Generator Help

kmyers · 02-04-2012, 11:43 AM

The Onan generator in my RV has expired and I am being told it will cost $3000.00 to fix. For that cost, I need to replace it. It is a Micro Quiet 4000. I know everyone will say to go with the Hondas, but I have limited space inside and would have to mount it outside on the tongue of the trailer. I prefer not to add the weight to the trailer. The RV is plumbed and wired for the Onen w/ the remote control already inside. Should be a plug and play. Any advice as to the best place to purchase would be appreciative. I'm sure someone out there has gone through this or is even a dealer.

Bob Verwold · 02-04-2012, 12:47 PM

Don't know if this apply' s in your case but my new one was bigger than the old. Had to make the cabinet bigger. You have a PM

THE LEGEND · 02-04-2012, 06:26 PM

I would pay the extra money and have it dealer installed. That way there should be NO warranty issues. Onan is the worst when it comes to warranty claims
Chip

Rich Biebel · 02-04-2012, 07:14 PM

How old is your existing Onan, how many hours on it and what is wrong with it?

I have done every repair imaginable on those and some are not worth fixing.....some are.

I can also get new ones as we are an Onan dealer...

Unless the engine blew up or it is a mess and worn out with thousands of hours on it.....it's probably repairable for less than $3000

I have repalced engines......and also generator ends......

A 4000 watt generator can give you 33 amps at 120 volts......and those Onan's are very good machines. They need to be maintained and are often neglected to the point of failure.....

I had one customer that had 7000hrs on one of those....

Some are a mess by 2000-3000 hrs.......

kmyers · 02-05-2012, 09:50 PM

I'm not sure of the age or exact hours, I purchased the coach a year and a half ago. I had it serviced by an local Onen dealer before race season last year. Last labor day weekend, it stopped. I could start it, but a soon as I would release the start button, it would die, took it out and sent it back to the dealer, they are telling me there is plastic components inside generator which came apart and took out the windings. I am being told $2700. to fix w/ a one year warranty or $3000.00 for a new rplacement and a 3 year warranty. I found a larger Generac for about a $1000. less than to repair. That may be tough to pass up.
Rich,
If you have any input as to what it would take to repair/replace the generator part or know of anything about the Generacs, I'd appreciate any input

Thanks,
Kevin

Rich Biebel · 02-06-2012, 09:05 AM

I'd fix the Onan if possible and skip the Generac. Or buy a new or used Onan if you could find one.

The only thing that could be plastic and break inside the generator end is the rotor. It has plastic fins on it where the windings were wound. If a piece broke off it could damage the stator. The outer part with windings....

Both parts are available and replaceable. If the rest of the unit was in decent shape....not a mess, and not need any other parts....it would be worth fixing and for a lot less that a new one.

Paul Hellenberg · 02-06-2012, 10:28 AM

I bought a used trailer a year ago with a 6500 Onan it ran erratically but gradually with the help of a neighbor that knew small engines, got it running at first not real good. But today it runs nearly perfectly today. He called a fairly locally Onan parts store and got what turned pretty good advice in my case a complete new carburetor and other related parts.

My generator is old and I suspect 1000's of hours but give good service. IMO poor maintenance is the only thing that kills generators. They do need a consistent care because mainly because of high heat, and poor fuel quality. Onan recommends running the generator every 30 days year around, I suspect that alone is part of the problem along with poor fuel issues.

Good Luck

Tom Joseph · 02-06-2012, 10:48 AM

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...All-Categories

Check this out 3400.00 same generator new in the box.

kmyers · 02-06-2012, 02:49 PM

Thanks everyone for their input, this is the last thing I want to go through trying to get ready for this season. Sounds like I need to repair what I have, which I'd prefer, but don't want that lingering in the back of my head or have to deal w/ the generator while I'm trying to go rounds.

Rich, I assume you are able to get the replacement parts for my Onen, What info do you need or could you send me a a parts breakdown of the rotor and stator. Any advice as to replacing them. Should I keep my hands out of it and leave it to the "professionals". Do you need any "special tools"

Bob Verwold · 02-06-2012, 03:58 PM

OR, you could buy a Honda eui 2000 and stay in Deweys motor home...............LOL

02-04-2012, 11:43 AM	#1
kmyers Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chillicothe, OH Posts: 97 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Generator Help The Onan generator in my RV has expired and I am being told it will cost $3000.00 to fix. For that cost, I need to replace it. It is a Micro Quiet 4000. I know everyone will say to go with the Hondas, but I have limited space inside and would have to mount it outside on the tongue of the trailer. I prefer not to add the weight to the trailer. The RV is plumbed and wired for the Onen w/ the remote control already inside. Should be a plug and play. Any advice as to the best place to purchase would be appreciative. I'm sure someone out there has gone through this or is even a dealer.

