Cost, performance of new AC genset?

john bush

New member
Sep 23, 1998
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I'm going to look this weekend at an outwardly well maintained '73
GMC that had the Onan removed by a PO who had decided it
wasn't worth all the trouble(?). I recall reading earlier this year about
a new installation (for/by Heinz W. on a California/Texas expedition??),
perhaps a Honda unit. As I recall, the jury was still out last time I
noticed postings on the project.

Any rough figures for the cost of such a system, installed?
How is its performance, noise, etc.?
Any grief?

John Bush
Long time reader
Sunol, CA
 
John,

I can't recall for sure, but think $3200 was the magic figure, installed.
The info re the GenSet itself and source is on my website
www.bytedesigns.com/gmc follow the genset link].

Performance is excellent, as it starts when I need it to :-)
I'm using the original Onan remote inside the coach. Have 327 hours on it
now. Many hours at 24, as in constantly running.

Noise is good in my opinion. Actually it's a lack of noise that's
impressive.
I've had an opportunity to run it on gravel and dirt vs pavement and it is
indeed even quieter. Most noise is to the rear as that's where the exhaust
is pointing. Overall I'm very happy with it and the installation itself.

Going with this unit was one of my better decisions :-)

Only pain/grief is oil change. Easy and not messy to get out but it takes
some patience to get that 1.5 quarts of oil back in :-). Filler opening too
small. Topping up during break-in was not a problem. Filter easy to change
and available at Wally World. I'll be changing to Synthetic Oil at 500
hours.

Only alternative (my opinion) is the new Honda Inverter, but it is a
selfcontained unit, hence no remote start, no external fuel, etc.

Give the folks a call.

BTW, no 12volt output on this puppy at all, just in case you were expecting
it a'la Onan.

Heinz

>I'm going to look this weekend at an outwardly well maintained '73
>GMC that had the Onan removed by a PO who had decided it
>wasn't worth all the trouble(?). I recall reading earlier this year about
>a new installation (for/by Heinz W. on a California/Texas expedition??),
>perhaps a Honda unit. As I recall, the jury was still out last time I
>noticed postings on the project.
>
>Any rough figures for the cost of such a system, installed?
>How is its performance, noise, etc.?
>Any grief?
>
>John Bush
>Long time reader
>Sunol, CA
>
>
 
John it was a Generac Q-55-G 5500 watt unit. See Heinz comments at:http://www.bytedesigns.com/gmc/genset.htm

John

>
> I'm going to look this weekend at an outwardly well maintained '73
> GMC that had the Onan removed by a PO who had decided it
> wasn't worth all the trouble(?). I recall reading earlier this year about
> a new installation (for/by Heinz W. on a California/Texas expedition??),
> perhaps a Honda unit. As I recall, the jury was still out last time I
> noticed postings on the project.
>
> Any rough figures for the cost of such a system, installed?
> How is its performance, noise, etc.?
> Any grief?
>
> John Bush
> Long time reader
> Sunol, CA