Removed Onan for General Maint

Split from General / Technical for discussion of anything electrical, electronic... 12v, Inverter, Satellite, Headlights, flashlights etc.
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LosLaureles
Posts: 55
Joined: March 6th, 2019, 12:07 pm

Removed Onan for General Maint

Post by LosLaureles »

I have removed the Onan for winter service. Only planning the following: New fuel filter, fuel pump and clean and rebuild carb. I am 90% sure I will put the Onan back in. However, I have the following question. Has anyone installed lithium batteries and a large inverter in the Onan compartment and put a remote switch in the house when 110 is required for the microwave or plugs? I realize the HVAC unit may not run but I don't use. Please let me know what the pitfalls and upgrades maybe and possible shop doing such upgrades.

I am the second owner of vehicle and did not find any service records for the Onan, that is why I am doing winter service.

BTW - The engineer who designed the Onan should fired. Why the unit needs to be removed and partially dismantled for a simple fuel filter is crazy. The only reason for the fuel pump replacement is; I don't want to remove the unit again because the fuel pump may be 20 years old.
2000 Chinook Premier
chin_k
**Forum Contributor**
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Joined: June 26th, 2017, 9:38 pm
Location: Southern CA

Re: Removed Onan for General Maint

Post by chin_k »

Depends on your use case, it maybe a good idea to replace the genset with a "solar generator." However, you may want to look at the solar panel and see if it will need to be upgraded as well. Without solar, these "generator" will relies on charging from power post to power post, and limit how long you can go without stopping by.

As for the Onan design, it is typical pitfall that we get accustomed. The typical dimensions that a system engineers deal with is size, weight, power, and more importantly, cost. Little consideration is given to maintenance and recycle-ability. We will get there eventually... like a genset that will automatically bio-degraded into a pile of grease and metal filling after 5 years, so you never have to change the fuel pump again. :lol:
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
68camaro
**Forum Contributor**
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Joined: May 16th, 2018, 4:49 pm

Re: Removed Onan for General Maint

Post by 68camaro »

While not cheap a lot of RV and boonedockers are going with Volta Energy Systems to replace generator and be able to run all electrical off grid including a/c, frig, etc....

https://voltapowersystems.com/industrie ... r-systems/
https://voltapowersystems.com/power-systems/

You may want to incorporate their ideas to design your own system to match your needs. If I pull trigger on new rig in couple years it will be with Volta type system and generator delete.
2001 Concourse XL Lounge model, 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis.
LosLaureles
Posts: 55
Joined: March 6th, 2019, 12:07 pm

Re: Removed Onan for General Maint

Post by LosLaureles »

Thanks for the input. Looked at a couple solar generators last night. Titan could be a solution
2000 Chinook Premier
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