Would you replace this generator?

[belfert]

Okay, would you guys buy a 10K generator head for my CAT/Perkins engine for about $2000 plus shipping, or get a new 12KW generator for about $9,000 shipping included?  I have 15.8 HP engine and WRICO runs a 17.8 HP engine on their 10KW generators.

The background is I have three 15K BTU rooftop A/C units, an electric water heater, and a 15 CF household fridge along with a battery charger.  I only had two A/C units when I bought the generator.  Also, I thought an 8KW generator would be plenty for even three A/C units since the total load is only around 5,000 watts.  I wasn't aware at the time of the compressor starting load and how much larger a generator is required to handle that.

The Powertech generator is coming out on Friday.  I either put it in the garage to change generator heads, or get rid of the Powertech generator by selling it or whatever.

[chessie4905]

New head, easy starts on the ac's, set up the water heater to not turn on when all three ac's are on or the one you can leave off if you need hot water.

[luvrbus]

3-15,000 btu units will always be a problem for a 8kw unit ,in hot weather and high altitude they become a 6.5 or a 7kw in a hurry Cummins (Onan) has a site to show you numbers on how heat and altitude affects a generator 

[belfert]

New head, easy starts on the ac's, set up the water heater to not turn on when all three ac's are on or the one you can leave off if you need hot water.

I bought easy start units for my A/C units last year and got one installed.  What happened last year is the A/C unit refused to run because the voltage was dropping too low.  Last year's voltage issue turned out to be a loose neutral and most, but not all, of the issue was resolved.

[sledhead]

if it were me I would get the 10 k head if it is the same size as said and put a switch on the water heater so you can turn it off ad on when you want to . plus I would put soft start caps. on all the a/c units and you should be fine . I only have 30 amp x 2 when I am in Florida and had to do this and never had a problem other then remembering to turn back on the w/h . Now I can run one of my a/c units with my tiny westinghouse 2500 watt inverter genny because of the soft starts .

dave

https://www.amazon.com/SPP6-Capacitor-Increase-Starting-Torque/dp/B0002YTLFE

https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-iGen2500-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B01MTGJGCN/ref=sr_1_2?crid=XL9K0L3EE9N&dchild=1&keywords=westinghouse+generator&qid=1601899870&s=hi&sprefix=west%2Ctools%2C191&sr=1-2

[windtrader]

If you can swamp in a mini-split that'll ease the power load, seems like you are fairly close and maybe saving a 1kW load can make the difference.

[belfert]

If you can swamp in a mini-split that'll ease the power load, seems like you are fairly close and maybe saving a 1kW load can make the difference.

I would love to do a mini-split and get rid of one or more rooftops.  The problem is where to put the condenser.  I have a 43 foot coach, but the wheelbase is so short I only have two full size bays and one 2/3 size bay.  One of the full size bays is for water tanks, water heater, and the generator.  The other full size bay and the 2/3 size bay are kept open for cargo.  I carry a ton of tools in about half a bay to make repairs as necessary.  I used nearly every one of the tools over the years.

I could probably build some sort of shelving/racking to make better use of space to free up space, but it also limits what I can put underneath.

[windtrader]

Not saying it looks appropriate for our kings of the road but the schoolie crowd mounts them externally on the back. May be possible to make an external cover that looks nice enough to work. Something simple made of fiberglass with a few rounded, contoured edges/sides.

[Busted Knuckle]

I have a 43 foot coach, but the wheelbase is so short I only have two full size bays and one 2/3 size bay.  One of the full size bays is for water tanks, water heater, and the generator.  The other full size bay and the 2/3 size bay are kept open for cargo.

What did you do with the original a/c condenser area that took up that other 1/3rd bay?
That's where I would have put a generator if I had removed the OTR A/C. (which I remember you did)
  BK 

[belfert]

What did you do with the original a/c condenser area that took up that other 1/3rd bay?
That's where I would have put a generator if I had removed the OTR A/C. (which I remember you did)

The generator is in the old condenser bay.  For those not familiar with a DINA the rear most luggage bay has 1/3 of the bay sectioned off for the condenser bay.  My generator is in the condenser bay area and the water tanks are in the remainder of that bay.

[lovetofix]

I would love to do a mini-split and get rid of one or more rooftops.  The problem is where to put the condenser.

I am still looking into the repercussions of this idea, I don't know anything about Dina's coaches, and don't know much about others either.
I can't do roof warts on mine. Not with the twelve inches of roof lift it has.
Since the PO of my MC9 already destroyed the rear cap by sticking a window A/C unit through the back  I am considering having a custom cap made and using that space for two or even three condensing units. I would first build a waterproof bulkhead and floor above the radiators to eliminate any ingress for water and provide support for mounting. The rear cap/removable cover would have side air inlets and rear outlets. Because of the extra 12" of height I have plenty of room to work with above the radiators.
Just an idea I have been kicking around in my mind.

[chessie4905]

Is the rear cap fiberglass? If so, not that difficult of a repair.

[belfert]

I am still looking into the repercussions of this idea, I don't know anything about Dina's coaches, and don't know much about others either.
I can't do roof warts on mine. Not with the twelve inches of roof lift it has.
Since the PO of my MC9 already destroyed the rear cap by sticking a window A/C unit through the back  I am considering having a custom cap made and using that space for two or even three condensing units. I would first build a waterproof bulkhead and floor above the radiators to eliminate any ingress for water and provide support for mounting. The rear cap/removable cover would have side air inlets and rear outlets. Because of the extra 12" of height I have plenty of room to work with above the radiators.
Just an idea I have been kicking around in my mind.

My Dina doesn't have radiators above the engine like a lot of MCI coaches.  It does still have a raised area in the back that is about three feet high.  I made that area a storage closet, but it doesn't get used much.  I've been thinking that maybe I could put mini-split condensers back there, but I don't know how I would vent the area and keep it from getting water inside.  I would also have to seal that area from the rest of the bus.

[richard5933]

I wonder if anyone has tried to reconfigure the working parts inside the outdoor half of a mini split to allow it to be mounted horizontally instead of standing upright? That would allow it to be mounted in a bay with the fan blowing out through the floor, and it would be simple to rig up an intake to draw fresh air in through the side of the bay either through a door or a bulkhead.

[peterbylt]

When I first got my Bus it had an auxiliary AC in the back that I removed (shouldn't have).

The condenser was mounted on the Curbside engine access door, the evaporator was on the inside back wall, and the compressor was above the squirrel cage drive.

I have been toying with the idea of getting a minisplit and blowing it apart and using the components in the place of these parts, except the compressor, that could probably go up where the original MCI blackwater tank was.

Peter