generater size

[musicman]

Im trying to buy the high dollar stuff for the new coach first..So what size generaters are you guys running?...I wont be boondocking at all but I want a generator and really not sure what size will be big enough....Everything inside will be electric..Water cooled or air cooled..seperate tank or tie it into the main tank..My other coach that I use for work was mostly done when I bought it but I want to make alot of changes to this one...Thanks alot guys Im sure you have the answers

[tekebird]

figure out your needs and get something just larger than you max normal needs.

a big genset with light loading is bad for the genset.  they like to have a load.

water cooled is quieter

tank...your choice...if off the main be sure to plumb the pickup so you will never run your tank dry

[RTS/Daytona]

I vote for the Honda EV6010 - 6KW - (50amp/120volts) - Water Cooled - Gasoline

although 3600rpms - fairly inexpensive $2500 new (as compared to a diesel generator $6000-$8000) - it's quite (water cooled makes it quiter) - small - low - easily installed and made for RV's

with the Honda's 50 amp output - here's what you could do ??
Twin Roof top a/c units - approx 13-15 amps each  --   Converter 5-7amps   --  Micro/Wave  6-8 amps   -   Elec H/W - 10amps ??

a little tight if you run 2 A/C units all the time or just turn the H/W heater off when using the Micro Wave     
actually the Honda will give you more power than you would get with a (very common - 30 amp pole hookup)

Plus you can use qty 2  (6 gallon outboard motor tanks) - gives you 12-15 hours and makes it real easy to fill (removable)

Pete RTS/Daytona

[DavidInWilmNC]

Pete's idea was my second choice... third acually.  I had an offer of a 6.5 kw 3 cylinder Kubota diesel generator, but that deal feel through.  I ended up buying a used low-hour Onan gasoline model.  It was cheap enough that I won't mind replacing it when / if I want a diesel.  Then, the Onan will be used for backup power at home.  The Honda units look really good, though, and they're failry small.  Plus, being a Honda, should be really reliable.

David

[TomC]

I have a 10kw Powertech Diesel that uses the very dependable Kubota 4 cylinder engine (Yanmar, Isuzu, John Deere, also good-stay away from Chinese). Although I only have about 600hrs on it (like 24,000 miles) it has been 100% reliable.
I have 3 roof tops-that I will run all three if above 100; 2-10gal water heaters (one feeding into the next with the final one powered through the inverter for hot water going down the road); electric heat in the bath; 12v/120v compressor type Norcold reefer, and 100# Norcold chest freezer; microwave, 2 TV's and stereos, inverter/charger. 
The gen is 1800rpm and you barely notice when the compressor kicks on with the A/C (very tight speed governor).  This gen is all mechanically operated, but now would buy electronic controls since you can get inverters that will automatically start the gen if the batts get to low, or if you start overloading the power pole.  I know I'll get a lot of flack for this, but there are 3,600rpm gens made that are quiet enough to use and they will easily get 10,000hrs of life out of them-they are smaller, lighter and typically cheaper.  I have mine mounted next to the drivers seat like a front engine (have a transit) with the radiator remote mounted under the drivers seat with a 1/2hp 2 speed motor belt driving a squirrel cage blower that can take up to 200 degrees-very quiet on low.
My fuel supply is the main tank with the pickup up a few inches so not to run out the fuel (I lucked out, there was an extra 5 screw panel in the tank that I used to make my own pickup and return).  I tied into the main starting batteries, but had to disconnect the small alternator on the gen since it was fighting with the big alternator.  If the starting batts are dead, have a cross over solenoid to tie into the deep cycles.

I drove truck for 21 years with the last 12 years having a sleeper with all amenities, powered by a commercial Onan 6.5 gasoline powered.  I had a 75 gal fuel tank that allowed for about 2 weeks of use, but was still a pain in the a-- to have to go to the gasoline island to fill up.  I can't tell you how many times a manager would run out or someone would say I'm putting gasoline in my truck!  Plus the maintenance was high-had to adjust the carb for altitude changes, clean the spark plugs frequently, decarbon it.  My first gen did last a bit over 12,000hrs-with Onan not believing me on those kind of hours without removing a head to decarbon it (they make a liquid decarboning spray that is sprayed into the carb until the unit stalls).

I have a 40ft'r now, and with being an ex truck driver, it is easy for me to drive. But-there are alot of places that only allow up to 35ft.  If I were to do it again, I'd get either a VanHool or MCI 35ft x 102" highway bus, have two A/C's, and a liquid cooled 8kw Diesel gen that runs at 3,600rpm.

Sort of a rule of thumb- if you have one roof top A/C, 6.5kw.  If you have two roof tops, 8kw.  If you have three roof tops 10kw.  If you have 4 roof tops, 12kw.  If you have all electric with 4 roof tops, 20kw.  No need for more than 20kw.

When I am parked, I can easily cool mine with two roof tops.  Also, I wired my bus straight 120v (not split), so that restricts me to 50 amps at the power pole.  But then I never have to worry about balancing the load between the two legs of 120v.  Granted with the two legs of 120v coming in, you can effectively get 100 amps, but just never needed it.  The only propane I have is the stove and furnace.  Keep it simple and use what is proven in the RV field rather than trying to reinvent the wheel with overly complicated systems.  Good Luck, TomC

[H3Jim]

The biggest determiner is what kind / how many air conditioning units you intend to use.  You will also want to tally up all your expected electrical appliances and uses to properly size your genset.  Most of the  aplliances other than air conditioning will be somewhat intermittent unlike the airs - unless you have a special use like you have / use a kiln for a hobby, you bake / cook a lot and use electric to do that, or have a mongo home entertainment system, etc.