02-04-2012, 12:47 PM	#2
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Generator Help Don't know if this apply' s in your case but my new one was bigger than the old. Had to make the cabinet bigger. You have a PM

02-04-2012, 06:26 PM	#3
THE LEGEND VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fayetteville, n.c. Posts: 1,411 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Generator Help I would pay the extra money and have it dealer installed. That way there should be NO warranty issues. Onan is the worst when it comes to warranty claims Chip

02-04-2012, 07:14 PM	#4
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,320 Likes: 25 Liked 557 Times in 217 Posts	Re: Generator Help How old is your existing Onan, how many hours on it and what is wrong with it? I have done every repair imaginable on those and some are not worth fixing.....some are. I can also get new ones as we are an Onan dealer... Unless the engine blew up or it is a mess and worn out with thousands of hours on it.....it's probably repairable for less than $3000 I have repalced engines......and also generator ends...... A 4000 watt generator can give you 33 amps at 120 volts......and those Onan's are very good machines. They need to be maintained and are often neglected to the point of failure..... I had one customer that had 7000hrs on one of those.... Some are a mess by 2000-3000 hrs....... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 02-04-2012 at 07:18 PM.

02-05-2012, 09:50 PM	#5
kmyers Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chillicothe, OH Posts: 97 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Generator Help I'm not sure of the age or exact hours, I purchased the coach a year and a half ago. I had it serviced by an local Onen dealer before race season last year. Last labor day weekend, it stopped. I could start it, but a soon as I would release the start button, it would die, took it out and sent it back to the dealer, they are telling me there is plastic components inside generator which came apart and took out the windings. I am being told $2700. to fix w/ a one year warranty or $3000.00 for a new rplacement and a 3 year warranty. I found a larger Generac for about a $1000. less than to repair. That may be tough to pass up. Rich, If you have any input as to what it would take to repair/replace the generator part or know of anything about the Generacs, I'd appreciate any input Thanks, Kevin

02-06-2012, 09:05 AM	#6
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,320 Likes: 25 Liked 557 Times in 217 Posts	Re: Generator Help I'd fix the Onan if possible and skip the Generac. Or buy a new or used Onan if you could find one. The only thing that could be plastic and break inside the generator end is the rotor. It has plastic fins on it where the windings were wound. If a piece broke off it could damage the stator. The outer part with windings.... Both parts are available and replaceable. If the rest of the unit was in decent shape....not a mess, and not need any other parts....it would be worth fixing and for a lot less that a new one. __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

02-06-2012, 10:28 AM	#7
Paul Hellenberg Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: 41035 Posts: 243 Likes: 3 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Generator Help I bought a used trailer a year ago with a 6500 Onan it ran erratically but gradually with the help of a neighbor that knew small engines, got it running at first not real good. But today it runs nearly perfectly today. He called a fairly locally Onan parts store and got what turned pretty good advice in my case a complete new carburetor and other related parts. My generator is old and I suspect 1000's of hours but give good service. IMO poor maintenance is the only thing that kills generators. They do need a consistent care because mainly because of high heat, and poor fuel quality. Onan recommends running the generator every 30 days year around, I suspect that alone is part of the problem along with poor fuel issues. Good Luck __________________ Paul Hellenberg 3881 SS and STK paul@hellenberg.us

02-06-2012, 10:48 AM	#8
Tom Joseph Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 97 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Generator Help http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...All-Categories Check this out 3400.00 same generator new in the box.

02-06-2012, 02:49 PM	#9
kmyers Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chillicothe, OH Posts: 97 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Generator Help Thanks everyone for their input, this is the last thing I want to go through trying to get ready for this season. Sounds like I need to repair what I have, which I'd prefer, but don't want that lingering in the back of my head or have to deal w/ the generator while I'm trying to go rounds. Rich, I assume you are able to get the replacement parts for my Onen, What info do you need or could you send me a a parts breakdown of the rotor and stator. Any advice as to replacing them. Should I keep my hands out of it and leave it to the "professionals". Do you need any "special tools"

02-06-2012, 03:58 PM	#10
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Generator Help OR, you could buy a Honda eui 2000 and stay in Deweys motor home...............LOL