Generator question--how many hours can it go?

[TallPaul]

I'm looking at a used motorhome that is pretty clean, but the one thing that bothers me is the generator. It has 1800 hours. Is that a lot? Also there is a lot of rust on the generator. I would hate to have to replace it in a couple years since it would be about $3000 installed.

 

[Brett Miller]

If it's an Onan it still has many hours left. Are there any service records?

 

[TallPaul]

I believe it is an Onan. Anyway, I told the salesman that my biggest concern is the generator and that I would be more comfortable if an independent were to evaluate it. He will do that, then I'll see.

No service records that I am aware of.

 

[punisher]

I have an old BFA spec C in my motorhome with about 800 hours on it. The older Onans, 1800 RPM flatheads, are tough to kill. Getting carb parts for them sucks though. Most common problem with them is old gas sitting in the carb and trashing it up.

If it is an older one, it is easy to work on. The heads need to be decarboned every few hundred hours and valve lash set. Brush replacement is a breeze.

Crank it up, use a DVOM or Kill A Watt to ck output (voltage and HZ) loaded and unloaded. If it runs steady under load without hunting around, likely it is good to go.

 

[TallPaul]

Salesman told me a carb rebuild is about 500$ on the Onans. "Mine" has the Onan 4000 (presumably 4000 watts).

As for fuel getting old and gumming it up, one should always have an additive in it for times of non-use.

I am more concerned about some of the very rusty parts on this unit.

 

[Cujet]

Those things had a reputation of being able to run without any oil at all and without any spark plugs! And still power the entire motorhome.

Just kidding of course, but they do last a very long time. A while back, there were a number of them for sale on Ebay. Many had 6000+ hours on them.

Chris

 

[TallPaul]

Wow, this 4000 watt Onan holds 3.5 quarts of oil!

 

[alreadygone]

1,800 hours isn't much. Would expect 10,000 hour life span. Would have some concern about rust if it's in critical areas. Even sheet metal usually acts as either sound deadener or air flow regulation. Do you feel unit has been roaded in Mitch. winter conditions (salt)? Or been stored in moist location? If it's been roaded in northern winters I believe I'd head south to make that sort of purchase!

Bob

 

[TallPaul]

You have a good point alreadygone, but buying a used motorhome halfway across the country is not easy. It's not like you can just go down, pick out out, and buy it. But I plan to have the generator checked out independently before I buy the motorhome. We put a $200 deposit on the unit on June 19 and it looks like another week before we will have a deal. They had just gotten this on in on trade (salesman originally sold this unit to the guy) and sent it in for brakes and rear shocks. Just test drove it again last night. Now they will work on a list of things I noted to be corrected and will have to put all new tires on it.

 

[TallPaul]

I found it. PCMO in 5w30, 10w30, 10w40, or 15w40 depending on temperature.

 

[Brett Miller]

Onan's like 15w40.

 

[TallPaul]

Hey, what type of oil do these generators take? PCMO, HDMO, multigrade?

 

[TallPaul]

Also take straight 30. I assume the big sump is partly to accomodate an oil pickup as I assume it has an oil pump since it has a filter.

But 15w40 eh? Well that spells PCMO unless I get Valvoline Durablend, but I want the higher additives of the PCMO anyway.