Tom's numbers on size based on number of rooftop airs is a good rough guide.

Since I have added solar panels, and live in the San Diego Area, about the only time I ever fire off the generator is when I run the airs.

I have one fuel, one tank, and really like the simplicity of that, of course I do have a 235 gal tank.  Depends partly on how much you think you'll run the generator.  The more you run it, teh more of a pain it is to have a separate tank.  Some have the separate tank and  pump so they can fill from the main tank, but have total control over how much and when.  Also a separate tank would allow you to run off road red dye, but the amount of taxes you'd save on the relatively small volume in my  opinion is not worth the extra work to manage it.

[bus05eagle]

musicman i saw a Prevost with a 12.5 kw in it with a turbo 3 cyl diesel and was it ever quite has nothing to do with what size you need but i was impressed with how quite it was and for got to ask what brand it was

[rv_safetyman]

Just a couple more thoughts. 

When you hook up to 50 amp shore service you have about 12KW service.  I wonder if it is really worth considering a generator larger than 12KW.  You would need two sets of main breakers (50 amp for shore and perhaps 75 amp for an 18KW generator, for example), and rather large wiring from the generator to the transfer switch (do they make one that large?) and from there to the distribution panel. 

On the subject of what kind of tank arrangement to use, I chose to go the separate tank route.  Mine is 40 gal. and that is a good size for running about two weeks of reasonable use.  This tank also supplies the Aqua-Hot.  By separating the tanks, I can use my Silverleaf VMSpc "electronic dash" as a very accurate fuel gage.  When it says I have used 90 gallons, my fill-up will be withing 2 gallons and the variation is usually a function of the foaming during filling.

[Hartley]

If you are trying to do your bus right, There only answer is diesel, 1800 rpm water cooled.

A kubota/isuzu or similar powered 10kw tickles about a quart of fuel a hour. Gasoline generators make a sucking sound at almost a minimum of a gallon an hour. If you load them then prepare to pay a lot for fuel and go through the constant hassles of getting and storing gasoline and it's stink.

One fuel on board makes life a lot easier. Unless the "other" fuel is veggie which the generator will run on just fine with only a little added fiddling.

Gas generators are fine and have their uses.

My opinion is that for more fuel efficiency and reliability in the long run, a Diesel is the only way to do it right. Even a used one will usually outlast any gas engine.

PowerTech
Wrico

or an expensive Onan if that's what floats your boat.

If you buy Onan anything prepare to pay big time for anything to repair or maintain them.
they are also almost impossible to work on if you lose a fanbelt also.

LP Gas generators use more fuel than Gasoline units and have more issues.

Oh. Well.... I went down that gasoline road too many times...Never again...

[buddydawg]

What would you recommend for those of us who need a generator but can't spring for a diesel quite yet?  I was leaning towards one of the Generac LPs they can be had for 2500 smacks and I can handle that.

[musicman]

Well guys we just finished our show at Billy Bobs and off to Topeka for tomorrow nights show...I appreciate all the help Im recieving on here..I think Im going to go with a 4 cylinder diesel water cooled..I have seen that they are pricy but I dont plan on doing this coach over night..I figure 2-3 yrs to do it right and the way I want it..I spoke with a guy tonight before the show and Im going to get my interior wood from him..He owns a mill here and gave me a great price on T&G red cedar..I know its going to smell like a cedar closet but I love the smell..All my cabinets in Kit and bath will be made of it and all the built in will as well..Now I need a source for sheets of copper(4x8 or bigger) for the shower..Again thanks guys Im afraid I couldnt and wouldnt tackle a project like this without you

[DrivingMissLazy]

Commonly called genewrecks, they are considered absolutely the worst genset manufactured in the US.
Richard

What would you recommend for those of us who need a generator but can't spring for a diesel quite yet?  I was leaning towards one of the Generac LPs they can be had for 2500 smacks and I can handle that.

[gus]

Pete is right. I just installed the Honda 6KW and it is great, half the price of a diesel, just as quiet, very light weight (214lb) and compact. Everything is in one small package.

Why spend big bucks on a diesel you will never use much?

The only downside to the Honda is that you have to build a box for it. I used plywood lined with fire proofing.

[grantgoold]

I have installed a deutz diesel (oil cooled with remote radiator/fan) that provides 18kw. I realized it was very big, but with a complete electrical based system, two large basement AC units and a large entertainment system in the bus. I was able to get the bigger system in the last bay on the drivers side on a joey bed slide out. 

Oh, I forgot to mention that the new genset had zero hours and cost me only $250.00.

I have been happy with the results so far!

Grant
Sacramento

[Hartley]

Well, I must be in a small club or something...

I live in Florida, Air Conditioning is required just about year round. Heat for 3 months alternating with A/C
day to night. There are people that can live without cool air and don't mind the bugs and humidity..
I am NOT one of those people, I left that behind many years ago with my teen years.

I need Power ! Reliable Power and power generation that doesn't break the bank to run and maintain for long periods. There are people who use their power differently and their needs are different. I like full time power so when my generator isn't running and I am not on a pole, I have solar to help keep the batteries going a little
but use 120 volts for my appliances, LP gas for the stove and heat.

Honestly the smell from a gasoline generator makes me sick. Funny part is that there was a time that I didn't mind the smell because the same smell came from my cars and trucks. Now I am sensitive to the odor.

Diesel can get to me too, But not as bad. I kinda like it... I think I WILL have a burger with those FRIES !!!