right now in the bus. To many other bus projects to work on to be screwing around with something as important as the genset.