Generator Questions

[5848]

I have the chance to purchase a Onan Emerald 1 Genset 4Kw rv generator and was wondering your thoughts on this model? This would go into our race trailer.

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by 5848

I have the chance to purchase a Onan Emerald 1 Genset 4Kw rv generator and was wondering your thoughts on this model? This would go into our race trailer.

They were good units.....but that would be a pretty old unit. They have not made that design for over 10 years. Did it have an hour meter attached to it ? It's always helpful to know the amount of usage on a machine of that vintage. An hour meter is the closest thing to an odometer.

I would not buy one unless it looked to be well cared for and could be tested. It is very easy to run one even if it is not installed in anything.

Add a battery and a gas can and run it and check the output voltage. I run every unit I work on....on a bench and it gets load tested with a resistive load bank to full rated load.....It's a lot of work to install one in a trailer or M-H so it should be confirmed as good before doing an install....

[5848]

The hour meter has 232 hrs on it and the unit does look to be in good condition. What is the noise decibel on one of these units? There are asking $500 for the unit.
Thanks

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by 5848

The hour meter has 232 hrs on it and the unit does look to be in good condition. What is the noise decibel on one of these units? There are asking $500 for the unit.
Thanks

Buy it.....They are very quiet. They made about 3 different styles of mufflers and you would need a below the floor mount for a trailer.

They run at 1800 rpm and that helps keep the sound down and is also why they lasted a very long time usually. They can go for thousands of hours with proper service. Sounds like you found a good one but it should be run tested....

[5848]

Thanks for your help on this, one last question can you tell me the age of unit by these numbers.
model # 4.0BGE-1R/26100E
Serial # J870G.

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by 5848

Thanks for your help on this, one last question can you tell me the age of unit by these numbers.
model # 4.0BGE-1R/26100E
Serial # J870G.

The newer machines have the build date as the first 4 numbers of the serial number.

J-87 may be the month and year.....but I am not sure on that.

Oct. 1987...possibly

[FED 387]

looking at a used onan model 4BGEFA 26100J ---says he has been having problems starting the unit also when he had it last running the engine would rev up then go down then rev up again---- not much to go on but any ideas on a fix & is this a good unit??? Price is almost a steal but do not want to buy a money pit either-- whats a fair price on a used one--- Thanx & Regards FED 387