generator specs

cody · June 22, 2008, 08:43:36 AM

I looked at a generator I have in an older RV at home, the specs kinda puzzled me, it's a 5K onan, it says 120/240 volt, 1800RPM, but only 20.4 amp. The amperage sounded too low for the size of the generator, does that sound right? The generator is in a 1978 Revcon and runs great but I was concerned about the amperage rating.

compedgemarine · June 22, 2008, 08:48:40 AM

according to the conversion a 5KW genset puts out 20.8 amps at 240 volts and 41.6 amps at 120 volt so it sounds correct.
steve

cody · June 22, 2008, 08:58:08 AM

What I'm trying to do is increase my power, I have a 3000 watt generator now, one of the super quiet honda's but it struggles to run everything we have and we have to really watch our power management, this onan I've had for years and it works great and I'm thinking it would be a more powerfull unit to use.

DrivingMissLazy · June 22, 2008, 09:08:17 AM

Quote from: cody on June 22, 2008, 08:58:08 AM
What I'm trying to do is increase my power, I have a 3000 watt generator now, one of the super quiet honda's but it struggles to run everything we have and we have to really watch our power management, this onan I've had for years and it works great and I'm thinking it would be a more powerfull unit to use.

You will be increasing your power available by 2,000 watts, from 3,000 to 5,000 watts.

I suspect that if you examine it you will find that it can be connected for 120 volt output only which would give you 41 amps at 120 volts.

If you can not re-connect it then you will have two legs of 120 volts for a total of 41 amps.

Richard

cody · June 22, 2008, 06:30:26 PM

I appreciate the info, I've got a lot to learn about the generator, it's metal, wood I understand, metal cornfuses me lol.

Tom Y · June 22, 2008, 06:40:27 PM

Cody, I wanted a 120/240 volt genin my bus for home backup also. There is no advantage to rewire for 120 only unless you wanted to run 3 roof airs and it still won't be big enough. Tom Y

DrivingMissLazy · June 22, 2008, 07:22:51 PM

Unless you have some appliance that needs 240 volt power, I would strongly recommend you connect it for 120 volt output only.

Small generators do not like to run with a unbalanced load and it is somewhat difficult to balance a 240/120 volt genset under all operating conditions.

Richard

DrivingMissLazy · June 22, 2008, 07:26:21 PM

Quote from: Tom Y on June 22, 2008, 06:40:27 PM
Cody, I wanted a 120/240 volt genin my bus for home backup also. There is no advantage to rewire for 120 only unless you wanted to run 3 roof airs and it still won't be big enough. Tom Y

Tom, I purchased a 120 volt to 240 volt step up transformer to use when I was supplying power to the home.

A few years ago I was the only home in the neighborhood with lights for several days after a major ice storm killed most of the power in this part of the state.

Richard

JackConrad · June 23, 2008, 07:17:04 AM

PowerTech recommended I wire my generator 120 only unless I needed 240. Wiring 120 only eliminates trying to keep the load balanced. Jack

cody · June 23, 2008, 07:45:42 AM

Jack, I was thinking that if I loaded up the generator in my truck this fall maybe, you could give me some ideas and help on getting it in place and a proper wiring setup, I'm going to see if I can get a bigger inverter too, you saw my feeble breaker box lol. I'm trying to clean up my power supply situation and I'm not sure I trust my level of expertise on this type of project, I've got a hard time just putting batteries in my flashlight lol. I'm thinking it would work great in the back a/c compartment where we put the honda, I have a roll out tray that could be worked into the setup somehow I think. I've got a fairly sizeable spot just behind the swingout part of my curbside tail light assembly that I'm going to have a gas tank made to fit so I think everything would work great, just a matter of the engineering. This generator has a couple of remote starts, I think being able to start it from the dash and kitchen area would really be a big improvement over what I have now, the honda works great but it has it's limitations that the onan would go a long way towards helping.

JackConrad · June 23, 2008, 07:50:48 AM

Cody,
No problem, I will be glad to help you with your projects. We look forward to seeing you & Libby. Jack

cody · June 23, 2008, 08:03:46 AM

I appreciate that, we sure miss being down south, I know it's hot down there now but over the winter I can truthfully say it was the best winter I ever spent, I'm just not able to deal with the brutal winters up here anymore, down south, the weather, the friends, the activities going on all the time somewhere close by, the rallys, it was the best winter I've ever had, we sure miss everyone, especially you and paula and bryce and his parents, I'm so thankful to be involved with the bus community, even if it's only as an albatross lol.

JackConrad · June 23, 2008, 10:44:17 AM

Quote from: cody on June 23, 2008, 08:03:46 AM
I'm so thankful to be involved with the bus community, even if it's only as an albatross lol.

An Albatross?? I thought you were a termite. Don't termites turn wood into sawdust? Jack

cody · June 23, 2008, 10:51:48 AM

lol, in my version ahab is wearing a termite around his neck from now on lol.

buswarrior · June 23, 2008, 10:47:21 PM

I support wiring small generators for dedicated 120 volts.

Do some percentages, it will run wildly out of balance most of the time.

Imbalanced loads means imbalanced heat in the gen head.

Onan is very kind to print a circuit diagram inside the cover, instructions as to how to set it up are all there.

Your spouse has better things to do than mess around with load sharing between legs...

That fellow with the turn key 20 Kilowatt Prevost may catch her eye

happy coaching!
buswarrior